Truth of the Whisper

Chapter Forty.

Nervously, I played with the rim of my cleavage.

I really should have taken a closer look at the dress sooner, but now, it was too late. It looked stunning.

It truly did.

But I was so not used to wear dresses like this.

The waistline – too tight.

The cleavage – too low.

It looked more like a dress Dylana would wear, not something I would have chosen. Never something I would have chosen.

I had asked the maid who had done my hair to only braid the upper half of it in an updo on my head so that I wouldn't feel too naked. Now, at least I was able to push a bit of my hair to the front to let the bright blonde locks curl in front of my chest.

Damnit.

I was incredibly nervous.

Nyshard had left some time ago, leaving me alone with the maid but now that she was finished, he would be back soon.

In fact, now.

A knock at the door, and a "May I enter?", announced him. I took a deep breath, turned towards the door, tried not to fiddle with my fingers and said aloud "Yes."

Nyshard opened the door but didn't enter, instead, he stood in the hallway frozen on the spot.

He was wearing a matching outfit to mine, dark leathery pants with a dark blue vest, a black shirt underneath it that revealed just a glimpse of his broad chest. The vest was studded with silvery embroidery and reminded me of the one he had been wearing at Berthyan.

He looked gorgeous. But he didn't comment on me, instead, he stepped into the room – our room - slid his hand in his pocket and pulled out a silvery necklace with a small shard dangling on the end of it, encased in a silver frame.

I had my medallion with me, but it didn't fit together with the dress. But this necklace, it did.

Nyshard closed the lock and murmured lowly "Now you look perfect."

His eyes wandered over my face and his hands lightly ghosted over my upper arms, before he took a deep breath and offered me his arm.

"You look good, too", I managed to say as I put my hand in the crook of his elbow "But remind me to give Dylana hell for choosing this dress for me."

It was the first time for the past few days I saw him smile. He peered down at me and I caught his look.

Nyshard wasn't looking any lower than my eyes. He never would. "It is a beautiful dress..."

"The cleavage is too low."

"... it fits you perfectly..."

"It is too tight."

"... and you look stunning."

I'd stopped walking and stared up at him.

"I mean it Ad-... Mellai. Dear."

'Is everything alright?'

'Sure'

'It's just dinner. You don't have to converse with anyone other than the people you already know. It won't take long until we can go back to our room.'

'I know'

He had told me that before – or in fact – I had known it all along. He just needed to make an appearance, because it was tradition. But it would surely raise rumours if he wouldn't attend at all. And because he was there, I had to be there, too.