"Edward, I-I am to depart for a few weeks." I announced, after a moment's hesitation. Edward looked awfully confused, supposedly trying to figure out why I was to leave.
"Why must you leave, Elaine? For what?"
"This season's debutante balls; father wishes to for me to have courtships and then marry me off. Then I shall no longer be his burden."
Edward only hugged me tighter, rubbing comfortable circles upon my back which calmed me considerably. "Do you know what I could possibly do? I cannot take you with me so you shall be susceptible to harm." Asked I, burying my face deeper into the soft cotton of his dress-shirt. Edward had remained silent for a few seconds as he thought, taking his hands from my back and to my shawl where he repositioned the garment.
"You needn't worry, Elaine; I am strong enough now thanks to your efforts. It would also be a good chance for me to accompany my mother." Said he, patting my head in appreciation. I once again felt that inevitable feeling of concord within my soul as Edward blessed me with his touch, his efforts to palliate any unfortunate circumstance I had been dragged into worked like a fairy's magical charm."Are you certain that is the most logical idea? You are returning to the village and something may occur, and I will not be there to help you!"
"Elaine, you must understand that I am no longer the helpless child I once was and that I am able to fend for myself."
It was not a lie, Edward had grown stronger and more diligent by the day alas, I had feigned to notice his improvement due to my selfish insecurities. Although as agitated as he had become, I persevered noting my concerns. "Edward, you must understand that I weigh your life more than my own. Please, you must understand!" Cupping my cheek with his hand, brushing away the stray hairs that had fallen from my updo.
"If you do not value your own life as much as mine, then there is no sense in caring for me."
"Edward! I do—"
"Hush, hush!" Edward placed his forefinger onto my lips, silencing my excuses. "Now, you will believe in what I say and enjoy yourself at this debutante, that is all I ask of you, Elaine." Said he, his voice calming the tempestuous feelings within me.
"I cannot and shall not enjoy it! I am not in need of a husband because my heart belongs to you, Edward. I love—"
"Mistress Elaine! The seamstress has arrived!" A voice bellowed from the other side of the door. My suspicions told me it was Millie warning me to hide all evidence that someone was within my room.
Hastily passing the warning onto the flustered Edward who stood as rigid as a frozen tree branch alas, there was no time to concern myself with his problems at this very moment. Leading him over to the mahogany wardrobe that stood within the corner of the room, I promptly opened the doors and thrust Edward inside, closing them and repeatedly apologising for my rough actions. Brushing down the loose hairs upon my head and flattening the visible creases within the fabric of my dress. Satisfied with my appearance, I made my way over to the bedroom door and cautiously opened it, revealing the seamstress who had Millie by her side.
"Madamoiselle! Je suis là!" Exclaimed she, leaping over to inspect every inch of my figure as if she were some mad doctor arrogated with excitement. Bombarded with her curious hands, I failed to notice Millie make her way in, sighing and shaking her head in disapproval. "Mistress, I introduce to you Madame Baudelaire of Dames du modèle." Announced Millie, to which I curtseyed in sync with the seamstress.
"A pleasure, Mademoiselle." Madame Baudelaire said with her thick French accent.
"The pleasure is all mine, Madame. I thank you for visiting me today." I thanked the woman, grateful that she had not made such a scene about my eyes.
Scampering over with all materials cradled within her arms, madame Baudelaire directed me to stand in front of a large mirror. Millie was also needed to aid in the removal of my clothes, stripping me down to my chemise that hung from my petite body like a piece of fabric that was caught on the branch of a tree. Millie had also become quite distraught as she noticed how skeletal I had become; although before she could mention the issue, madame Baudelaire had enthusiastically broken the silence with her emphatically loud voice. "Cela fera l'affaire!" Rushing over within a flash, the jubilant seamstress bounded over and began taking my measurements.
"Madamoiselle, did you have anything in mind? I would be delighted to take any requests." Asked she, looking over my corpse-like reflection within the mirror.
"I am quite unclear on what I desire, for I have never been to a ball of any sort. What must I wear?"
"Why, mademoiselle, you shall be the cynosure of the ball! And for that to happen, you must look the part."
Taking the last few measurements, she picked out a roll of Prussian-blue satin and another roll of pure-white satin, presenting them to me in an orderly fashion. "Do tell me, what colour catches your eye the most, mon chéri?" Gazing at the glistering white satin fabric, I was impelled to choose that so it may not clash with my irises, alas I must say that the Prussian blue strongly reminded me of Edward's gorgeous eyes; it had also reminded me that he was still trapped within the closet, most likely yearning to be set free. "The blue shall be lovely, madame."
"Magnifique! I shall return to you in a few days with your dress, mademoiselle!" The diligent seamstress proclaimed, gathering all her materials and making her way to the door. As Millie opened the door, Madame Baudelaire curtseyed and left the room with Millie, finally giving me a moment to release Edward from his cramped hiding place. Rushing over to the wardrobe and opening the door, I had begun to profusely apologise for the predicament I had constrained him to.
"Edward, I truly am sorry—" Opening the doors to release poor Edward, I was suddenly embraced by Edward, his soft lips clashing with my own. The action was so sudden that I thought my body had overheated and ceased to function normally; the butterflies that fluttered within the depths of my stomach had risen, and my face the colour of the reddest rose. Cupping my cheeks with his calloused hands, Edward broke the kiss to gaze into my eyes.
"Elaine, had you meant the things you said?" Edward asked earnestly, looking deeply into my eyes. I smiled at his loving gaze, making me realise that the feelings that I contemplated within me, were true.
"Yes, Edward, of course."