CHAPTER 452: IN SOLIDARITY

With the help of Estrid and Cassandra, Arabella got into that abominably... Beautiful gown with a smile.

Her day had been one of the best to ever rise and nothing was going to put a damper on that. Not even the prince.

"This may not be what you wish to hear about this dress, my Lady, but... It suits you in every way," Cassandra held her breath, seemingly expecting a negative reaction.

Although Arabella took her words, gaped at her reflection and swirled around twice on her heels, "No, I do agree. It is almost as if it was tailored with my image in mind," she practically whispered, her eyes glued to the dress wrapping her body.

"I believe it was, my Lady," Estrid commented.

Arabella finally sighed and faced the mirror, "You will never drop the Lady label, will you?"

"I am afraid you are asking for too much of me," Estrid’s eyes strayed away as though refusing to meet Arabella’s.

Cassandra said nothing and merely stared at the floor beneath her.

Even then, Arabella found something to smile about for their expressions were just adorable. Especially Estrid who always tried so hard to appear composed and professional.

"Fine. I will leave things be... For now," she raised her chin and pursed her lips lightly, "Right then! Are Ada and Abigail ready to be introduced?" her expression shifted to a more serious one.

"Gloria and I split on the way. I know she was supposed to assist Ada, but I don’t know whether they are done," said Estrid.

"Well, since I am finished, I suggest we go see what they are doing. They will be introduced with Lady Persephone and thus it is imperative that they’d be ready on time,"

The young woman pinched at the voluminous skirt of her gown and carried its weight through the curtains and then straight towards the door.

However, right as her hand had twisted the knob, Silas appeared on the other side and before the words even rose to her throat, he beat her to the mark.

"Ada and Abigail are ready and waiting for the signal to descend,"

It was as though he read her mind. Well, silly her, Silas needn’t read minds for his ears reached beyond walls.

"That is good," she nodded with a smile on her.

Due to the presence of Estrid and Cassandra, Silas stood wooden, expressionless at the threshold of the door.

"You may take your leave, girls. I shall see you later," she addressed the maids.

They wasted not a second and did as told, leaving the couple to themself in the room.

As soon as he shut the door behind himself, it happened. The shift in his demeanor was so noticeable, it triggered a small wave of tingles across her body.

"Did you enjoy the picnic?" his fingers caressed along her face.

"Oh yes! I did!" she chirped, "It was just amazing,"

"Just amazing?" he asked, "Not more than that?" he teased.

"Of course, it was more than that!" she scrambled and leaped in her very spot as though it’d convey her words better.

Actions that made her husband chuckle before kissing her forehead.

"You look stunning,"

Although his smile had dimmed a bit, his diamonds devoured her figure in that dress, the silver jewelry that added a strong note and her luscious hair, half up into a flower shaped bun and half down, completing the look.

"So do you," she whispered, allowing her eyes to roam free on him

On second thought, he did look stunning!

It hadn’t struck her at first as there were a thousand and one thought racing through her mind, but Silas too dawned a berry blue, velour vest on.

Tailored to fit his broad shoulders, the silver embroidered patterns brought out the best shine in his eyes.

"I thought I’d wear these colors in solidarity," he smiled.

"I... Where did you find such a matching outfit to the dress at such a short notice?" her eyes continued to trail along the silver lines decorating the fabric.

"While it is more affordable to buy clothes, morphing and switching charms are always available,"

"I’d say this is one of Morgana’s best works, but I am afraid it would offend her,"

"Actually, this is Liriel’s work," he grimaced.

The two of them chuckled at the thought before resuming a more burdened expression.

"I suppose I still can’t grasp the difference between charms and spells," she adopted a soft tone as they stared into each other’s eyes.

For the shortest of moments, nothing came to mind and so, they accepted the silence that offered itself.

That was until she found new words to utter, "What if I fail tonight?" she whispered.

"Fail at what?" one of his eyebrows rose.

"At everything! At standing, speaking, dancing... Breathing?" she shook her head.

"If your legs let you down, I will carry your weight," he paused but did not stop there, "If you lose your words, I will feed them to you. If you can’t dance I will do it for the both of us and if you struggle to breathe I will breathe air into your lungs myself...," not for a second did he break eye contact.

And she did the same, "Speaking of... Being there. I was wondering if you were going to be alright with it," she bit down on her bottom lip.

"Why wouldn’t I be alright?" he tilted his head to the side.

"Well, you’ve told me time and time again that gatherings weren’t your scene. I remember briefly seeing you during the first ball I’ve attended. You were dressed for the occasion but came nowhere near the ballroom,"

"I won’t leave your side if that is what you fear," he cupped her cheeks.

"No, it isn’t about my fears at all I was thinking," she shook her head while leaning further into one of his palms.

"That is kind of you," he smiled, "Truly,"

After a short moment, he took his hands away from her face and extended them back towards her, "Shall we go down then?"