Rynhara fidgeted uncomfortably as she and Tiamora stepped through the archway of a sprawling underground market. The cavern was alive with activity, glowing crystals illuminating rows of stalls selling everything from enchanted trinkets to rare monster pelts. Merchants shouted over the din, advertising their wares in languages Rynhara didn't recognize.
"Why are we even here?" Rynhara muttered, tugging at the plain black robe she'd hastily wrapped around herself before leaving the lair. It was far too big for her small lithe frame, with the sleeves dragging on the floor.
"Because," Tiamora said with a smirk that showed off her equallysharp teeth, "you can't walk around dressed like a little monk. You're a dragon princess now. You need something that reflects your… unique charm."
Rynhara shot her a glare. "And by 'unique charm,' you mean 'a walking rainbow with shark teeth.'"
Tiamora ignored her and glided gracefully toward a particular shop near the market's center. The stall was larger than the others, its entrance draped in silk curtains embroidered with intricate patterns of dragons and cherry blossoms.
The shopkeeper, a pale-skinned elf with piercing blue eyes, bowed deeply as Tiamora approached. "Your Majesty," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "What an honor to have you visit. How may I serve you today?"
"I need something exquisite for my daughter," Tiamora said, gesturing to Rynhara, who was half-hiding behind her.
The elf blinked, clearly surprised, but recovered quickly. "Of course. Please, come in."
---
Inside, the shop was a treasure trove of fine fabrics and dazzling outfits. Rynhara's mismatched eyes darted from one display to the next—elegant gowns, ceremonial armor, even casual wear enchanted with shimmering magical effects.
"You can't be serious," Rynhara said as Tiamora began pulling garments from the racks. "I'm not wearing anything frilly."
"Oh, you'll wear whatever makes you look the most stunning," Tiamora replied, tossing a bright pink dress onto the growing pile of options.
Rynhara crossed her arms. "I'm not your doll."
"No, you're my daughter," Tiamora said with a smirk. "And I refuse to let you look like an orphan."
Before Rynhara could retort, she froze, her sharp teeth clicking shut at the sight of Tiamora stepping into a beam of enchanted light. For the first time, she saw Tiamora's human form.
Gone was the towering, scaly Dragon Queen. Instead, standing before her was a grown-up, mature version of Rynhara herself, but with a deadly, otherworldly beauty that made the shopkeeper's jaw drop. Tiamora's pale skin shimmered faintly like moonlight, her long white hair cascading down her back, with rainbow-tipped strands glowing softly at the edges. Her horns curved elegantly upward, and her eyes—one crimson, the other emerald—burned with confidence and power.
Rynhara gawked. "You—what—you look like me!"
"Correction," Tiamora said, inspecting herself in a nearby mirror. "You look like me. This is how I appear when I grace the mortal world."
"That's just… unfair," Rynhara muttered, sulking.
"Why? Because I look flawless?" Tiamora teased, giving her a wink.
"Because you look like a goddess, and I look like a gremlin."
Tiamora laughed. "Oh, sweetie, you'll grow into it." She turned to the shopkeeper. "Now, let's find something that complements her… petite stature."
---
After what felt like an eternity of trying on outfits—most of which Rynhara refused outright—a particular dress caught her eye.
It was a gothic lolita-style kimono, crafted from deep black silk with crimson and purple accents. Delicate patterns of dragons, cherry blossoms, and crescent moons adorned the fabric, shimmering faintly under the shop's enchanted lighting. The wide sleeves were trimmed with lace, and the obi was tied with a flowing ribbon that resembled a dragon's tail.
Tiamora noticed her daughter staring at it and smirked. "Ah, I see we've found a winner."
"No way," Rynhara said, shaking her head. "It's too… too much."
"Nonsense," Tiamora said, plucking the dress from the rack and holding it up. "It's perfect. Elegant, mysterious, and just a touch of menace. Exactly what a dragon princess should exude."
"I'm not wearing that," Rynhara insisted.
"Oh, you are," Tiamora said, thrusting the dress into her arms. "Try it on. Now."
---
Minutes later, Rynhara stepped out of the dressing room, grumbling under her breath.
Tiamora clapped her hands together, her face lighting up with genuine delight. "Darling, you look adorable."
The dress fit perfectly, the dark silk contrasting beautifully with her pale skin and rainbow-tipped hair. The flowing fabric swished elegantly as she moved, and the dragon motif on the kimono seemed almost alive under the magical light.
"I look like I'm about to perform in some kind of… gothic tea ceremony," Rynhara muttered, tugging at the sleeves.
"You look like a princess," Tiamora corrected, stepping closer to adjust the obi. "And a dangerous one at that. You'll turn heads wherever you go."
"I don't want to turn heads," Rynhara grumbled. "I just want to blend in."
Tiamora smirked. "Too late for that, darling. You're destined to stand out."
Rynhara sighed, resigning herself to her fate. "Fine. But if anyone calls me 'cute,' I'm biting them."
Tiamora laughed. "Now that's the spirit!"
As they left the shop, Rynhara couldn't help but glance at her reflection in a polished window. For the first time since her transformation, she didn't entirely hate what she saw.