I reported to Princess Alina shortly after my mother invaded Benate's apartment. Apparently working on Gella's dress all evening the night before did not fulfill her sewing desires. She made Benate put on the clothes he wished to wear to the ball and embellished them with scrapes from Gella's alternations.
The couple would match if it was the last thing my mother ever did.
I did not want to get caught between my mother and her desires nor my brother and his objections about his home being borrowed as a workspace. I dressed in my best clothes and left.
Funny enough my mother did not seem to care what I wore. I suppose I was supposed to blend into the background anyway. Babysitting awaits.
To Her Majesty's credit, I did find Princess Alina in her chambers still trying to make final decisions about her appearance. Occasionally she would send a maid to the Queen Valerie to ask after jewelry or some type of finery from different collections or parts of the castle.
I do not understand how this much frivolity took up the Princess's attention. I am certainly glad this is not how she acts everyday. Otherwise I would say our kingdom would be doomed to follow an empty headed prima donna.
"I think I am finally done, Lord Holden!" Princess Alina finally announced after the second food offering the queen sent to me while standing guard at the princess's door.
The queen's wisdom knew no bounds. Babysitting meant I would be subject to the whims of her daughter all evening. Not even the gnomes might foretell if she might be hungry enough to grace the banquet table with her presence.
Lady Calista arrived with Lord Jacobson at her side, already wearing a sword at her hip. Whether their joint arrival was one of Queen Valerie's machinations or just her intuition involving the two friends would remain a mystery to me.
"Nice jewelry, Lady Calista!" I said motioning toward the ornate scabbard. Queen Valerie certainly found the most beautiful jewel encrusted finery to decorate Cali's weapon.
"Thank you, Lord Holden!" Cali responded.
Princess Alina turned a corner with an expression that made me sure she was going to take credit for the necklace and bracelet that complimented her best friend's dress perfectly. Her cheer died before any words could pass her lips.
Her smile faltered as she took in the addition of the weaponry to what I was sure was hours of dress planning the day before. I did not compliment the jewelry she knew about.
"The Queen requested it!" Cali jumped in before her friend could demand her weapon be removed.
"I highly doubt that!" Alina looked at her friend in disbelief.
"Actually, Her Majesty requested it because of me," The words fell out of my mouth before I thought about the fact that fully explaining how that happened would mean not only explaining my dream, but admitting to Lord Jacobson that his clan might be in danger.
"Why would you suggest such an ostentatious and uninviting addition to what could have been a magnificent ensemble?" Princess Alina looked crestfallen at the destruction of her masterpiece she created on her doll of a best friend.
"Actually its lack of invitation is the reason I like it best. No unwanted dances for me!" Lady Calista patted it at her side.
An idea sparked in my mind that might allow me to keep my extraordinary imaginings to Queen Valerie and myself.
"I am sorry you feel that way, Lady Calista. An armed woman would allow maximum protection for our princess on the dance floor." I mused, pleased with myself. The pendulum of Princess Alina's mood swung from glum to gloriously amused.
"That is the only acceptable reason for Cali to wear a sword. So that I can torture her on to the dance floor." Alina's glee made her pitch verge on squealing.
Cali shot a look of daggers that I knew would ward off too many dance partners. I tried to save myself from her wrath.
"Maybe Lord Jacobson might consider being your escort for the evening to make sure your torture is tolerable?" I offered, rather pleased with myself.
Jack blanched and lost his wits for a moment. My smugness might have been premature.I only thought I had solved protecting one of my babysitting charges. The gentleman had always been gallant in the past. Calista noticed it too.
"What do you say, Jack? Is it too gauche to be seen with an armed woman? Or am I not pretty enough for your arm?" I expected no punches to be pulled by the cunning woman and she did not disappoint.
"What?! No!" Jack panicked. "I mean yes! No– wait. I mean, no it is not gauche. You are also more beautiful than I could even conceive to be on my arm. It's just dancing. Dancing is just.."
Jack trailed off, unable to find the right pejorative adjective to describe how he felt about the art of movement. A knowing nod came from his potential partner.
"I know Jack. I've seen you dance. It's okay. I'll lead." She said, taking his arm with a smile.
She will lead. A truer statement was never spoken. No one could lead Cali anywhere unless she was willing, even Alina.
"Okay, love birds. Tonight is not about you!" Princess Alina said.
She used the phrase love birds. Oh. I do not think that Alina meant that as just banter.
Actions that I had disregarded now made sense. No wonder Princess Alina did not mourn her broken engagement.
I felt foolish for not seeing it before. Scratch vigilance off as one of my skill sets. Clearly I need more training. At least when matters of the heart are concerned.
My face masked nothing of my revelation. Cali must have seen the way I analyzed her companion. When my eyes turned to see her, she would not meet my gaze and her cheeks flushed deep scarlet.
"Let's go check on the happy couple and see if they are ready for the party," Calista stated, turning on her heel to leave before she even finished her statement.