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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Jun 20, 2010 20:34:51 GMT -5
Midwinter, Year One of Queen Sabrinas Reign
I hated that it was Sabrinas usual guard that accompanied me today, and for no other reason than he was generally seen stuck upon her shadow. My eyes had narrowed some when he had first arrived, but I'd kept all comments, trying to tell myself that it wasn't his fault he had to be stuck with her. Maybe he wasn't so bad.
I looked at him a long moment before the carriage rolled to a stop outside Masion de Fournie, an incredibly expensive shoppe, but one who knew me on sight and had fabrics and fashions that I absolutely adored. I kept my quiet til we were well inside the doors, greetings to the storekeep done, assuring him I didn't need help yet.. No, no, no one need follow me to hold onto my garments. I had all the help I needed, I assured them, taking in Emile for the first time with a sweet smile.
"I hope you don't mind helping me as well," I said, my expression as innocent as my smile was pretty, and I began browsing, removing my gloves to run my fingertips over the fabrics, to look at the cuts and colors.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 20, 2010 20:54:04 GMT -5
I wondered fleetingly if I was being rewarded for good behaviour or punished for some sin I had yet to recall as I followed Princess Coretta into the atellier. I had to admit, it was a welcome change from dusty palace corridors and court functions.
I just didn't know what to make of the dauphine. I knew of her, of course, but only fleetingly, the majority of my attention was directed towards the Queen when I was on duty and the City of Elua when I was not, so I could not say I knew her well.
I had a feeling that I was about to find out more about her than I wanted to know.
I had to blink a few times to allow my eyes to adjust to the splendour of the fabrics that were arrayed before me. I knew little of women's clothing, but I had been asked to keep an eye on the princess, for her own protection, and I could not do that whilst standing outside.
"Her Highness will mayhap recall that I am not a pack mule," I remarked dryly, sketching a bow, as it seemed to be where the conversation was headed. "It would be much appreciated if she would not saddle me with so many garments that I break my arms, else I will not be able to draw my sword to protect her." I thought it was a reasonable explanation.
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Jun 21, 2010 10:02:45 GMT -5
I tsked softly, glancing up to him as he tried getting around carrying my garments for me. He was handsome, really, though his face seemed to carry a natural cynicism, a twist to his lips that, if I were any judge, would be good indeed for kissing.
"Oh, come on Emile," I said, leaving off what I was doing to turn to him fully, a smile on my mouth that softened my lips. "You and I both know no one is going to pop out of a clothing rack and attack me, in the heart of the City itself. If you're worried about it though, we could always go to the racks that hold the lingerie... there's far less clothing on them. No where to hide."
My smile grew a little more, and I half turned to go - it really wouldn't take much for me to, either truth be told. I had little shame for things like that.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 21, 2010 10:33:24 GMT -5
I scowled, mostly because I knew that what she said was true, but also because even though I was attempting to remain aloof and businesslike, I could not deny that she was an attractive woman, especially when she smiled.
But I couldn't dwell on such thoughts, they had a habit of causing trouble, and suddenly I missed the old days where I could make sheep's eyes at a woman without a care for where it might lead, that man had died during the summer.
"If Her Highness wishes to try on underthings, I might as well wait outside, since she seems to think she is secure enough." I replied, my hands moving to rest on my daggers in the Cassiline manner. Somehow I imagined that Her Majesty would not be pleased to hear of this, and I had to assume that Coretta knew she would hear of it and couldn't care less.
It's just clothing, Emile, and 'tis not like you have not seen women in their underthings before, remember that one midsummer in Kusheth?
I scowled inwardly. I would have preferred to forget all about what happened one midsummer in Kusheth. To say naught of Sarielle and her wiles, but I refused to think of her, and especially not what I did with her.
I sighed. ""Fine, I suppose someone has to protect Her Highness from herself, no matter what the wagging tongues of the nobility say about the Queen's bodyguard and the dauphine and shopping for...intimate apparel..." I gave a young lad who had been following us a smoldering glare, suppressing a smirk as the boy blanched and scurried away.
"At the very least, I will protect Your Highness from prying eyes," I remarked, watching until the boy was what I deemed a respectable distance away from my royal charge. "Idiots."
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Jun 21, 2010 11:45:22 GMT -5
I stood, watching him with amusement quirking at my lips as he seemed to argue with himself, insisting he'd stand outside, then changed his mind and would come with me. "Tongues will wag no matter what, Monsieur d'Ames," I said ignoring the clothing rack in favor of reaching and taking his arm, walking closely to his side as I led us into the store a little further. The boy I paid no mind to, nor what he might say - little worry anyone would actually listen to him if he said he heard the Dauphine discussing intimate apparel. I didn't look at Emile either, paying attention to the racks as we walked by them, reaching out now and then to touch a dress where it hung.
