The day before the banquet (2)

It seemed that riding a carriage was just as nausiating as Amelia remembered. She had to firmly grasp the windowframe to stableise herself in the shaking coach to ensure that she wouldn't throw up.

Glancing at her escort seated across from her it looked like she was not the only one who was struggling. His face had drained from all color and he was clenching his fists so tightly that the veins showed.

When he noticed that she was looking at him he rubbed the back of his neck with a bashful smile.

"Sorry, since I'm not used to riding a carriage I'm feeling a bit sick."

"I understand, I'm not doing too good myself."

Amelia had been glad to find out that sir Paul, the same knight that had escorted her to the estate almost a month ago, was the one who was going to come with her today as well. Just as she remembered he was courteous and gentle in spite of his large stature. In the light of day he didn't look as intimidating either, with a youthful, friendly face and soft brown hair.

Outside the carriage the forest and the occational cottages began to be replaced by taller, more robust buildings and the shaking of the carriage became worse as the gravel road changed to cobblestone. Finally they had reached town, the place in which Amelia had grown up. Although the area they were passing through was much too opulent for her to have ever set foot in before, the surroundings awoke a feeling of nostalgia. She put her hand against the carriage window and the corners of her lips tugged upwards.

"You know, at the risk of this sounding rude, I'm glad to see you looking so healthy, miss Ainsworth."

Amelia turned to her escort, a bit blindsided by the sudden statement.

"Actually I volunteered to escort you today since I've been a bit worried since back then. Hopefully me saying this won't make you uncomfortable, I merely wanted you to know that I'm glad."

Somehow she didn't doubt the sincerity behind his word.

Adelaine's butique was located in the furthest corner of the high-end shopping distict. Despite its location a crowd of lords and ladies had gathered outside and it was plain to see why the designer had cancelled their appointment.

Paul got out of the carriage first and reached out his hand for Amelia to support herself on. As she layed her first step on the ground several nobles turned their gazes their way. Some of them seemed curious, others spiteful. The whispers were easy to hear even from far away and Amelia instictivly wanted to lower herself before the burning stares aimed her way.

So the fact that gossip was spreading about her was indeed true...

Almost forgetting all that she had learned the past week, she repeated Flora's instructions in her mind as she walked. Somehow she managed to maintain a proud posture while not folding her eyes even though every part of her was screaming to do the opposite.

As she closed in on the crowd she could hear her name amongst the whispers.

'Just ignore them' she silently repeated.

They were greeted by a female employee at the door and were led into the shop straight away, much to the displeasure of those waiting outside. The employee guided them through the store to a private fitting room which she proudly declared to be the largest one in the boutique. By the looks of it it did not seem like an exaggeration.

While Amelia went ahead and took a seat in one of the armchairs in the centre of the fitting room Paul remained on watch outside.

The door had barely even closed until Adelaine came rushing through it, her heaving chest on even bigger display than it had been the previous time. She was utmost regretful about missing their appointment and repeatedly apologized to Amelia throughout their meeting.

As she was fitting the gown on Amelia she began explaining the circumstances that had led her to cancel in more detail, sounding somewhat frantic as she spoke.

"Those damn nobles have been showing up the entire week, flashing their money and demanding me to whip up dresses that take at least a month to make. Today a spoiled little lady even threw glas at my seamstresses. Glas! Even though we're commoners, how is that fine? I had to send two of my girls home and now we're understaffed at the busiest day of the entire year! Anyhow, again, I am very sorry that I had to make you come all the way here on such a short notice, I just couldn't leave my employees on their own after something like that since I'm responsible for their well being while they are at work."

Amelia found herself being both saddened by what she was hearing and amused about the designer's firey attitude. She also could not help but admire Adelaine's care for her employees.

'I'd be fortunate to have a boss even slightly like her in the future. Whereever I end up going...'

The fitting of the gown ended up going well. Even though it was still lacking some of the embellishments it was looking even more beautiful than it had in the scetches. The skillfully layering of the fabric truly made the skirt resemble the waves of a violet ocean.

Since no futher ajustments needed to be made to the fit of it Adelaine promised that the complete dress would be delivered to the duke's estate before the end of the day.

Amelia headed straight back to the carriage when they left the butique. Even though part of her wanted to see more of the part of town that she had never been able to even step foot in before, she was too tired to deal with any more stares other than those that were still burning in her neck.

Like the knight that he was Paul once more offered his hand so that she could climb into the carriage. Before they took off he went to talk to the coachman and when he came back he had a satisfied look on his face.

"The coach said we could take a different path on the way back that will be less shaky. It won't be as pleasant of a view but that's alright, no?"

Amelia heartidly agreed.