Love Is Never Ugly

Chapter 38

"I'm not so sure about that. I suppose I could pass for decent but handsome?"

Alastor once again looked at his reflection in the mirror with extreme anxiety and insecurity.

"Anthony just how are you supposed to make me look handsome?"

"Well sir have you ever heard of Michelangelo?"

"Yes."

"Have you ever heard of the Sistine Chapel?"

"Of course."

Anthony pointed to his chest first naming himself,

"Michelangelo."

Then he pointed to Alastor naming him,

"Sistine Chapel."

He took a moment to stretch and crack his knuckles.

"Time for me to begin painting my ceiling." He said. "We'll start with a bath."

"I agree." Alastor said. "We'll meet back in my room and once I'm dressed you can-"

"Actually sir Husk and I are going to have to help you with your bath."

"Come again?"

"It's going to take a lot of scrubbing to get rid of that blood stench. Scrubbing which can't be done by just you alone. You'll need assistance."

"Anthony I don't think this is necessary. I can bathe myself. I've been bathing myself since I was six."

"You want to be a real looker for Charlotte?"

"Yes."

"Okay then you're going to have to do exactly what I say even if it's uncomfortable. Can you do that?"

"For Charlotte I'll do anything."

"In that case it's bath time."

Before Alastor even realized it he was stripped of his clothes and tossed into a tub of hot water that was scented with sandalwood oil. Anthony and Husk scrubbed him down hard with brushes and rags which Alastor found to be dreadfully uncomfortable. The intense scrubbing was followed by pails of water getting poured all over his body repeatedly. This was undoubtedly the longest and most awful bath of his entire life but he managed to only grit his teeth through the entire process.

After the bath came the grooming which was equally long and unpleasant especially whenever a comb was accidentally yanked through his mangled hair.

"Hey take it easy." Alastor said.

"Sorry about that." Husk said.

"I think that we should experiment with a trim and a shave." Anthony said. "Husk get the scissors and the razor blade."

"No good Anthony." Alastor said. "Every time I cut my hair it grows back shortly after."

"Then maybe we should try to do it the female way."

"The female way? What's that?"

"Husk let's go get some hot candle wax and paper."

"Hold on! I'll consent to letting you two wash and groom me but I draw the line at waxing."

"Very well sir."

The rest of his prepping went very smoothly. His hair was neatly combed to where it didn't look wild or mangled. He was given mint leaves to chew on and musk was sprayed on to his body so he wouldn't smell bad anywhere. Finally he was dressed into the suit Anthony had made for him to where that night consisted of a redwood colored vest over a white dress shirt, black dress pants with matching boots, and a carmine tailcoat.

"Well sir what do you think?" Anthony held a mirror up.

Alastor hesitated before looking at it and he was surprised to find that he liked what he saw.

"Well." He smiled. "Not bad. Not bad at all."

"I know. I'm good aren't I?" Anthony beamed with pride.

"Don't get a swelled head bug brain." Husk said before presenting a medium sized box to his master.

"Ah thank you Husk." Alastor said taking it from him. "I do hope Charlotte likes it."

"I have a feeling that she will kid."

"And do you suppose that she might like the way I look tonight?"

"Only one way to find out." Husk said gesturing toward the door.

Alastor checked his appearance in the mirror again and after taking a few deep breaths he anxiously went to meet Charlotte.

Little did he know that she was just as determined to look her best for him as he was for her. Niffty and Vagatha were happy to assist her in every way possible. Niffty ran her a bubble bath with lavender water and anointed her with rose perfume. Vagatha brushed her hair into a crown braid, pinning pink roses and silver ribbons into her locks. For her make up they used lily white powder, peach colored shadow, and cherry red rouge and lip paint.

Her gown was the color of blush and made from hand-gathered silk with organza and edged in silver lace. The bodice and skirt were fitted with silk-and-silver lace bows and pink roses to match her hair. The sleeves were short and below the shoulder while white lace gloves were drawn over her hands and satin pink slippers were placed on her feet. Her jewelry of choice were two white bead earrings but when she tried to put on a necklace Niffty insisted to her that none of the ones she owned would match her gown. Nevertheless Charlotte was a vision to behold.

"It's wonderful." Charlotte said hugging Vagatha and Niffty. "Thank you both so much. I really appreciate this."

"You're very welcome." Vagatha said.

"And I must thank Anthony for the gown. I can tell that he worked really hard on this one."

"You can thank him later." Niffty said. "The ball is ready now and you mustn't keep Alastor waiting."

"Oh I won't."

She released them from her hug and left her room to see Alastor but not before grabbing a small box from her nightstand to take with her. She also had a special gift to give her companion for the evening. It was a homemade gift and she hoped from the bottom of her heart that Alastor would like it even if it wasn't all that grand or impressive.