Throughout the night, Celeste worked tirelessly on the princess's gown inside the Moonweave Room in the palace, meant only for making dresses for the Queen, the King, and the Princess. Soft glowstone lamps filled the room with warm, shimmering light, casting gentle sparkles across threads of silk and crystal.
A few other were also working, their hands moving quietly.
Luckily, Faye was with Celeste, and as usual, she never stopped talking. Celeste only smiled, used to her friend's endless chatter
They were both seated at a long weaving table, the surface glowing faintly under a glowstone lamp.
Celeste held the blue crystal gown in her lap, carefully guiding a moon needle through the waistline, each stitch precise and graceful.
When the gown was complete, Celeste placed her hands gently on the fabric and closed her eyes. Magic flowed from her palms, soft, glowing, and full of warmth. The gown shimmered.
Then, suddenly, glowing butterflies drifted in through the window. They fluttered around the gown like tiny spirits made of starlight.
Everyone in the room froze, staring in awe. Even Faye, who always had something to say, gasped silently. Celeste was talented… but her fairy magic was something else, she controlled glowing butterflies from the fairy moors, this level of magic was something else.
Celeste rose, carrying the gown carefully, and hung it on the wall. The butterflies circled the dress, their wings casting blue crystal light across the room. Magic shimmered around the gown like gentle waves.
"Wow, Celeste! This is amazing. I'm sure the princess will love it," Faye said breathlessly.
Celeste smiled proudly.
"But wait… are these little guys staying there forever?" Faye asked as she leaned closer to the butterflies squirting.
Celeste sighed dramatically and placed her hand on her forehead.
"No, Faye. I just need their Luminara dust to give the gown a beautiful scent and a soft glow."
"Ohhh! I can already imagine the princess in it!" Faye squealed with excitement.
---
That night, in the Royal Imperial Palace, Viktor returned to report to Malum.
"Milord," Viktor said, bowing deeply.
Malum remained seated on his throne, eyes cold yet curious. "So? What did you find?"
"Milord, I asked someone close to me in the fairy palace about Celeste Brookleaf, and I told him to keep it a secret like you instructed..."
"Get to the point," Malum snapped.
Viktor flinched. "Y...yes, Milord. She is the fairy princess's main maid… and the one who makes the princess's clothes. She has a younger brother and lives with her parents."
"Hm. Interesting," Malum murmured, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
Viktor almost choked.
The devil smiling was never a harmless thing.
---
The next morning, Celeste was summoned to the princess's chamber.
She entered carrying the gown on a wooden hanger. Inside, two maids were styling Ophelia's hair. Celeste bowed politely, and the maids stepped aside, releasing Ophelia's hair as they bowed back.
One maid signaled for Ophelia to turn.
Ophelia glanced behind her, and gasped.
"Oh, Celeste!" She immediately stood and rushed to hug her.
Both maids frowned slightly, surprised by the princess's affection.
"Princess Ophelia, please be careful not to ruin your makeup and hair," one of them warned.
Ophelia quickly let go. "Right, right."
She looked at the gown and her eyes widened. "This is beautiful. I'm sure the royal king will be captivated."
Celeste dressed Ophelia in the wardrobe room, as she always did.
"Oh, I'm sure the king is a handsome man," Ophelia said while Celeste zipped the gown. "People say he has the beauty of Lucifer… but also that he's scary."
Malum's face suddenly crossed Celeste's mind.
She wondered what he might be doing at that very moment.