[littl3chocobo]

those eyes again. he gritted his teeth though he did not look away. "no. you will have yours, i will have mine, there is no more sharing of this than bed-chambers, it is not proper little heathen." finally he looked away. "on the mater of propriety, where are your servants? you are a woman, you should not be alone"

[Honey]

Though the man looked away, the marquess continued to gaze at him, eyes taking in the details of the matured face in stride. "My lady of waiting left to speak with the help of the manor, and sent me here to keep me occupied while she finished her business." Shifting his weight, he could feel the tightness of the corset squeezing at his torso and let out a small huff. "She told me she would be returning shortly, though she seems to be running long..." Placing his gaze back to the door of the manor, his thoughts now captured by the truth he'd just spoken. "Perhaps I ought to go find her, it truly is improper for a lady to be without her maid," His voice fell to little more than a murmur as he turned back to face the prince. "I will see you at dinner this evening?"

[littl3chocobo]

feeling the conversation move to safer grounds he relaxed slightly though he still did not dare look at her lest she still was making eyes at him, "i would suppose as much, it is a dinner in your honor, you are expected to come and be seen by the household."

[Honey]

He felt amused by the blush he could spot playing at the cheeks of the prince, even though he found himself getting flustered as well. While he knew by hindsight that he would catch the attention of many on his visit to the duke's palace, he was still taken aback by being shown off as an exhibition during the dinner. What pride could anyone take in living such a life, being paraded about like this? He felt as though he was some delicate flower in a showcase, whose sole purpose was to be shown for all to see. Feeling the blush begin to recede with irritation and the indignation of being paraded around, the marquess turned his eyes back to the prince a he offered a half smile. "Well I assure you I will be there this evening, and I will make sure to dress my best. Best to impress." Dipping into a curtsy, he offered the prince a smile and a subtle wink before heading off towards the castle to locate his missing lady in wait.

[littl3chocobo]

he stayed in the after she left and even went so far as to retrieve the plucked flower though he crushed it as soon as he realized what he was doing. turning away he stomped over to where the sweets lay and tossed the ruined blossoms on top. "damn witchy thing"

[Honey]

"Are you sure this is the best dress to wear this evening? It seems to favor the bust and well...I am afraid I have none." Watching his figure grow slim in the mirror once again as the maid tightened the strings of the corset giving him the true illusion of both bust and hips, he pursed his lips curiously. "By the time your outfit is complete you will appear to have one, which is what we are aiming for." Lifting his hands to cup at the top hem of the corset, he was surprised to find just enough slack that could easily pass for breasts. That is...small ones, but breasts none the less. With the final string of the corset tightened and tied off, the maid pulled him from his temporary fantasy by nudging him to step into his gown. Watching with careful eyes as the deep plum colored cloaked his pale and hardly masculine body, the marquess could not help but feel as if his appearance had been truly transformed from himself to his sister. Minus the adder tongue. With only a brush of powder, a pair of painfully tight shoes shoved onto his feet, and a wig pinned to his head, he felt ready to brave the crowds and scrutinizing looks that were sure to be present at dinner. Dipping into a heavily flourished curtsy towards the maid, he started towards the door with a blank faced maid following behind.

[littl3chocobo]

he would be lying if he did not admit she was beautiful even by the low flickering light in the dining-hall. the fabric she wore looked as black as any mourning dress until it grew close enough to the flames spread all about and glowed a red so dark as to be blue or pitch underneath. he wondered if the dress was worn to spite or to tease. as she daintily took her seat and gave him a long blank inquisitive stare he settled on it being a threat

[Honey]

Though he could feel many of the guest’s gazes focused on him as he swished into the dining hall, though only one slate colored pair was caught in his sight. The look seemed so curious, but not entirely innocent, and it stole his interest immediately. With heels clicking softly against the wood of the hall as the marquess slowly stepped towards his seat, the narrow width of his shoes keeping him from moving any faster without taking a tumble to the floor. Truth be told? He hated the shoes, and all the others he’d brought as well. With his long dresses and gowns, he pondered how hard it would be to go barefoot, or wear his own shoes underneath. He liked that idea, but it just was not possible without having someone take notice. Which, would only end in question of his ability to act as the prince’s wife. Shaking the thoughts from his head with the slightest shake of his head, his attention was brought back to the present just in time to see one of the help pulling his chair out. Taking his seat as lady-like as he could manage with the tight contours of his dress and his heels. By the time he’d taken his seat, many of the stares he’d managed to grab as he entered had found something better to offer their attention to. Though, the same one that had taken his attention originally, caught his gaze again. Allowing for an amused smile to play at the corner of his lips, he could not help but flutter his eyelashes at the prince whilst offering an inquiring gaze.

