Chapter 15: THE WEDDING DRESS
The afternoon sun in the angelic realm shone high in the sky, bathing the realm in its soft, golden glow. Its golden rays peeked through the sheer curtains covering the windows in Arella's room. The light was warm, dancing across the walls. The room itself was luxurious, as most things in the central palace were. However, for Arella, it felt like a cage to keep her until she was married off.
She stood before a full-length mirror, her eyes tracing the reflection that seemed foreign to her. A corset, tight around her waist, was being sinched in by young angels. It had been ages since the era of corsets had died down in the human realm and angel realm. However, they were still worn under wedding dresses, like the one she was expected to wear. It was nothing more than a tradition that was considered sacred.
The corset had been custom made to accommodate her wings, which stretched proudly from her back—always a symbol of her angel heritage. The corset would also allow her to wear the dress, which was designed with a plunging back to allow her wings to unfurl without constriction.
The dress had been placed on a dress form in the middle of the room. It was made with the finest silk, and Arella could say with certainty that it was nothing short of a dream. It was a dress that seemed to have stepped straight out of a fairytale.
The gown itself shimmered with the soft glow of the sun, as if kissed by starlight, with its layers of silk flowing in graceful waves like clouds caught in a soft breeze. The fabric itself was light as air. The bodice was adorned with intricate chains of pearls that adorned the underside of the bust and crystals that scattered down the long, soft lace sleeves that would swirl over her arms. The neckline was high enough that it would cover most of her chest, also made from soft-looking lace.
The skirt bloomed out like a flower in full bloom, full of soft tulle and satin. The golden accents that traced the curves and folds of the skirt mimicked how angels believed their holy power flowed. It was so beautiful that Arella was scared to even touch it—and to think that she would be dressed in the dress in just a couple of minutes.
The angels who were assisting her to dress were young angels who had just earned the title and rank of low tier two. Since they were still young, they had yet to be given important tasks or get into any department. Their eyes and actions showed the excitement of being trusted with such an important task.
They had pinned her hair in a soft chignon at the nape of her neck, the only way to hide her short hair while still keeping it classy. It was also the only way they could hide the fact that her hair was so painfully short. Each stray strand of hair was purposeful—in order to frame her face. A delicate gold butterfly clip adorned her tresses, adorned with tiny pearls and iridescent wings. It was nestled in her blonde locks, with the wings peeking out of the sides of her head.
After they were content with the tightness of her corset, they had a look at the light makeup they had already applied. Then they fussed with the dress, dressing her with it.