"You'll protect me from prying eyes?" I asked, looking up at him then with a tease to my voice. "From everyone? Luckily the lingerie is behind closed doors." The tease grew, but I broke away from him to look at a particularly pretty dress, cut in blue and slashed in the skirts with cream. Picking it off the hanger, I crooned slightly to myself and handed it to him before turning away to look at another.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 21, 2010 12:00:49 GMT -5
"Prying eyes have a way of finding themselves behind closed doors," I grumbled as I took the dress from her and draped it over one arm. "Why Your Highness could not see a clothier and be fitted for a dress is beyond me," I added. "At least then Her Highness would not need to use Her Majesty's bodyguard as a rack to hang her baubles." Well, I had to admit, it was a nice change of pace, and I had never seen such finery before, even my own mother's clothes paled in comparison to these.
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Jun 21, 2010 12:59:01 GMT -5
I raised a brow at Emile as he set about complaining, letting him babble himself to a stop, then let a moment of silence pass as I plucked a lavender dress off the rack and handed that to him, too. "For someone who is supposed to be watching out for hidden dangers, you sure are putting a lot of effort into griping like a child."
I grinned at him, though I knew I'd likely make him angry with my comment, and for that alone I sighed and looked 'round for the shopkeep, lifting my hand slightly to call him over. "I shall require help after all, I think," I said, then dismissed him from mind as he bowed and clapped his hands lightly, bringing one of his hired hands over in half a heartbeat. "There, now," I said, smiling prettily at Emile as I plucked the cloth from his hands and gave it instead to the clerk, leaving his arms open. "Mayhap this will make you happy, since you seem so intent on being otherwise."
Giving him no chance to reply, I held up a deep crimson dress to my body, one that would hug my waist and once worn, would be cut low across my chest, exposing an expanse of bosom. "What do you think of this one?" I asked, innocence upon my face as I glanced up to him, the dress pressed flat against my torso.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 21, 2010 13:48:21 GMT -5
I suppressed a sigh of relief as the clerk relieved me of my burdens, only to suppress a groan as she held a dress to her body and asked what I thought of it.
I had my suspicions that this was one of those situations where a man was doomed no matter what he said.
"Well, it..." I began, pausing to reflect on whether my words would result in my neck being placed on the chopping block. "That is...I do not think the colour suits Her Highness...it is too..." I managed to meet her eyes even though her posture clearly indicated that I was supposed to be looking elsewhere, that much was obvious.
"It looks so bloody," I finished lamely. "But I am ill-suited to give my opinion on such things." I reached out and took hold of a random dress, this one an olive green shade with gold thread woven into the bodice. "This one at least seems sensible."
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Jun 21, 2010 17:17:05 GMT -5
I watched him in utter amusement as he seemed to flounder for a moment, struggling to find the words to express the apparently honest dislike he felt for the dress. "Truly?" I asked as he said he was too 'bloody,' pressing the fabric over my stomach and looking down as if I was truly considering his opinion.. though I supposed I sort of was, not that I really wanted to admit it. When he chose another, I lifted a brow, looking from it to him and back again. Handing the dress to the attendant, I vaguely was aware of a second who came over to hang it back up, leaving the first to hold my clothing for me undisturbed.
"How is this one any more sensible than the other?"
Plucking it up, I held it across my body as I had the other, though this one I brushed my hand down over my stomach over the dress to get a feel of the fabric. My eyes were down, over the garment, taking in the pattern embroidered over the bodice before looking back up to him again.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 22, 2010 16:13:59 GMT -5
I sighed. "The colour...brings out your hair and eyes, draws the eye upwards." And it does not make Your Highness look like a whore. I thought, keeping my expression neutral. I had a warrior's eye, however, and suddenly I wished that Landis were here. Landis would have been able to give her a half-decent opinion, at least.
I shrugged. "But Her Highness may wear what she likes, I will not be the one who has to stare at her dress all day." It wasn't like I was being assigned to her for an extended period of time.
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Jun 22, 2010 22:20:31 GMT -5
I sighed as well, though for his sake I handed it to the girl to try on as well. Draws the eyes upwards? Too much flesh for him, though he was a former Casseline, and I supposed he didn't understand the need for a woman to bear more flesh at times, or at least the edge it gave, given the right situation. Then again, it also had a horrible way of hurting you.. it just depended on how you handled it.
"You may as well tell me the entire of your opinions," I said absently, not looking at him as I sifted through another rack, then abandoned it as quickly as I'd started, moving onto another. "I'd rather have all of them than part."
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 23, 2010 10:44:47 GMT -5
She was not looking at me, but I smiled ruefully all the same. "I fear my opinions wold be unwelcome, troublesome as they are and often making use of language that is unsuitable for royal ears, so Your Highness will understand why I keep most of them to myself." My thumb stroked the pommel of one of my daggers as I watched her inspect the clothes.
"Unless, of course, Your Highness would order me to give my opinion, I would be honor-bound to obey, as a subject and a royal guard, but I cannot help but wonder if Your Highness would have asked any other guard for their opinion regarding Your Highness's dress?"
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Jun 23, 2010 19:19:07 GMT -5
I tsked slightly, giving up on that rack as well. Turning a little, I regarded Emile, watching him as he fingered a dagger, and wondering at how very much he talked in comparison to every other Casseline who had been assigned to me.
