Charlie brushed the folds of her skirt as they walked down the street. Instead of wearing one of the ridiculously large dresses Wade kept having sent to her room, she got away with the final outfit Gabby made for her: A pinstripe, high waist skirt with built-in suspenders over a ruffled collared white blouse. It reminded her of the uniform she used to wear as a nanny. It was playfully short at just above her knee with enough ruffles to give it a bit of volume.

“You enjoy showing off your beautiful skin, don’t you?” Wade teased.

“I like being able to move comfortably.”

The dozen or so knights around them were retainers of the Everleigh estate. Charlie quickly understood that she would have to nearly blow up an entire building to sneak out on her own without anyone under their influence. It was an exciting change to be waited on constantly, but it felt suffocating quickly. Even the staff quickly got annoyed with how often she sent them away to have a moment of alone time.

Though most of her days were spent outside in the beautiful garden, reading in a large library, riding horses, or relaxing by a fireplace. Wade always stayed at her side unless he had other family business to tend to. It only took her a day to realize the constant care and attention he gave her was something she always wanted. In the constant romantic comedy setting, she felt happy. The tempting offer to accept his proposal was always in the back of her mind, but it still felt like a trap.

Charlie refused to fall for any more traps.

The attunement center was still half a day away from where she was staying and hadn’t started the next round of applicants for testing yet. So, after two weeks of being cooped up in the manor, she caved and let him escort her around town. After all, she would have to spend time outside of the estate eventually.

“You’re supposed to be picking out a dress for the ball, my lady.”

“Can you please cut that shit out when it’s just us?” She rolled her eyes, “It’s ridiculous,”

“This debutante business you spoke of really turned you away from being a proper lady, didn’t it?” He raised an eyebrow, “It must have been terrible.”

“Where did you think I got the practice to efficiently shut down your entire family?” She laughed, “Not reacting to pointed comments, snide remark, and outright insults was my entire childhood.”

“I am glad you aren’t embarrassing me, expect around the retainers,” He looked around to the knights that stood a comfortable difference away, “But most of them are loyal to me, so they won’t tattle on your bad behavior.”

“Don’t worry, when I’m out of here, you won’t have to worry as much,” She pulled the mug from a belt at her waist and looked for the light.

“Still nothing?”

“No.”

The sadness in her voice caught him off guard, “Do you think they left to find you?”

“I don’t know,” She clasped the mug back to her belt, “I hope not.”

“I’ve had our men searching for the seamstress. A small green woman appeared on this street a couple of months ago. Nobody has seen her since.”

“You should have them look for Piper instead,” Charlie snorted, “A smoking hot woman with a bird companion? There can’t be that many.”

“I’m not going to tell my staff to look for an attractive woman for me when you’re right here,” He winked, “Ask Adiona if she can sense them.”

“I’ve tried that. I can only identify things in a certain range.”

“Well, according to my sources, a lion fellow was seen near the attunement center last month. Do you want to check there?”

“Yes. Speaking of, have you looked into the other manner?”

“Of the other lions? I sent some scouts out, but it’ll will cost you extra for any information they bring back,” Wade chided her, “Especially after sending that cart of supplies towards that Hedgethorn camp at your request. He enjoyed your letter.”

“That’s good. I felt terrible about that spell thing,” She frowned.

“I’m sure you can make it up to me, since I paid for it for you,” He grinned mischievously.

“Still not going to marry you.”

“You’re lucky my sister is against it, or you would already be mine,” Wade teased, “I’m sure she’ll come around, just as you will.”

Charlie grabbed his arm and the two strolled down the street. The impressive number of people that stopped to bow or kneel to them still astounded her. Given his family owned about one hundred acres of land around the town, he was well known.

“Here’s that dress shop I was talking about,” He opened the door, “Pick whatever you’d like. We can have it tailored immediately They already know your dimensions.”

“Can’t I just wear one I already have?”

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“The dresses you wear nearly every day?” He snorted, “No. It’s a special occasion. Something new and bold.”

Charlie rolled her eyes and walked around the shop. Most of the saleswomen flocked to Wade to ask him what she wanted to wear –despite her being right there. They all looked like sisters or cousins with matching black hair, blue eyes, and dark skin. She ignored them and looked at spools of fabric on the other wall. When she looked back, his pale green eyes followed her.

“I think she likes the brown fabric, but it won’t stand out enough for our guest of honor,” He hummed, “Perhaps a brilliant blue? It would make her hazel eyes pop.”

“I have just the thing!”

When the bell above the door chimed again, she heard a gasp. Charlie turned to see a beautiful redhead cover her mouth and rush to Wade’s side. The pale green dress with large, bustled waist seemed like the small woman would snap in half if she tripped. Her exaggeratedly childish voice seemed disingenuous and the giggle irritated Charlie.

“My lord! You’re alive and well. I tried to visit, but the servants always told me you were busy. My goodness, you must have gained more muscle since the last time I saw you,” She squeezed his arm, “You never even responded to my letters, either. I was worried sick!”

“Lady Denna,” He cleared his throat to break up his disgruntled expression, “Good afternoon.”

“There was a rumor that you were so unwell that a physician had to sit by you for nearly a month!” She tried to caress his face.

He pulled her wrist away, “I only needed a healer for perhaps a day.”

Charlie saw how cold he was, and a smile spread on her lips. Wade clearly didn’t like this woman for a reason. Perhaps her shrill voice or overly familiar behavior.

