Unraveling Eris

A Gown Fit for Battle

The boutique was a dazzling display of luxury—rows of velvet-lined mannequins adorned in shimmering silks, intricate Velmiran embroidery glinting under the warm chandelier lights. Elegant glass cases showcased accessories that probably cost more than Eris's father made in a year.

Georgiana, of course, lit up immediately. "Oh, this one—this one is perfect!" She hurried over to a gown in a deep shade of sapphire, running her fingers over the fabric with open admiration.

Cassian and William trailed behind, exchanging looks that said they had absolutely no interest in being here but were present out of duty. Meanwhile, Theo strolled in like he owned the place—because, technically, he did.

Eris kept her hands tucked firmly behind her back as Georgiana eagerly plucked a few dresses off the racks, holding them up against her frame. The gowns were exquisite, and any one of them would make her look ethereal at the upcoming gala.

"Which one do you think?" Georgiana turned to Eris, holding up two options. One was a soft ivory gown with delicate floral beadwork; the other, a deep crimson piece with structured, regal embroidery.

Eris took a moment to examine them. "The ivory is elegant, but the crimson makes a statement. It depends—do you want to look like a delicate princess or an unstoppable force of nature?"

William coughed into his fist, hiding a smirk. Cassian simply hummed. "I think Georgiana looks good in both," William said quickly.

Eris rolled her eyes. Hopeless.

Before Georgiana could decide, a sales attendant approached, eyes gleaming with the promise of a high-profile sale. "Lady Dillon, may I assist you in selecting accessories to match your choices?"

As Georgiana followed the attendant to another section, Cassian and William were immediately drawn into a quiet discussion about cufflinks—because, apparently, even those needed to be tailored to perfection.

Which left Eris standing awkwardly between a row of mannequins and Theo, who had yet to do anything remotely useful.

She sighed. "Are you planning to buy anything, or are you just here to judge everyone in silence?"

Theo, who had been leaning lazily against a display case, glanced at her with an infuriating smile. "You wound me, Eris. I would never judge in silence."

Eris groaned. "Of course not."

He stepped closer, idly picking up a pair of velvet gloves from the display. "You didn't pick anything out for yourself."

She forced a casual shrug. "Didn't see anything I liked."

Theo hummed, unimpressed. He flipped the gloves between his fingers, considering something. Then, with the air of someone making a decision on a whim, he turned to one of the attendants.

"Bring me the limited collection gowns," he said.

The woman startled, then bowed quickly before rushing off.

Eris narrowed her eyes. "And why, exactly, are you requesting limited collection gowns?"

Theo glanced at her. "Because you didn't see anything you liked."

Her stomach dropped. "No."

He looked positively entertained. "No?"

"I am not—"

The attendant returned, carrying a selection of gowns so extravagant that Eris was sure she felt her bank account die in real time. Rich satins, intricate beading, custom embroidery—it was the kind of luxury only nobles bathed in.

"Your Highness," Eris hissed, voice low. "I can't afford a single thread off these gowns."

He looked entirely unbothered. "So?"

"So?" Her voice pitched. "I just said—"

"Try them on."

Eris blinked. "You—" She paused, exhaling sharply, then crossed her arms. "And what? You're going to buy one for me?"

Theo simply smiled, all infuriating patience. "You wound me again. Do you think I would be so improper?"

Eris opened her mouth, then closed it.

What does that even mean?

Theo leaned in slightly, voice dropping. "Pick one to try, Eris."

Something in his gaze made her breath catch.

It was a challenge.

A dare.

And Eris Elena Elhan had never backed down from a challenge in her life.

Eris had lost count of how many dresses she had tried on.

First was a deep emerald gown—sophisticated, elegant, the kind a high-ranking noble lady would wear to a royal gala. She stepped out of the fitting room, half-expecting some acknowledgment from Theo, only to be met with a single raised brow.

"Green makes you look almost refined," he mused, tilting his head. "Almost."

Eris scowled. "I am refined."

"Tell that to your posture."

She turned sharply back into the fitting room before she could say something regrettable.

The next gown was a moonlit silver, embroidered with delicate crystal beadwork. Georgiana gasped, clasping her hands together. "Oh, this one is stunning! You look like a princess!"

Cassian and William exchanged glances but said nothing.

Theo merely leaned back in his seat, arms crossed. "You look cold."

Eris glanced down at herself. "Cold?"

He gestured vaguely. "Like someone dumped you in a snowdrift and forgot to take you back inside."

Her eye twitched. Why was she doing this again?

Dress after dress, she endured his unrelenting scrutiny. A midnight blue number was deemed "too severe." A delicate blush gown made her look "too soft." A daring crimson ensemble was met with a thoughtful pause—before Theo simply said, "Bold choice."

