Dresses, jewels and fancy shoes. Everything smelling like lavender. The gold and rubies shone bright right in front her eyes. She had never seen such wealth before in her life and the most shocking was that this was supposed to be her wardrobe. Nacht had led her to the tower the magicians lived. It was a tall building with many windows. Shaped like a cylinder. Inside, the moment you entered you faced a small lounge with armchairs and couches in a deep red color. There was a huge bookcase covering half of the walls, filled to the brim with books, to one inch left untouched and on the stone wall that was freed from the heavy wooden furniture there were weapons hanging. Two swords, a whip, an arrow and many other reflected her face in their perfectly polished blades. A thick carpet was laid on the wooden floor and there was even a fire burning on the fireplace. Alice realized that even though outside you felt like you would melt, inside the place was cold and there was even the need of a fire.
Without commenting on it the girl let Nacht lead her up the stairs where in every of the seven floors was a door. Each floor dedicated to one of them. The man informed her she would be staying on the sixth floor while he was on the fifth in case she needed anything. The seventh floor was used as a training ground and at the same time a lab making her wonder how big it actually was.
The whole place was empty, something that made her question where everyone was. She peeked at every floor they passed curious if she could see someone but Nacht chuckled and just urged her to hurry.
"There is no one here, everyone is busy usually at this time. Also I have to fix you up before I show you to people. You see we might be a bit more carefree that Nyx but still this is a palace. You can't appear like this." He told her as he searched through his pocket and took out a key that unlocked her floor.
Her crimson eyes widened as her gaze was trying to define the end of the room. She got inside, steeping hastily as she looked around surprised. It was enormous. There was a bath, with a huge bathtub everything made from clear marble with beautiful golden decorations. She had her own fireplace and even a working area. A huge dark brown desk made of heavy wood and a comfortable chair with velvety pillows. In the middle of the room a gigantic bed with a roof and elegant pale curtains surrounding it. She couldn't wait to just dive in there and get lost between the soft and freshly washed pillows.
"You can slowly decorate it any way you want. The view from the balcony is pretty too but for now get washed lady and I with my undeniable fashion sense will make you proper." He told her and the sound of an actual bath almost sounded like a prayer. She couldn't thank enough the Three Great Magicians for changing her luck like this, and Nacht. The man sat on the office chair and waited patiently until she was done, stepping out surrounded in the softest towel she had ever felt. Cleaned up and relaxed for the first time in a while her beauty was showing in full glory. Her pale flawless skin and the fire in her eyes, she looked as if she had been reborn. "Now let's see." The man said and opened the wardrobe. Another new room spread right in front of her eyes and she gasped at her new possessions. Before she didn't own anything, just a few worn out books but now, everything surrounding her was hers, to do whatever she wanted to with. "Try out this dress and this and this one…. those will look good for lunch" Nacht advised her and he threw a few dresses at her. Long with many lace designs, puffy sleeves and ones that were simpler. Alice looked at them and sighed gaining his attention. "What is it?"
"I know what I am going to say might sound crazy but… I don't want to wear a dress. I don't want to be seen as a doll to be looked at. I don't want men to look at me with lust in their eyes anymore. I don't want to be seen as pretty. I just want to be strong. Like you" Alice confessed and Nacht gave her a sad smile, taking the pile of clothes away from her and throwing it on the floor.
"You know…" he said and took her small hand in his. "Just because you are wearing a dress it doesn't mean you can't be strong. Yes, you are beautiful and men will ogle you whatever you wear but that can be your power too. Just by rejecting something that is seen as feminine it doesn't mean you will magically keep the men away from you. Sadly, beasts exist everywhere, just know that strength will not come from the way you dress or solely from the way you look, it comes from the heart. Many men yield swords but actually they are just trash." He advised her.
"I know it's just that back there we were never allowed to wear pants. Angelica said they were difficult to take off, you got to be prepared to open your legs at any time. I do not reject my femininity and I do not wish to throw it away, all I want for now is to let my past behind and find a way to fight these wounds and fears. I want to wear pants to feel safe and away from my nightmare." She tried to explain, hoping that Nacht would understand. Yes, it was not usual even for free women to wear pants but still, now that she was trying to redefine herself she wanted to change completely, forget he frightened and soulless girl of the Black Rose. She wanted to be Alice, a magician of Sol and be proud of herself. This would be her new start. One where she would choose. From what she wanted to wear to where she would go and when she would sleep, she would be the one choosing. Everything.
"Alright then. Try this on, we don't have time so hurry up!" he told her and threw again a few pieces of clothing, pushing her behind a changing room.
He had given her a black pair of pants, similar to the ones they used in horse riding and a red loose shirt. She wore it and tried to tie the black corset he had given her, one with lace designs of roses. When she noticed it, she smirked, reminding herself of the irony and she stepped out signaling him to help her wear it.
"Too tight! Too tight!" she screeched as he pulled the strings and he laughed. He had no intention of loosening it and Alice woe with much difficulty the black boots she was given. "Why are you and I dressed so differently from the other people I saw?" she asked as she tied her hair in a high ponytail hoping that by that way she would fight off th crazy heat.
"Well, we are partners so we got to match" he said with a cheeky smile. "Also we kind of are the shadows of the kingdom. We will be doing quite a lot of dirty work. Black has been a tradition for our division. You don't like it?"
"No. I do, it's classy" she said, staring at herself in the mirror. No fancy and heavy makeup, np extravagant and revealing cheap dresses. She had never wore clothes like these but for some reason she felt utterly comfortable. She smiled and looked at Nacht. "Thank you. It's perfect."
"Well, you're welcome. So let's go stir some trouble shall we?" he asked her with a smirk and she stopped on her heels.
"Trouble? Isn't this supposed to be your family?"
"Well, yes a family that most days wants to kill each other of course." He said and wiggled his eyebrows, playfully. "This is going to be so much fun!" he exclaimed.