Red POV
I stood on the podium, staring at Isa and Julius as the considered my favorite dress. "So?" I asked impatiently, unsure why they were so quiet.
"Its lovely." Isa stated with a nod and a smils
I prince didn't look nearly as happy, "It is..."
"But?" I implored.
"Red..." he sighed a bit, standing and approaching me. Looking down at me he took my hands in his and gave them a light squeeze, "there is no wrong choice for you, and I know you adore these dresses you so often wear but do you not want a gown for your wedding?"
I chewed my lip, "I have not considered floor length. Do you think I should?"
He nodded a bit, "I know there is one here."
"Angelano did not tell me such." I huffed, "I thought he had shown you and Isa all of them."
"He didn't show me because I'm the one who requested it here."
I arched a brow.
He smiled mischievously, "a few years back you got a design book as a gift from your favorite designer."
"Cristo. Zander got me a dress from them."
He nodded, "I remember how fond you were of that book and specifically one dress in it."
My eyes grew wide, "you did not."
He grinned.
"That dress was never meant for sale!" I exclaimed.
"Red. I am a prince, there is little that I cannot buy and if you so wish it, it is yours."
I was practically bouncing in my excitement, "Its here?"
He nodded.
"I may try it on?"
"And if you want it its yo-"
I practically ran back into the dressing room, "where is it?!"
The prince's laughter followed me, "Angelano is fetching it from the back."
~~
The prince darted over and covered my eyes before I could even peek at myself in the mirror but I did hear Isa gasp as I walked into the room.
"Is it good?" I asked, "Cristo has only ever made two gowns in his career. One for his sisters society debut and this one."
"Oh Red." Isa murmured, "it is perfect for you."
I could feel my smile creeping up as the prince asked, clearly proud of himself, "ready Red?"
I nodded.
He took his hands from my eyes and I gasped, finger tips pressing to my lips, "oh..."
"Do you like it?" He asked.
Tears sprang to my eyes, "you must think it ridiculous with all these ruffles, but Julius, I feel absolutely beautiful."
"You look it as well Red." He replied handing me his handkerchief, "I know you wanted a small wedding but..."
"Its my wedding I can wear a ridiculous dress if I so choose. Even if it were only two people."
"I agree." He murmured. "Your fur trader wont know what hit him."
"I wish to make him cry. I hear that can happen in a love match."
"Zander isn't one to cry." Isa chuckled, "but he may fall to his knees it utter worship of you."
"I suppose that is good enough." I replied, brushing my fingers over the lace.
"May I assume this means you want it?" Julius asked.
I nodded, cupping his face in my hands, "Thank you."
He smiled, tapping his forehead to mine the way he did when we were children and he would sneak into the guard house to play. "When did you become such a woman Red? It feels like yesterday that you were too small to pick up a sword."
I laughed a bit remembering when I was little and insisted I could pick up the sword Julius trained with. And failed to do so. "Time is fleeting is it not?"
He chuckled almost sadly, "that is certain, look at you Red, your going to be some mans wife."
I smiled at him, blinking back tears, "how things change."
He covered my hands in his own, whispering softly, "I'm so proud of you Red. You grew up so strong and I know your life has just begun."
I laughed a bit, pulling away slightly, "you talk as if nothing will be the same."
"Well, they won't quite be what they were, after all you are certainly making a life of your own." He grinned, "but I'm still not letting you go, your not allowed to be late for work and I expect to have tea with you still."
I nodded, "tea truly isnt Zanders favorite pass time so I am sure he will be relived to know someone else wishes to take that burden."
Isa watched us quietly, contemplative look on her face.
"Is everything okay Isa?"
"Oh, yes sweetheart I'm just surprised to see you so close to someone."
I smiled a bit, "Prince Julius means the world to me."
She smiled back, "then I am honored to get to share this experience with you both."
Julius smiled at her as he paid for my wedding gown, "Red speaks highly of you but she's never mentioned how it is you know her betrothed."
Isa hesitated for a moment, "well... I took over raising Zander when his parents passed away."
Julius looked at her, surprised before glancing at me, "I had no idea he was an orphan too Red, you never mentioned it when you spoke of him."
"I did not see a reason to."
He nodded, "Does he want children?"
"Yes."
"Do you."
"No." I replied as I wondered back to change into my normal clothes.
"But.." his voice echoed after me, "are you certain? Not ever."
"Not that I am aware."
He was standing nearby when I opened the dressing room door, an assistant packing up my wedding dress. "But, Red, when a man wishes to er... continue his line, that need doesn't really go away."
"Zander and I have discussed this." I supplied, knowing he was worried.
"And he is okay? Red I know he loves you but..."
"He is giving me a few years to think upon it." I murmured patting Julius' chest, "and we agreed that if my mind does not change we shall then discuss it."
"And he's not the type to..." he cleared his throat, "stray?"
I gaped at him, "no Zander would never."
The prince looked relived, "As long as you are sure I know some wealthy men are less than faithful when they don't get what they want. I would hate to have to kill him for hurting you."
I giggled, "I would kill him first."
"Then I will held dispose of the body." He chuckled, "now lets go to tea."
