The warm light from the chandeliers illuminated the interior, highlighting the colors and textures of the dresses carefully displayed on mannequins and racks.

The air carried a pleasant fragrance, and the boutique's ambiance was inviting. Aria walked with a composed and commanding demeanor, while the shop assistant, moving with elegant steps and a professional tone, explained the details of each garment.

“This dress is made of silk satin, perfect for the fall season,” said the assistant, stopping in front of a burgundy piece adorned with delicate gold embroidery. “The details are handmade, and the design aims to highlight the figure without sacrificing comfort.”

Aria said nothing. Her cold gaze scanned the dress as though searching for flaws or assessing its utility, but her face remained expressionless.

The assistant, uneasy in the silence, led her to another rack.

“Now, this model is ideal for more casual events. It’s made from fine linen, perfect for spring days.”

Meanwhile, María trailed behind at a cautious distance, trying to keep a low profile. She avoided eye contact with the assistant and anyone else in the shop, as if that might render her invisible.

Then the assistant stopped in front of an elegant black dress. With a graceful motion, she lifted it off the rack and presented it to Aria like an artwork.

“This is one of our most exclusive designs. Made from black velvet, it features white accents on the chest and cuffs of the long sleeves. The waist is cinched with an adjustable corset to enhance the silhouette, while the skirt flows wide and fluid, creating a light movement when walking. It’s a perfect choice for a gala or evening event.”

María, who had been almost hiding behind a rack, felt Aria’s gaze land on her.

The weight of those cold, piercing eyes felt like a blow, and María immediately understood what was expected of her.

‘Crap… She really wants my opinion? Why? Ask that stuck-up Esmeria!’ María fumed internally.

The assistant, sensing the tension, let out a soft chuckle.

“It seems she’s waiting for your approval, miss,” she remarked, glancing at María with an amused smile.

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María sighed deeply, thinking that as long as she acted normal, no one would suspect anything. Adjusting her hair with one hand, she forced a smile that barely touched her eyes.

“Well, that black dress would probably suit her. It’s… elegant.”

“I’ll try it on,” Aria declared in her cold, decisive tone, taking the dress from the assistant’s hands and walking toward the fitting rooms without waiting for confirmation.

The assistant followed, maintaining her professional demeanor, and indicated a fitting room at the back of the store.

“Here you go, miss. If you need help with the corset, don’t hesitate to call me.”

Aria gave a slight nod before stepping inside and closing the door behind her.

Meanwhile, the assistant returned to María, gesturing toward a small corner with velvet-upholstered chairs beside a low table that held a vase of fresh flowers.

“If you’d like, you can wait here.”

María nodded stiffly and dropped into one of the chairs, avoiding eye contact with the assistant.

‘I’m just another customer. Just another customer,’ she repeated to herself like a mantra. She leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on her knees, and stared at the flowers in the vase, trying to appear relaxed.

‘As long as nothing happens… this should be easy to get out of unnoticed…’ she thought, attempting to silence her anxiety.

Suddenly, the boutique’s door burst open, the bells jingling with a sharp clatter.

‘Huh?!’

María’s head shot up, as did the assistant’s and the few customers present.

A group of armed men stormed into the shop, swords at their belts and daggers in their hands, their cold eyes scanning the place.

“Everyone, down on the floor!” one of them barked, his rough voice thundering through the air. “Hand over all your money and jewelry if you want to leave here alive!”

Panic erupted in the boutique.

‘Of all the days, they had to rob this store while I’m here?! Couldn’t they have done this later?!’ María screamed internally.

The customers shrieked; some dropped the garments they were examining, while others clung to their purses. The assistant raised trembling hands to show she was unarmed.

María, her heart pounding wildly, obeyed instantly, dropping to the floor and pressing her hands against the cold tiles as she tried to control her breathing. Her eyes instinctively searched for Aria, but the girl remained inside the fitting room, oblivious to the chaos outside.

One of the men, a scar running across his face, approached the fitting rooms.

“And what do we have here?” he sneered, kicking open one of the empty cubicles with the tip of his boot.

María felt a knot tighten in her stomach as she watched him advance. Her hands trembled, but she couldn’t do anything.

‘Of all the places in the shop, you’re really going there?!’ María thought desperately.

The man reached the fitting room where Aria was changing and raised his fist to bang on the door.

“Hey, open up!” he growled, slamming his fist against the door.

Nothing came from inside.

The silence was deafening, a stark contrast to the screams and cries echoing through the rest of the shop.

“I said open up,” the man insisted, pounding on the door again.

María clenched her teeth and shut her eyes, wishing this were all just a bad dream.