CHAPTER 239: CHAPTER 239 PRINCESS

By afternoon, the quiet of the house shifted when two stylish teams arrived, carrying sleek black cases and rolling trolleys filled with brushes, palettes, and bottles that gleamed under the light. Bella, a little startled at first, was gently ushered upstairs to a bright second-floor room that had been prepared for her.

The air smelled faintly of roses and expensive creams. The stylists greeted her politely, their voices calm and professional, yet warm enough to make her relax. They draped a soft robe around her shoulders and sat her down in a cushioned chair before the large vanity mirror.

"We’ll start with your hair care," one of them said with a reassuring smile. Bella nodded, her fingers fidgeting in her lap, but the moment warm hands began massaging fragrant oil into her scalp, she sighed. The gentle pressure, the soothing strokes—it felt heavenly, like all her tension was being kneaded away. For almost an hour, they worked through her hair, cleansing, conditioning, and treating each lock until it gleamed like strands of silk.

Then came the skincare. Cool serums, light masks, and soft brushes moved across her face in careful strokes. Bella closed her eyes, smiling to herself as she enjoyed the rare pampering.

Next, they guided her to rest her hands in a bowl of warm, scented water. A manicurist carefully shaped her nails, filing them into neat curves before painting them with a delicate shade that looked both elegant and sweet. Another stylist tended to her feet, buffing and smoothing until her toes looked just as perfect. Bella giggled softly when the brush tickled her skin, covering her mouth to stifle the sound.

Finally, her makeup began. Brushes moved slowly, deliberately, almost like an artist painting a masterpiece. A light foundation evened her skin, blush kissed her cheeks with soft color, and her lips were touched with a gentle rosy tint that looked natural yet enchanting.

As they worked, Bella sat there quietly, watching herself transform in the mirror.

And as her nails dried and her reflection grew more polished, she smiled softly at herself. "So pretty..." she whispered without meaning to, cheeks warming.

The stylists exchanged pleased looks but didn’t comment, continuing their careful work, step by step.

×××××

The stylists finished the last details with practiced care, adjusting the hem of Bella’s silver dress so it fell just right and making sure the delicate waves in her hair framed her face perfectly. A final brush of shimmer along her cheekbones, a soft dab at the corners of her lips, and she was ready. They slipped a simple but elegant heart-shaped necklace around her neck, its silver charm resting right above her collarbone, before handing her the pair of flat silver sandals she had chosen for comfort.

When Bella finally stepped out of the second-floor room, her heart fluttered nervously. The long dress shimmered faintly as it caught the light with every small step she took.

Down in the living room, Leo was already waiting. He sat in a relaxed posture on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, dressed in a black suit that looked sharper on him than anything else possibly could. His hair was styled neatly, not a strand out of place, and in his hand was his phone, which he scrolled through absentmindedly.

But the moment he sensed movement, he lifted his eyes and his phone slipped slightly in his grip before he tightened his hold.

He froze.

Bella came down the last step, the silver of her dress catching the glow of the chandelier overhead, her hair loose in soft waves that brushed her shoulders, and her earrings sparkled every time she moved. She wasn’t dripping with heavy jewelry, nor was her makeup glamourous; it was simple, gentle, and yet... breathtaking.

Leo didn’t blink. His eyes followed her, and the world seemed to narrow to the space between their gaze.

Bella’s fingers twisted nervously in the fabric of her dress as she walked toward him, her gaze lowered, her cheeks already flushing under the intensity of his stare. She had been ready to laugh it off if he teased her or ignored her but instead, he sat there like a man struck dumb, unable to move, unable to look away.

She looked like a princess. That’s all that crossed his mind.

When she finally reached him, she dared to glance up, and their eyes met.

His lips parted.

And Bella’s heart skipped wildly at the sight.

"Looking pretty, little bunny," Leonardo’s deep voice slipped into the air like velvet as he rose from the couch. His movements were unhurried but commanding, the dark suit molding perfectly to his tall frame as he walked toward her. His gray eyes drank her in shamelessly, and for a second, Bella forgot how to breathe.

When he stopped in front of her, he stretched out his hand, palm open and waiting.

Bella’s cheeks turned rosy as she slid her soft hand into his. "You’re not looking bad too, Wolfie," she teased, her lips curving into a grin.

His jaw flexed, but then, to her surprise, his lips curved into a small, rare smile. That smile—oh, it made her heart beat twice as fast.

Without warning, he pulled her a step closer and spun her lightly, his hand guiding her waist with surprising ease. The silver of her dress twirled around her, sparkling under the light, and her giggles bubbled out before she could stop them.

"Stop Leoooo—" she laughed breathlessly.

"Never," he murmured, his eyes glinting as he steadied her. His hand remained at her waist, a beat longer than was strictly necessary.

"Let’s go, shall we?" His voice was smooth, but beneath it, there was a quiet warmth meant only for her.

Bella nodded, her smile bright and her heart racing.

Outside, the luxurious black car was already waiting at the front steps. The bodyguards stood respectfully to the side, but Leo didn’t let them move. He walked with her, still holding her hand, and when they reached the car, he pulled the handle himself.

"After you, Bunny," he said softly, his tone dipped in something deeper, something that made her ears burn.

She glanced up at him once more, catching the faint smile tugging at his lips, before slipping gracefully into the car.