23 The Girl in Gray

The whole day passed by normally making Rick frustrated and nervous. The calm from before completely dissolved as early as the sun had risen.

She only went out of her room twice. To have milk for breakfast. And late noon for lunch with nanny dragging her out of bed forcing her to eat.

Marco has been out of reach since he had dinner with her and Karl. And that brother of hers has been... words doesn't fit to describe him now. Dazed? Absent minded?

That dinner two days ago he was supposed to bring somebody but eventually only the three of them dined. If that person cancelled on him on a last minute he definitely would sulk all night.

But he was...dreamy?

Hmmmn is big brother in love?

However that thought didn't linger as nanny had called for her.

"Miss, there's a delivery for you."

'Huh? But I didn't buy anything'

But still she went downstairs to receive it. It was a big silver box, tied with a white lace ribbon. She took it upstairs. She felt nanny was curious about but she has no intention of letting her see what's inside.

Nanny then decided to let her be.

'That child must have brought something that would piss Master Karl off'

Franchesca quickly locked and bolted her door once Nanny went away. She stared at the silver box in her bed. The sun is starting to set, its golden rays reflecting on the flower bed below her window.

Her heartbeat is thumping wildly. She went to the bed and kneeled before the box, slowly pulling the ribbon. She counted quite a few seconds before lifting the box's cover.

Her eyes widened a fraction upon seeing what it contains.

The gray dress in the shop!

It has been a month! Did that girl Kristine really wrapped it for her? But she didn't buy it at all! Then she remember that afternoon, as if the girl is right by her side, her voice rang in her ears...

'It will be yours...'

Just what is that girl thinking?

Then a sudden realization hit her!

Cedric!

Do they know each other? It can't be too much of a coincidence right? She saw pixies and a goblin and a floating sleeping version of her that day! Is Kristine a magical creature as well? But she'd never seen anything odd about her.

She touched the fabric slowly, afraid that she's dreaming. For a month, she's never seen any of them creatures, or Cedric. She even thought herself crazy! Some days she'll wake up feeling enthusiastic of the coming full moon; some days it depressed her so much. Few days ago she was almost calm about it, and yet today she's agitated.

The gown itself is magic to the touch. The upper body is a corset type in dark gray, covered in gray lace embroidered with Swarovski crystals. She hasn't pulled it out of the box yet she clearly remembers how the skirt is made of layers and layers in all shades of gray, flowing gracefully.

That afternoon she bid this gown goodbye with a heartache. She ignored Kristine's promising remark. And yet, this dress is delivered to her.

Excitedly she held the gown up against the fading light. As soon as he pulled it, several pixies flew from it in delight. Rick almost screamed! Good thing one pixie rushed herself immediately and shut her mouth.

"Hush my mistress..."

"It is time..." said another one

They ushered her to the bathroom, the dress still in her hands. When inside, they immediately prepared her a bath. Soon the room is filled with white roses and its fragrance filled her nostrils. Three pixies held the dress for her as if it weighs nothing, while the others beckoned her to step into the tub.

She's never had a help bathing since she was a child. But she allowed them as she is still in a daze with what is happening around her. As soon as she immersed herself in the pink bubbled bath filled with white roses, she felt herself relaxed, allowing the magic to take place.

They bath, dried, and styled her. Then helped her put the dress on. When they finished, they gaped at her as if seeing the most wonderful thing ever. Pulling her out of the bathroom, they led her to the full sized mirror.

And when she saw the girl it reflected she can hardly believe it.

'Who is that?' She stupidly gaped at herself.

Her shoulder length hair curled and styled with crystals same as her gown, carefully scattered in her hair like stars. Her skin flawlessly white and under the warm light, the bath just now gave it a light pink glow. As she had thought when she first saw the dress, it is perfect against her skin.

They didn't put any makeup on her face, but her features seems to be nicer. Did they pluck my eyebrows? She looked closer in the mirror. They didn't. But she doesn't remember having this much of a pretty face. Her eyes glitter, and her lips look softer.

Ah, is it pixie dust?

"You've always been this pretty, my mistress. You just don't notice." A pixie said softly, understanding her thoughts.

"The moon is about to show herself. We should get going." Another told her.

"But nanny--" she said nervously.

"We've put her to sleep already. No ones gonna stop you leaving this house tonight. And we'll make sure you won't be seen." The others nodded when one told her that.

They simultaneously flicked both their hands and they are surrounded with glittering powder otherwise known as pixie dust. Then they led her to the french window.

She questioningly looked at them, and earned a delighted smirk in return.

"We're gonna fly, of course."