"Alright! I approve of your relationship!" Candice declared as if her permission was the deciding factor.
"Sophie, when you come back to the Otherworld, you have to let Silay come drink with me! I don't have many hobbies—just drinking and making clothes. You wouldn't take that away from me, would you?" She pouted dramatically.
"I wouldn't…" Sophie forced a smile, sensing that refusal would lead to trouble.
"Thanks! Mwah!" Candice planted a big kiss on Sophie's cheek, leaving her stunned.
Ignoring Sophie's shock, Candice bounced over to Silay. "Listen, Silay! If you dare bully Sophie, you're dead meat! Got it?" She glared—or at least tried to—while Silay widened his eyes in mock terror.
"What kind of nonsense is this?" Silay sighed inwardly. *Since when are we a couple?* But arguing with Candice was pointless—her logic defied reason.
"Wait here!" Candice dashed into a back room and returned with two large boxes.
"Here! My best work in years—perfect for tonight! Though they'd be even better for your wedding." Her eyes suddenly narrowed. "You're not *already* married, are you? Without inviting me?!"
Seeing her temper flare, Silay hastily clarified, "No, no! We're not married!" He shot Sophie an apologetic look. Explaining reality to Candice would have to wait.
Sophie's face burned. *Why's he looking at me like that?!*
"Thanks!" Grabbing the boxes, Silay dragged Sophie toward the exit before Candice could drop another bombshell.
"Hey! I'm not some wild beast!" Candice yelled after them.
"...That jerk didn't even bring me any booze!" she grumbled belatedly.
---
"You seem… scared of Candice," Sophie ventured, breaking the awkward silence.
"Not scared. We grew up together. She came to the Otherworld to run the boutique—clothes are her passion." Silay shook his head fondly. "But she's unpredictable. Sometimes it's easier to play along than argue."
Sophie nodded, though a strange disappointment tugged at her.
Back at the base, she eagerly opened the box—and gasped. The dress inside was *stunning*. Pale pink, with a voluminous skirt and delicate embroidery, it looked like something from a fairy tale.
Yet the neckline plunged alarmingly low.
"Does… does it look okay?" Sophie asked shyly, stepping out.
Silay froze.
"Uh—yeah! Really nice!" He quickly averted his gaze, suddenly fascinated by the wall. "Maybe… add a shawl?"
Sophie agreed. Even on Earth, she'd never dared wear something so revealing.
---
At the party, they became instant celebrities. Silay navigated the social minefield with practiced ease, while Sophie—seizing her chance—made a beeline for the buffet.
A pair of amused eyes tracked her movements.
"Sophie, hello."
Startled, Sophie nearly choked on a pastry.
"*Hrk*—Hi!" She gulped down the offered juice, mortified.
The woman—*Oh. The gold-invitation lady*—laughed. "I'm Odeli. Remember?"
Sophie's brain short-circuited. "*You're* the 'Extravagance Queen'?!"
Odeli's eyebrow twitched.
"I mean—your dress! So pretty! Only someone as beautiful as you could pull it off!" Sophie backpedaled furiously.
Odeli burst out laughing. *This girl is* delightful.
**What did Odeli truly want? And why was her gaze lingering on Sophie just a little too long?**