There was much to learn, and very little time to learn it. Gunter and Zeven both decided it would be best if Gunter handled most of the teaching, leaving Zeven free to make preparations.
He left almost immediately after it was decided. Heading off into town to gather supplies.
Gunter shared the same expidence, not waiting a moment before starting.
The lessons ranged from manners and etiquette to dancing and speaking. The goal was to pass her off as a forigen princess. With her masculine training it made things harder, having to relearn every behaviour, each step taken in a different stride, words on a different tongue.
After an hour sitting at the table, being quizzed on proper responses and vocabulary it was time to move on to a different subject. Dancing.
"Just reverse what you usually do."
"That's easier said than done."
She felt incredibly silly as she stepped around the room trying to keep time with Gunters snaps. Her hands were on her hips as she lunged about.
"Try floating with each step."
"That is not how gravity works."
Gunter moved up from the chair, "That's enough, I don't foresee this getting better anytime soon," he said patiently, but Chris felt the sting in his words, "Let's move to the kitchen, we'll try something else while I prepare lunch."
***
Zeven returned from the market with several items in hand, a shoe box in addition to several dessert items. He set the box on the coffee table in the common room before making his way to grab something for dinner. His stomach growling at the thought. He turned the corner into the kitchen, only to see Chris happily munching on a sandwich while Gunter discussed proper feminine etiquette. It seemed like she had all but tuned out everything that he was saying, content to just have something to eat.
"You're just wasting your breath, I doubt she's even listened to anything you said." He sat down the assorted pastries on the counter, grabbing one for himself.
"I disagree, she's making good progress in certain areas."
Chris let the conversation carry over her head. Now eating faster, just in case.
"She just isn't feminine, this was such a stupid idea."
"Chris, please show him what we have been working on."
She looked up at both of them and all but threw her sandwich back onto the plate. Guessing it was too much to even hope for a break. Chris took a deep breath in holding it as she readjusted on the stool.
Zeven watched as her cheeks reddened slightly and she shifted in her seat. Her hands fidgeted in her lap before spreading and relaxing them as she exhaled.
Tilting her head up slightly, her big grey eyes twinkled sweetly. Completely encased by thick blonde eyelashes, her gaze seemed to plead with him and tempt him at the same time. Her lips parted slightly, looking pinker and fuller than usual. She blinked slowly and her mouth pulled into a half smile.
With a gentle lift, she moved her hand to cover Zeven's. Slipping her hand inside his and pulling his down slightly. Guiding his touch, she placed his hand on her cheek. Her hand was now on the outside and her slender fingers began trailing up his arm. Turning her head into his touch she first kissed his fingers with her eyelashes and then his palm with her lips.
Each movement was achingly slow, and her eyes were always fixed on his. Trapping him in an inescapable prison. She released her spell all too soon as Gunter spoke.
"With a few moments like that, there will be no one denying her love for you."
With the moment broken, Zeven's senses came back to him like the rush of the tide. The pastry in his hand previously forgotten lost its apparel. Wordlessly he looked at Gunter and then back down to Chris. The look on her face was still enchanting, her eyes were excited and both corners of her delicate lips turned up in a real smile.
Giving no warning Zeven slammed the dessert on the table before he left the room. The smile on Chris's face disappeared as she dashed out after him. Stopping him by grabbing onto his arm, he whipped around to face her.
"I don't like it. You don't even look like yourself."
"Isn't that a good thing in this case?"
"At least you're having fun-"
"Don't forget I'm doing this for you. Not because I like it."
Realizing that he had his hands on either side of her as he pinned her to the wall. He wasn't sure when he moved to this position, it seemed like in the span of a breath he reached out to her.
"It's just-"
"Just what? That I look like my mother?"
"Not at all," Zeven swallowed hard as he tried to find the words, "It's just… You are… I can't... This was a foolish idea." he leaned forward. Resting his head on her shoulder, while keeping her trapped between his arms. When he exhaled, she could feel it on her neck, as it lifted stray strands of hair up and then back down.
His hands remained where they were, not daring to travel the few inches between them to wrap around her waist and intertwine with her hair.
He muttered something into her neck, sending a tickling sensation throughout her body. Catching her in between laughing and pushing him away. But she was not the one to move first, instead, Zeven pushed back against the wall moving further away from her.
When he looked back down at her, she wore a similar expression to the one that Gunter had taught her. He longed to bend down ever so slightly and capture her rosy lips. Almost convincing himself that she wouldn't resist if he did. And yet, the more he looked at her, the more guilty he felt.
"I'm going to bed."
"It's hardly past noon."
He pulled completely away.
"I'm tired. Please let Gunter know where I went."
And with that he made his way upstairs.