Shopping for Longest Night

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

With all the fanfare of a traveling circus we slowly rolled into the City. How many guards dogged us, servants trailed in our wake? Ugh, I liked being incognito much better, even though the two times I had been out, someone had inadvertently recognized us. I sighed, but kept my smile in place.

Looking to Sun and Leyna I contemplated what would suit them best and tucked away a few suggestions for later, if they even wanted to hear them.

"Well, have either of you any ideas or preferences of what you want?"

[Leyna de Somerville]

"Blue or green, if possible," I said in answer to Coretta. "And something that shows my legs as much as possible, Nic loves my legs."

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I chuckled thinking about it.
"I have no preference." I said looking to Coretta. "What do you think?"

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

I wracked my brain for a few seconds trying to think of who 'Nick' was. Damn, I really thought I had caught up on my Court gossip!

"Well, Leyna, I'd go with the green, and I think Jacques has something that would work. It was modest from the front, and had a very low back. But the naughty part was the dozens of slits around the skirt, almost up to the thigh so that when standing, you look all prim, but when walking or dancing... Hmm, you'd have to see it first. Sun, you should wear silver edged in Courcel Blue, and get Alexi into that dark, royal, whatever they call it in Ruskovia shade of blue he has in his closet. Yes, I snooped, I wanted ideas of what they dressed like and if any of them were usable here. They really do use fur on everything." I felt the buzz of embarasement and anxiety flame in my cheeks. I really had just wanted a look, hadn't touched much or taken anything.

"And who is Nick?"

[Leyna de Somerville]

My mind whirled trying to keep up with Coretta's words, a smile curving my lips as she described the dress.

"Oh Coretta, that sounds perfect," I told her about the dress.

"And Nic is… well," I took a deep breath and decided I would just have to write to my parents as soon as I got home, because I couldn't keep from telling people, and besides, Coretta was as much family as Sabrina.

"Nic is my fiancé," I told her, smiling wide and removing the warm glove I had worn against the winter chill and showing her my ring. "Principe Nicanor de las Aragonia, Duque del Columbo."

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I gave a half chuckle at Coretta and wondered what Alexei would say, I knew Coretta was harmless and she probably did just want see. But I smiled instead to Leyna happy that she was telling people, for now I would have to live through her.

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

I took Leyna's proffered hand in mine and admired the ring. It was lovely, and made her happy. She fair glowed with it, and Sun was tainted with that same aura as well.

I felt jealous.

Not of their respective mates, but that they had someone and that they were happy. I sighed a little and kept my smile firmly in place.

"It's beautiful Leyna. He must be quite dashing and I'm glad you're happy." The carriage jolted to a stop and I peered out the windows. We were here. "Well, shall we? A fantastic day of shopping awaits!" oh yes, I needed to buy something pretty. Maybe then I'd feel better.

[Leyna de Somerville]

Coretta's congratulations couldn't have been less sincere had they been delivered by a group of Eglantine parody players. I was not so far gone in my haze of joy to miss that and I felt stung. Whatever her problems with the rest of her family, I had always been nice to Coretta and it was awful that she couldn't be happy for me even for a fleeting second about the biggest thing in my life. I wished I hadn't told her.

Drawing my hand back I slipped my glove back on and looked out the window at the store where we had stopped.

"Yes, let's," I said, exited the carriage, needing the fresh air.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I ignored the feelings that passed and exited after Leyna, it was a pleasant day considering.

"What first Coretta?"

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

I gestured down the avenue a ways, seeing the familiar sign of the silk merchant. The work really was good, even if the owner had been absent of late.

"Um, it's just down the way there, or there are others, really the choice is up to you. I've only ever been to the one dress shop." I retreated into silence. Leyna was obviously displeased with me, seeing my lack of enthusiasm for her announcement. I sighed and fidgeted with my clothes, uncomfortable. It was too late to cry off now, and I had promised to try. I lifted my chin and breathed in deeply. I would try.

[Leyna de Somerville]

I tired to push away the hurt at Coretta's spoiled attitude and managed for the most part. I wasn't going to let her selfishness ruin my day, it would ruin enough of her own life.

Pulling my wrap closer around me, I looked in one of the windows of a store we were passing. There was an awful tangerine orange dress on display with skirts as wide as the dress was tall.

"Imagine trying to dance in that," I said, pointing to the dress.

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

I scanned the dress she pointed out, and smiled, had seen those hideous lines before.

"Lady Mormont wore that very gown to the coronation party. And the lady in question is no slender miss, so watching her even walking was most entertaining. I like the color, though in moderation." Reds, yellows and the hint of orange, like living flame, a saffron gold wrap and red gems. I'd have to remember the idea, or sketch it quickly if I got the chance. Hmm, mayhap I could find another sketch book, mine was nearly full.

"The design needs a lot of work, then again, the owner is a failed Eglantine with a shady past."

