DUALITY /#Wattys 2021

Chapter 47

Inept as she was with makeup and formal wear, Ridley turned to get ready as soon as Chi left. Once dressed and made up, with the flower in her hair, she stood in the center of the room, wondering whether she should sit down in such a gown. The fabric was so gossamer and so fine, she was afraid it might pull or snag, and someone would know a person had worn it. Silly. Of course Hope sat down in it, she thought. She took her place in her armchair, her fingers and toes tingling with excitement. What had Chi planned?

Exactly at six she heard his knock. The door slid open. Chi walked in and stopped, staring at her.

Ridley rose to her feet.

His eyes traveled from her head to her hem, a special light in them. "I was right. That is the dress for you."

Ridley smiled and turned around once. "Thank you for this."

Chi winked at her. "The night's not over yet." He disappeared into his "important" closet. She sat and waited for him, and in fifteen minutes he emerged in the black suit with the cravat he had worn to the royal dinner in London.

Now it was Ridley's turn to stare. She must have had some expression on her face, because Chi laughed.

"I can wear a suit," he said. "It's the tallness."

Ridley stood up again, and then she dropped him a slow curtsy. "Your Highness," she said.

"Ridley, don't curtsy to me."

"I have to," she said. "You're more royal than the Queen."

A rumble shook the balcony doors. Ridley turned just in time to see a brilliant flash illuminate the draperies.

"Told you," said Chi. "Thundersnow."

A chime sounded at the door, and he stepped out and came back in carrying the now-familiar dinner box. "This one's insulated so our food doesn't get cold. Sit down and make yourself comfortable. I'm going to go upstairs and set our table. I'll come to escort you up in a minute."

"Upstairs?"

Chi scooted behind the Deerman statue to a plate on the wall that Ridley hadn't noticed. Holding the food hamper by both handles, he had to touch the wall plate with his nose. A panel slid open in the wall and a light flickered on, revealing a steep, narrow staircase. Chi disappeared up the stairs.

Ridley sat down again, fingering the fine fabric of her gown in delight. Where would they be eating their dinner?

"Ridley!" Chi's voice called down the stairs. "Ridley! Come up here, now!"

"What is it? Are you okay?"

"Hurry! You have to see this!"

Ridley jumped up. Her underskirt wrapped around her boot and she almost fell. She stopped, grabbed her skirts in a tangle in her fists, and, holding the dress out in front of her as far as she could, hurried over to the stairs and minced her way up, careful not to step on the jeweled hem.

Fortunately, she and Chi were both in good shape. Ridley had missed her workout today; this would make up for it. The staircase curled a long way up, around and around, until she was almost dizzy.

She emerged onto a space on the roof, between two towers and enclosed on three sides, that measured about the same as Chi's bathroom. He had made a little terrace there, complete with dining table, chairs, and a sideboard. Strings of little white lights enchanted the night. Two candles glowed on his beautifully set table. As she emerged into the sudden cold, snowflakes batted her eyelashes and landed on her nose.

Chi stood at the edge of the terrace, pointing down into the courtyard. "Look! Look! You'll never see this again!" Ridley hurried over and looked down.