She stood in front of the mirror, fiddling with her dress as she fussed over it, adjusting her collar, running her hands over her waist to smooth it.
"Do I...look okay?" She examined her reflection in the mirror critically. "I think I look okay..."
She grabbed her hairbrush, attempting to fix her hair, pulling the ends into some semblance of neatness.
Ughhh I'm so nervous...
Her chest was tight and she could barely draw in a breath as she checked her reflection again, feeling her face grow hot.
"No! It looks even worse!!" She cried out, and turned away from the mirror quickly as tears welled up in the corner of her eyes. "What should I do?!"
"Are you okay...?"
She spun around immediately, upon hearing Adrien's concerned voice. "Oh...! Oh gosh I-uh, I mean..." She frantically waved her hands, eyes wide in shock. "Um, Prince Adrien-!"
His brows knitted together in concern, his eyes reflecting worry as he gazed back at her. "Have I interrupted something...?" He asked cautiously. "If you prefer to eat in your room..."
"No, it's..." She stopped talking immediately, and then her voice trailed off.
What was she even going to say?
"Ah..."
The prince looked at her strangely.
"You...seem to be suffering." His soft purple eyes peered into her own with such genuine concern that she was left speechless for a moment. "Were you struggling with your hair? Would you like some help?"
She felt a tiny blush heat up her face. "Ahaha....! S-sorry...um, maybe it's silly but..." She sighed loudly and hung her head.
"I wanted to look perfect for our date - -I mean, our dinner! - but...this is the nicest outfit I have...I have a feeling this is nothing compared to the nobles here..."
He looked thoughtful. "...I believe you are more stunning than any noble." He took her hand gently in his.
"Allow me to assist you." He ran his thumb over the back of her hand before he lifted it and pressed his lips to the backs of her fingers. "It would be my pleasure, Lady Emily."
The blush spread rapidly across her face.
The gesture was innocent enough, but combined with the way he looked at her, the gentleness in his eyes, the heat of his breath against her skin...she was helplessly transfixed.
His gaze lingered for several moments longer before he lowered his hand. "Are you...truly that self conscious?"
"Nnnggg...." She nodded hesitantly, clutching her dress. "Everyone here is so...beautiful! Even the lowliest maid or servant looks more polished than me!! The world I'm from - well, the part I'm from - it...I'm not...good looks aren't really..."
Her words faltered at the confused look he gave her.
Ah...wait...what exactly did he think I meant, when I said that?
Adrien took a step back from her. "Do you consider yourself unattractive?"
She shrugged helplessly, looking down at the ground. "Not like a beauty...average. A girl with average looks that blends into the background."
The prince seemed stunned.
She tried to laugh it off but it sounded a little awkward even to her own ears.
"I...have good enough personality though! That's what's important." She shot him a shaky, wavering smile. "And I...make good food. If there's anything...I could try to..."
A warm, firm hand cupped her chin and tilted her head upward.
He looked deeply into her eyes, his gaze searching and curious.
There was a light dusting of pink on his cheeks, his violet eyes shining with warmth and a hint of sadness.
Her breath caught in her throat.
She could feel the warmth of his touch, the gentle pressure of his fingers beneath her jawline, the soft caress of his thumb across her cheekbone as he traced it lightly.
"...You're wrong." His voice was so soft, so quiet, yet he managed to convey the weight of his words, the depth of emotion behind them.
Her heart pounded painfully in her chest and her eyes widened involuntarily at the intensity of his stare, which didn't let up, even as he spoke. "You're more than beautiful, Emily..."
His eyes.
She could...get lost in those beautiful eyes of his.
He's...got some nerve...calling me beautiful when he's so gorgeous super models would be jealous...!
Her face heated, as she realized just how close she was standing to him, and she quickly looked away from him, flustered, hand to her lips.
"A-ah!" She coughed. "Dinner...dinner! I must...be late for dinner, that's why you're here...!"
He laughed quietly at her and his lips curled into a small, almost imperceptible smile.
He seemed...pleased by her reaction.
Was that the reaction he wanted...?
"...Forgive me...for embarrassing you, my dear." He smiled down at her, his gaze fond as he offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
She giggled nervously, looking up at him and feeling a flush spread across her cheeks as she noticed the amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Y-yes." She stammered. "Yes, that's..."
She accepted his arm, gripping it tightly, feeling the firm muscle beneath his jacket flex beneath her grasp.
His skin felt incredibly warm.
Hot, almost.
"...You seem distracted, Emily."
"No. Not at all! I just..." She cleared her throat again, looking at their arms linked together. "...You are...very handsome, too."
He seemed genuinely taken aback by that. "Am I...?"
She tilted her head curiously. "Yes? Very...quite a lot...actually." She could feel herself blushing more the longer she spoke. "It's very distracting..."
Adrien's lips parted slightly as if he wanted to speak, then closed.
The smile on his face seemed...flattered.
Flattered?
But before she could dwell on it any further, he tightened his grip on her hand and began leading her down the hall, towards the dining room. "If I'm so...distracting, I will do my best to control myself. Forgive me, my lady."
"Eh...? N-no need to-"
Wait-
That was....
There was a playful edge in the corners of his lips!
He's teasing me!
She followed after him quickly. "So this whole time it's been-! Y-you! Aghhhh!"
He smiled at her, his expression so very pleased as he held out her chair for her before moving to sit at his seat at the end of the table. "There is one thing, however." He spoke softly. "Every word spoken about your beauty, I meant."
His words left her breathless.