Court Of Blood And Ivory

♤The Fitting♤

"Liliana, hurry up will you!" I call out with a smile. She rolls her eyes as her pace quickens. "My legs are not as long as yours." She replies with a smile matching my own.

"Do you know how to do archery?" Jenny asks me as we join the group outside. "I was taught a bit in the states, but other than that no." I reply. "I'm clueless." Liliana informs with a frown.

"I'm just happy for what comes after this." Delilah mumbles.

Today is the day that we get fitted for dresses, I don't too much care for that sort of thing but it's required.

It's been a couple of days since my encounter with Alexander, the dream stays with me. It replays in my uead everynight amd evernight I wake up in a cold sweat.

"Ladies, form a line, Mrs. Kendelton will hand out the bows." Ms. Elena informs us.

We each get a bow and a set of arrows. "Why do we have to learn archery?" Seraphina asks, her brown curls dance in the breeze as her amber eyes asses her bow.

"It's a good skill to know, you also need one outdoor skill credit to be deemed qualified to debut. It is either archery or gardening. Which would you prefer?" She asks.

"Can we learn both?" Seraphina asks. Ms. Elena smiles at her nods.

We get a brief tutorial before we are thrown into it. Melanie volunteers to go first, she aims her bow and realases it without much thought. It hits the third line from the target and I notice her frown.

We line up and wait our turn for our turn to practice. The bow is light in my hand and somewhat brings me comfort.

I take the arrow and ready it. I aim at the target and take in a breath before letting it go. It flies towards the target, whistling as it does. It lands half on and half off the bullseye.

I smile to myself before moving to the back of the line, Melanie glares at me csuing her face to contort into something unpleasant.

"That was wonderful Athena." Liliana exclaims. "Thank you, I guess I learned more in America than I thought." I reply.

Soon enough we are hustled upstairs and into a room with hundreds of very expensive looking gowns. "Oh my." Delilah gushes, hearts practically form in her chocolate colored eyes.

"Oh my is correct." Liliana mutters as her eyes scan over each gown. It is a bit overwhelming.

"Please pick out a gown, Mistress Amelia will help with your alterations." Ms. Elena announces.

All at once they rush to the stacks of gowns. An emerald green one catches my eyes and I make my way over to it. It is beautiful with an a line cut and small crystals around the middle. "Sorry, I saw this one first, don'tyou think Alexander will love it." Melanie forces a smile as she takes it off the rack.

"You're right, it will look so much better on you after the seamstress lets it out." I give her a grin before Liliana grabs my arm and steers me away, "I found the perfect dress for you." She whispers as we leave Melanie standing there fuming.

"What a witch," I mumble as we make out to the racks that havent been noticed.

"This one." Liliana holds up a navy blue gown. It is plain and strapless but it also beautiful in its simplicity.

"Liliana, Athena! Have you found your dresses yet?" Mistress Amelia asks.

We nod as she motions for us to come to her, "go in there and change, then come out and I will see what needs to be done," she gives us a kind smile before we do as she says.

I help Liliana zip her ruby red dress with intricate gold designs over the skirt. These ball gowns are breath taking.

She helps me and I can't help hut smile at the reflection looking back at me. The dress hugs my figure perfectly, I have never worn a ball gown before, just the usual everday dresses.

"Does it fit you?" She asks as holds up her dress to her body, it is a little loose on her. "Yes, you did welll. Thank you." I tell her as she smiles happily at me.

We step out and the seamstress smiles, "Liliana first."

She pins the dress and writes down notes, "this is a good choice my dear."

Liliana beams at the compliment, "go get changed, try not to get stuck by any pins."

She motions for me to come over and smiles, "it fits you well," she tells me, "just a few pins are needed." She mumbles as she looks over the dress.

Her gray hair shows her age but her kind eyes show her wisdom, "goodness dear, your figure is almost perfect, a little thinner than most though."

"Thank you?" I ask unsure if a compliment had been given.

I finally am able to change back into my regular dress and sigh as I gather my skirts and walk out the room with my arm linked with Lilianas.

"That was excting, was it not?" She asks as her eyes dance with happiness. "Very excting indeed." I tell her.

We walk in silence to our room to start getting ready for dinner.

"You must tell me dear Lili, if there is any gentleman who has caught your eye." I tell her with a smile.

A red hue coats her cheeks as she grins, "a couple, that Mr. Nathaniel and Mr. William sure are easy on the eyes."

"I daresay they are very handsome creatures to behold." We both giggle as we push open our room door, "but you and I both know who has caught your special attention," Liliana winks at me as she takes out the pins holding her curls.

"Whoever do you mean?" I ask feigning innocence. "Why Mr. Alexander of course, you know, the man with blue pools for eyes and the lucious pink lips." She smirks at me and I gasp.

"Hold your tongue Lili!" I mumble. "Now who is the one who is flushed?" She asks as I look at my refelction and notice it is in fact me.

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~scarletbride30