Sleeping With The Devil (sequel to Two Faced Love)

Part 10

You followed Paul through the maze that was still the palace back to your now shared room.. Where waiting are an assortment of gowns already waiting for you to try them on that were hung up.
"Wow, guess I have the rest of the afternoon planned out for myself," you said as Paul kissed the side of your face.

"I'll leave you to it. I have things to still look over and well all I have to do is put on a suit," he said as you rolled your eyes.

"Lucky, lucky you. Wish we could swap places for the afternoon. I'll see you before the gathering though, right?" you asked, worried that you wouldn't get to talk to him before you were possibly separated from him for the entirety of the evening and having to talk to strangers that would probably barely contain their bloodlust around you.

"Yes. You really think I would have no contact with you beforehand? It's not like you'll be leaving my side either. Especially with my return and your arrival. It's best to present a united front. Which isn't hard when I wouldn't want to be anywhere but by your side all night anyway," he said with a wink before leaving your shared quarters just as Maria was walking through the doors.

"Ah, Lady y/n. Good timing. I set a few gowns to the side that I thought would be suitable for the evening," Maria said as she turned your attention to the rack of gowns that look so elaborate. And also heavy. Maria helped you take the dress that you were wearing off and started putting the petticoat layers on you first.

"I'm surprised I didn't catch you on your way out before. I can't believe I let you out of here wearing that without the layers underneath," Maria said with a laugh as she looked back at the dress you had been wearing previously.

"Yes, well. It was comfortable without all of this," you said as you took the petticoat layers in your hands.

"More comfortable but not the proper way of dressing. Surprised that he didn't say something," Maria added in a low tone that might've not been meant for you to hear.

"Yes, well. He didn't mention it, so it must've not bothered him. I'm surprised you forgot," you countered looking at your reflection in the mirror and catching Maria's look of shock that crossed her face at your comment.

"I'm kidding Maria. Trust me I didn't know that I even had to wear all this with dresses. Where I'm from I don't even wear dresses,"

"Ah, that makes sense now,"

"What?"

"His majesty's order for trousers. We thought he had lost his head or something. But if it's something that you are accustomed to. I just don't recommend wearing something like that around officials or anything,"

You tried to hide your smile since your mind went immediately to the idea of defying that specific suggestion.

Maria was going through the gowns and selecting one that was a deep blue to the point that it almost looked black. With lantern sleeves and a deep-cut v front. Maria placed it over you. Helping you with the sleeves before working on the intricate lacing in the back.

You sighed in relief, which made Maria look at your reflection in the mirror.

"Stressed?"

"Yes, but I'm glad that I haven't seen a corset. I don't think I would be able to handle that while also meeting all these new people at once,"

Maria smiled back at you as she fluffed out the bottom of the dress so you could see more of it.

"Yes, well you won't be alone. It's been awhile since he's seen all these people. I'm sure you aren't the only one that's nervous for tonight,"

You nodded taking that into consideration. Maria did have a point. Paul must be on edge. Especially with only finding out about it this morning from his advisors when everyone else could've been knowing that this was in the works since you both arrived.