CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

34.

"I cannot believe that you'd help me with that."
"Why not? I am just your little sister."
"And I am your grandmother, Delilah. You know I'd always support you girls. Don't tell your brothers that.", she said.

We were in a fabric shop. Delilah would choose the fabric for her dress, which she would wear for the elopement. She was excited but didn't want to abandon the tradition of wearing a white dress. It was a tradition that was common in our family and we were supposed to keep it alive.

"How do I know which one I should take?"
"It's simple. Take one that you like.", I said.

"No no no no, a woman who desires a man's heart knows exactly which weapons she will choose to fight with. Yes, a man insists on beauty and we use that to our advantage."

We looked at each other. Grandmother knew all about it. She was married three times, and my father is from her last marriage. Our grandfather fought in the French Revolution and was killed.

She kept his memory alive. She tells his story to everyone who asked or didn't.

"Girls listen. This is important. So pay attention to what ignites a man's heart and you'll win every battle! Provoke at first with just a touch of taffeta."

"Grandmother, this isn't a war.", Delilah said.

But she wasn't listening.

"Then patrol with your top guns. Seal the deal with velvet and silk and conspire for some damask. With satin, you'll push forward into his territory. March like a mannequin in the newest fashion and when nothing helps take some garnet tulle because it lifts the complexion.", she explained.

The girls that were working for the shop were chiming in.

"Attack! Take a fine parasol as your sword."
"Or move ahead and let the pearls on your arm jingle."
"Take a fan as your shield."

"A parasol?", I asked.

"Don't let your opponents get away! If you manage to set his heart aflame, it's over for him! If he is to beg to you on his knees now more than ever, pull the veil over from your battle strategy. Carry a fan as your saber, use your corset as a trap", grandmother said, holding different fabrics in her hands.

Delilah wanted to interrupt, but it was helpless.

"Be adept, push forward into enemy territory. Wear a golden band on your head because that will make him lose his head!"
"Yes, when entering a deciding battle, a little trinket goes a long way!"

"Delilah, Annelise, even Mars, the god of war, had weaknesses. A look at Venus made him weak at the knees
But not just any goddess was worthy. Just look at the corset that vanquished him!", she added.

"I don't think I want to marry now.", Delilah whispered.

But grandmother had nothing for it. She kept continuing.

"So weakened, he'll bow before your golden necklace. Arm yourself for victory with only your cleavage. Should he demand any concessions a plunging neckline can be your triumph card. Even if he insists, give him the rest you have. Bat your eyelashes, trim, what you can afford to trim. Ladies, to the front -- stand strong!"

"Ladies, grab the nearest man."
"Ladies, fight until you no longer can."
"Yes, the man gladly lets himself be dazzled and we need to use this. We can't waste our beauty Isn't this a charming war?", a woman finished.

"I think I go with silk.", Delilah stammered.

"Perfect choice my dear. Love is a war.", grandmother said.
"Can we go now?", she asked.

"Of course.", grandmother said, taking our hands and leaving the shop.

Neither Delilah nor I knew what just happened. But her wisdom was valuable. She knew it all.