Hardly a Lady

VII

Giselle nervously examined her appearance in the mirror, her lips pursed as she looked at her ladies' handiwork.

They had dressed her in a gown of teal silk, with a taffeta over-gown that was held in place by a silver belt. The under-gown was decorated with swirls in silver thread, with pearls sewn onto the centre of the swirls. It was a beautiful dress - it had belonged to Giselle's mother many years ago when she was a girl - but even wearing one of her mother's dresses didn't bring Giselle the strength it usually did. Nothing could make her ready to face Will again.

"You look beautiful, my lady," Fausella cooed, admiring Giselle's appearance as she reached up and pinned up a curl that had escaped. Giselle's hair had been painstakingly arranged in a detailed chignon, and a silver circlet with aquamarine jewels had been placed just above her brow. Matching droplet earrings dangled from her ears and a ring that had once belonged to Giselle's grandmother adorned her right index finger, and Giselle twinkled like a jewel in the candlelight.

Hopefully Will would see her as his jewel.

"Thank you, ladies," Giselle murmured as Kendra spritzed some perfume onto Giselle's neck. The ladies curtsied and then - with a nod of permission from Giselle - left the room to tend to their other chores.

Giselle sighed and moved away from the mirror, instead going to sit at her writing desk whilst she waited for the Queen's servant to arrive to escort her. She stroked the brand new parchment softly, tracing the embossed writing at the top which read 'From the desk of Her Royal Highness, the Princess Giselle Decristo, Crown Princess of Helixonia, Consort to His Royal Highness, Prince Wilson Decristo, Crown Prince of Helixonia.' She wasn't even married yet but she was already tied to Will on paper.

Giselle sighed and took a freshly cut quill from the desk and dipped it into a pot of black ink, and then began to write to her brother, who would no doubt be missing her greatly and eager for word.

My dear brother,

I have arrived safely in Samarus, and have met my new husband and family. They are kind and have welcomed me with open arms, and yet even though I have several new siblings I still miss you desperately.

How is your schooling coming along? I hope that you aren't causing your tutors too much trouble! Be a good boy Than; even when you are bored and want nothing more than to run outside you must persevere, because the world is full of knowledge and without it our existence is pointless.

I hope you are also behaving for our father, because I am not there to protect you any longer, and for that I am desperately sorry. Be good, my brother, and I will see you soon.

Your loving sister,
Giselle
X

Giselle sighed as she reread the letter, then in the top corner she scribbled a side note to Jakson, whom she would address the letter to rather than her brother, since it would reach her step-mother's eyes before Than's.

Jakson,

Read this to Than for me, and promise me that you will take care of him. You are the only friend I have at Forest Castle that I can rely on, so make sure he stays safe and she doesn't get her claws into him.

Hoping you are well,
Giselle.

Giselle nodded in approval, then folded the letter and wrote Jakson's name on the front. At that exact moment, there came a knock at the door and Allina stepped into the room.

"Captain Ashtor is here, my lady," she breathed, her face flushed for some reason. Giselle quirked her eyebrow - her lips were red as if she'd just been kissing someone.