Chapter 110: The Greatest Stylist in the Seven Realms
Seraphel
I blinked hard, pulling myself out of the dark spiral, and forced my breathing to steady.
"Right," I cleared my throat, forcing a small nod. "Let us go."
I turned and walked out of the dressing chamber, making my way back into the main grand reception room where Raizel was waiting.
The Prince of Greed was sprawled across a plush, velvet chaise lounge with his legs crossed in total decadence.
Two handsome male attendants were massaging his shoulders while a young woman was feeding him peeled grapes from a silver bowl. Another Male attendant sat at his feet, gently rubbing his ankles with scented oils. He looked every bit the arrogant, self-indulgent Sin of Greed.
Looking at him, I briefly recalled the original NovelPhoenix outline I had skimmed back in my old life.
In the original story, Raizel was supposed to have three destined mates who eventually humbled his outrageous greed. But since this was Azriel’s realm—and since the reality of this world had diverged so wildly from the original book—I was fairly certain Raizel hadn’t even met his mates yet.
The moment Raizel caught sight of me stepping into the hall, his eyes went wide. He tossed the grape aside, sat up straight, and slapped his hands together excitedly.
"If you make me change this dress one more time, I swear to God I will punch you straight in the face," I said through gritted teeth, holding his gaze with absolute deadpan serious energy. I wasn’t joking. I was one minor inconvenience away from throwing hands with a Sin.
Instead of taking offense, Raizel burst out laughing, clapping his hands together like a thrilled child.
"Oh, magnificent! Breathtaking! Absolute perfection!" Raizel squealed, standing up from his chair and circling me like an art critic examining a priceless masterpiece. "Look at you! The red accentuates your pale skin, and the silver lotus embroidery makes you look like a sacred deity who descended from the heavens just to grace my presence!"
I forced a flat, unamused smile at his dramatic antics. "Of course it looks good. It’s the least flashy dress I had seen today. I am just glad you finally picked one after making me endure a three-hour fashion show."
"Glad? You should be down on your knees thanking me for my brilliant taste!" Raizel huffed, pressing a hand to his chest before his eyes lit up with renewed excitement. "Now! Makeup! Hair! Move, move, move!"
Before I could protest, Raizel grabbed me by the shoulders and forcefully shoved me toward the vanity table, pushing me down into the velvet chair in front of a giant, gilded mirror.
"Analisse, begin!" Raizel commanded with a dramatic flick of his wrist.
Analisse stepped forward with a soft chuckle, opening a massive, velvet-lined trunk filled with cosmetics, brushes, and sparkling jars of shimmering powders. "I shall now begin, Your Grace."
As Analisse began carefully applying smooth powders and subtle pigments to my skin, Raizel strutted around the vanity, boasting endlessly about his own greatness.
"You see, my dear Seraphel, you are a beauty of the highest caliber, but without my refined artistic eye, you would just be a hidden jewel in the dirt!" Raizel declared, puffing out his chest. "I am going to make you shine so brightly today that every noble in Katula will weep from jealousy!"
I looked at him through the mirror, raising an eyebrow at his reflection. "Raizel, you’re the one who is shining. Literally."
And I wasn’t exaggerating.
Raizel was wearing a blinding, floor-length golden robe woven from real molten gold thread, encrusted with hundreds of tiny, light-refracting diamonds that practically radiated sunlight every time he took a step. Standing next to him was like staring directly into a supernova.
Ignoring my commentary, Raizel began pulling out tray after tray of fine jewelry from his dimensional ring. He held up massive, gaudy diamond necklaces, heavy golden crowns, and flashy hairpins embedded with ruby clusters.
"How about this six-tiered emerald choker?" Raizel offered eagerly, holding it up to my neck.
I groaned aloud, leaning my head back. "No. Absolutely not. My neck will break before I even reach the hall.’’
"Fine, fine! You have no appreciation for true grandeur," he scoffed, tossing the priceless emeralds back into the box like junk.
He searched through his collection for another ten minutes, humming thoughtfully, until he finally pulled out a delicate, breathtaking piece: a thin silver hair chain studded with tiny, tear-shaped pearls, paired with a subtle silver lotus pendant that rested perfectly in the hollow of my throat.
"There," Raizel declared, holding them up. "This matches the silver embroidery on your robes."
Analisse expertly styled my long hair, pinning a few strands back with the delicate pearl chain while leaving the rest to fall softly over my shoulders in silky waves. She finished off my makeup with a touch of deep crimson tint on my lips, perfectly complementing the traditional red robes.
When she finally stepped back, I stared at my reflection in the mirror, genuinely speechless.
The person staring back at me didn’t look like a stressed-out, overworked human who had been dragged into a fantasy world. The red robes draped over my frame with fluid grace, the silver lotus embroidery glowing softly in the warm light. The subtle makeup highlighted my sharp features, making my eyes appear striking, clear, and almost ethereal.
I looked regal, calm, and hauntingly beautiful.
And different from the nightmare.
"See?!" Raizel gasped, coming to stand behind my chair with a triumphant grin plastered across his face. "What did I tell you? You look like an absolute masterpiece!"
A soft, genuine smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I smoothed down the front of my dress. "It actually looks... really nice."
Raizel leaned in, nudging my shoulder with his elbow. "Come on, say it! Praise me! Admit that I am the greatest stylist in the seven realms!"
I turned my head and gave him an amused look. "Fine. You did an amazing job, Raizel. Truly. But I am never letting you choose my clothes ever again."
Raizel threw his head back and let out a loud, delighted laugh. "Everyone always says that, my dear Seraphel! But they always come crawling back because deep down, they know I am the best!"
I rolled my eyes at his supreme ego, but the lighthearted warmth in the room finally managed to chase away the lingering shadows of my morning panic.
For a brief moment, I forgot about so many things that had happened over the past few days as I looked at my reflection one last time.
All I could think of was the wedding.