Thronebound

choosing the dress

The market was crowded with people strolling about, and it was extremely loud as various vendors tried their hardest to draw customers in to purchase their products.

Elara pulled at Percy's clothing, and Percy observed that Mara was quickening her pace, prompting her to speak

Percy, glaring at Mara who was hurrying along, said, "Can you please not make it obvious that you have been chosen?"

Mara dramatically flipped her hair and retorted, "Why shouldn't I make it obvious? I'm a queen, can't you see?”

A queen? Percy scoffed. How can you be so thrilled about marrying a lecherous king?

Whether he's lecherous or not doesn't matter to me; what matters is the respect, wealth, and fame that come with it. I'm exhausted from living like a nobody, and I'll do anything to be the chosen one, Mara declared with a serious look.

Percy paid no attention to Mara and turned to Elara, saying,"I wish I were you," Percy told Elara, gazing at her.

Elara reduced her pace.

"Why?"

Percy tried to speak, but the words didn't come right away.

Because Elara wasn't picked.

Because she could return home tonight, rest in her own bed, get up in the morning, and go on with her life as if nothing had changed.

Percy wanted the same thing for herself.

But instead, she had to go to the palace tomorrow and stand with girls who had dreamed for years about being queen.

She turned her gaze away.

"At least you don't have to act like you're happy about all this."

Mara, who was walking in front, stopped and looked back.

"Act happy? I'm not acting."

Percy gave her a weary glance.

"I know."

Mara smiled and faced forward again.

Percy watched her for a bit.

Mara seemed content.

Truly content.

Percy couldn't figure it out.

How can anyone feel so thrilled about being picked by a man she had never met?

The idea of being next to the king made Percy feel uneasy in her stomach. She had heard plenty about Kael Veyne and knew he was not someone she wanted near her.

But Mara was already talking about crowns and gowns as if the choice was already made.

Percy wished that Mara would, just once, see why this was not something she could joke about.

They got to the clothing stalls a few minutes later.

Many dresses hung under colorful canopies and touched each other when the wind blew. Women walked between the stalls, holding cloth against themselves while the sellers gave advice.

Mara became even happier.

“This is the one.”

She rushed to a stall full of dresses.

Percy went after her, even though she did not want to be there.

As soon as she entered, Mara started pulling dresses off the racks.

“What about this?”

She held up a red dress.

Percy looked at it.

“No.”

Mara frowned.

“You didn't even look at it properly.”

“I did.”

What is wrong with it?

It makes you look like you are going to a funeral.

Elara laughed quietly.

Mara rolled her eyes and put it back.

Okay. How about this one?

She took out a light blue dress.

This time, Percy looked at it for a longer time.

The cloth was soft and light, with tiny silver details stitched along the edges. It was nice.

Maybe too nice.

Mara held it up to herself and faced the mirror.

I like this one.

You have liked every dress you have touched.

Because they are pretty.

Percy leaned against the wooden stall.

She watched Mara look at herself in the mirror.

There was something almost enviable about how sure she was.

Mara wanted this.

She had wanted it for years.

Percy couldn't recall a time she had wanted something so much.

“What's your opinion?” Mara questioned.

Percy made herself smile.

“It's pretty.”

Mara's face lit up.

“I was sure you'd agree.”

Percy turned her gaze away.

She didn't want to admit she felt jealous.

Not about the dress.

Not even about the palace.

She envied how easily Mara could look ahead and find something to desire.

Percy only saw something she couldn't get away from.

Elara picked up another dress.

“How about this one for you?”

Percy looked at it.

It was cream-colored, plain and graceful, with a snug waist and a long, flowing skirt. A delicate line of stitching went around the sleeves.

“I don't need anything special.”

Elara held it up to her.

“It is not fancy.”

Mara looked over.

“No.”

Percy sighed.

“What now?”

“You need something better.”

“Better than that?”

“Yes.”

Mara reached behind her and pulled out a dark green dress.

The fabric was richer than the others, with delicate gold embroidery running down the front.

She held it toward Percy.

“This.”

Percy stared at it.

Her first instinct was to refuse.

The dress was beautiful.

That was exactly the problem.

Beautiful dresses belonged to girls who wanted to be noticed.

Girls who wanted the king to look at them.

Percy wanted the opposite.

“No.”

Mara's brow furrowed.

“Why?”

“It's too much.”

“It's a royal gathering.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you acting like we're going to the market?”

Percy didn't respond.

Because she wished they were going to the market.

She wished this whole thing had never happened.

She wished her name hadn't been called.

She wished she could give her invitation to someone else and go back to worrying about how many honey cakes they had sold that morning.

Mara held the dress out again.

“Try it.”

Percy paused.

Then she took it.

Her fingers brushed over the embroidery.

It was soft beneath her fingertips.

She hated that she liked it.

“Just try it,” Mara said.

Percy looked at herself in the mirror with the dress held against her.

The dark green color suited her more than she liked to admit. The gold stitching sparkled in the light, making the dress seem pricey.

For a short time, she pictured herself entering the palace in that dress.

Next, she pictured everyone turning to stare at her.

That idea made her feel uneasy.

“I'll take it.”

Mara smiled.

“I thought you would like it.”

“I didn't say that.”

“You're buying it.”

“Because you wouldn't stop.”

“It's the same.”

Percy rolled her eyes, but a little smile appeared on her face.

It vanished as fast as it appeared.

Tomorrow was coming closer.

The dress in her hands suddenly felt heavier than it should.

She folded it neatly over her arm.

Mara kept looking through the dresses while Elara checked another rack.

Percy stood quietly between them, listening to them talk.

They were thrilled.

They were planning things.

They spoke of the palace as if tomorrow would be a fun trip.

Percy wanted to feel that way too.

But she could only think that tomorrow she would enter the king's palace for the first time.

And she didn't know what would come next.