“My father is still waiting to hear from the countess about our marriage proposal,” She curled a red lock around her finger, “Have you two discussed it?”

“Straight to the point, as always.”

Charlie chuckled at how the woman threw herself at him and he wanted nothing to do with her. It was almost comical, given he insisted to marry her. She wondered if that was typical around here. She almost pitied the woman, but felt Wade needed to be bothered before she stepped in. Plus, she didn’t know how often someone else would make him uncomfortable and annoyed.

“You know, I have been waiting nearly two months for a reply. I heard that the countess gave you your mother’s ring to propose with,” She giggled, “I was the same size as her, you know.”

“You brought that up when we were younger.”

“I also heard that you may need a date to the ball. I’m more than available. I’ve even turned down a few offers so you wouldn’t have to worry about it.”

When Charlie saw him clutch his fist, she decided to step in.

“Wade,” She called as she passed a mannequin with a giant dress on it, “I think I’ve decided on –oh. Hello.”

“Who is this?” The woman scowled.

“This,” He peeled her fingers from him, “—is Lady Charlotte. My personal guest for the last month. We are out shopping for her dress. My lady, this is Lady Denna Astra. Her father invested land into the attunement center.”

“Lovely to meet you,” Charlie curtsied, “As I was saying, I think I found the fabric I want.”

“Wonderful!” He smiled, “Show me.”

“Lady Charlotte, do you need help?” Denna raised an eyebrow as she looked at her clothes, “It seems you don’t know the current fashion trends. I would hate for you to embarrass yourself.”

Charlie knew the next round of insults began. Fortunately, she could be just as big of a mean girl as the next woman.

“I don’t get embarrassed easily,” She shrugged, “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“I see,” The woman clutched a lace fan in her hand, “How might you know my lord?”

“Lady Charlotte saved my life. The ball tonight is partially dedicated to celebrating her because of that,” He smirked victoriously, “So, I will be escorting her.”

“Well,” She crossed her arms, “Good thing I’m also here to look at dresses for the ball.”

“I would think you already had yours, Lady Denna.”

“Wade, stop being so formal,” She chuckled and fanned herself, “I don’t mind you being casual. You can call me Deedee, just as you did when we were younger.”

“Lady Denna,” One of the saleswomen interrupted, “Are you here to buy from us again?”

“Of course! But, let Lord Wade’s guest find what she needs. I’m sure she’ll need much more guidance than I will when it comes to appropriate attire.”

He scowled and started to raise his voice, “Lady—”

“Wade, darling,” Charlie drummed her fingers on his chest, “It’s fine. Your friend wants to make sure I don’t embarrass you.”

“You can’t just call him by his—!”

“You’re right,” He smiled as he picked up what she was saying, “I just don’t want you to feel pressured. You don’t need to worry about embarrassing me. You never could, my lady.”

Denna’s face turned a shade of red that she didn’t know existed.

“You know you should only call me Wade when we’re alone,” He grabbed a lock of her hair and kissed it gently, “I would hate for someone to try to punish you, my lady.”

“Sorry! After all the time we spent together, it seems so odd to call you by a title,” She forced a blush, “I will try to be better.”

“Do so,” He winked and looked up to the clerk, “As you were saying?”

“Very well, Miss Charlotte,” The clerk said to avoid the confrontation, “Please show me what you would like.”

Charlie guided them to a silky blue fabric and pointed towards the mannequin’s example of shape. As they spoke logistics, Denna walked over.

“Oh, terribly sorry, but if you check my account –” She smirked, “You’ll see that I’ve already purchased that.”

Wade furrowed his brow, “Clerk, go check then. Unless she’s already paid for it, I’m buying whatever my lady wants.”

“I think you’ll find that I have. Isn’t that right, Esmeralda?” The woman squeaked at his stressed word, “I do come purchase dresses in here nearly weekly. I would hate for it to have already been purchased and I take my business elsewhere.”

“It would truly be a shame if I checked that anything purchased here was properly taxed, filed correctly, and accounted for if any of my family’s funds were concerned. That may put the shop out of business for at least a month for a proper inventory.”

Charlie saw the woman’s panic as the other two glared at each other. She patted the woman’s hand to pull her aside. As they pulled bundles of fabric to examine, she whispered to her.

“Listen, I can tell she’s going to be an uptight bitch about this. Don’t risk your livelihood because Lord Wade is here,” She winked, “I’ll make sure you stay in business. I have a knack for making sure things go my way.”

The woman nervously fidgeted, “Thank you, Miss Charlotte. I’m counting on you.”

As the clerk walked off, Denna followed a few steps behind her. Wade glared at the woman. Charlie put a hand on his chest and leaned to whisper in his ear.

“I’m guessing that’s the marriage you were running away from?”

“She’s an insufferable woman.”

“Then, let me do what I do best. There’s no need to be cruel to the shopkeeper,” She chuckled, “Put your hand low on my hip when you see them coming back.”

“What is your plan?”

“I’m going to piss her off and make her spend money. There’s no need to hurt this woman’s business because your ex is a bitch.”

“Not my ex. I never courted her.”

“Oh, that’ll make this far more fun. Her daddy’s wallet only goes so deep, I assume. Just don’t take it too far.”

“I’ll follow your lead, then.”

“Get a bit handsy,” She chuckled, “Just don’t embarrass yourself.”