Morning sunlight streamed through the shop's large windows, illuminating rows of dresses that shimmered like soft waterfalls.
Leah stepped inside, her heart pounding.
This was it. Her wedding dress. Her first fitting.
She looked around nervously. Everything was so… perfect.
"Leah!"
A warm voice called out.
She turned.
Clara Grimshaw.
Tall. Elegant. Red eyes that mirrored Izana's—but softer. Warmer.
Leah froze for a second. Red eyes? She remembered Izana's, but Clara's… they didn't feel intimidating. They felt kind. Safe.
"You must be Leah," Clara said, smiling. "I'm Clara. Izana's aunt."
Leah bowed slightly. "I… I'm honored to meet you."
Clara laughed softly. "Please, relax. I'm nothing like my brother Caesar."
Leah blinked, startled. "Caesar is… your brother?"
Clara nodded. "Yes. But he's in a hospital bed back at the mansion, remember? So it's safe."
Leah's shoulders relaxed. "Good."
Clara gestured toward the dresses. "Now, let's find the one that makes you feel like yourself—and maybe a little like Izana will be speechless when he sees you."
Leah giggled nervously. "I'm not sure I can handle the pressure."
"You'll be fine. Come on." Clara led her through the rows, her hand brushing gently against Leah's back. "Trust me. I've seen my nephew stunned. Not often, but it happens."
They stopped in front of a gown. Ivory silk. Soft, flowing.
Leah's breath caught.
Clara smiled knowingly. "Yes. That one."
Leah picked it up, running her fingers along the fabric. "It's… beautiful."
"You'll look amazing in it," Clara assured her. "You're marrying a Grimshaw, yes, but you're yourself. That's what matters most to him."
Leah nodded, taking comfort in Clara's words.
Clara leaned closer, lowering her voice slightly. "He doesn't always show it, but Izana notices everything about you. Every small smile, every nervous glance. He loves it all."
Leah's cheeks flushed. "I… I hope I can live up to that."
"You already do," Clara said softly, her eyes gentle. "You've already captured his heart. That's all that matters."
Leah felt warmth spreading through her chest.
"Do you want to try it on?" Clara asked.
Leah hesitated. "Yes… but I've never met anyone in your family before. I don't want to… make a mistake."
Clara shook her head. "Leah, everyone makes mistakes. I'm not here to judge. I'm here to help. And I promise, Izana would want you to enjoy this moment. Every second of it."
Leah smiled, finally feeling at ease.
Meanwhile, several miles away, Izana sat in his office.
The room was silent except for the faint scratch of pen against paper.
He stared at the blank sheet in front of him.
His vows.
He tapped the pen against the desk.
How do you put her into words?
He scribbled a line.
"Leah… I…"
No. Too formal. Cold.
He tore the paper off. Crumpled. Tossed it aside.
His red eyes fell to the ring box on the desk.
The velvet soft and smooth.
He breathed in slowly.
He remembered her smile. Her laugh. The way she rested her head against his chest yesterday.
So small. So human. And yet… so brave.
"I… I want to protect you," he whispered softly. "I want to be yours. Fully."
Still not enough.
He scribbled again.
"I love you. Always."
Too simple? Perhaps.
But it was true.
He paused. Looked out the window.
The garden below. The sun filtering through the trees.
Her favorite place.
He took another piece of paper.
"I will always be honest with you. I will always keep you safe. And I will always love you. Not just in words, but in every breath, every heartbeat, every choice I make. You are… my world."
He read it aloud quietly, lips barely moving.
Yes. This was him. Pure. Honest.
But still… something was missing.
He closed his eyes.
What if it wasn't enough?
Leah deserved his all. Not just words, but feeling.
He picked up the pen again.
"I love the way you smile without realizing it. I love the way you care for others. I love that you make me want to be better—without asking. You are my calm, my reason, my home."
He stopped.
It was him. It was real.
Finally, he allowed himself a small, private smile.
Back at the shop, Leah twirled in the dress.
Clara clapped softly. "Beautiful."
Leah laughed. "I feel… like a princess."
Clara smiled. "Good. You deserve that feeling. And don't worry—Izana will be speechless."
Leah tilted her head. "He's… difficult. Expressing feelings."
Clara's expression softened. "He struggles sometimes. But when it counts… you'll see. He's not good at words, but he is good at meaning them. You'll feel it, Leah. Trust me."
Leah felt warmth spread through her chest.
"I'm… glad you're here," she said quietly.
Clara reached over, patting her hand gently. "I'm glad you're here too. He deserves someone who loves him for him. And from what I can see… that's you."
Leah's eyes brightened. "I hope so."
Clara chuckled. "You're not just hoping. You are. And so is he."
Leah looked down at the dress. "I think… I think this is perfect."
"Yes," Clara said, smiling. "Perfect for you. And perfect for the life you're about to build together."
Leah breathed in deeply. "I never imagined a day like this. So normal. So… happy."
Clara's smile widened. "You deserve happiness, Leah. And this is only the beginning."
Hours later, Leah emerged from the fitting room, dress flowing perfectly around her.
Clara stepped forward, holding Leah's hands gently.
"You look radiant."
Leah blushed. "Thank you… I feel… happy. Really happy."
Clara squeezed her hands. "Good. That's all that matters. Your happiness. Izana… he'll be amazed."
Leah looked down at the dress one last time. "I hope he likes it."
Clara leaned closer. "Leah. He will love it. And he'll love you. Always. That's what matters. Not the dress. Not the ceremony. You."
Leah smiled, heart swelling.
Clara's hand lingered on hers for a moment. "Remember, Leah. You're marrying a Grimshaw. That comes with challenges. But if anyone can navigate it… it's you. And Izana will be by your side, always."
Leah nodded slowly. "I will try my best."
Clara chuckled. "Your best is already enough. You already have him."
Back at the mansion, Izana set down his pen.
He read over the lines he had written.
It was imperfect. Raw. True.
He smiled faintly.
Leah would understand. She always did.
He would give her his heart. Entirely.
And when she walked down the aisle… he would be ready.
No experiments. No trauma. No walls. Just him.
Just her.
The day ended with Leah and Clara laughing together, discussing dress accessories and flowers, while Izana sat alone, quietly refining his vows.
Two worlds, two perspectives—yet both hearts beating toward the same moment.
The wedding was coming. And with it, a new beginning.