The Art of the Corset

Chapter Seven- City of Love

Eve was in awe of what was before her. Riding the horse beside Marth, she was intrigued at what was in each of the beautifully created buildings with the paintings and mosaics on each one. The dirt roads turned into cobblestone and as her horse made its final clicks until it ceased, she never stopped looking ahead. Marth was in awe of her, the way her long hair laid against her back, touching the horse's back. The way her eyes were so incredibly mysterious yet a window to her thoughts. And her childlike wonder although to most, she was indeed still a child-just with experience in mature pursuits. And as of her knowledge, he knew nothing about.

He brought her to a string of shops that appeared more beautiful than the one before. He seemed friendly with the owners and the workers and allowed her to pick one thing from each shop she admired most. Depending on the shop and what is sold, she picked the most inexpensive of everything as to her it was perfect. In one store she bought a silk robe that was only ten apposed to a full gown that was one-hundred. In another shop, she picked out a perfume in a large glass bottle that was only fifteen aside from five hundred. It was a fascination on Marth's part as he thought she would pick what is most valuable.

As the day carried on, they found themselves hungry and stopped at a small cafe at the edge of town. It served hot coffee and pastries that you could smell all throughout town. The people, although most spoke a different language, were so friendly as they smiled to Eve and Marth.

"Do you like it? Paris?"

"I love it! Everything is so classy and beautiful. But I feel as if you spoil me and I do not know why..." She said as she blushed away.

"You have helped me in the past months as you have helped keep my cottage maintained and given me some excitement in my life-it's the least I can do." He said with a smile.

As they finished eating and headed for a shelter, he allowed her to go see a shop as he entered a hunting shop-unsuitable for a woman to enter unless with a husband. As she looked at the glass figurines, the boy behind the register froze when he saw her. He made his way up toward her and gave her a smirk before holding out his hand.

"Hello there. I'm Herman."

Out of politeness, she shook his hand before he appeared to give her a look of familiarity. "Can I assist you with anything? Looking for anything special?"

"No thank you." She said as she turned and tried to move from him. No matter which way she turned, he was on the opposite side of her. "Can I help you?"

"You already have Evelynn." He spoke her name and she froze. "How do you-"

"About five or six months ago...you and I met...in a rather different exchange of services."

"Please don't tell anybody."

"I saw you with a man. Are you saying you do not want him to know?"

"Yes. He has shown me a life aside from what you saw..."

"What I saw? It's what we experienced together...you were a very good partner and even better when you made me-"

"Is everything alright?" Marth asked as he saw her near-crying expression and her distance. The boy looked to her with an arched eyebrow before going to speak.

"I do not like this store." She said as she pulled him from the station and moved him away from the antiques and figurines. As they walked back to find shelter, she realized she would have to leave. And she did just that. As he laid his head on his pillow and drifted off to a peaceful sleep, she rose and took what he had allowed her to buy and moved off in the darkness-alone.