“Would you like me to brush your hair for you miss,” Krista asked as she stood off to Elica’s side.

“I can do this by myself,” she responded, forcing the brush through her still damp hair.

“Very well, though it would certainly be my pleasure to tend you, especially when it comes to something as special as your hair.”

“It’s really fine, I’ve always done this myself,” she lied as she ripped through a knot. “By the way, what am I supposed to be wearing today?”

“Ah, yes, of course,” Krista said, hurrying off to the adjoined room. Several moments elapsed before she returned, garment in hand, “the seamstresses prepared this dress for you today.”

“I see,” Elica said, turning to examine the dress, it's simple brown fabric and design paling in comparison to her outfit the day before.

“Now then, if you're ready, let's get you dressed, shall we?”

“Ok,” Elica said as she stood, placing the brush down.

“How do you feel,” Krista asked, stepping away from Elica.

“It's more similar to what I've seen before, but it's a bit tighter than I had expected,” she remarked as the dress squoze her arms and body.

“Oh, is it no good then,” the maid asked, concern showing on her face.

“It isn't really bad, just a big difference from yesterday's outfit I guess.”

“Well, if all is well with you, we should be off then. It would be rude to keep Lord Valafar waiting,” Krista said, walking towards the door.

“Already?”

“Well yes, if you were to wait much longer, you'd be running your meals together.”

“I suppose that’s true, just let me get something first,” she said, opening the jewelry box. “I just want to wear this again.”

“It did look lovely on you,” Krista remarked as Elica raised the headdress, it's diamonds glinting in the sunlight that shone in through the windows.

“Now I'm ready,” she said, stiffly walking after Krista as she tried to get accustomed to the dress.

“Here we are,” Krista announce, opening the door they had stopped at. “It seems as though your partner isn’t here at the moment, so relax as you will as you wait. I apologize if his tardiness upsets you.”

“No, it’s fine,” Elica said as she walked past the maid and onto the balcony, the sun bathing her in its warmth. “It’s actually rather nice up here,” she said, looking out over the front lawns that filled the front courtyard. “The gardens look especially nice from this angle,” she remarked, peering down upon the gardens directly below her perch.

“Very well, then I’ll go and inform the kitchen to finish their preparations,” Krista said, closing the door.

Elica turned back to the railing, letting the wind blow freely through her hair as she observed the scene. Only a few people milled about the grounds, none being familiar faces. Her eyes finally landed on the gardens once more, its denizens lulling her mind to a place beyond.

“Oh, you’re already here,” a smooth voice spoke from behind her, breaking her thoughts. “Did you wait long,” he asked as she turned to face him.

“Not too long,” she answered. “It’s rather nice up here anyways, so I wouldn’t of minded having to wait longer.”

“That’s good,” Valafar responded as he walked up to the small table near Elica, his hair still wet from his bath. “Shall we sit?”

“Let’s,” she responded, taking the seat opposite him.

“I see you’re wearing that headdress again, though you look a little stiff in that outfit,” he said with a laugh.

“It’s a bit tighter than I am used to,” she responded sharply.

“Did you tell the servants to make them looser? That certainly can’t be comfortable.”

“Whatever they do is fine, I can always get use to it,” she answered dismissively.

“I guess if that’s what you want, but keep in mind that you can always make the request. There isn’t any reason to make you more uncomfortable after all.”

“I’ll remember that, but on the topic, thanks for arranging this today. It’s nice to not be around so many people.”

“No problem, plus we can afford to make our relationship better.”

“I suppose being friendly with each other would make this easier,” she mussed.

“Hmm, I kind of got the feeling earlier…”

“What feeling?”

“You aren’t interested in being in a relationship with me whatsoever, yes? I was kind of hoping that we may reach the point of being mutual lovers, but it seems to me that you already have someone in mind for that.”

Elica sat herself more upright, embarrassed that she could be seen through so easily, her mind wandering towards Aeres. “That isn’t really worth talking about,” Elica responded wistfully.

“I see, so that’s how it is. I guess it was a long shot anyways, sorry for that,” he said, his normal glow fading.

“Never mind it, but I appreciate your intentions,” she said, her mind returning to the conversation as a knock sounded from the door.

“You may enter,” Valafar sounded out.

“Very well, my lord,” Krista answered as she opened the door, herself accompanied by several other servants. “Would you like an attendant to stay during the meal, or would you prefer privacy,” Krista asked as the others set out the meal.

“We would like to be alone today,” Valafar answered.

“Of course, we shall take our leave then,” Krista answered as she made her way to the door with the other servants. “Please enjoy your meal,” she said, closing the door behind her.

“Well, now that we’re alone, we can talk freely I suppose,” Valafar said, turning his dark brown eyes towards her.

“I guess that’s the case,” Elica responded, taking a sip of the wine that was poured for her.