Princess Alina and Lady Calista barely noticed my presence as Alina threw herself into trying to figure out what to wear to the ball the next day. Cali kept trying to convince the elated princess that a pair of breeches or a riding skirt would take the fashion world by storm. No self serving motives there, I'm sure.
In the end, Alina decided on wearing her gown from her birthday ball yet again since there was not much time to have another grand dress made. Having made her decision, the princess turned on her friend with a crazy look in her eye.
Alina, determined to have her best friend look her best, threw gowns at Calista by the handful. The princess even resorted to mockingly threatening exile if the Lady did not at least try on one of the voluminous frocks thrown toward her.
Lady Calista conceded to trying on one. Alina threw her arms up in exuberant victory before realizing she would have to narrow down her selection to a single dress. Luckily one of the palace guards came to relieve me from my babysitting duty before Calista's torture began.
Maybe my scouts might find the Norad camp and I would be free to ride into the mountains soon. I think the only thing worse than court is dealing with the fashions that courtiers adore.
The walk home to Benate's house took me longer than usual. Every townsperson seemed to be bustling about with the news of the royal engagement and subsequent ball.
Taverns were overrun with patrons flowing out onto the streets. Shopkeepers, especially ones that sold finery, had customers galore looking for the item that would make them stand out at the ball.
I could not wait for the peace and quiet my brother's home held. Passing the clock shop, I did not see the golden ringlets of Gella's tresses in the window. I did catch the eye of her father, who seemed to scowl deeply at me instead of his usual warm smile.
I suppose it will be a while before he feels the need to warm up to me again. I did not blame him one bit for hiding his daughter from the likes of my family if he really harbored all the feelings he made so clear.
I started up the stairs before I noticed my brother standing on the landing by his door. With his arms crossed, he leaned against the doorframe looking as though he had been waiting there a while.
"Lock yourself out?" I asked, trying to puzzle out the strange behavior.
"No. Kicked out." Benate pouted.
"I can hear you moping from here! Give us a moment and you can come back in!" Our mother called from behind the door.
I did not question my brother any further. If our mother was involved he had no choice but to comply. That or start a different type of war.
I took up residence on one of the stairs before the squeaky one. At least it was out of the hustle and bustle of the streets.
Soon our mother's voice rang out loud. "Come in! We are all decent now!"
My mother said 'we'. I did not think my mother was in the habit of bringing people to my brother's home for private meetings. Something inside of me squirmed at the idea.
"Finally!" My brother exclaimed before rushing inside.
I took a breath and followed him, bracing myself for whatever might be behind that door.
Every dress, ribbon, piece of lace and finery my mother owned littered every free space in the entire home. Furniture and floor disappeared behind yards of fabric making any path past the threshold indiscernible.
"Mother, how did you even pack all of this?" the words seemed to flow from my mind and out of my brother's mouth. Our mother inspired wonderment everywhere she went.
"She does miracles, so why not use them to pack?," A voice settled among the fabric piped.
In the corner by the bed, I caught a face in the full length mirror. Sparkling pools of excitement met my gaze. Maybe these city walls held more beauty than I could imagine. No stars ever showed this bright in the wilderness.
The pins down the back of the bodice revealed the only hint that a seamstress did not stitch this dress especially to bring out Gella's captivating eyes and flowing locks. My mother tugged at the hem to double check the length of the gown, and to bring me out of my trance.
"What do you think? Do I look alright?" Gella probed.
Gella might even outshine the princess, but surely that comment skirted the line of propriety since I knew what Princess Alina chose to wear for the occasion. What an honor to be seen with such a woman by your side. I could not seem to find the right words.
"Absolutely stunning!," Benate found his own words before me. That was fitting. Afterall, Gella would be on his arm tomorrow. "I certainly must dance with you the entire evening or else someone might try to cut in to propose!"
My stomach churned. I had already reasoned out that dancing with Gella was an improbability, but having it said out loud made me remember there were few benefits to babysitting royalty.
Gella laughed at my brother's dramatic proclamation with a roll of her eyes before turning to the mirror once more. The gown swept into a deep blue around the skirts with golden accents that dared to match the perfect curled locks hanging loosely down Gella's back.
Although the bodice tapered into a flattering neckline and the voluminous skirts complimented Gella's tiny waist, it was Gella who made the dress beautiful and not the other way around.
I caught my mother staring at me with a questioning look behind her eyes. I braced myself for my mother's bold personality to ask something embarrassing. She probably wondered who I invited to the ball.
Surprisingly instead of calling out my shortcomings, she drove the conversation in a different direction. "Well, if everyone approves of the gown, then we better get started on alterations. Now shoo!"
Just like that, my brother and I were exiled to the steps of his own home.