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" Six months gone and, I'm still reaching,
Even though I know you're not there,
I've been playing back a thousand memories, baby,
Thinking about everything, we've been through "
―I FEEL FORGOTTEN in a thousand ways I'll never be able to explain.
Nikolai and Alina have begun to attend the King's meetings together while I'm stuck aiding Vasily in grooming his prize ponies and trying on dresses and crowns. While I've always been a fiend for all things that glimmer, all I need to do is look out the window to see Nikolai and Alina strolling together after a tiring meeting, smiling together like a genuine couple.
My breath hitches as the servant tightening my corset steals my breath.
"Too tight," I squeak out.
"Apologies," she whispers, loosening the dress then tying the ribbon.
I let out a small sigh as I step out from behind the room divider for Vasily to see the dress, my gaze still lingering on Nikolai as he speaks with Tamar and Alina about something. Tamar and Nikolai begin to laugh as Alina rolls her eyes.
Vasily rubs his non-existent chin as if in deep thought. "I don't like the colour."
"You think?" I mutter, looking down at the neon green gown. "I don't understand the point of these fittings, Vasily. My closet is already full of dresses, why add more?" I grumble.
He smiles. "Are you afraid that my brother is spending too much time with the Sun Summoner?" He holds my gaze and his sick smile widens. "Ah. That's exactly it. How does it feel, Yizhi?"
"Shut up," I say, walking behind the dressing screen once more to remove the gown and change into the next, one in a gorgeous cobalt blue. "I believe I've demonstrated wonderful behavior as your little prized princess. Let me go train."
"So you can take the first chance you get to go speak with Nikolai? Plausible."
I release a frustrated grumble. "You hate me. I hate you tenfold. I'm sure you have hunting trips to attend to, so let me go train."
"Careful, princess. Future queens don't spar with Grisha."
"You've left out the fact that I'm Grisha. I'll grow sick if I don't use my ability," I argue as I step out, patting down the blue skirt. I quite like the colour, but I'm far too aggravated to bother with admiring myself.
"All the better. When you're sick, maybe you won't feel so inclined to contradict my status," Vasily states.
"Maybe I'll poison your tea," I spit out, scowling at him.
