"Princess Damia, please take a look and tell me if this is alright." One of the maids prompted her to look in the silver mirror in her room.
It had been a few hours since she left Prince Elric and Grandmaster Niklaus at the place of arms. Her maids were diligent in their efforts to transform her from her usual maid look, to a proper princess. Looking in the mirror, she could see her hair had been adorned with strings of crystals, and they had dressed her in an arsenic green linen twill corseted dress that belled out slightly at the waist. Her makeup was done lightly, with a strawberry pink lip color, and a lavender pigment over her eyelids, enhancing her dark green eyes.
"It looks perfect, Paulina. Thank you."
Clasping her hands together in joy, Paulina gave a small cheer. "Wonderful milady. Now, time for the mask you'll wear for tonight's ball. Adi found this mask at the market last week, while buying vegetables for the kitchen, and wanted me to give it to you."
Paulina handed Damia a small, polished wooden box. Inside the box, sitting on a bed of red satin fabric, was a beautiful ivory half mask with silver lace trimmings and delicate gold filigree adorning the corners of the eye openings. This mask had to cost Adi substantially.
"It is absolutely beautiful, but... how can Adi expect me to accept it? It's too much." She placed the mask back in the box and extended it back out to Paulina. "No Paulina, take it back. I can wear the mask I always use for these events. Tell Adi to return it for something more practical."
The door to Damia's chamber opened at that moment and Adi walked in, but with downcast eyes so as to avoid seeing Damia in the event that she was not yet decent. Adi had been waiting outside her chamber to hear her reaction towards the gift.
"Damia, you are not allowed to reject my gift. I won't forgive you. Do you know how long I spent negotiating the price with the merchant? Besides, I threw your old one out. You have been wearing the same, plain one for the last three years. It's a wonder that no one at court has yet questioned why you don't wear a new, more adorned one such as this one."
Adi's voice sounded stern, but Damia could see the smile tugging at the corner of Adi's lips and she couldn't help, but to feel touched by this action.
"Adi, you fool. It's safe to look up, but why would you throw away my mask? I happened to feel very fond of that mask. It's been with me through so much," she teased. "I'll accept this mask. But only because that poor merchant will probably never want to see your face again with all the hassle you likely gave, so returning it is not an option."
Adi looked up at Damia and the smile tugging earlier was now spread from ear to ear.
"Good! And now that you're ready, we better get going. The guests have already arrived so I'll walk you down."
Damia walked along side Adi until they got to the end of the hall, where they were joined by Prince Elric.
Elric was dressed in a green tunic, slightly darker than Damia's, along with a gold, fur lined cloak, and his golden crown and a gold half mask. He approached Damia and Adi, giving Damia a smile, but the smile seemed to not reach his eyes. He then turned to address Adi, "Thank you for bringing the princess. I'll take her from here and you can return to your work."
Adi was slightly taken aback. The prince never stopped them from entering together, and he certainly never volunteered to take Damia himself. But if the prince demanded, Adi had no choice but to step down.
"As you wish Young Master. I'll attend to the king and ensure all are prepared for his entrance then." Adi bowed to Prince Elric and turned to Damia, "I will be near if you need me, milady, please do not hesitate to ask."
"I'll stay by her side through the evening, Adi, so no need to concern yourself with the princess. Please just attend to the guests and ensure all their needs are met." Elric's eyes had a firm edge to them and Adi dared not to say more before departing.
Damia's heart dropped as she watched Adi walk away from them, but she could do nothing to change Elric's decision. She didn't understand why, but it was as if the prince did not want Adi near her at all today.
Elric took Damia's hand and gently pulled her towards to his side, resting her hand on his arm, then started walking towards the stairwell.
"This dress suits you well, Princess. Your maids made an excellent choice. I'm not disappointed."
Damia was dumbfounded. Her attire never mattered to him before. With no one else in the hall to hear him, there was also no reason for him to act so sweetly towards her. Having not received a response, Elric came to a stop, jolting Damia out of her thoughts. He was giving her a peculiar look, but she didn't know how to respond so she merely smiled politely and nodded her head. Satisfied with this response, Elric continued their march down towards the hall.