A Woven Attachment
Chapter 20
“What in our great kingdom’s name is that contraption?” Celia asked, extending her slender finger toward Emmy’s lower half.
Emmy did not adorn herself in her usual attire consisting of an earthy-toned dress, replete with delicate embroidery and touches of lace. No, today she was wearing something entirely different and decidedly more sophisticated… and eccentric.
“They’re called pants,” Emmy said nonchalantly as she continued bustling around the workshop in a distracted manner.
Celia visibly recoiled at Emmy’s declaration. Pants were worn only by men, and on occasion women who needed to tend to their garden or accomplish menial work around the house. But even when women wore pants they were oversized and unattractive. Certainly they were not the customary attire of the middle-class woman in Falworth.
However, Celia’s shock did not arise from the article of clothing, rather than the type of pants Emmy wore. They were high waisted with hints of pleats at the waist line, completed with a ribbon-tie belt that seamlessly combined her no-nonsense emerald blouse with her brown pants. To complete the look, she layered a twill vest atop her blouse and added an oversized brooch at her neck. The look was distinct from the praised fashions of the day, but was somehow no less feminine.
Kyaaa! How did she get even cuter?
“You look divine; I must have a pair!” Celia said, her voice enthused. Emmy whipped around to see Celia’s “excited” face. In fact, she almost had shooting stars in her eyes.
Pantaloons? The princess desires pantaloons? Emmy’s face broke into a beautiful smile as she allowed a giggle to escape her.
“I’m afraid I can’t have the princess galavanting around in this nonsense for all the town to see.”
“But no one will even know it’s me, remember?” Celia pleaded.
Emmy cocked her head to the side. If she was honest, she’d normally be delighted with such a ridiculous request. But in this case, the pants were part of her plan. Now, if only she could shoo Celia and shake her headache, then she could make some progress with her scheme.
“Maybe later. I have some things to accomplish today,” Emmy said wearily as she gathered a few apples, a knife, and some water into a ratty bag.
“Now that I look at you, you do look dreadful. What happened to you?” Celia sat down in a wingback chair and gestured for Emmy to take the other one.
Well, there’s no doubting she’s royalty. Her commands are impossible to refuse.
Emmy sat down, or more accurately, plopped down into the chair and sank deeply into it, as if her bones retired for the day. Celia eyed her closely. From her new garb to her worn expression, her friend was not herself.
This won’t do.
“You want to do what?” Celia asked after pestering a response out of Emmy. “First, the miners refused to see you to discuss this supposed gem shortage. Which is outrageous because you’re a lovely person. Then the few people you do talk to utterly refuse to discuss the particulars of the mine. So naturally you decide to use your seamstress acumine to whip up a pair of bloomers and investigate the mine yourself.”
“Correct, but they’re not bloomers,” Emmy said without so much as moving a muscle. “Of course, I'll have to discover a new strategy for making the miners talk, but I’ll think about that later.”
“Naturally, I’m offended.”
“Offended?” Emmy stirred for the first time during their conversation. She may have been sluggish but she thought their level of friendship meant she could do without the “polite” veneer.
Her friendship with Celia was, surprisingly, dear to her. Most of her friends couldn’t comprehend what it meant to put in long hours or cherish a craft above a parade of picnics and social gatherings. Celia barged her way into her world, without expecting any elaborate plans. Conversation fed their friendship and when Emmy was busy, Celia contented herself with a book. It was, to Emmy, the ideal friendship. Even though there were barriers of social class and upbringing between them, she rarely felt them.
“Yes. I’m coming with you even though you didn’t ask. You’ll just have to accept it.” Celia’s nose rose into the air, but Emmy understood.
“Celia, are you looking to get involved with some questionable plans of mine?” Emmy asked, her tone both amused and spirited.
“Why even ask?” She shot up from her seat. “Let’s see those skills of yours. Whip me up one of those bloomer contraptions and let’s be off!”
Emmy rose, revived and displayed her fabric options to Celia. While they chattered about color options Emmy couldn’t help but reflect on her life prior to Celia and Yuki, and even Theo. Other than Miss Abigail, who had she conversed so freely with before?
I must have been supremely bored without even realizing it.