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I furrowed my brow in strange thought. I had no idea Coretta had such information; I had missed much of her life.

[Leyna de Somerville]

"I thought you said you'd only been to the one dress shop?" I asked Coretta, still looking at the dress. It was really rather compelling in its awfulness.

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

I looked at Leyna and Sun, contemplated lying for a moment, some silly twit answer, a little laugh. No, they could hear this much.

"I listen, I vacuously sit with the Court and it's attendants and gossip with them. I write letters and it continually amazes me how many shop owners and designers will bend over backward to have me patronize their business, including modeling and fittings at the Palace at my merest whim. All of them cutting each other's throats to boast that a Princess Royal wears their work. I have only physically been to the one shop. But I am a patron of several." I smoothed the edges of my cloak, again.

I smiled wanly then, " That, and Lady Mormont thinks she's well dressed and has decided to 'take me under her wing' and proceeds to tell me how to follow her example."

[Leyna de Somerville]

Looking away from the dress, I let my gaze settle on Coretta. Having heard, not just from Sabrina but from others, about how spoiled and self centered Coretta could be, I wondered what it was about her life that she hated so. Had she become this type of person after the death of her parents, it would have been understandable, but for all intents and purposes the recent tragedies might have matured her some. Until then, she had never known true pain. She whined that Sabrina had never paid her any attention, but at least she had Christien, unlike those of us who grew up as only children with not even that much. I tried to put myself in her place, to understand how with all the pain and suffering there was that growing up with everything you wanted was a bad thing.

I just couldn't understand.

"I see," I said, looking back in the window.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I watched the conversation between Leyna and Coretta. There was certainly tension between them and I wondered if this day had been a good idea after all. I tried not to think about it.

"What would you have suggested instead of this gown?" I asked trying to ease the tension.

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

I looked at Sabrina, saw the way her brows pulled down oh so slightly. I was failing miserably at this. My arms wrapped around my chest under my cloak and I stood a little straighter.

"It depends." I shrugged laconically. A hundred details flicked through my mind as I thought about the question. Meditatively I started walking toward the original shop we were headed to. "For Lady Mormont, a slimmer cut, a more muted color and focus on her jewels, not the eye numbing color of her dress or her less than shapely figure. Lady Mormont has the most divine sapphire pendant and I would have picked a dress to showcase it. As for the dress in general, on the designer's part, well, she used cheap fabric, all of the imports from Cordell's are shoddy, especially his silks. The lines are a mess, none of them flow smoothly and it's unfashionably full. This season has been all about slimmer cuts and clinging material, less under pinnings. And I know her seamstresses use only a single stitch on their seams instead of double. All the gems are paste and then she has the nerve to charge twice what they're worth." I stopped walking, realizing suddenly that I had been lecturing them. Like they cared about all this! Most people just like wearing the pretty things they bought, not hearing about the details.

"But no matter, Lady Mormont wears what she wills and I'm no designer, I just know a few tips. The shop is just right here." I gestured to the next doorway, pleased to see the new ruby gown on display. I smiled to see it, he had taken my advice after all.

[Leyna de Somerville]

I listened to Coretta as we walked. She really did seem to know what she was talking about, and her ideas sounded lovely. I was wary of complimenting her for fear she would say or do something to turn my compliment into something unpleasant. I had so been looking forward to the three of us spending time together and it made me sad that it had already gone off. It made me want Nic here very badly.

Pulling my wrap even closer, I looked at the dress in the shop window. It was very lovely, but even I knew that was not the color for me.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I smiled to Coretta.
"But you could be, if you wanted." I said grining. "You have the knack for it."

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

"No, I don't think I'd want to, too much fuss and trouble. Besides, it's just a silly hobby. Let's go look at some pretty things for you two." I said brightly, waving my hands for emphasis. I opened the door to the shop and breezed in as if in truth the lead weight crushing my heart didn't exist. I headed for the back of the shop to see if Armando was in.

Become a designer? With my own salon and fashions on display, seamstresses and a business? Hardly. What husband would allow it? No doubt I'd be bartered to the farthest regions of the globe to cement some peace or trade agreement, lost in the hinterlands or serenely pastured in a seraglio. No, there would be none of this for me. Bright Sun had thrown away her political marriage card when she married Alexi in secret. I liked Alexi, and Sun adored him, and I was happy she had found love, but he was a prince from a minor city-state carved out of the wildness of the north-lands. Whatever resources they could bring to Terre d'Ange would not be great.

It would fall to me to be the marriage pawn, to make the match born of politics. And even if Sabrina did not mean her viciously spoken threat to marry me off, I knew it would happen sooner or late. Some crisis would arise, and she would ask me to make a sacrifice for the greater good. And I knew my reply. I knew I was selfish, and no doubt many saw me as spoiled, a Royal Princess, the world at her feet. I had had no choice in the matter. I knew my duty, and hated it. Blessed Elua knew how I loathed my accident of birth.

