16. SIXTEEN
SIXTEEN
Darius
Tension hangs in the air like the dawn before a battle, which is odd considering the scene before me. I walk into Mina’s parlor, where her ladies are perched in the seating area praising her newest outfit.
The famous designer Staefan called for stands off to the side, a patient smile painted in place.
Mina pulls at the ruffles on her skirt with pursed lips.
“Emperor Darius Lucian Gilchrist.” The maid’s announcement turns my unnoticed entrance into the focal point. Everyone in the room curtsies, save Mina, and offers their greetings. I nod for them to relax.
“Good morning. Your timing, as always, is impeccable,” Mina says. “What are your thoughts on this outfit?”
She’s asking my opinion on fashion? I came here to deliver my notes on her proposal, not play house.
“Surely His Majesty has more pressing matters,” Lady Natalie gently suggests.
Ignoring her completely, Mina marches up to me with a small twirl that angers the frills attached to her midriff. “Well?”
“You look as beautiful as always.”
The dressmaker beams, proud of her work, but Mina shoots me a dirty look that no one else can see.
“Thank you for your opinion. How may I assist you in return?” She nods at the files in my hands.
“Notes from your proposal. I had hoped to discuss them with you, but I see that you’re otherwise occupied.”
I knew she was seeing both designers today, but I only have a brief window in my busy schedule to speak with her. Staefan will murder me if I’m late for my meeting with the city inspector in an hour.
I should dismiss everyone and make them resume the fashion show later, but Mina’s fiery demeanor has me curious.
“Jaime.” She waves over her maid, who holds out her hands expectantly. I place the stack in her open palms, waiting for the usual flinch that never comes. She simply nods at Mina and me before returning to stand against the wall.
Her confidence in my presence suits Mina well. No wonder she requested her.
“I’ll be happy to discuss the matter with you further. But I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until after I’m finished.”
I take in the yellow outfit once more and decide her pointed frown is justified. The pieces are well made, but they don’t complement the powerful woman wearing them. “Alright. I’ll stay and watch then.”
“What an honor!” the dressmaker nearly shouts as she falls into a deep curtsy. “I’ll have the next piece prepared.”
Mina disappears into her bedchamber with the dressmaker, leaving the rest of us in stifling silence. I expect the bolder ladies to attempt conversation, but they study their cups or the floor, shifting in their seats until Mina returns.
A pale pink dress wraps around her from throat to ankle, leaving her tattoos exposed in odd sections. The dress Mina fashioned from drapery flattered her more.
She studies herself in a full-length mirror near the fire and winces. Her reaction is as natural as taking a knife wound, but despite covering it quickly, no one misses it.
“Is this dress not to your liking, Your Highness?” the dressmaker asks, frustration picking at the words.
I wonder how many dresses Mina has passed on already. Quite a few if the woman’s wringing hands are any indication.
“The outfits are lovely, but a bit different than the designs I gave you.”
“You said this was a test to see how I could blend your designs with Velorian fashions for the wedding dress. I applied that thought process to each piece I designed. The perfect blend of both.”
Mina studies the designer before releasing a slow sigh. She turns to us, but the others glance to me for permission to speak. I nod, and they unleash a chorus of praises.
“The color is perfect with your skin tone, Your Highness,” Lady Elena says.
She isn’t wrong, but Mina would be stunning in a potato sack. “I agree. Though, I think I prefer the dress you wore to breakfast.”
Mina’s eyes sparkle, confirming I answered correctly. “I would love to show you a similar dress. But unfortunately, there are none here that capture the tradition of my homeland yet.”
The dressmaker flushes, stumbling over her excuses. “I’ll have some made immediately. I could have them here by breakfast tomorrow.”
“Perhaps,” Mina says, tapping a gold-tipped nail to her lips. “If the other designer fails to deliver, I am open to giving you a second chance.”
“What other designer?”
The women glance at each other, confused and out of the loop. They’re in for quite a show.
“Jaime, would you bring him in?” Mina says.
“Right away.”
She disappears out the door for a few minutes before reappearing with a young man.
Tall, thin, no apparent weapons hidden in his tight brown jacket.
His pale fingers shake as he sweeps long blond hair out of his face after bowing.
“Long live Emperor Darius Lucian Gilchrist and Princess Mina Ardeshir.”
“Thank you for coming, Cassian,” Mina says with a warm smile that disarms the boy.
