17 Pink (1/2)

Elya had no idea how Great Aunt Natalia managed to bring a pink dress cut to her exact size. Designed in the fashion that was most popular in the Capital, it exposed the shoulders and dipped dangerously low both at the front and back. Elya found herself yanking the top of the dress a few times when no one was looking in fear of it sliding off. Why would other women want to wear clothes that were so impractical? She'd glanced enviously at Alexis dressed in a comfortable tunic and coat, her sword belted to the side. That was another frustrating thing, it was impossible to carry a sword in a dress like this and Aunt Natalia had been very clear on the etiquette of bearing arms in a dress. After wrangling for almost an hour as Suzdal attendants fixed her hair in a twisted braid that rested uncomfortably on her head, Natalia eventually conceded and Elya strapped a stiletto to her thigh nestling two daggers within the voluminous sleeves of the dress. That had earned her a few glares and a few knocks of the old woman's infamous cane.

The wide-eyed stares from the men she passed on the way to the garden fixed a perpetual glower on her face. It wasn't difficult to tell where they were looking, and all her rage filled glares earned her were a few ashamed grins. Being so far removed from the Capital, the people of Konstanz cared little for the decorum expected of the Nobility.

”It's slipping again.” Alexis remarked at one point and Elya fumbled at the knots to tighten the dress further but stopped once she caught her friends sly grin. A prank that she vowed to get even for. Her calm, collected nature eroded under leers, quips and the lack of a sword at her side. That bothered her the most, actually. Elya couldn't remember the last time she felt so vulnerable. A flash of light caught her attention, and she glimpsed the Eye of the Great Dragon hovering somewhere over the town.

The Count was experimenting again.

Nikolai had locked himself within the tower for the last few days, claiming there was urgent work to be done and refused all visitors. She grinned at the memory of her exit from the tower leaving him with a dumbstruck expression as she touched his hand. It was uncharacteristic of her to be so forward, but her fiancée was so expressive, she couldn't help but want to make him react. She treasured that moment and already prepared ideas to mess with him again.

”Milady are you thinking about the Count?” Alexis remarked, watching the goofy grin that spread on Elya's face.

”No. Why would you say that?” Elya coughed, feeling heat creep into her neck.

”You look like a love-struck fool.” Alexis shook her head at how strange the Captain became now that she spent time with Nikolai.

”We've known each other for a few days. There's no chance of me falling in love.”

”Were you thinking about him right now?”

”… yes.”

Alexis just looked at her. No words were necessary to get the point across and Elya burned inside with embarrassment. She definitely wasn't in love with the Count, but his enthusiasm towards the engagement and her were infectious. In the face of such an intense personality remaining dispassionate was impossible

”I think we enjoy each other's company, but it's far too early to talk about love. If it comes at all that is. This is a political alliance at the end of the day and I'm sure he understands that as well. He wouldn't be trusted by the Son of Heaven if he wasn't intelligent. 'The Emperor does not surround himself with fools.'”