My fingers brushed over bolts of silk and velvet as I wended my way to the back of the shop. I would never have the dream, so I settled for coming here, and sharing some ideas with Armando. It gave me some pleasure to see him take my advice, give life to my art.

I found the short Milazan sitting over his sketch book and smiled warmly. He jumped up seeing me and greeted me effusively.

"Principia! You honor my shop again by visiting! Did you like the last black jacquard gown I sent?" He gave me the kiss of greeting after a perfunctory bow. I was not one to stand on formality with him.

"Yes, it was lovely, please tell your women I was most pleased with their work and the speed the dress was produced. You should give them raises. Armando, I want you to meet a few people, my cousin, the Princess Leyna de Somerville, and my sister, the Princess Regent Sabrina de la Courcel. Both need dresses for Longest Night and I told them you were a genius, so prove me right." Armando went pale, drew a shudder breath before going beet red. He gave both women the lowest bow I had ever seen a courtier make.

"Honored am I that you should be here. I am Armando Calabria your most humble servant and the Princess Coretta gives me too much praise. Her gift surpasses my own. Come, let me show you our latest models." I could have kicked the sweet man.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I exhaled softly, she was being difficult on purpose, she acted as if this was just a passing fancy and that she had no interest. I was starting to think that Coretta made her life more difficult simply to have a reason to be unhappy. Following her into the store I perused the fabrics as I walked and smiled to Armando as he praised Coretta. Nodding I gestured for him to lead the way and smiled back to Leyna.

[Leyna de Somerville]

I followed Coretta and Sabrina into the shop, chuckling slightly at the look on Armando's face when Coretta introduced us.

Returning Sabrina's smile, I trailed behind them slightly, my fingers lightly running over the fabrics as I walked. There was a lovely blue that caught my eye, it would perfectly match the jewelry Nic had given me. Perhaps that, I thought, then turned my attention to what was going on.

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

I chattered with Armando, meaningless stuff really, I wasn't really paying attention. I should just shut up, sulk and find some excuse to disappear. But that would be quitting, and I was trying to play nice with my family. I wanted to sigh, flop down in a chair and go to sleep. Being good was hard.

"So, does anything catch your eye or should we continue on? There are some sketch books and some ready made designs around." I waved my hands around a little aimlessly as I asked both of them what they thought. I was seriously at a loss for what to do. Neither of them were speaking or really looking.

[Leyna de Somerville]

"I know we had discussed green, but there was a blue back there that caught my eye," I said, turning and indicating the bolt of fabric. An assistant near ran over and grabbed it up, bringing it to me.

"Thank you," I said softly, letting my fingers stroke the fine silk again.

"I have a necklace, silver flowers with sapphires in the centers, that I want to wear and I think this would look lovely with it, don't you?" I asked.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I smiled to Leyna.
"That sounds lovely." I said thinking about the colours. "I bet that would be a wonderful fabric to make a gown." I moved to warher she was and fingered the material.
"I like it."

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

I critically examined the color she was holding and thought on it. Yes, it would do if the sapphires in question weren't too dark. I knew many of them tended to the darker range, but no doubt her suitor had bought her the best. A half smile lifted my lips as I ran over details.

"If you pick a gown with a lining, do it in cloth of silver, subtle, more accents than anything gaudy. Stick with embroidery, not too much bead work, you want the necklace to be the focus. Something with a modest neckline if you want to do the slashed skirts. It'll still show off the jewels but won't look gauche. Blue heeled slippers, something tall. I saw a pair with actual silver heels in a shop, I think in the right shade of blue. Hold on." I strode over to the table I knew Armando kept his sketch books for clients.

Flipping it open I found the sketch I anted and gestured Leyna to come look, stepping back so Sun could join her. A bolt of dark purple caught my eye and I meandered over to it. Lovely stuff, a velvet with a wonderful nap.

[Leyna de Somerville]

With a last fingering of the silk, I walked over to look at the sketch.

"Yes, I like this," I said, glancing at Coretta, but she was looking at some fabric so I focused on Armando. "This, in the blue silk, with the cloth of silver lining."

Nodding, he gestured to the assistant to bring him the fabric, smiling happily.

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

"Good, good, I'm glad it works for you. We really should find the shoes though, they would look stunning. Anything you might like Sabrina?" I let go the velvet and turned back to them. Purple was not my best color, it was Sun's. Red was my color.

I smiled thinking of the crimson gown hanging in my closet. Scandalous was the term Armando had said and I frankly agreed. I still needed gloves though.

"You should wear stockings in an interesting color, garters to match. Something bright."

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I smiled at the sketch and noted the way in which Coretta carried herself. Putting myself back into the fashion world I smiled to Coretta.

"I'm not sure I like that idea, I'm not really a bright colour and stockings kind of woman. I liked that purple that you were looking at, or perhaps a lilac." I gestured to a roll I had seen when we entered the store.