[littl3chocobo]

he flushed and angrily turned away at the woman's insolence. it soon found it's way back after a few moments though and he was greeted with a surprised look instead, carefully he pulled his face back into it's earlier inconspicuous staring. he would hold her gaze until she submitted

[Honey]

The prince’s pride was readily visible through dusky eyes and visible actions, and it amused the marquess. He could not help averting his gaze from the prince to pay his proper respect to any who offered words or questions, though his sight always jumped back to the intent gaze that seemed to be fixated on him. As everyone began to navigate towards their seats for the eve, he found a comfortable break in the conversations, and took the opportunity to look back at the prince. Offering a coy smile and a slight raise of his eyebrows, he watched curiously for the response he was to receive.

[littl3chocobo]

she ws certainly the viper he remembered but the tricks she played now were a woman's tricks and not a child's. he was growing accustomed to the the glances but when she stopped to make those eyes again he felt the heat rise in his face and hastily left the table. he would not admit his shame in losing

[Honey]

The dinner seemed much less amusing after the prince left. He was bothered that he decided to leave over something so menial, but the other guests seemed much less interested in his common antics. His mind remained plagued with thoughts of the prince and his early exit, even when he was ushered along with the rest of the women as they left the dining hall. Deciding he’d make an attempt to question the prince on his evasive when they ran into one another again.

[littl3chocobo]

he wandered through the halls aimlessly until the eating portion of meal was over then found his legs carrying him towards the women's quarters where he took up guard. common sense told him that as a future member of the house his bride-to-be would be with other ranking females opposed to the hall where guests were kept. he did not have to wait long before his gamble paid off and the sound of chattering signaled the arrival of the flock. he made sure to stay out of sight

[Honey]

The prattle of the women was stimulating, not at all what the marquess was used to hearing when he remained at the table with the men. They did not speak of political issues or their experiences in their bedchambers, but rather they enjoyed to share the gossip they gathered amongst the help or those who came to visit the manor. Making the decision that he wasn’t completely swayed to the women’s way of conversing, the marquess also determined that given time he would soon come to understand and participate with them as avidly as their seasoned members. Having fallen free of their conversation into his own thoughts, he was pulled back when words of the prince and his sudden exit were brought up in the lady’s conversations. Lending an ear, he turned his full attention to those leading the chatter. “It’s rather unfortunate that he left the table so early in the dinner, usually he at least sticks around long enough to offer a word or two to the conversation, but today he gave none.” “It truly is unfortunate. I only wish I knew why he decided to leave so early this evening, it was a very important dinner. He was expected to be there just as much as Lady Avery was. Don’t you agree?” He was provided with a glance or two from the dolled up girls, and realizing that he was expected to give a response he nodded. “Yes, I truly would have expected for him to stay, at least for this eve’s dinner, since it was one of importance to me. But what can a lady do?” Earning a handful of chuckles from a few of the ladies, the marquess allowed for a smile of both amusement and relief to cross his features as he realized his words were taken so easily.

[littl3chocobo]

the woman's words angered him. it was her fault he had left entirely and yet she was laying grief on him for not being there? only years of spying on others kept him from giving himself away to confront the vile little water nix and call her out on her feigned ignorance. as she drew closer and entered into the chambers he also realized this would not be to way to catch her either, not with a crowd. as quietly as he came he left the woman's hall again to his garden to rethink his plans on figuring out what her motives were and getting her to stop without the shame of doing it in front of others

[Honey]

The women all fell away from the group as they felt ready to retire, their evening of joking and gossip having tired them out to their fullest. With his lack of participation the marquess was left still willing to talk in chat, but none of the ladies remained for him to engage in conversation. Sending a glance down the hall towards the doors of his bedchambers, the idea of retiring so early did not appeal. His mind drew to the judgement of taking the peaceful hours he had remaining, and using them to finish his abruptly ended exploration of the morning. Turning back to the stairs, he quietly clicked back down the richly colored stairs to find his way back out to the garden