Dani was frozen for a moment, the promise of Wulfram’s lips so close for a split second, the warmth of his body stirring a heat in her own.

And then he had left, sauntering out the door with the confidence of a prince, leaving her with a mess to deal with. The two noble twits were squealing like pigs, the younger one bouncing up and down on her toes, her perfectly curled hair bouncing. The older one was at least more sedate, but no less excited or loud. Just less... jumpy. She decided to call the little one bunny for right now, until she figured out which one was Rebecca and which one was Isolde. Bunny grinned up at Dani, her eyes bright with hero worship.

Just what Dani needed right now.

“Oh my goddess! Oh my word! He almost kissed you!” Bunny squealed, taking Dani’s hands in both of hers, bouncing still. “And he’s throwing you a ball! Oh by the Starry Queen of Storms! And it’s going to be a masquerade! We haven’t had a masquerade in ages! What will you wear? What will I wear? Isolde what are you going to wear?! Mrs. Haversaun please can you get us dresses made in time?”

Dear gods above and below this girl needed some chamomile tea! Or maybe something stronger, what was more calming than chamomile tea?

“Of course I will dears. Let’s update all of your measurements, Lady Daniella needs to practice taking measure anyways.” Mrs. Haversaun pulled out three sets of sturdy white ribbons, one of which she handed to Dani, and one which she draped over her shoulder. “I know that Lady Rebecca at least has been growing since her last visit to me. So I’ll start with her, and Lady Daniella can help measure Lady Isolde.”

“But why is she taking our measure? Shouldn’t you be taking her measure?” Bunny- that is, Lady Rebecca asked. She released Dani’s hand and climbed onto a small stool that Mrs. Haversaun had pulled out for her. “Oh I can’t wait to see what you’re going to wear Lady Daniella!”

“Lady Daniella is my apprentice.” Mrs. Haversaun said with the patience of someone who worked with children often.

“You’re apprentice?” The two girls said in unison, two sets of eyes turning to pin Dani with their gaze. Dani forced a smile and nodded.

“Yes, her apprentice.” Dani repeated, and curtsied to Lady Isolde. “Please step up on the stool.”

“But that just won’t do! You’re a hero of the kingdom! And you have the prince’s eye! Surely you should be doing something better than dressmaking! No offense Mrs. Haversaun.” Lady Rebecca’s face turned red in embarrassment as she hurried to add that last part.

Lady Isolde stepped up onto her own stool, giving Lady Rebecca a stern frown. “Dressmaking is an honorable occupation, and Mrs. Haversaun is one of the best.”

“Oh you ladies are so sweet.” Mrs. Haversaun smiled. “And Lady Daniella I’m sure will go on to great things, but until then, she needs an honorable occupation. She’s quite skilled, you should see her embroidery! Simply stunning.”

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Oh jeeze, Mrs. Haversaun was laying it on thick. Dani blushed and started to follow her lead in taking Lady Isolde’s measurements, carefully marking and labeling each measurement she took. She glanced up at Mrs. Haversaun, grateful that the pair had lapsed into silence as Mrs. Haversaun explained each measurement and how to mark it on the ribbon for use later.

“But don’t you think she should be doing something like... like talking to the queen?” Lady Rebecca asked. “Or talking with the Prince!”

“Or kissing the Prince.” Lady Isolde say with an impish little smile. Dani felt the blush rising in her cheeks. The next time she saw the prince she was going to kick his ass.

“No thank you.” Dani said firmly, and folded the ribbon up, marking one end with Lady Isolde’s name. She wasn’t sure what would happen if there was more than one Lady Isolde, but she supposed either that didn’t really happen, or Mrs. Haversaun had a system.

“Lady Daniella is a bit shy.” Mrs. Haversaun said with a smile. “Now, why don’t you ladies go look at some fabrics while I take her measurements? It will only take a moment, then we can talk designs.”

“I want to wear something similar to Lady Daniella!” Lady Rebecca declared.

“Oh what Lady Daniella will be wearing is going to be a secret. After all, she’s our hero, she should be unique, don’t you agree?”

Lady Rebecca pouted, reminding Dani forcibly of Azra when she didn’t get to stay up late, or when she didn’t want to do her studies. And this was nearly a grown woman! Well, in her teens at least. “I suppose you’re right.... Let’s find some nice fabrics Isolde, perhaps a nice green....”

The two walked across the shop to the wall where Mrs. Haversaun kept samples of her fabrics, each taking up a little note card and pencil so they could mark down the ones they liked. Dani watched them for a moment, then lowered her voice to a whisper to talk to Mrs. Haversaun.

“Why are you encouraging this?”

Mrs. Haversaun chuckled and looped the ribbon around Dani’s upper arm, marking where the end touched the rest of the ribbon. “My dear, you’ve been struggling to find the thing that makes you feel alive since Najia got sick and passed way. Putting yourself more and more at risk, and trying to prove to yourself that you could control your own life. But there’s more than one way do that.”

“I sure as hell don’t feel like I’m controlling my own life right now.” Dani snorted. Reshi was demanding she didn’t steal anymore, Mrs. Haversaun was putting her to work, and now the damn prince was forcing her into this ball nonsense. Where was her control? Because she sure as hell couldn’t find it.

“I know dear, I know. Arms up.” Dani lifted her arms so that Mrs. Haversaun could measure her upper bust and bust. “Some things will always be out of our control, some things just seem like they’re out of our control. You could still do what you were doing, but you would have to be willing to pay the price. You could decide to just not go to this ball, but I think you want that little adventure.”

Willing to pay the price... she didn’t want to pay the price for going against Reshi on thieving. It would wind up with her in the dungeon, but it would also wind up alienating Reshi and possibly the rest of the family, and that would be worse. Reshi was an asshole who decided to disappear right when she needed his support, but he had raised her, and she loved him. “Why would I want to go to some fancy ball?”

Mrs. Haversaun laughed and folded the marked ribbon around her hand, writing Dani’s name on the end. “Because even as tough as you are, I remember two little girls playing fancy dress-up party in my shop when you and Therija were younger.”

Dani had to smile at that memory. She had spent so much time with Therija when they were little, living with Najia and Raycor while Reshi was off hunting. Maybe Mrs. Haversaun had a valid point. And really, what could one fancy party with a fancy dress hurt?