Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 174: Instigating Hatred

Chapter 174: Instigating Hatred

Talia composed herself taking in deep breaths before entering her room as Mr. Ed opened it for her. With a big smile she walked up to the stylist who seemed to be so stressed and held her hand, "I’m so glad to work with you, Ms.Chiara Rossi," she shook her hand with gusto and walked in.

"You’re late, Your Royal Highness," Chiara whose pretty brown eyes shimmering with the warm lighting, spoke with an accent. "I’m your stylist, not a fairy godmother who can wave a stick and transform you. I need time. Thankfully you are better looking than in your pictures and are in nice shape-"

"Ehem!" Mr. Ed who was following, coughed prompting the stylist to shut up. She really was intimidated by the big man in front of her. She’s been interning in the Royal family for more than two years and she still cannot get used to these men in suits. It is in a way insulting for a woman in her mid-thirties to be afraid of men like this.

"Man... Out!" she hid her fear and waved her hand and in the end, Mr. Ed had to stop.

Talia went to the bathroom to freshen up and when she returned saw the dress on the bed and was stunned.

"You want me to wear that?" she asked and gulped. Her throat had went dry already.

"Isn’t the neckline too... Risqué?" Talia asked. It was a beautiful navy blue velvet mermaid fit dress with sweetheart neckline with no sleeves and a deep V back. And she was not a big fan of strapless dresses. She always preferred A-line and fit and flare dresses. This mermaid fit... She wasn’t sure how it would fit her.

And why does this dress look too small. Am I this thin?

She felt uncomfortable wearing that dress.

"You’re tall," Chiara took a good glance at Talia from head to toe. "I was worried when I was asked to style someone I didn’t met in person before, but you are much better looking up close. Try it first and you’d know it is not that bad as it looks," she was sure with her suggestion.

Talia was a bit skeptical, but tried on the dress anyway. She looked in the mirror and she didn’t look bad. In fact she looked really good... She had the curves at the right places and this mermaid fit brought out the hourglass figure she never thought she had. She looked sexy and alluring.

Talia took a twirl and pondered.

Stepping into the world stage, she needed to think if this is how she wanted to be perceived as - A sexy Princess.

"Is it appropriate for a Princess to wear this dress?" Talia asked Chiara.

"You don’t like this dress?" Chiara was stunned seeing Talia unimpressed. "This designer is the most sought out designer and we got this dress made especially for you. Madame Kruger used all her connections to get this dress perfectly made for you..."

Talia knew Madame Kruger is the personal seamstress of the Queen Dowager and the trusted designer in all of Rosandale.

" Get me some other dress. I shall not attend a State Dinner wearing this dress. I’m not comfortable representing Rosandale wearing this dress. I’ll buy this dress though," Talia shrugged and turned to her side and took a good look at herself in the standing mirror. She looked too good in this dress. It would be a shame if she doesn’t get this dress for herself.

Fred would be really pleased with the sweetheart neckline... Maybe I could wear it for one of our private dates in the future... Wonder what he’d say...

Talia’s mind went through various scenarios and everything ended up with her getting pressed under Fred. She couldn’t help but blush.

"My goodness, Princess! You came in late and... You don’t like the dress and...now you’re blushing looking at yourself in the mirror... What should I do?" Chiara got panicked.

"I know you have other dresses, Ms. Rossi... Bring them out," Talia said with no stress on her face and walked to the bed and sat with her legs. She didn’t believe a stylist arranged by the Royal family would be incompetent with no plan-B.

Chiara who was pacing to and fro waving her hand and mumbling something in her native language, stopped and looked at Talia with her eyes wide. Soon her face relaxed and she smiled.

"I was told you are opinionated. You really are," she shook her head. "I’m glad to work with you. I like people who know what they want than those who are unsure of themselves," she hugged Talia and Talia just smiled.

She is a weird woman...kind of like Rebecca.

Chiara then brought her big suitcase in and showed her the other three dresses she brought with her. All of them were of blue or purple hue and the colours all will suit Talia’s pale skin with cool undertone.

"That one!" Talia chose a dress and Chiara smiled.

"The Queen Consort predicted you’d choose this one to wear."

"Then you should have given me this dress first..." Talia raised her eyebrows.

"This is not from a big designer label. It is actually from my friend who is a small-time designer. She had this design for long and wanted the Queen Consort to wear it, but she said that this kind of fit won’t suit her and that you’d appreciate this design better... I’m amazed that you don’t mind wearing an unknown designer’s dress that was rejected by the Queen Consort, " Chiara spoke non-stop as she helped Talia get out from the previous dress.

