The sweet venom Chapter 22: 21

Read chapter 22 of The sweet venom by aspa201 on NovelPedia.

Helia was comfortably settled in the velvet armchair of the boutique, savoring a cup of tea, while her new acquaintances indulged in their favorite activity. The privatized boutique was a spacious and bright area, with immaculate walls adorned with golden mirrors, where lace and silk dresses were displayed on elegant racks. Celia, in full excitement, was slipping into her tenth dress. A few steps away, Rosalind was conversing with the saleswoman, passionately describing the models she had in mind, waiting to find out if they could be brought to her. Sera, meanwhile, was in the midst of a fitting, being measured for adjustments. Until now, Helia had found the moment pleasant, chatting with each of them, offering well-thought-out advice when asked or sincere compliments with every new dress that came out of the fitting room. Although this kind of shopping trip was a true change of pace for her, she was adapting quite well. She had never really been accustomed to such worldly distractions. Usually, tailors came to her home, bringing pre-made, custom pieces selected from carefully chosen sketches in advance. She recalled the time when she would always call Elysia for help with her choices, confident in her judgment. Elysia, the true "queen of trends," had always advised her to choose simple, understated models, arguing that they showcased her subtle beauty. That had been her only experience with clothing shopping. However, this time, the situation felt different. The abundance of choices, the variety of styles, and the palpable excitement around her fascinated her. The other ladies seemed to take great pleasure in the activity, and they had repeatedly suggested she join them in trying on dresses. But Helia, already having a well-stocked wardrobe, did not think it necessary to indulge. Furthermore, facing these tall and flawless women did little to ease her own insecurities. Although she had lost weight recently due to the events of the past few months, it had not been enough to make her forget that she was shorter and rounder than most of her peers, which troubled her deeply. It was then that a saleswoman entered with a radiant smile, wearing a deep amethyst purple dress, adorned with delicate silver threads, which seemed to shimmer under the lights of the shop. She approached Celia with evident eagerness. "Oh! You found it! It's stunning!" Celia exclaimed. Sera and Celia rushed toward her, running their fingers over the fabric. They both agreed it was a true marvel. Unperturbed, Helia stood up, eager not to be left out. She moved toward the group, her eyes falling on the dress. The color, both captivating and elegant, as well as the intricate embroidery adorning the hem, left little room for indifference. She couldn't help but comment. "I'm sure it will look magnificent on you, Celia." Celia looked at her, almost incredulously. "On me? You're joking! These colors don't suit my complexion at all," she replied with a smile. Sera, who had been gazing at the dress, turned her gaze toward her and, with a sly smile, added. "Helia, this dress was requested for you. The colors and the style will suit you beautifully. You must try it on." Helia, caught off guard, attempted to politely decline, though the pressure of the insistent gazes was palpable. "Oh, that's kind, but I don't think it would suit me. It's not really my usual style. And besides, I already have enough dresses..." Rosalind, who had been observing silently until then, intervened in a sharp tone, with a slight roll of her eyes. "So what? You're the daughter of a marquis, aren't you? You could afford this dress a thousand times over without a second thought! It's not about need, but pleasure." Celia, with a mischievous smile, added. "And you'll never know if it suits you unless you try it on!" Under the determined stares of her friends, Helia finally gave in and went to the fitting room to try on the dress, though she had no desire to do so. The shop assistant helped her into