Selected: Part 2 - Flowers with Thorns

2. THE SUIT

IN RETROSPECT, IT WAS REALLY unfair that he had such power over me. Had those eyes not been so beautiful, perhaps I wouldn't have caved. Perhaps. We headed back to my room so I could show him my sketchbook. As I handed it to him, I felt my face heat up. "Oh, please, don't laugh." I said, ducking my head. Showing my sketches to others was usually so easy, but showing him just felt so intimate, somehow. He turned the pages delicately, pausing on each one. "I love this one, it's so different." Ethan said, pointing to a deep red, narrow gown I had recently designed. "Now I know why you're always so well-dressed: your maids have these amazing ideas to work with." I blushed. "You're just saying that..." He interrupted. "No, I mean it. Luna, these are beautiful. You're a very talented girl. I like that you have a passion." He smiled, as he finished looking through the sketchbook.

Finally, he reached the final page. I leaned in towards him. "It's a suit. I designed it with you in mind, you see..." I gently took my sketchbook from his hands and tore out the page with the suit I had designed for him. I handed it to Ethan, a little shy. "Maybe it's not to your taste... but, anyhow, the sketch is yours to keep." He looked at the design then back at me, a wide and beautiful smile on his lips. Oh, I would make a thousand gifts for him if it meant I could see that smile each time. "Do you think I'll look good in this?" He asked, taking me off guard. My eyes widened and I ducked my head. "Very handsome." I said, my voice barely audible. "Then I love it." He seemed to enjoy teasing me, which made me embarrassed. I was never so shy as I am with him. It was getting late, so we had to end our date. Instead of kissing my hand though, Ethan embraced me as he had on his birthday night. I wasn't bothered by it, quite the contrary, actually. I closed my eyes, enjoying the embrace, before we said goodnight and parted ways.

I used the entirety of the next day to complete my long-overdue assignment. Finally, Mai's dress was finished. My maids and I stared at the result, satisfied with our work. I had designed a long, narrow, empire waist gown. It was mint, with white and gold details as well as short, delicate sleeves. It was, quite simply, beautiful, and I felt a tinge of jealousy as I imagined how amazing Mai would look in it. We called her over to my room and she arrived almost immediately.

"I finished your dress, as promised. I'm sorry it took so long." I apologized. "No, it's fine, I completely understand." She said, waving me off. "May I see it?" Mai asked, tilting her head gracefully. With the help of Grace and Maya, I unzipped the dress bag, revealing my original design to her. She smiled almost instantly, and I was relieved that she liked it. "It's absolutely gorgeous." She said, feeling the fabric. "Is it what you had in mind?" I asked. "Yes, this is definitely an eye-catcher." She nodded, seeming content.

"We will have assignments soon, and possibly guests to entertain. Let me know whenever you need help, okay?" I nodded, knowing this extra help would be good for my anxiety. "Thank you, Luna. You're very kind person." I shrugged. "In the end, Prince Ethan is doing the choosing. I see no purpose in being mean to each other." Before heading out the door, Mai turned back, smiling. "You're completely right, but I'm not sure most girls understand that." As Mai had predicted, we would be having visitors at the palace. The royal family of Swendway was coming to go over immigration laws and meet us all next week. In the meantime, I was planning on perfecting my manners with Mai. I really had to impress them if I was to show how I could handle the responsibility of becoming a princess, even though the idea was still a bit frightening to me.