The Dragon Bond: Heirs of Lyra

Chapter 22

For once Princess Elysia was actually hesitant to go into the villages. Yesterday Ralf had invited her to tag along with him and Princess Karolina to help encourage people to join the war efforts. At first Elysia had been ecstatic to have the chance to go into town again. However, now the reality of it all was crashing down on her. Because going into the different villages of Lyra meant eventually going into Phillip's village. Elysia wasn't sure she was ready for that just yet.

Phillip had seemed so angry with her last time. She knew she had let him down. It had been weeks since she had last spoken with him and she knew things would be awkward if she ran into him now. Still, she had to admit she missed him and his little sister, Emmy. The little girl would always hold a special place in Elysia's heart.

"Are you ready?" One of Elysia's maids asked, waiting patiently to help the princess into her dress.

The princess nodded nervously. Once the dress was on, there was no going back it seemed. She picked this specific dress on purpose. It was one of her nicer dresses with pretty lace designs on the sleeves and hem of the skirt. The dress itself was white with accents of blue. The last time she had worn the dress, Phillip had commented on how beautiful she looked and how it made her entrancing blue eyes pop.

Elysia's palms were sweaty as she slipped into the dress and pictured running into Phillip that day. Her maid began the process of tightening the corset, further slimming Elysia's already perfect figure.

"The dress certainly lives up to your beauty, Princess Elysia," The maid complimented as she finished up the strings.

"Thank you," Elysia replied softly. She turned and faced the mirror. The dress certainly did make her look even more beautiful and royal. Her hair was fashioned up with a silver pin holding it together in the back. She almost felt too dressed up to be going into town. Then she remembered their goal was to encourage people to join the war. The sad fact of the matter was that the more attractive Elysia looked, the more willing men would be to sign up. Men would do anything to get her affections. 

After Elysia was finished and mentally prepared for the day, she stepped outside of her bedchambers and waited for her guardian to stand. She was reminded of the night she had tried to escape his watch and go out alone, only to be stopped by her ever-present guardian. Since then she had a new respect for Shade. However, that did not mean she was in agreement with him.

The other day he had driven her mad with his refusal to admit she could protect herself. Thus, the reasoning behind the archery contest. In the end, he had won, but only because Elysia's frustrations got the best of her. At least...that's what she determined.

All she wanted was for him to admit she could defend herself if need be. But it seemed as though Shade was just as stubborn as Elysia. 

Now Elysia watched as her guardian stood up. His head finally looked up at her and for a moment Elysia could have sworn she saw her guardian's eyes widen. Then all too soon his face was back to normal.

"Why the fancy dress? Is there someone you're trying to impress, Princess?" His voice was cool and low, with a twinge of humor.

Elysia rolled her eyes and looked away before her blush gave her away. The last thing she wanted was for Shade to know about her complicated relationship with Phillip. "What an absurd notion," the Princess replied, avoiding the truth.

Shade's gaze was unrelenting, practically drawing her own eyes to his deep brown ones. "If it's me you're trying to impress, you should know, I have a strict policy against personal relationships with my employer's daughters."

Elysia began to roll her eyes again, then stopped mid-roll and looked at her guardian. "Was that an attempt at a joke, Shade? Are you trying to be funny?" She was so thrilled with his sudden sense of humor that she completely forgot he had been poking fun at her.