* * *
Typically, Yuki showed a lackluster interest in scouting, usually chalking it up to a dull task he’d rather avoid. As it was a time intensive task that rarely resulted in great gain, it wasn’t surprising that Yuki entrusted it to the royal knights—until recently. To Theo’s chagrin, Yuki would spontaneously show up, unannounced and uninvited, before the knights left on their weekly reconnaissance. It’s not that he minded his company, but the presence of the crown prince set his knights on edge, instilling an apprehensive mood throughout the gathering.
“I see you’ve graced us with your divine presence, yet again,” Theo said sarcastically to Yuki who trotted up next to him while astride his horse.
“Yes, how else would I trap you into talking to me?” Yuki said without batting an eye. “We haven’t spent enough time together since we made up. You aren’t avoiding me are you?” Yuki pouted in Theo’s direction.
“Avoiding you?” Theo scoffed. “I’m a grown man. I’m busy training your men for battle, remember?”
“Hmm,” Yuki pretended to think deeply upon his response. “And here I was thinking you were out romancing the most attractive woman in all of Falworth. Yes, I quite understand what the life of an in-demand bachelor is.” Yuki tousled his hair dramatically. To any woman his pose would be enough to elicit awe. He sparkled like a finely-cut gem, with the sun highlighting his silver strands and sharply cut jawline.
“Gah.” Theo frowned, unimpressed. “First off, no you don’t. Secondly, save that posturing for the fangirls.”
“Oh, I hit the nail on the head, did I my friend?” Yuki continued, undeterred. He smiled, but inwardly he hoped Theo would tell him about his late-night meeting with Emaline. Theo wasn’t prone to oversharing, but he was rarely so secretive either.
As long as he isn’t toying with Emaline’s affections…
“What ridiculous nonsense. Which aid told you such tales?”
“That would be my own two eyes.” Yuki smiled, but it looked more like a distorted grimace.
Theo looked over at this friend, who was clearly eager for an explanation. It’s not like he did anything untoward. While they made up, he was less certain that Emaline would be so quick to trust him. Miss Emaline was just an acquaintance for both of them, and Yuki already expressed his lack of interest in relationships. It’s best if they just focus on the task at hand, taking care of their kingdom.
How is it that we’ve both become so foolish as of late.
“You’re talking gibberish now,” Theo said, defensively.
At his rough tone, Yuki’s countenance dropped as he fixed his gaze on his horse’s obsidian mane. “Forget it, I’m sorry. Something must be wrong with me lately. I haven’t been getting much sleep.”
Theo glanced around before asking in a low voice, “Perhaps you could cease your night patrols. Have they yielded anything?”
Yuki shook his head as patted his horse. There were some connections he could only meet under the protection of night. While Theo frequently accompanied him, there were some things he preferred to do alone. His father would never abdicate his power, so Yuki turned to alternative methods for influencing and monitoring the state of affairs in Falworth.
If I could only resolve the gem issue, perhaps I could get a decent night’s sleep.
When he rested his head upon his pillow, his mind failed to follow suit, and stubbornly churned over and over. He wondered how many other citizens of Falworth were already feeling the strain of the mine’s closure. Certainly Yuki would be able to help Emaline, but in his heart he knew she was just one of many who would be affected by the stifled mine production.
“We’ll figure it out. I have faith,” Theo said, cutting through Yuki’s wandering thoughts. “Men, let’s roll out,” he shouted to the other ten knights behind them.
If we can just start the route, perhaps we can get a step closer… But first, I need to cheer up Mr. Gloomyhead.
“See you, Yuki. Time for me to leave you in the dust.” Theo broke out in a full out run with his steed, waiting for Yuki to take the bait.
“Hey!” Yuki shouted, his mouth wide enough to catch flies.
What a smooth move, ha! Theo busted out in a full-out grin as his competitive streak came out to play.
“Hello there, old friend,” Yuki said cheekily, his sapphire eyes gleaming. Theo turned to the side to see Yuki riding next to him, backwards.
With great panache, Yuki swiftly stood on his horse and then dropped down into the saddle facing forward once again, leaving a incredulous Theo in his wake.
“Let’s see what you got, Commander.”
The gall!
“Stop showing off and have some dignity!”
“You started it!”
“Fine! Watch this!” Theo called at the back of Yuki’s head as he turned up the speed, foregoing the “decorum” he had hounded Yuki about a million times before.
The knights simply looked at each other in surprise before one shouted, “Let’s go!” then they all took off at breakneck speed. The laughing bunch rode boisterously past the town’s borders into the forest and greenery beyond.
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