- „How do you expect me to believe that won’t fit her? She’s the tiniest thing I’ve ever met. Show her, darling. Go try on the dress.“ A tall, short brown-haired young man of about twenty years pushed the petite dark-haired girl standing with him towards the changing screen, glaring slightly at the tailor. The girl went behind the screen, but she quickly peeked her head out.
„Christian, dear, are you sure you think this dress will be suitable for the dinner party? It isn’t too casual?“ She batted her eyelashes at him, ducking her head back so she could help the tailor get the dress on her. She looked down at it, a pretty purple gownlet with ruffles and a lacy bodice. It was charming, of course, but she wasn’t quite sure it worked on her.
„It looked perfect on the mannequin, Arianna, now let me see it on you.“
She stepped out from behind the screen, lightly holding up the skirt as she turned around for him to get the full view of the dress. When she was facing him, he beamed.
„You look absolutely beautiful, dear. It suits you perfectly. I told you so.“ He smirked to the tailor, then let Arianna go back behind the screen and change back into her normal dress. After they paid, the two walked out arm-in-arm towards his mansion, smiling sweetly.
„You’re terrible, darling.“
„Why is that?“
„The tailor? To be fair, she thought the dress was too long on me.“
„Well I know you better than she does, and I could just tell that gown was meant to be yours.“
„Gownlet, sweetheart. But thank you, it’s perfectly lovely. I hope everyone likes it.“
- Once they got to Christian’s mansion, the doorman let them in and they went into the parlor for some tea and pastries. Arianna immediately went off on her shopping tangent.
„Oh, darling, guess what I saw in the jeweler’s today?“
„What did you see, dear?“ He smiled, brushing a lock of hair back behind her ear.
„I saw the most gorgeous emerald necklace! It was beautiful, set in shining silver.“
„Did you put it on hold?“ He was worried in the back of his mind about the price.
„No, I wanted you to have a look at it before I do… Oh! Cherries, you have cherries! They’re perfectly delightful darling, so sweet and pretty.“ Arianna popped one after another in her mouth, delicately taking the pits and placing them in a separate bowl. She held one out to him.
„They’re marvelous, Christian, try one!“ He took a bite and grinned a little. She ate the rest and put the pit in the bowl. She sat with her legs up on the sofa, a very unladylike thing to do.
„You’re sitting terribly, Arianna, really. That isn’t even remotely proper.“ He leaned his head tenderly on her, and she just laughed at his statement, moving one leg to the ground instead.
„I want to go into town tomorrow with you.“ She stated, turning her face up to his. He frowned.
„I’m busy tomorrow, dear, I’m going early and you wouldn’t be awake at the time.“
„You’re always busy, darling, it’s perfectly indecent of you.“ She pouted, folding her arms.
„Well… I suppose I can ask Jason to take you, if that pleases you and you really must.“
„Thank you darling! I love you forever.“ She smiled and kissed his cheek triumphantly.
„I should certainly hope so.“ Christian grinned with a laugh, and he decided it was time for her to take her leave.
- He got up and followed Arianna to the door. They kissed, and then they walked out to his carriages, one headed home and the other off in the direction of town. Arianna sighed, wondering what he could possibly need to do there at that time in the evening, but she brushed it off and thanked the driver when he dropped her off. She went to play some piano before her father came home so they could all eat dinner. She decided to go see if her best friend, Vellarie Skaatran wanted to join them for dinner, and called her up.
„Hello, Arianna speaking, may I please speak to Velly?“
„Hi, Aria, it’s me, what did you need?“ The voice was coated with ennui, which made Aria smile a little bit. Her friend was always searching for something to do, and when she had nothing to do she became temperamental and impatient with everything around her.
„Would you like to join us for dinner? Loise has a lovely fish cooking.“
„Why not? My mother decided she’d be visiting my aunt, so it’s just me and father here, and I couldn’t stand to have another night of dinner alone with him. I despise that man sometimes.“
„Then I shall tell Loise to make an extra place setting. See you at 6 o’clock, dear.“
- Aria hung up and waited until her friend finally arrived in her tiny carriage, sulking and grumbling.
„I need a new carriage, Aria, mine is too small and jars so easily on the smallest bump.“
„Well take that up with you father, Velly, I can’t help you there.“ She laughed and the two went to the dining room and took their seats to sit and chat. The subject turned serious quickly.
„So Aria… what did you do today?“ Velly smirked, already having a thought of the possibilities.
„I went shopping at first by myself, and then I met up with Christian to pick out my dress for the dinner party on Saturday. Have you gotten yours?“
„I’m borrowing one of Mother’s… Father won’t spend a thing to get me a new one.“
„Oh… I’m sorry Velly. I’m sure your mum has something lovely for you to wear, though.“
„It’s fine. So Christian picked the dress, huh? You already act like you’re married, Ari.“
„Not true, he just has good taste when it comes to me.“ She giggled, smiling at her friend.
„So has he asked yet? He’s taking forever, you know.“ A frown came from both girls.
„No, he hasn’t, and I don’t expect him to yet. He will, I’m sure of it. I can wait. I promise you, I will soon be Lady Christian du Marque, and that you can mark in your books.“ Arianna had a determined face on now, reluctant to show her doubts as to why her beloved hadn’t asked her to marry him yet. She hoped he wasn’t leading her on; Velly hoped he wasn’t cheating on her in town like some of the rumours that circulated. They both sighed as Arianna’s father came home and everyone sat down to dinner, light-hearted and chattier than ever. The thoughts of the possibities with Christian only came up once during dinner, and they were quickly answered and brushed off effortlessly on Arianna’s part, aided by Vellarie, who changed the subject rapidly to keep her friend from discomfort. After dessert, Arianna bid her friend goodbye and went to bathe before going to bed. She hoped town the next day would be more enjoyable than the awkward conversation topic of her future with Christian. She was set on thinking it was sealed and promised herself she’d be inquiring about it to him next she saw him.
- It was nearly 12 o’clock when Arianna finally awoke from her slumber. Her dreams had tormented her and kept her in bed for much longer than usual. She immediately got up and was told by her maid that Jason had called an hour ago to ask if she was ready. She thanked the maid and refreshed herself in the toilette before coming back and changing for town. She gave Jason a call and apologized for not answering the call, telling him she was now ready and would await his arrival. He came 10 minutes later, his carriage pulling up in front of her mansion. She trotted over to it and got in, smiling.
„Thank you for taking me today, Jason. You are a gentleman and a dear friend. I apologize for oversleeping, I hope I didn’t alter any of your plans.“
„Not at all, Aria, don’t worry about anything. It’s my pleasure, seeing as I had nothing scheduled for today. Drive on!“ He called out, and the carriage moved forward briskly. They chatted about what they would do today until they arrived. Once they were at the heart of town, Arianna bid Jason adieu and headed off toward the boutiques. She strolled along, window-shopping. She liked seeing the people go by, bustling some and others walking together at a leisurely pace.
(i know the format is shitty, but at least it's readable.)
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-Snowboy9