Friends And Family
~
The Avenues of the Town of Crimsonton
Kingdom of Velicia,
Fair Morning hours,
The Tenth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
As Amelia talked to her new companion of all the affairs of the Boutique, and particularly, the vices of Sir Grendin, they made their way towards Lady Hildeth's establishment.
"Does he victimise a lot of girls like that?" Nixie asked.
"Yes. But all the other girls have each other. So if there's someone singled out and alone, they make an easy target in his eyes", Amelia said. "So always stay close with me, alright?"
"Right", the damsel nodded. "So where do you live?" she asked.
"By the edge of Drift-Combe village", the maiden of auburn hair responded.
"Ah, so you'd be heading home the opposite way then", Nixie nodded.
"Well, yes. But my brother and I could escort you back to your uncle's place if you feel unsafe returning late", Amelia offered.
"No, it's alright. I am certain someone will be going that way and I can join them for company. But I am looking for a new place I can live in. A cottage at frugal rates, if it would be convenient", the damsel went on, thinking of her concerns.
"Nixie, there are so many of those in my neighbourhood. The village side is considerably affordable and I can accompany you every day to work and fro! We could practically help each other day to day", Amelia exclaimed, feeling excessively hopeful.
Her companion's face completely lit up from the suggestion. "I would love that! We can even enquire what places are available this evening before heading home. I am excited beyond imaginable, Mel", Nixie said, sounded as exhilarated as she was.
"Sounds like an ideal plan", Amelia nodded.
"And if you don't mind, I could even try all my new designs for garments on you when we have leisurely weekends", the damsel of vermillion hair added, with a little giggle.
"Ah that would be so wonderful. I'd be honoured, honestly", the Luna-dynn damsel laughed, before asking, "So you design clothes?"
"Well, yes. That is why Lady Hildeth's Boutique was a great offer for me when I moved to this part of the province. The exposure and the ideas will be wonderful and my art will get recognision", Nixie said, ambition crisp in her voice.
There was something about how passionate she was that made Amelia want to have her own such signature. And to her, it was writing.
She loved spending time with her new friend and given how sweet the damsel was, Amelia could see that they would have a great time eventually. In fact, she wondered if she could share most of the things happening in her life, such as the Reading Association, the fiasco of how she was saved by a mysterious man named Lance from Sir Grendin, her date that night with Knight Erion…
And that was when Amelia realised that she would not be free enough to attend to the evening plans of finding Nixie a new cottage if she was away with Erion. "Ah dear I just remembered", she began, turning to her soft orange haired companion. "I have someone I will be meeting tonight. I am so sorry, Nixie"
"Aw, that's completely alright, Mel. We have a long time left at our disposal, there's no rush", her friend brushed it off.
"No, but Jasper, my brother, should be coming by to pick me up. He could be your escirt for the time being", Amelia tried to make amends of her situation.
"Oh that would be wonderful. And I can make friends with him as well, since we will be soon neighbours", Nixie smiled.
"Perfect!" she clapped her hands, realising that she was sweet hearted. After all, Knight Erion had not wanted to meet Jasper and Amelia was glad that Nixie was not uptight like he was.
There was a warm feeling though, when she thought of how the man had mentioned that he wanted to get to know her above all else and that he did promise to help her little brother as the time passed.
By then, the two had reached the Boutique, despite how slowed their stride was by conversations. They placed the bottles of dye on the table and Amelia noticed that Lady Hildeth had not arrived for the day.
"I will introduce you to her Ladyship as soon as she comes. For now, though, we can relax and do odd jobs around the place" she told Nixie, as she walked over to her table.
There were beads and sequences that her friend was sorting while Amelia took to chiselling some wires into hooks and sewing them to bodices.
"So", Nixie began, with a peculiar look in her eyes, like she was interested. "Who are you meeting tonight? I assume it is someone special?"
"Oh no, no", Amelia shook her head, although she could not help the smile and blush that blossomed across her cheeks. "It's just someone who offered to dine with me."
"Oh so he proposed the date?" the damsel asked, giggling.
"Well yeah, but I'm sure it isn't as romantic as you imagine", the damsel of dark brown haired covered her face in her hands.
"Is that so?" Nixie laughed. "I'm sure it is. And who is it?"
"Well, it's the Head Knight of our region. Knight Erion", Amelia smiled, feeling warm and fuzzy within.
"Oh", her friend's brows shot up. "I did not know he was seeing someone."
"Well, we aren't seeing each other. We only just met a few days ago", the damsel replied, noticing that Nixie's expression was unsure.
"And he asked for dining with you already?" Nixie nodded.
"Well yes. I am not sure what his intentions are. I first thought he was in some relationship with Miss Charlene Walterus", Amelia began.
"Oh, I feared the same thing! He's seen paying her far too many visits. Please be careful, Mel. I did not know how to say it to you", the damsel of orange hair relented to her concerns.
"Yes, that is what I had bothering my mind as well. But he visits the estate as part of her Reading Association. He's been showing me some inevitable signs of interest, but I don't intend to invest my heart in this until I speak with Miss Charlene herself and I am certain they are in no relationship", Amelia said.
"I am glad your plans are safe. It is the wiser thing to do", Nixie acknowledged. "But tell me, Mel, how did you dare begin to fancy him?"
"Well", the damsel of auburn hair blushed. "I suspect he was the one who saved me one night from a perilous predicament. He was hooded and I could not see his face, and his identity was under cover. But he was in his knight gear and I strongly feel like it was him."
"Aw", Nixie cooed. "Then I presume he fancies you as well."
~