"No." Siv rejects the fifth dress that Veda shows her. "I think you didn't understand what I asked for, Veda."
"I am sorry, my lady, but your request is a bit…"
"Are you telling me that in that huge closet, there isn't one provocative dress?"
"Lady Siv, I beg of you to stop using that word." Siv is starting to lose her patience. She walks to the closet herself and starts shuffling through dresses. One red gown catches her eye.
'Oh yeah. This will do.'
She picks it up and brings it to her bed. The ruby satin shines in the sun. The sleeves are short and there are low cuts and lace in all the right places.
'Perfect.'
"But this is a ballgown, my lady."
"I don't care, this is what I am wearing today, Veda."
'I will get what I want.'
She had stayed up all night concocting a plan. She decided that, even if he doesn't regain his memories, she will slowly make Brandt fall in love with her again. Meanwhile, she will train and become stronger to be able to defend herself while working with Colby to try to find the person who is trying to kill her and who is probably behind Brandt's curse.
'Ha, brilliant plan.'
Siv smiles at her reflection with satisfaction and takes fast steps to the prince's study. With determination, she knocks and waits for the answer.
"Come in." Brandt's muffled voice calls.
Siv walks in and finds the prince and his assistant busy with mountains of work. Shelby immediately bows. Brandt looks up after a moment and finally sees her. His eyes travel from top to bottom in a matter of seconds before he goes back to the documents in front of him.
"Lady Holmen." He says with a nonchalant voice. "As you can see, I am extremely busy. Is it an urgent matter?" Siv Curtsies.
"Yes, it is, Your Highness." She takes a few confident steps to the desk. He stops what he is doing and stares at her, impatience apparent on his face.
"I can give you five minutes, Lady Holmen." He puts his elbows on the desk and intertwines his fingers under his chin. Siv does not hesitate and takes the gesture as an invitation, she sits on the chair facing the prince.
"Your Highness, I find myself in a predicament." Her words are sharp and direct. "You have promised me that you would speak with Captain Erling to train me in sword fighting, but it seems that you have forgotten that memory as well." Brandt presses his lips together in annoyance. His insides burn every time there is a mention of his memory loss.
"And why would a noble lady like you need to learn sword fighting?"
"Again Your Highness, you might have forgotten, but my life has been in danger before, and I would like to be able to protect myself."
There is a strange feeling inside Brandt's chest at the mention of danger, but it disappears in seconds.
"The Captain will be busy in the next few weeks preparing for a journey, so I doubt she will accept your request."
"Could you still ask her, please? I haven't even had the chance to see her since you ordered her to stop being my guard."
"I can call her, Your Highness." Lord Benson offers which gets him a glare from the prince.
"Fine." Brandt says through gritted teeth. Shelby flashes Siv a smile that reveals he is helping her with this matter. She feels so grateful for all the people supporting her.
After the assistant leaves, Siv and Brandt find themselves alone. An awkward silence fills the room. Brandt delves back into his documents while Siv walks to the nearest window, reaching her limit of being able to sit facing the prince. Brandt steals a few glances at her back.
'She is wearing quite the risqué dress today. Why would she wear a ballgown during the day? This woman is very peculiar.'
He stares at her again. The red dress has a low cut displaying every detail of her back. Brandt feels the urge to run his hand through it, the thought makes his blood rush. Then, an agonizing headache pulses through his head. He can't even keep his eyes open. He groans as he presses his fingers against his temples.
"Your Highness." Siv rushes to him. "Are you alright?" Her proximity makes the pain double.
"Just stay away from me." He utters with squeezed eyes, not fully aware of his words. Siv stares at him in disbelief for a moment. Then, retreats to the window again just watching Brandt's pained face. Her heart twists at her inability to help him.
"Your Highness, Captain Erling is here." Shelby announces then rushes to the prince when he sees his expression. "Are you alright, Your Highness."
"Yes. Let's just get this over with." Brandt says with great effort.
"Your Highness." Erling salutes.
"Lady Holmen insists on asking you to train her in sword fighting, even though I told her you were busy." The two women exchange a look.
"I can free some time in early morning to help Lady Holmen, Your Highness."
"Are you serious?" The prince asks in surprise.
"Yes, Your Highness. I promise that I will still do all my duties without fail." He stares at the captain for a moment.
"You better keep that promise." Brandt warns. "Now leave, both of you." Both women rush out of the study and walk down the hall side by side.
"How have you been, my lady?" Erling asks with a hint of a smile. It is the first time Siv sees a some kind of emotion on her face.
"I am good, Captain. How about you?"
"I apologize for not being able to visit you, my lady. But a lot is going on."
"I don't blame you, Erling." Siv squeezes her arm. "I am so thankful that you have accepted my request."
"It would be my pleasure, my lady. It will not be easy though."
"I know." Siv chuckles thinking of all the fighting movies and animes she watched in her previous life.
"I will do my best."
"Good. Meet me tomorrow at the training grounds. We start at dawn." Erling's tone changes, suddenly becoming stern and rough again. It makes Siv's confidence waver a bit, but she regains it back quickly.
"I will be there, Captain."
'I will do my best no matter how hard it is.'