CHAPTER THREE~

The bell above the boutique door jingled softly as Asteria stepped inside behind her stepmother, Evelyn, and stepsister, Lillian. The elegant interior was all creams and blush pinks, rows of silk gowns hanging on golden racks, and a soft murmur of conversation filling the air. It was exactly the kind of place Lillian adored—pristine, delicate, and expensive.

Asteria, however, felt trapped the moment they entered. This wasn't just any shopping trip. It was bridal shopping for Lillian's upcoming wedding, and Asteria had been dragged along under the guise of "helping." But in reality, she was just another pair of hands to do half the work.

"Asteria, darling," Evelyn's voice dripped with fake sweetness as she turned to face her. "Be a dear and grab those veils from the back. Lillian needs options to try with the dresses."

Asteria forced a tight smile, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "Of course."

Without another word, she turned and headed toward the back of the shop. Her stepmother's sharp gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, making sure she followed orders. Lillian, on the other hand, was already admiring herself in front of the mirror, twirling in one of the many gowns she planned to try on that day.

"Oh, Asteria," Lillian called in a sugary voice as she picked at the dress's skirt. "Could you also grab the tiaras when you're back? I just have to see how they'll look with this gown."

Asteria clenched her fists, her patience thinning with every second. This was supposed to be a day of celebration for Lillian, but it felt more like a chore for her. She was annoyed, but as usual, she bit her tongue. She was used to being treated this way, after all.

With a sigh, she gathered the requested veils and tiaras, balancing them carefully in her arms as she returned to the front of the store. Evelyn and Lillian didn't even glance her way, too absorbed in their world of perfect weddings and luxury.

"Finally," Lillian said, barely looking up from the mirror. "You're taking forever. Don't you want to see me in my dress?"

Asteria's lips twitched, fighting a sarcastic retort. Instead, she placed the items on the counter next to them. "Of course, Lillian. You look... wonderful."

It wasn't a lie. Lillian looked beautiful, as always, but Asteria wasn't in the mood to shower her stepsister with the praise she so clearly craved. Instead, she felt her annoyance simmering beneath the surface, threatening to spill over.

Before the situation could get worse, the jingle of the boutique door sounded again, and Asteria turned just in time to see her third brother, Nicole, walking in. His tall figure cut a casual silhouette in his black leather jacket, and his sharp blue eyes found hers immediately, a grin spreading across his face.

"Asteria!" he called out, striding toward her. "Perfect timing. I need your help."

Evelyn glanced up, arching an eyebrow. "Nicole, we're in the middle of something important. Lillian's bridal shopping—"

"I know, I know," Nicole interrupted smoothly, flashing a charming smile. "But I need Asteria's expert advice on something urgent. You don't mind, do you?"

Lillian let out a dramatic sigh, rolling her eyes. "Of course. Take her. It's not like she's doing anything helpful here anyway."

Asteria blinked, her annoyance flaring again, but she quickly caught Nicole's sly grin. He was rescuing her, she realized. He knew how much she hated these outings.

"Come on, Asteria," Nicole said, grabbing her hand. "I'm terrible at this suit thing, and I really need you to help me pick one out for the wedding."

Asteria gave a small, grateful smile and didn't argue as Nicole pulled her out of the boutique and onto the bustling street outside. The fresh air hit her, and she immediately felt lighter.

The tension from the bridal shop began to ease as Asteria and Nicole strolled down the street together. The shops and cafes buzzed with life, people milling about, laughing, enjoying the pleasant afternoon.

"Thanks for getting me out of there," Asteria said, finally exhaling the frustration she'd been holding in. "I don't know how much more I could've taken."

Nicole chuckled, slipping his hands into his jacket pockets. "You looked like you were one veil away from losing it. Thought I'd better intervene before Lillian turned you into her personal servant."

Asteria shook her head, smiling despite herself. "It feels like that every time we go shopping together."

They walked in companionable silence for a while before Nicole nudged her gently with his elbow. "So, ice cream?"

Asteria glanced up at him, surprised. "Ice cream? I thought we were supposed to find you a suit."

Nicole shrugged, grinning mischievously. "Yeah, but the suit can wait. Ice cream's more important. Plus, you look like you need a break from all that wedding nonsense."

Asteria's smile widened. "You're not wrong."

They made their way to a small, cozy ice cream parlor on the corner of the street. The scent of freshly made waffle cones greeted them as they walked inside, and Asteria's mood instantly lifted. They stepped up to the counter, scanning the colorful display of flavors.

"I'll take the usual," Nicole said, flashing the server a charming smile. "And whatever she's having."

Asteria ordered her favorite flavor, the simple act of choosing something for herself a small but welcome relief after the morning's chaos.

Once they had their cones in hand, they found a bench outside and sat down, enjoying the sweet treat and the peace of being away from their family.

"So," Nicole began, licking his ice cream, "you okay? You've been pretty quiet lately."

Asteria hesitated for a moment before sighing. "It's just... everything. The wedding. The family. Lillian. I don't know... I feel like I'm constantly being pushed aside."

Nicole looked at her thoughtfully, his expression softening. "I get it. Lillian's... well, she's always been the center of attention. But you don't have to let her—or anyone else—make you feel invisible."

Asteria nodded, appreciating his words, but it didn't change how she felt. "It's not just Lillian, though. It's this whole wedding thing. Zeltros, the Kings, the pressure from Dad... I just feel like I'm stuck."

Nicole was quiet for a moment, then leaned back, looking at the sky. "Yeah, the family's complicated. But you don't have to be part of the mess if you don't want to be. You've always been different from the rest of us. Stronger, in your own way."

Asteria smiled slightly, a warmth spreading in her chest at her brother's words. It was moments like these that made her grateful for Nicole—his calm, easygoing presence that always seemed to make things feel a little lighter.

They finished their ice cream in comfortable silence, watching the world go by. For now, at least, Asteria felt a little more at ease. Away from the family drama, from Lillian's demands and Zeltros' confusing presence, she could breathe.

Tomorrow, she would have to face it all again. But for now, she had a moment of peace, and that was enough.

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