Two Of The Same Piece || Book 1 (The Beginning)

CHAPTER 16

Josephine still wondered how yesterday's meeting did not end in a war. The conversation about the trade was just as bad. The off-continent royals did not say much outright, but the message was clear. They would not trade with Thinlin. Thinlin was not good enough to trade with, it was too lowly for them.

She doubted she could enjoy the posh boutiques of Bellayong while worrying about yesterday's meeting. It seemed like it was more concerning than everyone else believed it to be. But Rina had dragged Josephine and their ladies out today because she wanted a new dress for some feast she had heard about.

"I want a gown in Bellan fashion," Rina said, linking elbows with Josephine.

"Must you?" Josephine sighed. Was it necessary? Rina had fallen head over heels for Taiskin. Or if Josephine guessed correctly, Taiskin's status as an unmarried crown prince.

"Yes, is it really? I think you'll suit the Duaetiven styles more." Lina commented. "And look," She pointed at a boutique painted in dull browns and terracotta. It looked out of place in the colorful district. Every shop there was brightly decorated. "A Duaetiven shop."

"I want one in Bellan style," Rina said again. "But you are free to go...there. I guess."

Lina huffed loudly as Rina hurried towards a shop chockfull of beautifully dressed ladies.

It must have been an expensive store. The huge windows displayed statues of women dressed in some of the prettiest gowns Josephine had ever seen.

Bellan gowns were different. They had various different styles, but the most famous one was this one. It was two pieces, a blouse, a long skirt, and a long piece of cloth that was usually draped over one of the shoulders. Josephine liked the style, but she could never wear it. The dress usually left the stomach bare, some of the women wear gold or silver chains on their stomachs too.

Even as Rina squealed before entering, Josephine didn't feel much excitement. Instead, she hesitantly followed after her.

--

Rina had never seen so many dresses in many different colors and textures. Velvet, satin, linen, muslin, and so many more that she didn't even know. She ran her hand over bolts of laces. She never saw a shop of clothing before, she had heard of them but she had never seen anything like this.

She was gaping at the two-story shop. "This is amazing."

An attendant approached her, "Ah, Princess Rina!" She bowed, "Welcome to the finest boutique in Bellamin."

"You know me?" Rina asked, wonderstruck.

"Of course!" The attendant smiled brightly. "Prince Taiskin sent out a command to all the best boutiques in the Makan district, anything you buy, it will be paid for by him."

"Really?" Rina thought of the handsome prince. He asked her to dance with him. She knew this meant he was asking to court her.

"Yes." The attendant guided them to a private room, "The prince actually picked the most beautiful gown in the boutique for you."

Rina sat down on the stuffed cushions as the girl pulled a curtain away.

The gown on the display was absolutely the ugliest thing she had ever seen. It was coral pink. Who wore that color anymore? Rina tried to maintain her happy expression. "Oh, it's wonderful."

It wasn't even in Bellan fashion. It had no jewels, no beading. It was so...plain.

"The dress is not complete, of course." The attendant pulled out a tray and presented it in front of Rina, "These gemstones will adorn it soon."

"Oh," Rina picked up the pearly opal gems on the velvet tray. They had a pink hue to them. She supposed it would work. "How lovely."

--

Leo sat with his sister, Hanara, talking about nothing and everything. "How is life with Taiskin?"

"Oh, don't even ask." Hanara threw her white robe on his bed and laid down. "I can't believe he had the audacity to ask me to pick a dress for the princess."

"Who? Rina?" Leo was amused. His sister was already so accomplished. She was the high priestess of Ravi, the highest honor in Bellayong, but she still wanted Taiskin.

"Of course, who else?" Hanara sighed. "Well, at least I am content with knowing my children will rule Bellayong."

"Oh so confident." Leo teased her.

"Well, not everyone can be as lucky as you are. Born alongside a princess." Hanara poked him. "Well then, how is Ragnor? It's only fair I know of your romantic struggles as well."

"I don't have any." Leo shrugged, "Rave and Aurilean have been spending the nights together, and so have I. With Ragnor, of course."

"And?" Hanara pinched his arm, "Let me know more. Are you getting married anytime soon?"

"Married?" Leo wondered what it would be like, to have Ragnor all to himself all the time. "Maybe. After Rave and Aurilean."

"Of course."

--

"Have you figured out why Duaetive was so keen on killing you?" Taiskin really didn't pay mind to it. Things like this happened all the time. Cheap attempts at taking a royal's life were commonplace.

"Maybe that if Thinlin fell, Duaetive could claim parts of it?" Rave said.

"Thinlin is so poor, what is there to get from taking it?" Irene pointed at the map in the council room. "It's so tiny. What even there worth conquering?"

Taiskin studied the map. He had grown up staring at this map. He had it memorized. Bellayong and Rayner were the largest kingdoms. Bellayong was larger in landmass, while Rayner controlled the resource-rich islands across the southern end. Duaetive was a respectable size too, but Thinlin was barely a kingdom. It had little to no resources of its own, it only managed to survive because of its vegetable.

"Thinlin was a part of Duaetive a long time ago. I guess they want it back." Rave dragged her finger along the border between Thinlin and Duaetive. "Maybe they feel threatened because we've looked towards Thinlin."

"The servant said the prince hid in Thinlin, right?" Taiskin asked.

"Yes," Rave nodded, "But why?"

"The border between them, it's quite long." Taiskin never realized it before, but Thinlin couldn't manage such a long border. "Look at the border. Thinlin doesn't have enough men to watch over the whole border."

Irene leaned forward, "Rave?"

"Hmm," She nodded, "Yes. Thinlin could barely provide guards the day I came. But they could also keep a majority of their forces towards the border too. They don't guard to Oliboxen, it's fruitless. But this border is a wall and a series of fences."

"Either this prince is bribing the guards," Taiskin looked at both of his sisters, "Or Josephine is working with some Duaetiven brat."