Cursed and Fated: Offered To The Wicked Alpha Prince
Chapter 17: How beautiful my lady is

Chapter 17: How beautiful my lady is

Gideon pulled back, the intensity in his eyes shifting to something lighter, though no less demanding. "Do you want to go out?"

Adeline blinked, caught off guard by the abrupt shift. "Go out? Where? Am I even allowed to leave the palace grounds?"

"With me, yes. By yourself, no." He straightened, sliding his hands into his trouser pockets. "We’re going shopping. Since we leave for the Southern Borders tomorrow, you’ll need proper clothes for the journey."

Adeline hesitated, her brow furrowing as she looked down at her hands. "But... I don’t have any money for shopping."

Gideon looked genuinely amused by the concern, his lips curling into a smug, prideful smile. "Are you serious? You don’t need money when you have me."

"Go get changed. Meet me at the front of the palace; I’ll be waiting in the car," Gideon said, already walking away.

Adeline stood there, watching his back. Was he actually taking her out? She had been certain he would remain angry, especially after he had made it clear she had no freedom here. This change in behavior was unexpected.

"I’ll escort you back to your room, Miss," a servant said, bowing low.

Adeline nodded and followed her. Once inside, the maid gestured to the wardrobe. "Prince Gideon requested that I assist you. Which of these would you prefer?"

She held up two options: a simple dress and a combination of a white long-sleeved top with black, high-waisted jeans.

"I’ll take the top and jeans," Adeline decided. She went into the washroom to change. When she returned, the maid gestured toward the vanity.

"I’ll handle your hair, Miss. Please, sit."

Adeline complied. It was better to let them do their jobs; arguing would only cause them trouble. The maid worked quickly, curling her hair and leaving the waves loose, then carefully applied light makeup to enhance her features.

When she finally looked in the mirror, she barely recognized herself. She looked truly different, more confident and pretty. "Thank you," Adeline said, offering a small smile to the maid’s reflection.

"I’m glad you like it, Miss Valois," the maid replied, setting a pair of white heels at her feet. "Please, wear these."

Adeline slipped them on and stood as the maid handed her a matching handbag and her phone. "Thank you."

She tucked the phone inside and followed the maid outside to where Gideon was waiting. As she descended the stairs, she noticed he had changed as well, now outfitted completely in white.

"Adeline is here," someone named Micah whispered.

Gideon turned, wearing dark sunglasses. For a brief second, he looked visibly struck. The subtle makeup and styled hair had changed her appearance; she looked even prettier than before.

Adeline halted in front of them, offering a small, formal bow to both Gideon and his beta.

Gideon reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair from her forehead. The contact made her shudder, her breath hitching as she looked up to meet his steady gaze.

"Get in," he said, swinging the front passenger door open for her.

Adeline slid into the seat. From her vantage point, she watched him exchange a few final words with his beta before he circled around to the driver’s side. He buckled his seatbelt, and she quickly followed suit as the engine roared to life and they pulled away from the palace gates.

"Won’t His Highness take security?" she asked, glancing at the road ahead.

"Micah will be nearby," Gideon replied, his focus on the drive. "Though, I admit, I was hoping you’d choose the other dress, the one above the knee. It would have made you look significantly hotter."

Adeline blinked rapidly, her face heating up instantly at the bluntness of his comment.

"My back hasn’t healed yet," she murmured. "That dress would have exposed the scarring."

Gideon’s grip tightened on the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. He inhaled sharply, forcing the surge of protective rage down before it could cloud his focus. He remained silent, his eyes locked on the road ahead as he wrestled for control.

Adeline turned her gaze to the window, watching the scenery shift. Tall, uniform trees blurred past on one side, while meticulously manicured bushes lined the other. The capital was as beautiful as the people claimed.

She scanned the luxurious interior of the car before her eyes settled back on him. Her gaze drifted to his right wrist, where a small, distinct tattoo was etched into his skin.

The tattoo was familiar, a shape she had seen somewhere before, though the context remained locked in her memory. Shifting her gaze to the window, she leaned back against the headrest, waiting for the ride to end.

The car finally came to a smooth stop in front of a premium boutique.

Outside, the sidewalk was bustling with commuters rushing toward their workplaces.

Gideon applied the brakes, and the door opened. He extended his hand, palm up. Adeline hesitated for a fraction of a second before placing her hand in his. His grip was steady as he pulled her out of the vehicle.

Around them, the sidewalk seemed to freeze. Pedestrians slowed their pace, their heads turning in unison.

The curiosity was palpable; word of the elusive Prince, a man who never appeared in public with a woman, traveling with a mystery companion was already rippling through the crowd.

Gideon kept her close, his hand firm on her waist as he steered her toward the boutique entrance, effectively shielding her from the lingering gazes.

"What are they going to think of us?" Adeline murmured, glancing back at the sidewalk. "They looked... shocked."

"They are," Gideon replied, his voice calm. "It’s a shock because I’ve never been seen in public with a woman. The rumors say I’m a man who won’t ever take a partner." He chuckled, unimpressed by the attention, and pushed the grand glass doors open to usher her inside. "Let them stare and see how beautiful my lady is."

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