Page 27 of A Rose Among Snakes

“You are stunning, Mihrra. Simply gorgeous!” She clapped her hands and squealed. “Every man will ask you to dance in that dress.Iwant to ask you to dance in that dress.”

My face flushed as I chuckled, shaking my head. “I will not be dancing with anyone. I’m only there to support you.”

Kezara barked a laugh. “You will absolutely be dancing. You will attend as my guest, and there is not a chance you will be ignored.” She turned to Mrs. Drusen. “We’ll do one just like this, but in crimson, and let’s make lace cap sleeves.” Using her hand, she turned my shoulder and shoved me back toward the dressing room, denying me any chance to object. Mrs. Drusen took my measurements and then helped me back into my simple, dove-gray dress.

It took more time for Kezara to try on multiple gowns as she told Mrs. Drusen what she did and did not like, not attempting to mince words. Eventually, Kezara commissioned a gown that sounded so beautiful I was sure no one would pay attention to me with her in the room.

Kezara paid for the construction of the dresses and Mrs. Drusen said she would have them sent to Blaise Manor, so we didn’t have to come back and collect them. Kezara led me around town and into several more shops, trying on jewelry, shoes, and other accessories. I had never known such luxury. While I was soaking up every moment of it, I had to swallow down the guilt that I felt when I wondered if Savine or Ambrelle would ever get a similar opportunity.

We ate our midday meal, stopped by a pastry shop to enjoy some sweets, and then continued shopping. Kezara hardly purchased anything for herself and kept buying things for me, no matter how much I protested.

“You deserve this, Mihrra," she said, as I tried to pull off a pair of tight, elbow-length, red gloves.

“Kezara, I don’t need all of this. I am your maid—when am I ever going to wear any of this again?”

“Don’t think like that, it ruins the fun.” Kezara was staring out the shop window.

“Are you looking for Milner?” I asked.

“Uh… no.” She turned back to me. “Why do you ask?”

“Because you seem distracted. Do you want to return home? I refuse to let you buy anything else for me.”

“No, we can’t go back yet. It’s not time.”

“Time for what?” My impatience manifested as a headache at the back of my skull.

Kezara gave me an apologetic grimace. “I decided I do want to meet—” She scanned the room to make sure no one was listening. “You know who. I want to hear him out.”

I nodded slowly. I couldn’t pretend to know how it felt to be in love and then have it ripped away, but I also couldn’t deny I was relatively disappointed in her decision. I shook it off and tried to offer a supportive smile.

“That makes more sense. You’re killing time.”

“Precisely, and I think we are close enough we could head to the tavern.”

“I’m not getting these,” I said, holding my hands up and wiggling my fingers. I had only been able to get them halfway off and the flopping fabric made Kezara giggle.

“Of course not,” she said, helping me remove the gloves. She turned to the shopkeeper standing behind the counter in the corner. “We’ll take these in white. Please send them to the manor.”

I opened my mouth to object, but she cut me off, linking her arm through mine. “You’ll thank me later.”

Chapter Fifteen

We made our way through the busy streets, dodging grimy dock workers hauling crates around and belligerent vendors shouting their wares. We reached the tavern and walked through the dim room that always seemed to be teeming with patrons no matter the hour. This time, I noticed the whispers as Kezara strolled by with her chin held high. I openly glared at a woman who watched Kezara with a sneer. Once she noticed me, she brushed a hand down her bodice and averted her gaze. I scoffed as we passed her, making our way directly to the courtyard. Kezara burst through the door, but the prince was not there yet. She took a seat, and I made sure to settle myself at a table not in the sunlight.

I watched as she fidgeted in her seat, crossing and uncrossing her legs, her propped-up foot bouncing. She shot me a nervous glance and I offered an encouraging smile. The sound of the iron gate squeaking open drew both of our attention as the prince walked in, dressed more inconspicuously than he had in the past. He wore a black tunic and pants, black boots, and a charcoal-colored cloak, tattered and fraying at the edges.

He pulled the hood off his head and stood there staring at Kezara. She held his gaze for a moment before she jumped out ofher seat and threw herself into his arms. As they embraced, the prince’s guard came to stand by me. I glanced back at the couple to find them locked in a passionate kiss and I turned away to give them privacy.

“I suppose you must be pretty used to this,” I whispered. The guard was facing me, but looking over my head toward the tavern door. He dipped his eyes to me, then fastened them back on the door, clearly not in the mood for conversation.

I sighed and leaned back in my seat. If only Kezara had been honest with me I would have brought some sort of entertainment, like a book. I clung to the fact that Milner would be returning at seven, and by the look of the sun, we weren’t too far from that time.

“Mihrra,” Kezara called, beckoning me toward their table. I nearly jumped, not expecting to be addressed, but I stood up and walked over to the happy-looking couple. As I curtsied, Kezara said, “Mihrra, meet Prince Leoran.” When I straightened, I saw Kezara beaming up at him. Their hands were intertwined, and her mood was a far cry from where it had been the night before.

“Your Majesty,” I said with a slight tremble. Never in my wildest imaginings had I thought I would stand before royalty.

“It’s wonderful to meet you, Mihrra.” He bowed his head to me, and I looked him in the face for the first time. He was tall—though not as tall as Velian—and boyishly handsome, with dark eyes, and black, wavy hair that brushed past his heavy eyebrows.

---