Her Majesty led us to a guest room in the imperial palace. We would find our change of clothes there, she said.
"New academy uniforms are lying on top of the bed, my tailor made it so it would suit you. I hope it would." Her tone was hopeful, soft and gentle as morning dew. "One more thing, you will ride out by horse through the back of the palace. Make sure no one will see you. Move as discreetly as possible."
After giving her final instructions, she separated from us and proceeded to her next courtly appointments. Her cobalt gown billowed in her wake, graceful like the calm waves in summer.
The guest room was small, the walls plastered with pink and white floral wallpapers. A metal chandelier hang in the wooden ceiling. I suppose this room was meant for some foreign dignitaries of little importance. Or officials with little influence. Even the furniture was scarce, with only a humble bed and a few sofa. A lamp, a mirror and small tables here and there.
My eyes flew towards the neatly folded uniforms on the bed. It was obvious which mine was out of the two. I trudged toward the bed, confirming that it was indeed a skirt lying on top of the blouse. The queen had not known that I preferred the other set, one that included pants instead of a skirt. But it was better than nothing.
"Lily," Nikolas called out from behind me.
I was on the process of pulling out my wig so I couldn't really turn to look at him. So instead I replied without doing so. "What is it?"
After a few struggling attempts, the entire wig was removed. Although a few pins remained on my hair. I never knew how heavy that mass of fake hair was until I got it off. My head actually feel so much lighter.
Realizing that I hadn't heard from Niko since, I decided to face him. He was about to say something, but he closed his mouth again. His gaze avoided mine, and it was as though he suddenly found the floor admirable. What, was there dirt on my face? After checking that there wasn't, I asked him,
"What's the matter?"
"Never mind, it's nothing." He marched past me and picked up the uniform provided for him. Before walking away, he said, "I'll take this part of the room."
I threw a nonchalant shoulder in the air, not bothering to understand what just got into him.
I was grateful to be rid of the corset. And as I donned the uniform, I sense of edging back into normalcy came to me. Even though it was fake, still. And that we weren't truly going back to the academy. The feel of the smooth fabric against my skin was comforting. In fact, this was much better than my old one, worn out of use. I would love to keep this.
I stepped before the floor-length mirror in the corner. I draped the half cloak over my shoulder and clasped the pin—the academy crest, made of silver metal. Next, I set the buttons into place, two for each sleeve that reached my wrists perfectly. I twisted the skirt into a secure spot, its edges two inches above my knee. I then closed the knee-high leather boots as a finality.
After all was done, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I let out a breath upon seeing myself. There, I was finally appearing like myself once more.
Footsteps pounded from the bathroom. I twisted to its direction and found Nikolas having trouble with buttoning his cuffs.
I walked toward him. "Here, let me."
Soundlessly, he handed his arm to me and allowed me to button the cuffs of his sleeves for him. His tie was skewed too, not properly tucked into the waist coat. I believed that we had to wear the uniforms well even if we weren't in academy grounds so I helped him with his tie, as well. It's a form of holding ourselves in the highest regard as students of the academy, I believe.
The entire time, Niko was quiet as a tomb. He wouldn't even look at me directly.
After straightening the fabric on his shoulders, I noticed that his neck was red as tomatoes.
"Hey, are you having a rash?" My hand was about to reach for his skin, but he immediately caught it.
"No, it's hot in here, that's all." He set down my hand and let it go carefully.
I stepped backward, perhaps I was too close. "Right, sorry."
"Don't apologize," he said with a smile. It wasn't as bright as the ones before. But at least he was looking at me now. "Thank you for this."
"Oh," I pulled myself from my reveries. "No problem, it isn't a big deal."
"If you say so," he wore his half cloak, then strode for the door. "Let's go. After you."
We exited the main palace back door, as per Her Majesty's request. Then, just as she said, a stable boy was waiting for us at the stables. The young man had already taken out two horses for us, leading them to the field.
"Ah, you must be Master Nikolas and Miss Lilibeth." The boy bowed first, then he tapped both of the horses' backs. One was black as coal, the other caramel brown. "This is Ajax and Marie, they'll be your rides for today."
I nodded, marveling the beautiful creatures. "Thank you for bringing them here."
"No worries, miss." He brought his arms behind him. "Please make sure to bring them back safe and sound."
I chuckled. "Of course, we wouldn't want to harm an imperial horse."
The stable boy was smiling, but I saw no joy in his eyes.
I cleared my throat. "All right, we'll take it from here."
The stable boy bowed and took his leave.
Now, there was the matter with choosing who would get who.
But there was no need, apparently. Nikolas had already taken a liking to Marie, the caramel mare. He mounted the saddle and grabbed the reins, eager to go.
I went to Ajax, the black steed. I greeted him hello, which was replied by a snicker, and climbed to his back effortlessly.
I eyed the woodland before us. As the queen said, we were to take the road through the forest, and then go to the main road outside the city.
The horizon was blue, clear clouds floating past the blinding sun in its highest peak. It was midday, and I hadn't had lunch yet.
I kicked the horse into a skid. "Hey Niko? Do you think we can get lunch in that town we're going?"
Niko's horse fell into place next to mine, matching the speeding pace. "I don't see why not."
His crystal eyes sparkled, like ocean beneath a spotless sky. And I knew what that sparkle meant.
I snapped the reins and leaned forward. "Last to get there pays for the meal!"