“Oh, Eva, what about this shop? I hear they have absolutely lovely dresses with the finest of silks

Anastasia dragged Evangeline by the arm. Both Anastasia and Evangeline's faces were blushed ever so slightly from weaving through the crowded marketplace, dodging civilians as Evangeline pointed out all the shops she would've liked to attend. It was a stark contrast to the somber Anastasia only a day ago; it seemed her mood had lifted up rather quickly when Evangeline told her that the two would be shopping. It was per King Ragnar's wishes, but she didn't tell Anastasia that much.

“No, this one! Corellas! Ah, yes, I do love this store!” Anastasia pushed herself and Evangeline past the opening door of the store ‘Corellas’, and they are greeted by cool air, a stark contrast from the blistering summer heat of the outside.

“Well well, if it isn’t my favorite princess,” a voice sauterd out, the source coming from the counter placed in the back of the store. Evangeline casted her attention to the voice, and she found a flashy-clothed woman with an extravagantly red and yellow dress that fell to the the floor in length. Her eyes were a warm brown, and her hair was pinned tightly in a bun with an accessory of some sort hanging through it. 

“Corella!” Anastasia hollered as she disconnected from Evangline’s grasp and ran over to give the lady, Corella, a giant hug. Evangeline wanted to protest the sudden movement away from her, as she was trained, after all, to be highly cautious over the sudden intrusion of strangers. 

Evangeline watched the two of them embrace in a hug, and she could hear a bit of muffled whispering as the two coerce in some sort of sacred conversation.

“And who is this?” Corella asked as her eyes march their way across every inch of Evangeline’s being, making Evangeline squirm slightly with unease in her stomach. She took in a little breath and held her left hand out as introduction,

“My name is Evangeline, and I am princess Anastasia’s personal knight. Pleasure to meet you Miss Corella.”

Corella stared at the outstretched hand of Evangeline before looking back to Anastasia with a slightly puzzled look on her face, ”Have your knights always been this proper, and,” she looked back to Evangeline, this time peering at her body, “well --- beautiful?”

“What?” Evangeline and Anastasia said in sync, neither one projecting their voice quietly as they exchange a look from one another then back to Corella. Corella rushed over to Evangeline and started looking all over her body, her eyes seemingly fascinated in the elf. 

“Have my past knights not been beautiful?”

“Oh gods no, they have all been hideous.”

“Corella!” Anastasia exasperated as she pinched the bridge of her nose in visible agitation. 

“But this one, Princess, she is absolutely stunning. It’s a shame she wears that dreaded outfit for sparring and protection.” Evangeline shifted slightly as Corella placed a hand delicately on her own hip and turned around walking back to Anastasia with a smile, “well then, what can I do for you two ladies today?”

“Well, we are looking for dresses for the upcoming ball. And much to your pleasure, it is my dashing knight that I am looking for in particular,” Anastasia motioned towards Evangeline who brung her hands towards her face, attempting to bury the embarrassment flushed along her cheeks. 

“You mean to tell me,” Corella started as she rushed over to Evangeline, taking her hands away from her face and twirling her around like the two were in dance, making Evangeline dizzy ever so slightly, “I get to choose a dress for this absolutely stunning lady?”

“She’s all yours. Make her outshine even me.”

“Well, Princess Anastasia, I think that’s not wis-” Evangeline started but Corella hushed her, putting a finger to her lips while giving a mischievous smirk.

“No, no, I shall do just that.” Corella grinned, showcasing her bright, white teeth as she started to look over Evangeline’s body, like a predator stalking its prey. Chills race their way up Evangeline’s spine, and she simply wondered what type of trap she had fallen into.

Corella glimpsed at Evangeline and then to Anastasia, 

“It’s best you take a seat, Princess Anastasia. This is going to take awhile to dissect what,” she pointed to the armor that Evangleine wore, “mess this is.”

Corella then proceeded to huff while shaking her head, ”and do we really need to have that dreaded sword attached to your hip.”

“It is for the Princess’s protection, Miss Corella.”

“It’s for the {rincess’s protection,” Corella mocked before suddenly twisting away, taking a few steps further from Evangeline before turning around dramatically, pushing the fabrics of her dress outward to create a noteworthy impression. “Well, let’s go. I have so many ideas for you. I am thinking a dark purple, or perhaps a periwinkle blue. I want you to stick out, to dazzle, but I want there to be elegance mixed in with, perhaps, a hint of mischievousness.”

