Time went by in a whirlwind as Kyera and Clovis prepared to wed. The dress had to be chosen, the date and there were so many people to talk to and formalities to go through. Kyera was still trying to help her people balance out and deal with her injured hand. Things were moving fast and she was breathless trying to keep up.
The Shifters had formed a small camp in the forest between the gardens and the village. Many happy family reunions were had, and a few sad reports to last living kin. It was hard but her people were fighters and now formed yet another barrier between the Palace and the Dark ones.
Thankfully, many of the survivors supported Kyera's marriage and did what they could to help. Offering a horse, dress leather, lace for her veil and protection for her whenever she left the palace, granted that wasn't often. Clovis hired a group of them to be Kyera's guard. Daxin took on Raina's training with a vigor. Excited to have a new student to mold, and unwilling to disappoint Kyera's expectations. He taught the princess everything she needed to know and quite a bit of what she just wanted to know.
The humans were informed that they were a rogue band of gypsy knights who were there to protect their princess. Word spread like wildfire that then maiden from Shadow veil that Clovid was to wed, was the Princess of the forest Gypsys. Most were overjoyed with this news, where as others were not. Though they mainly kept quiet and plotted in the shadows, one could no longer hold her tongue.
Kyera was in the study talking to the mouse dressmaker, Ella Von. The little mouse was tired, but seemed to glow as she fitted her princess into the wedding gown. They had a dress on her, the white leather fitting her body like a glove, and the lace under it flowing around her. The bodice was snug from her chest to her waist before the white leather was cut from the knee to hip once on either side creating a single strip of leather down the center. It looked almost like white armor over the lacy dress. Deep purple lace peeking out from the slits. The neck of the dress came up with that same delicate lace and fastened with a button behind her neck.
It was a Shifter wedding dress, but known as gypsy by these people. The leather bodice died white and tooled with intricate details. The lace ruffled skirts hidden like the delicate heart of the maid it covered. Leather fitting took a while so Ella was on her little stool checking things carefully. Kyera knew quite a bit about dress making, so she already knew it fit well.
"This purple is so deep and vibrant, you outdid yourself dying this." Kyera commented with a bright smile. The deep purple seemed to shine black in the shadows and vibrant purple in the light. The mirror showed every detail in the gown, natural light making the white leather seem soft like a second skin.
"It should be. This embroidered lace was dyed with Black Sage and orchids from the Ash Garden. The spirits of our people are with you." Ella replied, glancing up at Kyera to gage her response as she fussed over a eyelet. There seemed to be softness in her eyes, vulnerability. Seeing tears there Ella panicked a bit. "I still have the crimson bamboo lace, it isn't as fancy but it would make an amazing dress." Kyera shook her head, wiping her eyes. Her hands smoothed the soft lace
"No, I just… didn't expect you still had this dye. I know it is incredibly hard to find since no one is allowed to gather those flowers except at coronation, weddings, and funerals of the royal family." Kyera replied honestly and the little mouse smiled, threading another needle.
"I had just enough left from when my grandmother made your coronation leathers to dye the lace. Your veil and your dress. Granted the veil is perhaps less saturated but it is a beautiful effect." The mouse admitted as she stepped off the stool and pulled a wooden chest open.
Inside was a folded bit of purple cloth that faded to white at the ends. She smiled as she flung it out so the fabric would catch the wind and open. The gradient of deep purple at the crown of Kyera's head faded slowly to white as it flooded around her, hiding her face. The lace just delicate enough that she could see out but no one could see in.
"Thank you… Ella. I really don't know what else to say. Am… am I really doing this?" whispered Kyera as she stared at herself in the mirror. Her silver hair falling in curls around her face. The woman looking back at her could still see the child she had been.
"I would like to ask the same thing, Kyera Mei. What are you doing?" Akira mei asked from the doorway. Kyera turned to see her mother, unsurprised to see the disapproval on the older woman's angelic face.