9. The Great Birthday Feast
It was already late evening, and a whole mansion seemed asleep. Gawyn was still working in his office, going through a massive pile of military reports from all parts of Lamyria. With over half-day wasted on a migraine, it would take some long night hours to catch up with everything.
Someone knocked at the door lightly.
"Come in,"Gawyn said, not taking his eyes from the parchment in his hand.
Zachariah walked in with a tray. "You are working late today, my lord. I brought you fresh tea."
"Thank you." The General put down the report. He took off his glasses, closed his eyes, and massaged the bridge of his nose. "Gods know I could use a break."
"Maybe you should retire for the day, my lord?" the servant asked, pouring steaming tea with efficient and elegant movements.
"I've wasted enough time sleeping already today." Gawyn took a beautiful, delicate teacup, inhaling the aroma.
"On the side note," Zachariah said, standing just a few feet away with his hands behind his back. "Lady Skylar seems to be settling in well."
Gawyn scoffed. "You mean when she's running around in my clothes or storming out in the middle of her tutoring sessions?"
"Well, at least the mansion seems livelier with her."
The General raised a brow. "You've taken a liking to her already?"
"Let's say she reminds me a lot of you when you were younger, my lord."
"She does not."
"Yes, she does. She is bold, easily annoyed with pointless nobility customs, and very dedicated to keeping her body in shape."
"You mean fencing. The problem is Skylar is a woman, so she shouldn't be doing it."
"That's just something the society forced on us," Zachariah said with a shrug. "In my humble opinion, it brings her no dishonour."
"Yeah, but unfortunately, it's not your opinion that matters." The General sighed. "But I've already learnt that forcing her to stop is futile. She's as stubborn as an ox."
"I could point out a few examples where you were just as stubborn, my lord."
"Please, don't," Gawyn replied, sipping his tea.
"But even against all those odds, you two seem to be getting on well," Zachariah said. "I don't think there was an awkward silence during today's dinner. Which I believe was the first meal you ate together here."
The General scratched his head in thought. "Yes, I think you are right. Sometimes, when I talk to her, I forget that she is a woman because she keeps talking about military topics. And I must admit, she is quite knowledgeable in this area."
"Isn't it a good thing then? Isn't she exactly someone in whose company you would like to spend your life, my lord?"
Gawyn sighed again. "The problem is, we all have a role to play in our society for Lamyria to prosper. And she is not very good in hers, which will make things difficult for me too."
"Still, I'm impressed with how you are handling this situation, my lord," Zachariah said with a small smile.
The General raised his brows. "Meaning?"
"You provided her with her quarters and space. And quite a lot of freedom. I must say, you don't often treat other people with so much empathy."
Gawyn put down his teacup and looked at his servant with a frown. "You haven't been at the wedding."
"Did something happen there, my lord?"
"You told me Skylar is bold, and she is.
She would probably charge at a dragon without a second thought.
That's just the kind of person she is. But on our wedding day, she was terrified of me.
She did try to put a brave face on, but it was clear as day.
I didn't realise it at the time, but she is a good couple of years younger than me.
And with all this mess of negotiating alliance, her family pushed her to marry me without any warning.
"I may disagree with the King's decision to go on with this union, and I would never choose her if I had any say in the matter. But it is what it is, and I'd rather live with a woman who was ready to punch me when I offended her sister than with a pale shadow that trembles at my smallest gesture."
"I'm delighted you think so, my lord."
"Yeah, but I'm afraid it will come back to bite me sooner or later." Gawyn handed his empty teacup to the servant. "Now excuse me, but I have no more time for idle talk. I need to get back to work."
"Of course, my lord," Zachariah said with a bow. "If you need anything else, just call."
The evening before the birthday feast in the palace finally arrived.
Master Bailey brought the whole collection of dresses he was working on all this time, including a unique creation for Skylar's first appearance at the royal court.
She was now looking at her reflection in the mirror with a mixture of awe and horror.
The dress was nothing Skylar had seen before.
It left her whole shoulders bare. She was used to hiding her arms because of well-defined muscles that were so unladylike in general, but now they were exposed on purpose.
The red bodice richly embroidered with black gryphon shapes was not suffocating, like typical corsets, but seemed to be hugging all her curves perfectly.