"Why wouldn't I?" Simply put, and I looked at him in confusion as to why he'd be exception to my curiousness. "I'd like to hear what you think if I ask it, but I don't like having to drag information out of people." A smile broke out over my mouth, and I reached, taking his arm in mine and leading him towards the changing rooms. "I must be a horrible pain in your neck, Monsieur d'Ames," I said, pressing my free hand atop his arm, and my voice full of sympathy.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 23, 2010 21:05:34 GMT -5
"Emile," I corrected her. "Even Her Majesty calls me Emile, and I honestly do not think I have much of an opinion of women's clothing, having never paid much attention to it at all." I tensed a little when she took my arm, but forced myself to relax and allow her to lead me. I had to remind myself that she was not Princess Lola of Aragonia, and was well aware of my particular history with women.
"I suppose you are now going to put on each dress and ask for my opinion, Princess?" I asked. "As I keep telling you, you are asking the wrong person in this matter. Do you not have any interest in weapons or armor? I would gladly opine on the subject of good craftsmanship."
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Jun 24, 2010 10:00:59 GMT -5
"Emile, then," I repeated, though inwardly I scowled at feeling like I had to appease him. He was damnably irritable and for no good reason - had I not given in and bent to his will every time thus far?
"No, I do not think so, Emile." I stopped, looking at him in a scandalized manner - it made no difference that I'd toyed with the idea of making him look at me with every new dress on before. Snatching my arm away, I lifted my chin, my demeanor running colder at the suggestion that he would enter the dressing rooms with me, and with the clerks walking behind us toboot! What rumors might run? My features drew down, and I frowned at him. "I hardly think it would be proper for an anathema Casseline to accompany the Dauphine into the dressing rooms, or do you seek to step further than your right?"
I turned and walked off from him, hoping he'd have the sense to stay where he was and not try to follow me further. The dressing rooms were but a few steps away by this point, and I paused near the door, turning to look upon him again. "And, Emile," I said, giving his name a pointed emphasis, "Regardless if I had interest in weapons or armor, I would answer your questions and try to talk civilly, irregardless as to my own level of expertise. It is the effort, not the outcome, that is oft looked for in conversation."
My curls bounced as I turned from him and disappeared into the dressing rooms, the girl carrying my dresses following quickly behind me. The door snapped shut, but my frown didn't disappear, and as I was led to the largest of the rooms, I mulled over how damnably irritating he truly was.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 24, 2010 12:53:09 GMT -5
I wanted to say something in reply to her barbs, but it was hard to argue with women, and damned near impossible to argue with royal women.
"I did not mean it in that way," I muttered as I sat down in a chair to wait for her to emerge. No proper guard accompanied anyone into a dressing room, 'twas hardly my fault that the damned woman jumped to conclusions! Her Majesty was never this unreasonable...
I pulled Dawn's Light out of it's sheath, gazing at my reflection on the dagger's surface. "What am I doing wrong?" I asked, sheathing the dagger when silence greeted me. Unfortunately for me, weapons could not speak, and I was not certain they would have given me sage advice if they could have spoken.
How long does it take a woman to try on a few dresses? I thought, folding my arms across my chest and glaring at the door to the dressing room as if it would open for fear of what my gaze would do to it
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Jun 24, 2010 15:44:02 GMT -5
I took my sweet time, letting him stand outside and guard against any twelve year old boys who might dare to enter. The girl stayed in the room with me, perfectly demure and sweet, helping me don the dresses and take them off again, holding my hair as I adjusted them over my frame. In the end I kept the blue and cream dress; the olive one was utterly bland, even with the embroidery upon the breast. I hated the way it felt as soon as it touched my skin, refusing to admit that mayhap it was because he suggested it that I didn't like it.
Eventually I reemerged, the girl carrying the blue dress up to the front to have it packaged up. I wasn't one to buy twenty dresses in one sitting; I knew Sabrina too well for that, and that she'd throw a fit at me if I spent too much money at once.
Next, though, was lingerie. I wasn't going to let him deter me from it; it was my right as not only a d'Angeline, but a woman to wear it, to display myself to someone else in it. My thoughts flickered to Delaunay, and I felt my heart beat faster for it.
"Have it sent to the Palace," I instructed, denoting I didn't want to take it back with myself. They knew the routine well enough by now to know they'd be paid upon its arrival, and as they bobbed their heads in acquiescence, I looked at Emile, not sure if I should say something, or what to say. In the end, I chose nothing, and turned to walk out again, heading next for a shoppe of more intimate apparel.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Jun 24, 2010 16:21:21 GMT -5
She emerged finally, having decided on a dress, and I rose from my seat. She said nothing to me, which was fine, as far as I was concerned. The less we said to one another, the less chance there was that I would say something I ought not to say.
I walked behind her at what I deemed was a respectful distance, suppressing a sigh as I realized to where we were bound. Her Majesty would not have done this to me, I was sure of it. Her Majesty was not so frivolous and childish and stubborn.
I followed her inside-- against my better judgement--but I did have a job to do, and Her Majesty was not going to be pleased if any harm came to the dauphine on my watch. I took a couple deep breaths, keeping my eyes on Her Highness's backside and most definitely not on anything inside the shop, especially the other people inside at this time of day, as if I couldn't feel their eyes on us.
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