" You talk a lot, " Talia said as she got in the dress she chose. Holding the dress from falling down, she looked at Chiara.

Chiara saw the pressing aura emitted from Talia and shrank back.

"Your Highness, is it because this dress is not from a haute couture designer?" Chiara asked after gathering a lot of courage, having taken a couple of steps back from Talia.

Scary! The Princess seems like an ice princess.

" I don’t care who designs my clothes, Chiara... What matters for me is the fit. This dress is so carefully made, I can see it by how seamless it looks. The work on the lace, the colour and the fabrics chosen... They are all perfect. I can see a bright future for this designer already. I know my worth, Ms. Rossi... It doesn’t matter what or who I wear, it will become a trend. So... I don’t care about the designer. But... You can report off, Ms. Rossi. I won’t need your service anymore," Talia walked to the door and opened it and stood behind it carefully so she is hidden.

The hairdresser, makeup artist and other staff who were in the living area were stunned as they heard the authoritative voice of the Princess.

" Your... " Chiara’s brown eyes got rimmed red, as she was about to cry. " I’m sorry, I don’t know what I did wrong," she asked.

Talia took in a deep breath. She really had lost herself in anger for a moment there. Even if she wants to fire someone she knew she can’t be this harsh. It is just wrong to treat someone this way. Especially someone with power like her, if she throws her staff out just like that, that poor woman might lose all her future opportunities for a job too.

Also what good could screaming at someone do; Other than brewing hatred?

"Ms. Rossi... I apologise for losing myself just now. Please excuse my behaviour," Talia didn’t feel shy to apologise when she knew she was in the wrong.

True, Chiara’s words had a tone instigating Hatred. Chiara was here for just minutes, but she already talked about Cordelia like she throws away dresses from lower designers Talia’s way since she is the Queen Consort.

Talia knew the staff working for someone will become too loyal and that brews jealousy towards the others. These kind of things are normal in the Palace.

But these kind of people are the most dangerous ones. Loyalty is important. But too much loyalty can lead to disasters.

Chiara deciding to work for Talia will consider Talia as the best and she might start belittling other staff of other royal members. The other staff will think that Talia’s staff is belittling them because of Talia’s pampering of her staff and think of her as unsuitable to govern or worse... they might think Talia is encouraging these kinds of behaviour by her staff since she thinks she is more important.

Talia now has a good relationship with her family. But these kind of mindless things might add up and one day it will cause split between family. Talia didn’t want that.

There is a lot she could achieve being in the position she is in now. She didn’t want to deviate from all that by indulging herself in petty grievances and dramas.

"Cordelia..." Talia said softly after taking in a deep breath. However her eyes held that regal elegance that would make people listen to her. Holding her dress over her chest so it won’t slip down, she left the protective covering of the door and stood in front of everyone.

"The Queen Consort is one of my closest friends. I’ve known her for nine years. So what if a dress she rejected, ended up in my wardrobe? It doesn’t matter. She sent that dress my way because she thought I would like it more. How can I feel anything but happy about that? Not to mention, she is the Queen Consort. I know there is a pecking order in the Palace and as a Princess, my order is further down. I can understand and accept that. The press will be all out, putting me and the Consort against each other for clicks. Who wore it better? Who copied who? Who is more beautiful? Who has a better style?... No one can deny such articles will be written in the future." Talia spoke in a crisp manner.

" I cannot stop the press, but I don’t want my staff to bring that kind of toxicity in my presence. I’m new to the Palace life and I’m fairly ignorant about how everything works in the Palace. I will be needing your guidance, and your experience, to navigate me through those new waters. But I want to let you know that I just want to be myself and do my thing rather than trying to be better than someone else. I would proudly accept your loyalty towards me. I will defend you from anyone who are against you. However, I won’t tolerate my staff berating anyone else on my behalf."

Mr.Ed who was among the dozen people in the room had a pleased smile in his face. These are not the entirety of her staff, but they will pass the Princess’ thoughts to everyone else.

The Princess knows when to put her feet down! The Dowager was right!

Chiara helped fastening the zipper and the numerous hooks in the dress and Talia turned to look at her.

" Am I still fired? " Chiara asked, this time her voice didn’t have that childish tone like when she talked before. Her tone had a seriousness to it.

"No, if you are willing to follow my rules, you can work for me," Talia said looking straight in her eyes.

"Okay," she said and went on to open up the jewellery boxes she brought.

Talia stared at the back of the woman who seemed to not mind her harsh words from before and felt there was something more to her.

She probably tested me to see my reaction...? Who arranged this?