The boutique smelled faintly of roses and champagne. White curtains flowed like clouds, mirrors glimmered under the chandelier light, and soft music hummed from somewhere in the background. Mina stood in the middle of it all, barefoot, her robe tied loosely at the waist.
Naarah and Stacey were perched on the plush sofa, sipping champagne like judges on a reality show. Ellie slept soundly in her pram nearby, her tiny fingers clutching the hem of her blanket.
"Okay," the bridal consultant said, beaming. "Ready to see the dress?"
Mina smiled nervously. "I think so."
"Correction," Naarah said. "We are ready. I've been waiting for this moment my entire life. If I don't cry, it's a failure."
The consultant giggled, then nodded to the assistant, who wheeled in the gown covered in layers of sheer white silk.
The air shifted. Even before the fabric was lifted, Mina felt something… familiar. Like home.
When they unveiled it, the room went silent.
The gown shimmered.
It wasn't loud or gaudy; it was regal — an empire of soft ivory silk cascading down in layers, every inch scattered with tiny, hand-set diamonds that caught the light like stars on snow. The neckline was elegant and clean, the back dipped low with delicate embroidery shaped like vines and constellations.
Stacey whispered first. "Oh my God."
Naarah pressed a hand to her chest. "If she doesn't marry him, I will."
Mina's throat tightened. She reached out, fingers brushing the fabric, and her breath hitched when she saw the tag.
Her favourite designer's signature — and below it, in silver ink: For my princess. —A.V.
Her lips parted. "Aaron."
The consultant smiled softly. "He called personally. Worked with our designer for months. Said he wanted every sparkle to mean something. There are exactly ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine diamonds on this gown. He insisted."
Mina blinked hard, tears filling her eyes. "He counted them?"
"Apparently," Stacey murmured. "The man's in love. Deeply."
Naarah sniffled loudly. "Damn it, I'm actually crying."
The assistant helped Mina into the gown, and when she stepped out, the room went silent again — but this time, it wasn't just the sparkle. It was her.
The diamonds caught in her hair, her eyes, her smile. She looked ethereal. Like forgiveness and fire wrapped in silk.
Mina turned slowly toward the mirror. For a long moment, she just stared at her reflection. Then a soft laugh escaped her lips, half disbelieving, half overwhelmed.
"He really meant it," she whispered. "Anything for his princess."
Ellie stirred and made a tiny sound — like agreement.
Naarah stood, wiping her eyes. "I hate to admit it, but the man's set an impossible standard."
Mina laughed through her tears. "Tell him that."
"I will," Naarah said, sniffing. "And I'll make sure he never forgets it."