She had no idea if that was approval or not.

By the time she reappeared in the final option—a sleek black gown with intricate golden embroidery—she was exhausted.

Theo tapped a finger against his chin, studying her with infuriating patience.

Then, without a single change in expression, he stood.

"None of them suit you," he declared.

Eris's jaw dropped.

Georgiana visibly winced. William had the decency to look sympathetic. Cassian just sighed.

Eris, however, was seething.

She had tolerated the constant critiques, the endless dressing up like a doll, everything—only for this useless prince to say that none of them were good enough?

"Your Highness," she began, voice deceptively calm, "do you have any idea how difficult it is to—"

But before she could finish, Theo turned away, already walking toward the boutique's refreshment station.

"I'm getting a drink," he said over his shoulder. "You should too. All that trying must have tired you out."

And just like that, he was gone.

Eris stood there, fists clenched, barely resisting the urge to throw something at him.

Georgiana, still looking stunned, cleared her throat. "Well... at least he—uh—tried to help?"

Eris exhaled sharply. "He's insufferable."

Cassian, ever the diplomat, offered, "That's one word for it."

William just chuckled. "You know, Eris... he doesn't usually spend this much effort on someone."

She shot him a glare, but the words lingered in her mind long after Theo had disappeared.

"Effort to piss someone off? Yeah, right," Eris huffed, crossing her arms as she glared in the direction Theo had disappeared.

William chuckled, shaking his head. "No, I mean—"

"Don't," she cut in. "Don't you dare try to make it sound like he's being considerate."

Cassian, ever the neutral party, simply exhaled. "Theo has... a unique way of showing interest."

"Interest?" Eris let out a sharp laugh. "In what? Mocking my appearance? Offering unsolicited fashion critiques like some self-appointed style authority? Because if that's the case, then congratulations to him—he's absolutely fascinated." She threw up her hands.

Georgiana bit her lip, trying—and failing—to suppress her amusement. "Well... he was paying attention."

Eris groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "Fantastic. I hope he enjoyed himself."

Cassian exchanged a look with William before muttering, "Oh, he did."

Eris shot them both a glare. "I hate all of you."

"Understandable," William said easily. "But that doesn't change the fact that you still need a dress."

Before she could retort, Georgiana grabbed her hands, eyes shining. "Don't worry! We'll find something. Forget Theo—this is your moment."

"Actually I'll just wear one of those dresses at home. To be honest, I can't afford new ones, Georgie."

Georgiana's face softened, but before she could say anything, she was already reaching for her purse. "What do you mean? Of course I'll get it for you."

Eris immediately stepped back, hands up in protest. "Absolutely not."

"Eris," Georgiana huffed, exasperated, "it's just a dress—"

"Exactly," Eris cut in. "It's just a dress. I'm not letting you spend ridiculous amounts of money on something I'll wear for a few hours."

"But—"

"No." Eris shook her head, firm. "I mean it, Georgie. I appreciate it, but I can't."

Georgiana pouted, her frustration evident. "You can pay me back later."

"That's not the point."

Cassian, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "She's as stubborn as Theo."

Eris shot him a glare. "Take that back."

William laughed, crossing his arms. "He's not wrong."

Georgiana sighed dramatically. "Fine. But I still think you should have something new. It's not about the price—it's about you feeling good in it."

Eris hesitated for a fraction of a second before masking it with a shrug. "I'll survive."

Eris watched in weary resignation as Georgiana stacked dress after dress onto the counter, along with accessories she clearly didn't need but claimed were "just in case."

"You're buying three?" Eris asked, incredulous.

Georgiana nodded, completely unfazed. "Of course. I'll decide which one to wear when the day comes."

Eris exchanged a look with William, who only shrugged as if this was an entirely normal occurrence. Cassian, on the other hand, glanced at the growing pile of silk and embroidery with mild amusement.

"That's some impressive over-preparation," he remarked.

"I prefer to call it strategic planning," Georgiana countered.

Theo arrived just as Eris was about to make her final stand against Georgiana's relentless insistence. He strolled in, a latte in one hand, completely at ease—like he hadn't just abandoned them in the middle of dress shopping.

Eris pointedly looked away.

"Did I miss anything?" he asked, taking a sip of his drink.

Eris turned away, refusing to engage.

Theo raised an eyebrow. "What, ignoring me now?"

Silence.

He sighed dramatically and leaned slightly closer. "You do know that if you stop talking to me, I'll only find new ways to annoy you, right?"

Eris clenched her jaw and still said nothing.

Cassian let out a low chuckle, and William muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like this is going to be fun.

Theo, completely unbothered, took another sip of his latte. "Suit yourself."