gift. This is your bone structure. This is not a matter of you starving yourself to be stick thin. Your body distributes your weight differently. You were built with curvaceous hips and thighs and breasts. If you can look in the mirror and love this body like it should be loved, your whole world will open up and change. You have to be brave to love yourself. But if you can find the courage to do that, to embrace this body with love, you will never feel more empowered to live life as you. Others will see you differently. But most importantly, you will see yourself differently. And you will thrive as a result.”
Bella bursts into tears.
We all gather together, holding her and uplifting her. I pray that this is one of those moments that she can see the truth and find the courage to take the path ahead with pride.
Finally, Bella stops crying and wipes at her eyes. Maeve discretely steps in and offers tissues to her.
“I’ve been so afraid for so long,” she says, her voice thick as she dabs at her tears. “Afraid of being royal. Afraid of being judged. Afraid of being compared to my beautiful sisters. Afraid of living in this world. It was easier to hide.”
“But coming out of the shadows of your sisters will give you your best life. I’m not saying you have to be a working royal to do that,” Jillian says, smiling gently at her like a grandmother would. “But embracing yourself will be a hell of a lot more fun.”
Bella manages a small laugh. “Thank you. Thank all of you for this. I know this day was for Poppy, but I’m so grateful for you all caring so much to help.”
“Of course, we do,” Amelia says, adjusting Bella’s skirt. “And if you love this dress, you are going to be the butterfly emerging from her cocoon at this wedding.”
Bella looks at herself again, but this time, she stands up straight. “I do love this dress. And the flowers are beautiful.”
“They’re in bloom,” Jillian says. “Like you are.”
Bella blushes. I can’t help but notice how pretty it looks on her cheeks. Then she turns and smiles shyly at me. “You look beautiful, Poppy. Are you getting that one?”
I nod excitedly. “I am. Are you getting that one?”
She doesn’t answer right away. We all hold our breath, waiting for her reply.
“I am!” she yells out.
We all burst into cheers.
“Perfect, you were both very time efficient on that front. Now, we can find some knockout evening gowns for you to wear,” Amelia declares. “Oh, and Bella, you just wait until you see what I have in mind for you. You will have men eating out of your hand. Oh, and if you want a cardigan now … you’ll definitely want one for what I have in mind for Frogmore House. But I won’t let you cover yourself up.”
Laughter fills the room, and as Maeve leads Jillian and Amelia back out to look for evening gowns, I can’t help but notice the look of happiness on Bella’s face.
And I know, without a doubt, a page has been turned in her story today as well.
* * *
Hours later, we’re ready to leave the boutique. I have ordered my dress for the wedding and my reception dress—a stunning, long, fitted trumpet gown. It has a low back that is chic and sexy. But the best part? The cream tulle gown has a delicate, intricate, floral overlay.
In pale yellow.
Xander’s favourite colour on me.
I smile as I think of how he will react when he sees me in this dress. He’ll love it. And I can’t wait for us to be a couple in the world at Frogmore House.
While we have a month before that will happen, I’m happily living in the moment. Today has been a dream, shopping with my new friends. We’ve sipped champagne and had lunch brought in and spent hours trying on dresses for the big day. Maeve even had shoes brought over from a nearby shop, an array for Bella and myself to try on with our dresses, and the sales assistant was able to take our orders on the spot. Then we were ready for alterations, and we were pinned by the in-house seamstress, who assured us they would be ready on time and fit us like gloves by the time she was finished. Hats and clutches are next on our list, as soon as Bella is finished paying for her