Corella hustled over to Evangeline and grabbed her hand, giving her another devilish smile, “I want the guests to feel honored to been within your presence. You just have this aura around you, it radiates power. I want that, but I want it to be majestical.” 

“I imagine you will do your best work,” Anastasia piped up from the sitting area, keeping a little smile on her face as she crossed her arms. 

“Of course, darling,” Corella waved her hand while letting out a laugh. “Who do you take me for? An amature?”

“Ah, I am so excited!” Anastasia squealed, but Evangeline couldn't help but feel a pinch of dread echo through her forehead. From what she has gathered in her time at the kingdom, she was not someone who is particularly fond of dresses. She did not despise them, however, but it wasn't exactly where she shined. 

“Now, darling, let’s get that ,” Corella pointed to the armor on Evangeline, “off.” 

Evangeline’s hand is suddenly grabbed by Corella, and the bubbly lady forced Evangeline to a back room, presumably one for dressing. 

“I will be back with a few sample dresses. You, get that off.” Evangeline let out a sigh, part of her pleading for help, yet, she obeyed as soon as Corella slipped away into the depths of her store. Evangeline started to strip off the armor, slowly but surely. The clothing fell on the ground, each single piece, echoing throughout the dressing room. Eventually, Evangeline only wore a simple body suit as well as undergarments.

“This is the worst bloody idea I have ever partekn in since I got here,” Evangeline mummbled as she took off the body suit, and, suddenly, a breeze drifted through the air, making Evangeline shiver ever so slightly. She brung her hands to her arms for some sort of warmth while waiting ever so impatiently, with a few toe taps and eye rolls, for Corella to finally get back.

Evangeline examined at the door and cracked it open, peering through the small opening. She could see Anastasia and Corella talking a bit while shifting through the countless dresses within the store. 

“Traitor,” Evangeline stammered as she closed the door and glanced behind her, her eyes focusing first on the pile of clothes and armor lying on the ground and then to the mirror on the back wall. Her heart suddenly dropped as her eyes looked through her soul. Piercing green, as they always are, but, for some odd reason, she felt unsettled. 

Evangeline took a few steps forward, her legs shaking ever so slightly, a stark contrast to her typically steady strides. She then placed her hand close to the mirror, half expecting that person opposed to her to do something else. However, the person did the same thing, placing her hand gently along the mirror, elegance within her minimal movements. 

Evangeline peered deeply into her eyes, searching for the emotion that ran rampant within her irises. Most times she was able to tame the emotions that swirl within her, but, for some odd reason that day, unbeknownst to her, her irises seemed to have a mind of their own. What could she try to understand at the moment?

The feelings most raw that lie within her scream fear and furocity. For her eyes shout at her, roaring like a Hydra in the midst of a firece battle. Yet they were also hesitant, like a child picking up a spear for the first time and having to face a tough foe. 

Why? Why was she living through the absolutely foreign feelings?

“Tarnua,” a voice whispered around Evangeline. She suddenly twirled around raising her fists and getting on the balls of her feet, reading herself to fight. 

“Woah there,” Corella said as she stood inside the door of the dressing room, holding an array of dresses in her hands. Colors ranged from purple to blue to black, even a golden one in there, and the styles varried from princess to mermaid. Evangeline felt slightly aghast, her face paled slightly with embarrassment, as well as panic. She had never done such a thing such as dress shopping more or less with a designer as extravagant as Corella.

“Looked like you were going to fight me there,” Corella joked as she put the dresses over the dressing room door, taking in a deep breath and putting her hands on her hips to get a sense of freedom, from what Evangeline could assume. 

“Sorry, I thought I heard something a bit odd,” Evangeline shook her head while letting out a nervous chuckle, looking behind Corella towards Anastasia who was sitting patiently along the bench, reading what looked to be a book of some sort.

“Well, shall we get started? This one has my interest first.” Corella grabbed the very first dress along the dressing room door, a purple maxi dress with sparkles near the ends. Evangeline cringed as Corella handed her the dress, the material rough and scratchy in her hands. 

“Oh, darling, that face is not pleasant.”

“Ah,” Evangeline realized she must be making a scowl of some sort and immediately neutralized her expression, slipping herself into the dress. Her two braids made their way out of the head hole of the dress and soon her whole head appeared. When the dress was on, Evangeline turned around and looked at herself, less than pleased by her looks. She felt, more or less, like a dress up doll that has been dragged through the mud. 

