The Artist and the Angel(A Poth story)

Chapter 36:Recovery at the Ball

Palette's POV a few days later

"Are you ready, Captain?"Tony, the head treasurer, asks

"Yeah..."I say, watching the scenery pass by outside the window

It was silent as he shuffles through his papers in the carriage seat.

"Do you know what you're going to discuss?"He asks

"Environmental concerns, training proposals, art and defenses."I say, fidgeting with my necklace

I've sealed 1/2 of it back together over the last few days but there are still plenty of cracks to fix as I carefully wear it around my neck. I've put a new locket around the fused gems to protect the broken pieces, making it look like a golden heart when shut. When opened, the cracked gem is visible as well as a small picture of Goth and I tucked away inside.

Silence falls once again. Tony clears his throat.

"Not to say that I don't enjoy your company, which I do, but don't you find it odd that at the last minute Madame put us together for the ride?"He asks

He has a point. The original plan for the trip to the ball was for me to ride with Tina as her right hand companion. I haven't really seen or her or had the chance to speak with her since the issue with my father at the gate. We've both gotten so busy. I don't even know what happened to Goth, which has me concerned. The sorcerer said that Dream had put them in my head so it made me wonder. Did he get out as well? Did the spell go right? Or did something go wrong and he is in my head still? Or is he free, just not in the same condition? I have noticed a young lady that I haven't seen before wandering around tending to some things around the halls recently. She lives in a tower higher and opposite of my room, visible from my window.

I didn't pay much attention to it but just this morning I got a letter from Tina saying that someone else is riding with her so I'll be riding with Tony.

"It is, but it's also reasonable. We are heading into neutral lands and don't want rumors to sway how they treat or think of us. If I came out with Madame Tina, rumors and questions unrelated to the issues at hand may rise. So she probably has one of her close maidens or ladies in waiting with her for good appearances while I ride with you so nothing is questioned. Are you nervous?"I ask

He nods.

"I haven't spoken in front of a group so big before...."He says

"Why don't you practice with me?"I suggest

He nods with a smile, thanking me. He proceeds to rehearse his lines on what he will say regarding various financial issues that he took note of, from trades to high spending and budgets, he covered them with solutions as well.

I smile at him once he finished and give him a thumbs up.

"You'll do great."I tell him, which seems to ease his nerves

The carriage stops and the door opens. We climb out, finding a carpet rolled out before a large castle that had fences blocking crowds of onlookers. Tony trembled under all the attention, pushing his sets of glasses back into place and shielding his six eyes from the blinding lights or flash of cameras. I hook my arm through his, locking at the elbows and smile at him with a nod. He nods back at me and we walk in together.

Tina walks in front of us, her arm interlocked with another lady's arm. She wore a professional red dress that looked eleventh but also demanded authority or respect. It wasn't long or extravagant, but the designs with the layers on the skirt or sleeves that naturally flow allow for her tail to peek out and gave a sense of confidence with her. She has some necklaces on but also a sash adorned with medals from her service before and during her reign. Beauty and power wrapped together for the people to see and she marched confidently. I know that's exactly what she was going for in order to be taken seriously by the other leaders here who don't always listen to women as closely. She didn't want her authority questioned one way or another so this style solves both issues in a single go.