Till Death Do Us Part

Chapter 1

"Why do I have to wear a dress? I'm a knight!" Jean lied on the bed, frowning. Her eyes shot daggers at her brother, Leroy.

"Because it's a formal event. The knights won't be wearing their armors, except for those on duty. They'll be wearing civilian clothes."

"Then I just have to wear civilian clothes! I have my tunic."

Leroy let out a long sigh. He understood her sister's reluctance but he was determined not to lose today. "Just wear the dress."

"I don't want to," she snapped vehemently.

"Darius will be there, alright? He'll be wearing civilian clothes as well."

Jean's brows furrowed. "What's that got to do with anything?"

Leroy chuckled. "Now, now don't keep acting dumb about it, you'll break the boy's heart."

"What nonsense are you talking about? God! Really, Leroy, you've been weird lately!"

Leroy cupped his sister's rosy cheeks in his hands. "Okay, let me tell you, you little thick-headed, stubborn, cheeky brat. Wear the pretty dress so Darius will lose his mind when he sees you. Then you can tease him about it for the next two years."

"See, you keep making things up! Darius is my blood brother," Jean said proudly.

Leroy smiled smugly. "You have no idea, do you? But then, it's better that you don't."

He stood up and checked on his reflection on the standing mirror. "Wear the dress. Don't be late. If you show up without the dress, I'll put you on kitchen duty for the next expedition."

"What?! Now that's just plain abuse of power!" Jean sat up straight. "You can't do that!"

"I can and I will. I have to go now, there's a lot to prepare for the new commander. If you have trouble putting it on yourself, ask the cook to help you."

Jean let out profanities from her pretty little mouth, but her brother ignored her and walked out with ease.

"I'm doing this for your own good, you ungrateful little imp," he said to himself once he'd left the house. Then he chuckled in amusement as he imagined the face that Darius would make when he sees her that evening.