“Let me see,” Corella squealed and Evangeline turned around, trying to keep her expression as calm as possible; her intentions were not to upset Corella. 

“Oh gosh, no, that’s all wrong. Off with that dress.”

And, thus, a small series of events started. Evangeline would try on dresses, some looking more flattering than others, and Corella would judge whether or not it was worthy of being seen by Anastasia. Evangeline found it to be more tiring than sparring practice, and certainly much more monotonous.

The pile quickly thinned out, and the amount of dresses to try on were becoming lesser. Each one had a less joyous reaction than the last; Corella and Evangeline both seemed to be getting rather irritated with the process. Evangeline, could not simply understand how people can go shopping for hours on end; it was beyond a tedious process.

“Okay, let’s try this one. It is risky considering I don’t think that gold is quite your color, but I figure it is well worth giving it a shot.” Corella took the golden dress that originally caught Evangeline’s eye, and handed it over to Evangeline. The top was a spaghetti strap with a deep v-line, showcasing a bit of cleavage. The waist was fitted and then the bottom flared out in a ball gown fashion yet less dramatic. It made a statement, and it was something that Evangeline was quite hesitant to even put on as she was someone that liked to remain in the shadows, not someone that wanted to stand out. 

Corella left the room and Evangeline unzipped the back of the dress, which dipped quite low, and she put the dress on. The first thing she noticed is that it was a bit loose on her shoulders, but it fit well everywhere else. She turned back and looked in the mirror, attempting to not let out a little gasp. 

It was … perfect. Evangeline reached behind her and zipped up the dress, the back reached to around her waist, showcasing nearly her entire back. While she felt like it should be joyous, she couldn't help but notice the scars that cover her back. Surely they were from before she reached the kingdom. They didn't bother her all too much, but she was unsure of how people of higher power might react to such serious scarring all across her back. 

A knock on the door allowed Evangeline to drift back to reality as she turned around to the door opening. Corella and Evangeline exchanged eye contact, and then Corella’s eyes drift up and down, inspecting the dress. Corella then proceeded to let out a little squeal while doing a dance, happiness leaking out of the corners of her eyes.

“Did we find one?” Anastasia peeped out as she scanned the dressing room. Her and Evangeline locked eyes. Evangeline could feel her breath be taken away slightly, gazing into those bright, blue irises. She felt so vulnerable, like the emotions she could typically hide were on full display. “Oh, it is absolutely perfect! We will take it! Right, Eva?"

“What?” Evangeline shook her head, snapping out of her daze while processing the question and nodding her head. “Yeah, this is perfect.” 

“Twirl for me real quick,” Corella demanded and Evangeline hesitantly looked at Corella, putting her hands to the side and gave a couple of spins. The dress lifted up ever so slightly, flying to Evangeline’s sides, and, to Evangeline, it seemed like the color was sparkling even more, allowing her tanned skin to glow brighter than it typically did.

“Ah, it is lovely! I will do some alterations regarding the top as it seems to be a bit bigger than needed. However, everything else seems to fit perfectly, you are truly radiant in that dress. The stylist should be honored,” Corella joked, laughing ever so slightly while continuing to look over Evangeline.

“Well, your work is always marvelous. I will pay now.”

“Wait, I am paying,” Evangeline said as she lifted an eyebrow. She was paid by the king weekly for protecting Evangeline, and it was quite a generous too. 

“No, it’s my treat. You —”

“Princess Anastasia, I will not bicker with you. I am paying.”

“You’re so bloody stubborn,” Anastasia huffed, her foot stomping on the ground as she stood up suddenly. Evangeline can only chuckle while shaking her head.

Stubborn, Anastasia was so stubborn in her eyes. 

“Well, let’s get that off. It should be ready a few days before the ball. I’ll meet you at the counter, Tarnua.”

Evangeline froze for a moment and looked at Corella, “what did you call me? Tarnua?”

This time Corella was seen raising an eyebrow and tilting her head to the side. Confusion bouncing around her eyes as her mouth dropped slightly, “No? I said Evangeline.”

“Oh,” Evangeline started, putting a hand to her head and letting out a little breath. She was considering whether she was simply going crazy or not. Certainly not, perhaps it was just a little funny to the ear. “Apologies, I will meet you at the counter then.”