Page 38 of Whispers of the Dragon
However, there was certainly no fooling the girl.
“Don’t worry,” Yuri tried her best to comfort her. “He was quite intimidating the first few years I was around him.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good thing.” Eira laughed through fallen tears now, instantly feeling comfortable around the sweet woman. She supposed she should be happy that Tatsu had even treated Yuri coldly at first. Then again, having to take years to warm to a person seemed a bit much.
“It will get better, I promise,” Yuri assured her quietly as they walked through the palace. “I am your lady in waiting, so feel free to call upon me for anything you might need.”
“My lady in waiting?” she asked, not understanding.
Yuri smiled, reiterating for her, “Just consider me your personal helper.”
Oh my,Eira thought, nodding in understanding. Tatsu was right … there was quite a lot she needed to learn.
When they reached two huge doors, Yuri pushed them open. “This is your room.”
Eira’s jaw practically hit the floor. “M-my room?”
“Of course.” She laughed at her like she was silly and waved for her to go inside. “Hopefully, it is to your liking.”
“Yeah.” She desperately swallowed, trying to wet her dry throat. “You could say that.”
Thankfully, her sarcastic tone hadn’t gone over Yuri’s head. “I’m sure it’s a lot for you to take in.”
Eira nodded and finally entered, realizing she could put her grandparents’ whole house into just this room. The sheer size of it was what had taken her by surprise at first, but now that she looked around, it was the things inside, like the luxurious bedding that had her even more overwhelmed by the difference in how she and Ryu had lived.
Yuri went to the closet door and threw them open to reveal it was large in size as well, and stuffed full. “Would you like to pick something to wear for dinner, or shall I?”
Eira entered the closet, speechless, touching the lush fabrics, her belly fluttering. “Whose things are these?”
“Yours,” Yuri said simply. “I’m sure some things may have belonged to Ryu’s mother, but I’d say, considering how sentimental Tatsu is over his late wife’s things, most of it are items Ryu has chosen over the years.”
Again, Eira lacked the words for not only a response but for how she felt. Everything in here was beautiful and didn’t lack for taste.
Overwhelmed by choice, she finally got her tongue and mind to work in unison. “It might be best for you to choose. I’m not quite sure what would be best.”
“Certainly,” Yuri agreed with a twinkle in her eyes.
Eira could only imagine the girl had waited for this moment to finally look through the many beautiful things that had beencollected. She could tell her lady in waiting had impeccable taste as well, with not only what she chose for Eira to wear but in how put together she herself looked.
When she was fully dressed, she was thankful Yuri had chosen something demure in comparison to the flashy things she had seen the women wear outside of the palace. She was used to wearing dark colors so as not to stand out, and she really was happy that Yuri seemed to understand her so well already. Even when she had helped brush her hair, Yuri had pulled her hair back off her face, but once she saw how uncomfortable Eira looked, she let the silky red strands go without so much of a word needing to be said.
“Now it’s time for my favorite part,” Yuri continued on, making her feel comfortable. “Jewelry.”
Both looked over the many different and ornate options when Yuri landed on a beautiful pearl ring. “This is stunning.”
“It is,” Eira agreed, seeing the twinkle brighten in her eyes.
She held the ring out for Eira to take. “This will match perfectly.”
Smiling, Eira closed Yuri’s hand over it. “For your kindness.”
Yuri violently shook her head. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly.”
“You can, and you will.” She let her know she wouldn’t take no for an answer. “Besides, I have so much that Ryu will never know.”
“Thank you,” Yuri finally gave in, putting it in her pocket before grabbing a dainty necklace that Eira thought was much more suited to her.
“Now, that is perfect.” Eira beamed, seeing that she was being so easily understood.
