Clockwork City (1)

Eloise linked her arms to Esmeralda's as they made their way to the Modiste Enclave with Rowan and Sherlock shortly following behind.

Although she didn't like the idea of getting wedded too early,she was excited as to how her mother had allowed her carry more bags of coins for her gown shopping.

As they entered the shop,she began trying on various dresses,each one beautiful than the last.However,when she slipped into the white silk gown her mother had chosen for her,she felt unable to move her chest.

Eloise giggled.

"Esme,I think this one may be a bit too snug in the bust.I didn't know you've fed your chest that well." She teased,eyeing the way the fabric tightened her chest and had pushed it all up.

"Can you even breathe in it?" She giggled again.

Esmeralda couldn't take it off,opening the zip to wriggle herself out would mean destroying the dress and paying for something she wouldn't even wear.

The modiste hastily ushered her behind a screen to take her body measurements all over again.

"Mademoiselle Delphine Delacroix?" Esmeralda called out.

"How did you sew the gown without knowing my accurate measurements?" She curiously asked.

Did her mother use her own body measurement for the gown?She wouldn't be surprised in the least.

"Penelope was here." The modiste replied,suggesting her second sister from Eldoria was called all the way to Brittania just to have her body measured for her sister's wedding.

"Ah" she growled,amazed by the lengths her mother would go.

Outside,Rowan and Sherlock stood in front of the door,casting stern glances at any man who dared to gawk at their cousin or their youngest sister.

"Why did you bring them here when you knew it would bother you?"

"Mother thinks I may flee." She replied as they sat awaiting for the alterations to be completed."That's why she insisted I bring you along."

"So you were not going to invite me?" Eloise pretended to be hurt,holding her chest."I didn't know I was not important."

"That was not what I meant.I was just trying to tell you what mother made me do.I am sorry."

"Do you like the duke?"Eloise abruptly asked.

Taken aback by the question, Esmeralda stared at her.She had never thought of love.What was it when you had money?

"I did not give him the time to get to know me.I was trying to ward him off,but now I may try to get to know him as we'll be wedded in two days."

"That little time?" Eloise was surprised.How was two days sufficient to get to know someone and marry the person?

"Do not think about it.Let's just find a perfect dress and leave."

After finalizing the order for Esmeralda's gown and purchasing dresses and jeweleries for Eloise,they made their way to Clockwork City,where Eloise worked as the sole assistant of the eccentric clockmaker, old Davington for ten years.

As Esmeralda pushed the doors of Clockwork City open,her eyes widened in wonder.She was surrounded by the chiming and ticking of countless intricate timepieces,rare ones she had ever seen.

Their machinations fascinated her.They were not like the usual clocks the people sold on the streets and slums of Brittania; these were peculiar pieces made by the hands of a god. She finally understood why old Davington's Clockwork City had been earning him a reputation for thousands of years.

"What brings you here again Eloise?" The old man appeared from behind one of the tallest grandfather clocks she had ever laid her eyes on.He had an ash key like clock that hang around his neck.

"Davington, I think I left my bag in the back.I was hoping to get it while I leave Esme here with you."The man nodded as a sign of showing his agreement.Eloise turned on her heels and disappeared into one of the rooms.

"You may sit and wait for her.Make yourself at home." Old Davington said, pointing to a raftan chair beside the window.

He then slumped into a chair behind his desk and returned back to fixing his clocks.

Esmeralda couldn't resist the urge to explore the workshop as the thought of being in Clockwork City felt like a dream come true to her.That was the first time she had followed Eloise to her workplace.The shelves were spotless,the robotic movements of the clocks drawing her in the more and the beauty of the grandfather clock surpassing that of hers.

As she moved around the workshop,her eyes landed on a dusty-looking clock,with old, intricate mechanisms unlike the rest she had seen.It was sheltered in a rectangular glass box.

"Excuse me sir," she said turning to old Davington."Would it be possible for me to purchase that clock over there?"

Old Davington looked over her shoulders,adjusting his glasses to see clearly what had caught her eyes.

When he saw the clock she was pointing at,his expression changed.

"I'm afraid I can't part with it,dear." He said,looking away from Esmeralda and focusing on what he was doing.

"There are other ones you can purchase instead."

Esmeralda reached into her purse and fetched out two bags full of gold coins.There was nothing money couldn't do.

"Will two bags of coins do?"

Old Davington shook his head."I am sorry my dear,but that clock is not for sale.It's quite special to me."

Right then,Eloise returned with her bag in hand."Esme,we should be going before Lady Georgina starts to worry."With that,she pulled her along and escorted her back to her carriage.

"I'll see you soon,Davington"Eloise waved.

"See you!" He replied.

As they rode back in the carriage, Esmeralda turned to Eloise."Why wouldn't Davington sell me that old clock? It's worn out anyway,no one would want it."

"Why do you want to buy it then?"

Esmeralda thought about the question.She did not even know why she was drawn to the old clock of all the others. "I just want to buy it.Isn't it good to buy anything you want?"

Eloise looked outside the carriage, trying to avoid Esmeralda.

"Why Eloise? Am talking to you." She nudged her arms."I even offered him a large sum of money,but he declined."

Eloise hesitated,her expression evasive."If you want one, I'll make you a beautiful one myself.Just promise me you wouldn't mention the clock again,will you?"

Esmeralda looked at her,her curiosity piqued."Is there something I must know?"

"Just promise me"

"Fine,fine,I promise not to mention." She replied,defeated,but she was not going to stop there.Her curiosity had already been piqued and she was not going to let go.

If Eloise would be too secretive about a mere old clock,then she would find out herself.