Dressing The Part
"This is really unbefitting of a Princess. You shouldn't be showing so much skin." Marquise grumbled angrily. His arms where crossed over his chest and a deep scowl was etched on his face. He was really irate, throwing a silent temper tantrum with the garments I was given. I couldn't really blame him, because I was also feeling rather uncomfortable with the showy and vibrant silk cloth caressing my skin.
The silk bring pink satin sat loose on my shoulders. They draped slightly off my shoulders, giving away to the white creamy skin that sat exposed underneath it. A deep 'V' cut nearly exposed my breasts as they gently laid over my chest, hugging them to give them shape. The stomach sat exposed, showing off every faded scar I had earned over the course of six years. Further down, was a skirt that hung loose on my hips. It flowed in the wind with grace, whispering quietly as it brushed against my skin. It reached down to my knee caps and stopped, leaving the rest of my body bare and cold.
Marquise wasn't the only one throwing a silent fit. Nicklos hadn't said much after last night. Just a few words in passing. He was also displeased with the idea that I would look like a prostitute, and wasn't thrilled that I would be entering a dangerous area unarmed. Only Nicklos would be allowed a weapon, and I would have to rely on him to get us to safety. This of course didn't sit well with me either, because I haven't been without a weapon since I first joined the Knight's. If we where to get into a pickle, I'd have to use my wits to get out of trouble.
So far, trouble has had no problems finding us. With my leg injury still fresh, this also put my enemies at an advantage. I have been having problems manuvering around the crowds in the cities. If we had to run, it would only slow Nicklos down and there would be a higher chance we would get caught. I know that this weighed heavily on Nicklos's mind, which is why he had been so docile. We where running out of time and options. The best way unfortunately was the most dangerous way.
"Isn't there another way? Aren't you like leader of all Knights or something like that? Can't we just storm the city and demand an answer?" Marquise asked angrily. I heaved a sigh, knowing that at one point I had thought about using my power as leader of the Knights. Unfortunately there was too much going on to use them successfully.
"This is unfortunately a personal matter. As long as everything at home is going swimmingly, then there is no reason to summon them. The less conflict we can cause the better. Besides, this city was made for criminals. Although we don't obviously agree with them and what they do, they are in there element. They will stop at nothing to kill everyone of us, and with the threat of war already looming over our heads, there is no need to include other men for something not related to them." Marquise grunted in annoyance, but stayed silent.
"She is unfortunately right. If we use the Knight's for something like this, and they die, other Kingdoms might start finding her more unfit then they already do. This would just give them more amunition to try and dethrone her. A war would break out once more, and right now your Kingdom couldn't handle an attack. Your troops are spread thin or are injured from previous battles. It's too risky right now to call on any more help." Nicklos muttered darkly from the couch he sat on. We where inevitably on our own.
"Then we should alter the plan a little. You two should head upstairs, and Seria and I should go find Maxwell. We'll go down to the dungeons and hide in the shadows. Once you get what you need and they leave the dungeon, we will escape amongst the chaos and rendevous back at the Inn. If we travel in a big pack there is no guarentee for our safety." Michael, who had been quietly sitting on the opposite couch from Nicklos, had been quietly plotting for awhile now. To behonest with you, it sounded a lot better then the two of us trying to do everything at once.
"I have no qualms with you helping out. As long as you can blend in of course. If you seem even slightly suspicious they will be all over us. This is the only chance we have of grabbing evidence of my father's affairs, the Counsel's plot against my kingdom, and their cooperation with my illegitimate sister. So if at any point you think you can't make it, then feel free to back out." I said as I quickly grabbed my hair with my hands and tried to pull it up into a tight pony tail. My nervous hands kept shaking and I was struggling trying to keep the hairs straight and tight.
Nicklos pursed his lips together and rose from the couch. He gently swatted my hands away and gently started to comb through it with his fingers. I felt my face flush as the small twangs of pain through my hair, made my body quietly come alive. If it had been anyone else, I doubt my body would react the way it did, but because I loved Nicklos, it was different. I stayed silent and still as he quickly grabbed the pink ribbon clutched in my hands, and pulled the hair together before tying it up in a long pony tail.
I expected him to pull away having helped me out, but he paused. His hands gently rested against my exposed shoulders, warming the icy touch of my skin. The awareness that hummed through my body, had slowly started to sing. Louder and louder with the rising tempo of my heart. I knew if I looked at his face right now, I would be utterly lost in the abyss of his golden eyes. I'd want more than just a gentle and loving gaze. No, with his warm touch I'd rather him ravage me like a wild animal, make me submit under him like and alpha would a beta. But I couldn't let this wild side of me out, not in front of me people anyway.
"I know you are growing nervous, but rest assured that I will be there with you. As long as I stand by your side no one will touch you." Nicklos said softly into my ear. The nervous energy I had felt before was long gone thanks to his distracting ways. But despite my arousal, his words also gave me the confidence to wash away a little bit of my nervous edge. But the problem with me still remained.
"You aren't exactly what I am worried about. I am just hoping that I can do my part and not hold us back. My lack of love for the human race on top of my injuries my cause a problem if something were to come up." I stated bitterly. Nicklos gently squeezed my shoulders before letting go. Where the warmth once rested on my shoulders, was no replaced with the cold. It invaded the presence he was in like an infectionous disease, once again making me shiver.
Quietly and gently, he grabbed my arm and turned me to face him. A small lopsided smile graced his lips. His golden eyes that seemed more captivating each and ever passing day, seemed to glimmer brightly. His black hair had started to hang in his face like smooth satin locks. He cupped a finger under my chin, a gentle and endearing gesture.
"I know for a fact that if things start to get out of hand, that brilliant brain of yours will think of something. I always like that about you. That and you are completely stubborn. I have faith that we will be just fine." I rolled my eyes, trying to hide out much I really appreciated his cheeky words. I just hoped he was right about me.