The morning sun bathed the palace in a warm, golden light as Lilian read through the day's invitations. Her gaze fell upon a particularly ornate card, embossed with gold and delicately scented. It was an invitation to a tea party hosted by Lady Arabella, a daughter of a neighboring noble family.

“Dear Lilian,” the card read, “I would be delighted to have you as my guest for a delightful tea party this Saturday afternoon. I hope you can join me for an afternoon of tea, cakes, and pleasant conversation. Yours sincerely, Arabella.”

Lilian’s heart fluttered with excitement. She had heard of Lady Arabella before—known for her charm and generosity. This was an excellent opportunity to expand her social circle and make new friends. She quickly decided she needed something special to wear, and the first person she thought of for help was her second eldest brother, Dorian.

Dorian was in the study, engrossed in a stack of documents, when Lilian approached him. She knocked softly on the door.

“Dorian, do you have a moment?” she asked.

Dorian looked up from his papers, his expression one of mild surprise. “Lilian, what’s on your mind?”

“I’ve been invited to a tea party by Lady Arabella,” she said, holding up the invitation. “I was hoping you could take me shopping so I could find a suitable outfit. I’m not exactly sure what would be appropriate.”

Dorian raised an eyebrow but nodded. “Very well. I’ll take you shopping. Let’s head out this afternoon.”

As promised, Dorian escorted Lilian to the bustling shopping district. They first stopped at a grand boutique, its windows filled with the latest fashion. The store was a treasure trove of elegant gowns, sparkling accessories, and exquisite shoes.

Lilian’s eyes widened as she entered, taking in the sheer variety. “This is amazing!” she exclaimed. “I’m not sure where to begin.”

Dorian, ever the attentive brother, had already hired a team of personal shoppers. Within moments, they were surrounded by a flurry of fabric swatches, measuring tapes, and eager assistants.

“I think we’ll start with this one,” Dorian said, gesturing to a lavish blue gown with intricate embroidery. “And perhaps some accessories to match.”

The shopping spree quickly turned into a whirlwind of fabrics and colors. Lilian tried on countless outfits, each one more elaborate than the last. The boutique filled with heaps of garments, and as the hours passed, more and more carriages were loaded with her purchases.

By the time they were done, the street outside the boutique was lined with ten fully-loaded carriages, each one brimming with bags and boxes.

Lilian stared in disbelief at the carriages. “Dorian, this is incredible, but is all this really necessary?”

Dorian looked at her with a hint of amusement. “It’s only a small shopping spree. Besides, you’ll need a variety of outfits for different occasions.”

Lilian shook her head, laughing. “I feel like a princess who just raided an entire fashion palace! I can’t possibly need this much.”

Dorian chuckled. “Consider it an investment in your wardrobe. Besides, it’s not every day we get to spoil you a little.”

As they made their way back to the palace, Lilian couldn’t stop giggling. “I’m going to need a bigger room just to fit all these clothes.”

Dorian grinned. “I’m sure we can arrange that. And remember, if you ever need more shopping advice or a wardrobe update, I’m always here.”

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When they finally arrived back at the palace, the servants were astonished by the sight of ten carriages unloading. Lilian’s room was soon transformed into a mini boutique, filled with more clothes than she had ever seen in her life.

Celeste, observing the scene with her usual nonchalance, leaped onto a pile of boxes and stretched out. “Looks like someone’s going to have a lot of fun with their new wardrobe.”

Lilian laughed, feeling both overwhelmed and grateful. “I guess this is what you call a shopping spree of epic proportions. Thanks for everything, Dorian. I really appreciate it.”

Dorian patted her shoulder. “It was my pleasure. Enjoy your new clothes, Lilian. You deserve it.”

With that, Lilian spent the rest of the evening organizing her new wardrobe and preparing for the tea party. She felt a mix of excitement and disbelief as she sorted through her many new outfits. The prospect of the tea party was thrilling, but for now, she was content to revel in the joy of her unexpected shopping adventure.

The morning of the tea party dawned bright and clear, and Lilian’s room was abuzz with activity. Her maids bustled around her, preparing her for the grand event. The room, once filled with piles of newly purchased clothing, had transformed into a whirlwind of silk, satin, and lace.

Lilian sat at the vanity, her hair being expertly styled by two maids who seemed to have an unspoken competition over who could create the more elaborate updo. One maid, Annabelle, was deftly arranging curls with precision, while the other, Clara, added delicate strands of pearls and ribbons.

“Just a bit more volume here,” Annabelle instructed, tugging gently at Lilian’s hair. “And we need to make sure the curls are perfect.”

Clara nodded vigorously. “And let’s not forget the finishing touch—a touch of rosewater for that extra glow!”

Lilian attempted to maintain a smile, though her neck was starting to ache from the constant manipulation. “Thank you both. I’m sure it’ll look wonderful.”

After what felt like an eternity of hair, makeup, and endless layers of foundation, the maids moved on to the dresses. Lilian was paraded through her room in a series of gowns, each more extravagant than the last. There was the shimmering blue gown with silver embroidery, the flowing lavender dress adorned with pearls, and the striking emerald green gown that made her feel like a royal.

With each new dress, the maids would exclaim, “Oh, how lovely!” and “You look positively radiant!” The process involved countless adjustments, tugs, and careful arrangements of layers upon layers of fabric. At one point, Lilian found herself nearly toppling over from the sheer weight of a particularly voluminous gown.

“I feel like I’m wearing a ballroom!” she joked, struggling to maintain her balance. “Can someone pass me a fan? I’m starting to feel like a walking furnace.”

Once they were satisfied with her attire, the maids ushered Lilian to the adjoining room for her luxurious bath. The tub was filled with warm, fragrant water and floating rose petals, creating an almost heavenly atmosphere. Lilian sank into the water with a sigh of relief, letting the warm soak soothe her tired muscles.

As she relaxed, Celeste, in her sleek black cat form, leaped onto the edge of the tub, observing her with a critical eye. “You look like a princess about to conquer a kingdom,” Celeste remarked dryly. “Though, I must say, this bath does seem to be more for royalty than comfort.”

Lilian chuckled, her laughter echoing off the marble walls. “I think I’m beginning to understand why people say you need to be royalty to enjoy such luxuries. I might just fall asleep in this tub if I’m not careful.”

When they finally deemed her ready, Lilian stumbled toward her bed, exhausted. She flopped down with a groan, her energy completely spent. Her legs felt like jelly, and her hair seemed to have taken on a life of its own.

Celeste, now in her cat form, gracefully leaped onto the bed and settled right on top of Lilian, curling up in a cozy ball. “You look like you’ve been through a fashion gauntlet,” she purred, her eyes half-closed. “At least you’re done now. Time for a well-deserved rest.”

Lilian sighed deeply, her fatigue melting away as she felt Celeste’s comforting warmth. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so tired in my life. I’m not sure how people manage this kind of thing every day.”

Celeste flicked her tail lazily. “It’s all part of the fun, or so they say. Just remember to enjoy the tea party. You’ve earned it.”

As Lilian lay there, her eyes fluttering shut, she couldn’t help but smile at the absurdity of the situation. Despite the exhaustion, she was looking forward to the tea party with a sense of excitement and anticipation. With Celeste’s gentle purring lulling her into a state of relaxed contentment, Lilian drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the afternoon ahead.

The luxurious bath and elaborate preparations might have been a bit overwhelming, but Lilian was ready for whatever the day had in store. She was a picture of elegance and charm, and with her dragon by her side, she felt ready to face the world.