"I'm done."
Squealing from her signal, Lucy made a steeple on her hands as she looked forward to the dress she made. Only then could she know the wonders behind those cream brocade curtains unfold before her.
Anasthasia's fingers slipped upfront and grabbed the curtain, moving to the side. Meanwhile, Lucy covered his mouth; eyes glistened from the sight.
She mused, "What do you think?" She strutted forth; her daring slit revealed her left leg hidden among the voluminous cloth.
Lucy trotted towards her direction as she clasped her hands. "Sister, I've never seen any outfit more beautiful than this."
Anasthasia giggled from her remark. Her fingers lingered unto the off-shoulder neckline filled with sapphire rhinestones. Then she peered down, from the chest, noticing how the azure satin cascaded and drenched the floor with its aqueous fabric.
By the window, the glow became limelight to her ball-gown dress.
"Now I see why you placed the rhinestones on the neckline. With the golden light beaming, it gave off sparkling hawk wings, accentuating your cleavage and frail shoulders." Lucy said.
"That's right. It's fascinating, isn't it?"
Lucy nodded impulsively. Eyes darted down and quipped her tone, "And that waist cinched for days, sister Ana."
"Without a doubt." Anasthasia slinked her fingers down to her hips. "This fabric is the best."
Anasthasia was about to enter her fantasy when she shifted to the side and gasped aloud. Tilting her head, she blinked a few times and noticed her intense gaze.
"Oh! What do you think about this?" She turned around and moved her ponytail to the side. From her slim neck down to the curves of her waist, her back was open for everyone to see, enchanting the eyes of everyone that could see stature.
"It—"
A loud bang resounded by the door; both of them shifted only to see the twins chimed in.
"Lucy! We have come to pick you up—!" Their throat ran so dryly as their eyes gawked at her figure.
"Brother! Didn't I tell you not to barge in?! And wear some clothes on!" She shrieked out from their unconcerned habit of disturbing her whenever she's inside her tailor room.
Anasthasia took a step back. She saw how their slick hair was so wet that moisture dripped down to their lithe neck and then to their chiseled torso. Fortunately, they wore loose cotton trousers—although garters around the hips and to the ankles—hid their shaped legs.
'Looking fresh… Got out from taking a bath, huh…'
It was clear she had no idea, with clothes on their hands, either they didn't wear their tops for the time being or nonchalantly exposed their exceptional fitness.
'But then, my, they don't have manners.' She kneaded her temple's forehead.
Liam's loud, cheerful voice dropped to a ragged whisper, "Ana…"
"You two should turn your backs and, at least, put on your garments," Anasthasia called out with a stern voice.
In her command, the twins began to move, in such synchronization, and the white long sleeves moved so nimbly onto their bodies. They shook off their head as an attempt to fix their messy wet hair.
"We're very sorry, Ana." Then gave a deep bow.
It was perfect timing for them to show the first dress she made for a long time. She turned around, gracing them the front view of her dress. "Does it look good?"
The twins gulped audibly.
"It looks good—No!" Levi took off his glasses, wiping it off with his clean shirt, and wore them back. "You look gorgeous and elegant on that outfit, Ana."
"But then again." Liam cleared his throat. "Isn't that daring outfit, Ana?"
"You mean my shoulders, back, and legs?" She raised her eyebrows to intriguing heights, so they bobbed their heads.
"Sister Ana, I don't think they will learn."
"Don't worry; I don't mind it. I'm not that naked, as you can see." She patted her head. "So, what brings you two here?" Her gaze pierced at Liam so he could reply.
"I think she won't be able to take part in your training today, Ana."
"Why is that?"
It was subtle, but Anasthasia could pretty well pick up the atmosphere as it turned dark and gloomy.
'I have a bad feeling about this.'
"Because…" Levi trailed off at first, and the twins looked at each other, sadness clouded their faces. They took their time as he stared at them in concern. "Come now, Lucy. The Archduke wants you back to the manor."
Lucy held onto her dress tighter than ever. She snuggled her head to her hips, which left her no choice but to hug her.
"Is it needed?"
"Yes, the Archduke of Aureole summoned her." Liam jammed his hands to his pocket, retrieving the special parchment with a seal on it. His face wore a grim expression. "Though we don't know the details about this."
Levi clicked his tongue. "No matter what the contents, however, we can see that it's an authentic one. Which makes me furious!"
Sniffs echoed in the room, which had her caress the little girl's back, and at the same time, the twins came rushing to her side.
"Lucy, I swear that no harm will come your way. If need be, they will have to go through us first."
"I agree with Levi; we will protect you."
She beamed at them with a forced smile."Do you all need some time alone—?"
"No! No! I don't want to go back to that place! It's torture—" Then Lucy cried out loud, thrashing her arms.
'This isn't getting better. I must do something.'
"How about this? I'll go with you, as well."
Her tantrums stopped in a blink of an eye; she arched her neck as eyes twinkled with hope. "You will?"
"By hook or by crook."
"I'm—so afraid, sister Ana. I remember when he disowned me that day—No!" She threw herself back towards Anasthasia and wept in sorrow.
Anasthasia said no more; her hands continued to pat her head. She looked at how bleak the twins are from all of this.
'A decree—or something they couldn't refuse. I wonder. I'd make this perfect time to get to know about them.'
She lowered herself and hands on her shoulders, making eye contact. "Lucy, what did I tell you?"
"A magician should always be ready, and one step ahead of every plan made."
"That's right. I know this will be a hard day for you, but you do know your brothers are here for you, and so do I."
"I—"
Anasthasia grinned, although sweeter than a piteous one. "We will protect you."
The eyes of the little girl set ablaze with resolution. She nodded and took a glimpse of her brothers. In such a cue, Anasthasia stood up.
"You three should talk it out. I'll have to change first."
The three of them moved out of the room as she strutted her way back to the fitting room. Soon as she stepped near the platform in the fitting room, a heavyweight footstep reverberated the room.
Caught by her attention, she spun around and saw Michael standing by the door, stunned by her outfit.
His voice drowned to a whisper, "You look beautiful...with that gown you're wearing."
The atmosphere grew intense; she could see those deep gazes. Wondered as to how she took his breath away, she then threw off a wave of a dismissive hand. "I beg to differ."
"It's the truth."
"Whatever floats your boat." Anasthasia went in, hands reaching by the curtain, and slowly got to do her thing.
"I just arrived and overheard the conversation."
Anasthasia noticed the heavy thuds that got stronger, albeit she wasn't fazed by it. She let the conversation keep going. "What can you say about it?"
"The Archduke, I don't have good opinions of him."
"Neither do I."
Michael hummed from her response. "You haven't met him?"
"Being disowned is enough. That kind of father, a noble one at that, either he wants a perfect public image or a ruthless one, grave enough to oust her away."
Her hands grazed over her dress, smoothing down to the hem and fixed her ponytail. Not long enough, thuds put to a stop. Without further ado, she pulled the curtain to the side and got out of the fitting room.
"I wish they had a good talk over there."
Michael, opposite to her direction, crossed his arms while he leaned to the wall. His grey eyes darted her way with peculiarity, like how he was hesitant to say things.
"If you have something to say, then say it." Anasthasia shifted her pace towards the work table and placed the ball-gown dress on it.
"Well, I know you anticipated Daniel."
Fingers twitched as soon as she let go of the dress. He hit the nail in the head.
"Well, who wouldn't?" She coughed lightly. "He turned crazy, laughed so maniacally."
"Do you think it was a bluff?"
"One thing for sure, I have a bad feeling about it."
.