The simple black skirt was not too large and heavy, but a perfect combination of flowing fabric and pretty shape, not restricting her movements.
Skylar had to admit that it was the most comfortable dress she's ever worn in her life. The whole thing was complemented by long, black gloves reaching up to her elbows.
"Come now, darling," Master Baileysaid from behind the partition. "Don't leave us hanging in here!"
Sky took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and stepped out from her little changing space.
Gawyn's mouth opened slightly while his wide eyes tookher all in, from head to toes. Skylar's cheeks burned under his intense gaze, which was weird, as she didn't care if he approved of her or not.
"It's..." the General paused, searching for the right words.
"Spectacular? Magnificent? Terrific?" Master Bailey suggested, not even trying to hide his excitement.
"Nothing I've ever seen at court. That's for sure," Gawyn finished with a frown.
"Of course, you've seen nothing like this before! Do you think I would copy some shabby creations from other tailors?! Not likely! This dress, my dear General, is a work of art. Come here, dear."
The tailor took Skylar's hand, pulled her closer to Gawyn, and then twirled her around. "Just look at how perfectly it fits your wife. It's showing off the best parts and hides enough to let the mind wander."
"Isn't it showing a bit too much?" Sky asked, looking nervously at her bare shoulders.
"My dear," Master Bailey said, putting both hands on her arms. "Those shoulders are works of art; you can't keep them hidden! It's a crime!"
He twirled her again, so she was facing Gawyn now, and pushed her gently forward, so they were standing so close, she had to raise her chin to look him in the face.
The tailor continued, "On tomorrow's feast, every man in the room will wish they could stand in your place, my dear General, and every woman would die to be you, my dear Lady Skylar."
"I'm still not convinced it's not too... controversial," Gawyn said.
"Lord General, does your wife not look stunning in this dress?" asked Master Bailey pointedly.
"She does," Gawyn admitted, while his eyes wandered over Skylar's body, making her blush even more.
"Would you not be happy to dance only with her the whole night?"
"I would."
"There you have it."
"What do you think about the dress?" Gawyn asked, looking at Skylar.
"It surely is comfortable. I wouldn't mind wearing it for the rest of my life."
"And that is the greatest compliment I could have counted on!" Master Bailey exclaimed and gallantly kissed Skylar's hand. "I'll take my leave now. I'll send the next batch of dresses next week. Have fun at the feast, my dears. When people compliment your dress, don't forget to mention who made it."
"I sure will," Sky said with a smile, stepping away from Gawyn. For some reason, his proximity was doing strange things to her heart.
"Oh, and one more thing," the tailor added, turning around and pointing his finger at the General. "Your wife is a goddess. Treat her like one, or you would have to deal with me!"
"Goodbye, Master Bailey," Gawynsaid with a sour expression.
"Are you all right? You look pale,"Gawyn said when they walked out of the elevator and followed the servant to the ballroom.
"What do you think?" Skylar hissed. Her whole body was tense with anxiety since morning. She was not doing great at parties; this one was the grandest kind ever. "You, on the other hand, look far too relaxed. Aren't you scared I'll embarrass you?"
"There's nothing we can do about it now, so no point in wasting time on worrying," Gawyn said calmly.
His parade uniform matched perfectly to her dress.
Master Bailey was truly unrivalled at his craft.
"Also, I'm going to be with you at all times, so I'll stop you before you can do something stupid."
"That's reassuring," she murmured, but they had to stop their conversation as they entered the grand palace ballroom.
The place was bigger than anything Skylar had seen and dripping with luxury. When the herald announced their names, every face in the room turned towards them. Skylar suddenly felt faint, but Gawyn squeezed her hand gently and led her into the room.
Skylar felt everyone's eyes on her. People were whispering and smiling, but not in a kind and friendly way.
"Ignore them. Chin up and smile," Gawyn murmured, sending a shiver down her spine when his warm breath tickled her ear.
Sky obeyed, trying her hardest to keep her face relaxed. But her skin was crawling every time she heard poorly contained laughter behind her back. Fortunately, she had to focus on what was ahead of them as they approached a small dais where the lady of the hour was sitting on an elaborated chair.