I say, “You haven't? Seeing the dresses you've created so far and hearing your ideas, I was sure every idea for a dress had crossed your mind.”
“Would you be able to spell a ball gown or two for me, Chancellor?” Katherine asks.
“Changing colors is simple if you have examples. Sparkles or flashes easy as well. But, I've never been great at switching styles. It'd help if there were two dresses I could spell to become one alternating piece.”
Wearing even more new dress styles? How will people react to this? Will we get in even more trouble for it? I don't know if having spelled dresses is a problem or not. Despite problems that may arise, I'm curious to see what they'd be like. Maybe even wear one. And wearing one that Zade helped to spell for me? The thought brings the tingling feeling back.
“It sounds as if you've had a lot of experience with this before,” Cynthia says.
“A few times. I've a sister I help on occasion.”
“And your sister told me you—” Waverly starts, but Zade interrupts.
“She was always grateful for my help. Always.”
She giggles. “That's not what I heard.”
“Servant gossip is highly unreliable.” He scowls.
“Actually,” Katherine says, “servants are one of the best sources of information.”
“Hah!” Waverly says.
“Envadi servants aren't like the ones from here.” Bethany's quiet voice sounds for the first time.
We all look at Waverly who blushes. “Sorry.”
Everyone bursts out laughing, except Waverly, but she quickly joins. The topic drifts back to the ball. The girls soon have lost me with the details. So many things to plan, but I can't manage to keep track of them.
“Serena?”
I glance up at Katherine. “I'm sorry, what was that?”
“I said I've finished altering a gown if you'd like to take it home. You're welcome to try it on.”
“You work fast. I'm sure it will fit fine.”
“Try it on,” Bethany says. “I'd love to see what another one is like.”
“Why don't you?” Zade asks. I stare at him and he grins at me. “I'd like to see it as well.”
That's as good as an order, yet I know I'm blushing because of it. Asserting himself is coming a little too naturally. But that must mean he does want to see me in it. “I suppose I could.”
“Please make yourselves comfortable, Chancellor, girls. Let Mavis know if you need anything,” Katherine says. “Waverly and I'll have Serena back soon.”
She leads Waverly and me back to the changing room. Katherine hands me a gown.
“You can change in there,” she points to a curtained off section of the room,
The dressing area has a small chair and a place to hang my current dress. I change, still amazed at how quickly I can manage, and by myself. I step out.
Waverly claps her hands. “Wonderful.”
“Yes, the fit is better. I added holes in all your right pockets so you could get your gun.”
“My gun? I don't have one.” I put my hand in my right pocket, and sure enough there's a hole big enough to pull out a gun.
”Chancellor Zade's orders.” He must have been more serious than I thought about making me learn. I lock my jaw as Katherine continues. “There's a mirror you can use.” She points to a full length mirror to the side, standing on a black frame. Anxious to see, I step to it.
“It does look good.” The maroon material hugs me, but gives with my movements until my waist where it flares and flows to the floor. “I should go show my sisters.”
“And the Chancellor,” Katherine says.
What will Zade think of me? I don't move from in front of the mirror.
Katherine says, “I know you don't want to marry, but you can't change it now.” She comes closer to me and adjusts my sleeve, whispering, “Unless there's something you want me to help you with?”
She did offer to help me escape. But the offer seems even less appealing than it did before, if it would actually even work. “No.”
A mischievous grin transforms her face. “What if you tried to make him fall in love with you?”
The memory of his lips on mine, makes my hands shake. “What do you mean?”
“You're dressed nice. We could do your hair a little fancier and give you some face paint. If you did that more often and then spent some time with him, try to find something you have in common.”
I play with the hem of my sleeve.
“Maybe love is too strong of a word. But you could at least be friends.”
Friends. With a warlock?
“Do you really not want to marry him?”
Whatever I say, Waverly could tell him. Yet, he said I could trust her. Even if she does tell, it won't change anything. She's been oddly silent during the whole exchange. I watch her from the corner of my eye. She's paying very close attention.
“No. I don't want to be married at all. Whether to him or someone else. It's not what I would choose for myself or my sisters. Not that women really have a choice. The thing is...”