Page 79 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 1

The door opens and I'm surprised to find Lord Fallmartin entering with Bastian behind him.

"Ah, good, you're almost done," Lord Fallmartin says.

I nod. "I believe so. "

"Just the veil still to do, My Lord," the seamstress says. "But we're able to do that without Lady Beatrice."

"Good," he responds. "I'd also like you to make Beatrice a new gown for the All Hallow's Ball, you know the requirements."

"Of course, My Lord." The seamstress dips into an awkward bow.

"Do I truly need a new ball gown?" I ask. It seems extravagant that I'm getting this one. Another one on top of it seems like too much.

"The All Hallow's Ball is traditionally a masquerade where everyone wears orange and black," my father responds, without a hint of frustration in his voice. Perhaps he anticipated the question. "You don't have anything suitable, and the King has informed me that's when your betrothal is to be announced."

"Oh."

"Once you're done here, would you come to my office?" he requests.

I nod, not really knowing what to say and being a little nervous about the request. He's never asked me to join him there before.

"Good. As you were." He nods once and disappears, leaving me in the room with Bastian and the seamstress' staff.

I watch my brother warily. He doesn't seem as angry as he did the other day, but I'm aware that it could still be lingering beneath the surface, and it hasn't been taking much to set him off recently.

"You look beautiful," he says.

I touch the fabric at the top of my skirt. "Thank you." Even I have to admit that he has a point. I look good in the dress.

"Are you ready to be married?" he asks.

"Are you?" I respond.

He gives me a wry smile, and for a single moment, I feel like I have my brother from before back. "Not even slightly."

"We're done for now, My Lady," the seamstress says.

"Thank you." I step down from the platform and head behind the changing screen where one of the assistants is waiting for me. "Lady Ermentrude seems nice," I say to my brother through the screen.

"I suppose so. I barely know her."

"You know her better than I know the Prince," I point out. "At least they thought to arrange a dinner here so the two of you could meet officially." It was tense and other than amusing myself a little at Bastian's expense, it hadn't been particularly enjoyable. But at least he had that.

"Is that what you want? A dinner with the Prince?"

"What I want is the power to choose my own husband," I respond as I carefully step out of the dress, leaving me in just my undergarments. Despite the fact they're thicker than some of the dresses I used to wear, I feel a little exposed standing behind the screen with Bastian on the other side.

"I don't think that's within either of our powers to have," Bastian says.

"No, I don't believe so," I agree. "A dinner would do."

"I can see what can be done to make that happen. If you want."

A surge of affection towards my brother travels through me. "I'd appreciate that." I know it's only a matter of time before his anger returns.

"Consider it done."

The seamstress' assistant finishes helping me back into my original dress and I dust myself down.