The first designer gawks at him. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Mind your tone, Lady Katherine,” Lady Kailani warns.
Katherine looks between all the women before focusing on me. She falls to the floor in a deep bow before my seat. “Your Majesty, you hired me personally to design clothes for your future bride. Have I not pleased you with my designs? If not, I’ll return immediately with more options.”
I let out a small laugh at the ridiculousness of her begging. She flinches at the sound.
I relax into my seat and rest my chin on my hand.
“I hired you personally? Woman, I didn’t even know your name until a few seconds ago.
My chancellor chose you. I requested a proficient designer to assist Princess Mina in curating a wardrobe.
If she hired someone else to increase her options, then she is wiser than I originally thought. ”
Katherine’s face blanches as she retreats to Mina, who beams at me. Her smile is a cool salve on my anger toward the designer’s disrespect.
“If his designs are also unsatisfactory, I’ll let you try again. We shall see if he was better at listening to directions,” Mina says.
“He’s a nobody,” she clarifies.
“So were you, at one point in your career.” Mina’s point makes her command clear. Shut up, stand down, and wait your turn. Her ability to remain respectful while dealing a fatal blow is oddly attractive.
Much to my disappointment, Katherine curtsies and goes to stand by two others in red aprons in the corner. Her assistants, I guess, by their equally glum faces.
Mina turns to Cassian. “You may set up the options in my chambers and walk Jaime through how to dress me. Once you are finished, I’ll start trying them on.”
He rushes into the next room with his trunks in tow, eager for his chance or to escape the awkward tension settling over the room.
“To make things fair, I’ll let the emperor have the final say. If he feels the designs aren’t up to the standards of my dress at the ball, then I suppose we will have to start the process over tomorrow.”
Mina pretends to be troubled by the idea of me choosing the winner, but it works in her favor. If I acknowledge another designer, no one will be able to question his appointment.
Female soldiers. Male designers. Veloria is in for quite a change.
Cassian quickly returns, and Mina disappears behind the door. I glance at my pocket watch. Forty-five minutes until I’ve got to be across town.
“Would you like some tea while we wait, Your Majesty?” Lady Elena purses her lips in a demure smile. I’m not surprised she is the first to have the courage to interact with me given how much Lord Weisman pushed for her at the ball.
“No, thank you. You ladies enjoy a cup for me.” I answer without ever fully turning toward her.
My eyes are glued to Mina as she steps through the door. The pink dress is nearly identical to the shade she changed out of, but the designs are completely different. Probably a strategic jab at Katherine’s failure to produce what Mina asked for.
Soft fabric hugs her throat and shoulders before crossing just below her breasts.
The rest of the dress flows to the ground, held in place by delicate gold chains.
Embroidered flowers with gems for leaves are woven into the neckline and hips of the garment.
Such details are frivolous, yet they draw my gaze against my better judgment.
Regal and sophisticated, but not tame. The clothes suit her more than anything I’ve witnessed yet.
Her jade eyes cut to me as she twirls. “Well?”
I should’ve accepted the tea, after all. I swallow, adding moisture to my dry throat as I cross over to my future bride. “I think we don’t need to see any more dresses.”
I bring her fingers to my lips, earning wistful sighs from our onlookers. Mina blushes and unleashes her full smile, a real one. I find myself wanting to dismiss the room for an entirely different reason.
My chest tightens with the strange urge to protect that smile. Mina may be a pawn, but I will keep her safe. I owe her that much.
On some small level, I recognize that my need for redemption plays a part in my protectiveness. A salve for my sins. “I’d recommend this one. In every color,” I add.
Both designers look shell-shocked. Katherine’s jaw is on the floor. “What about the wedding dress? Surely my blended style would be needed for that at least?”
“That’s for the princess to decide.”
A small flame of satisfaction ignites in my stomach at the fact she hasn’t let go of my hand yet.
Mina turns to address the room. “Cassian will design my wardrobe and wedding dress. Lady Katherine, I thank you for your time. We will compensate you for any materials you wasted, so submit the invoices by the end of the week.”
“Your Highness—” she pleads, but Mina cuts her off with a wave of her hand.
“I’ve made my choice. You will be quite busy preparing the other dresses anyway.”
Katherine glances around the room, completely lost.
“I will need a new dress for each of my ladies-in-waiting. Something unique for the ceremony. Unless you aren’t interested?”