Dress shopping had been an excruciating experience for Arian. Not because the clothes were uncomfortable, but because there were so many layers. She was a simple pants and shirt kind of gal, even underclothes were often optional.

This was overwhelming in comparison, and her mind could not keep up with the stockings, chemise, stays, padding, and everything else. There was an incredible number of things to keep track of, and her brain was ill-suited for the task.

Two things really surprised her though. The first was that her figure was of little interest. Clothes and accessories could turn you into whatever shape was fashionable. The dressmaker was so indifferent to her body that Arian almost felt invisible. The muscles of her shoulders and arms were a topic of concern, but only regarding what choices would make her appear more feminine despite them.

The best surprise was that the dresses had pockets, massive ones. Even Arian, who rarely wore dresses, knew there were few things in a woman’s life so joyous as a dress with pockets.

Dresses in the store were found that could be sent to the estate immediately, and a few custom orders were made for special events. In a month, there will be a banquet to publicly announce the betrothal of Prince Walter Regulus and Lady Gwendolyn Hartfield.

This was a major event, as public declarations were the most formal and binding step in recognizing a couple's engagement. Arian would need to be a semi-functioning lady of society by that evening.

After a long morning in the dress shop, they migrated to a patisserie. The delicious crumbling pastries were exactly the reward Arian needed before heading back to the estate. Revitalized by the magical combination of butter and sugar, Arian turned to explore a bustling street on their way back to the carriage.

“We cannot go down that street without an escort,” Gwen said as she hooked Arian’s arm with her own.

“Why not?”

“There are unsavory places of business down there.”

“Oh really?” Arian said with interest, “What kind of unsavory places?”

“A fighting den, a gambling hall, and a sensual palace.”

“How depraved,” Arian said with eyes that glittered, making a mental note of the street’s location.

Arian and Gwen returned to the estate in time for afternoon tea when they had an unexpected visitor. A servant opened the drawing room door without knocking, and quickly announced, “Prince Walter Regulus, heir of Maltisha, has come to...”

The prince did not wait for the announcement to be made as he came barreling through the door, his eyes glued on Gwen.

“Dolly!” He yelled, rushing to her.

“Wally!” She returned, as she jumped up to meet him.

Dolly? Wally? Arian gagged internally at this display.

“I saw your letter this morning about the attack. Were you hurt? I never should have left you to return alone. I should have insisted you come with me to the capital.”

His concern was desperate and genuine. The intensity of it stunned Arian, who was still sitting, frozen at the display unfolding in front of her.

“I am fine, love,” Gwen soothed, “all due to the bravery of my dear friend, Arian.”

Hearing her name brought her back to her senses, and she stood immediately, remembering that she was in the presence of royalty.

“Your majesty,” Arian said, while executing a curtsey as gracefully as she could.

He bowed to her, “I owe you a great debt Lady Arian. My life would be nothing, save sorrow and grief, had anything happened to Gwendolyn.”

Addressing Arian, but turning back to look at Gwen, he continued.

“Should you have any need for help, you need only ask it of me, and I will exert every effort to assist you.”

If she could find a way home, perhaps the prince’s favor could come in handy.

“Will his majesty approve her adoption into the Hartfield family?” Gwen asked him earnestly.

“Already done, I have the approval with me.” He pulled an envelope from his jacket and handed it to Arian.

Gwen danced delightedly. “You honor us by personally delivering the approval.”

“I had to come to personally verify your safety,” he said as he cupped her face affectionately.

Arian turned away for two reasons. The first being that this felt like an intimate moment that she shouldn’t be witnessing. The second reason was a bit more jarring for her, Wally was incredibly sexy.

Him being named Walter seemed like a mistake in the universe because this man oozed handsomeness and sexuality. His voice seemed to seep with seductiveness in every word he spoke, and it all felt genuine. Walter’s dark eyes burned with passion as he looked at Gwen’s face, and Arian knew she needed to make herself scarce.

Wiping invisible sweat from her eyebrow, Arian repeated the mantra in her head:  we shall not covet our sweet friend’s fiancé, we shall not covet our sweet friend’s fiancé, we shall not covet our sweet friend’s fiancé.

“Lady Arian,” a servant’s voice interrupted, “your tutor has arrived.”

Thank goodness, Arian thought, as she curtsied in farewell and ran out of the room.

While she had not been looking forward to any form of school again, leaving this couple to their sweet whispers of affection felt urgent. After all, Arian was basically a professional at being a good student.

Having the banquet timeline made her feel a bit more earnest about applying herself towards learning. When she arrived at the study, Marquess Hartfield was just leaving the room. Pulling out the letter, she offered it to him.

“The prince has come to see Gwen and delivered the king’s approval.”

Gerald raised his eyebrows in surprise as he took the envelope from her and opened it. Scanning the document he spoke indifferently, “I guess this makes it official. Welcome to the Hartfield family.”

“Thank you,” Arian said and paused awkwardly, “How would you like me to address you?”

The marquess exhaled, “I suppose in formal settings it would be appropriate for you to refer to me as father, but I hold no expectations for you to think of me as one.”

This was a relief, as she wasn’t sure that he was old enough to be her father. He was probably only fifteen years her senior.

“And for informal settings?”

“Gerald is fine,” he said, and he stepped aside for her to enter the room, “Good luck with your studies Arian.”

With that, he turned and went towards the drawing room. He was probably off to appropriately greet the prince, and she hoped he didn't interrupt anything too embarrassing for Dolly and Wally.

“Bye Dad,” Arian whispered jokingly as he left.

She couldn’t decide if the weird feeling in her gut was the awkwardness of being adopted as an adult, or something more.