The Prince's Curse

Chapter 23 - The Dress

~Chapter 23~

*The Dress*

"Yo, pass the jam," Louis asked no one in particular through a mouth full of food. Harry pushed it towards him, knocking into a bowl of fruit, spilling some grapes over the edge.

Luke and Ashton shared a look of confusion tinged with disgust at the lack of manners their friends possessed.

"So today I believe we have many things to do," Ashton sat up in his chair to announce. His friends looked at him. "The way you all behave is...hm..."

"Not something that will reflect well on the castle," Luke intervined tactfully. Ashton nodded gratefully, as the way he wanted  to phrase it was not so diplomatic.

"Indeed, so after we are finished eating, we shall have a short lesson on deportment as well as fit you all in an ensemble worthy of the castle,"

"Do not worry," Luke soothed at the blank or worried looks they were getting. "It is not as bad as you would think, I mean, look at me," he and Ashton shared a look. "I was able to pick it up rather fast."

"Exactly, and with the two of us as your teachers, there is nothing to worry about."

"At least his sister will not be your teacher, she wanted to use a ruler to keep me in line,"

Everyone chuckled at that, lightening the mood a bit.

"You mean we can't do this?" Harry threw a grape into the air, catching it in his mouth before lounging over the armrest of his chair, his feet practically in Louis' face. Louis spluttered and slapped the feet repeatedly.

"No, Harold, please do not do that again," Ashton rolled his eyes at his friends antics.

Harry shrugged, sitting up right and taking another bite of fruit.

They finished up their food, Luke keeping a careful eye on everyone. He noticed Michael kept his napkin on his lap the entire time, and Calum stayed away from the strawberries and melon in the fruit salad. Louis's movements were languid and stiff, like he was sore. Perhaps he was hungover from the night before. None of that was incriminating, and aside from that, nothing else significant stood out to him.

"I believe we shall get them outfitted first, then head to Amelia's classroom for deportment lessons," Ashton told Luke as they led the way out of the dining hall they occupied. Luke nodded, glancing back to find Louis falling behind.

"Louis, are you all right?" Luke stopped and asked.

Louis nodded, a bit surprised that Luke called him out.

"Yeah, I think I forgot my phone in the room, is it cool if I run back to grab it?"

"I can have someone to get it for you," Ashton began, but Louis cut him off.

"I'm not sure where I left it, I'll just swing back and then join you again," He said, starting to back up.

Suspicious. Luke would be watching him.

Luke pointed to one of the guards nearby.

"Jackson, will you escort him to the guest wing and bring him back to the seamstresses quarters?"

"Yes, Sir Luke." the man bowed before gesturing for Louis to start walking.

The rest of them were quiet as they made their way down the stairs.

"All right, everyone, this is Ms Wexler. She is the best seamstress in the country, she has worked up a few ideas, and will be tailoring these outfits to fit each of you specifically."