Discover L (Book 2) | Editing |

~~~ It's Better This Way ~~~

The team of Elves moved towards her but L held up her hands, though she didn't want to insult the queen she couldn't help feeling confused.

"Your Majesty, I don't understand, the ball isn't for another five hours. Why do we need to start this now?"

The queen's eyes widened ever so slightly, she looked truly taken aback for a moment and then began to laugh.

"Oh, dear sweet girl, you've never prepared for a ball before, have you?" Her sentiment was genuine but L was sure she heard a tinge of judgement.

"No, between the foster homes and running for my life, I can't say that I have."

The queen must have missed the sarcasm, she was busy directing the team of Elves.

"Don't worry, we'll guide you every step of the way."

L was starting to wish she'd escaped to Emrik's after all. The next few hours were spent rejecting outfits, being told how to act and how to respond during the ball, and refusing the makeup they tried to apply. L didn't like makeup, or dressing up, she hadn't put much thought into what she'd wear at all. She'd been thinking she'd just go in some formal Keeper attire. She saw in her knowledge store what Keepers wore to special events.

Some wore dresses, some wore dressed up versions of their everyday Keeper outfits. L was planning to go with the latter, she didn't see anything wrong with that. The queen on the other hand, did. She repeatedly reminded L this was a ball to honour her visit, everyone would be eager to meet and talk with her. As if L wasn't anxious enough about being at a ball, she had to wade through Elven procedure and niceties as the guest of honour.

She finally got a moments peace when she stepped into the adjoining bathroom to soak in a bath the entourage had drawn for her. She was left alone with her thoughts, but she'd only been allocated twenty minutes. L sighed, letting herself sink under the hot water. She basked in the heat, feeling it soak into every inch of her body. Letting her cares melt away, she washed and lounged in the bath until she was called on to get out. Bracing herself for what was to come, she wrapped a towel around herself and emerged from the bathroom.

Everyone was crowded around the queen, who held a long, white box in her hands. L walked over, ignoring the looks she got for walking around in just a towel.

"Keeper, this is addressed to you. It was waiting outside of the door."

L took the box, staring at it in confusion she removed the blue ribbon securing it. She opened the lid to find a note laid atop a swathe of material. L glanced at the Elves, they were huddled together, clearly waiting to see what she had. L turned aside to read the note.

"I heard there was a ball tonight in your honour
and thought you might want some help.
I think you'll love this.
Have fun and be safe."

L flipped the note over to find it wasn't signed. She eyed the box and the deep blue material inside, she carefully picked up the garment and let it unfold. The box slipped out of L's hand as she stared in awe at the outfit she'd been sent. At first glance it appeared to be a long flowing, silken dress, but on closer inspection L saw the trousers between the slits in the skirt. The body wasn't too tight or too low, the sleeves were long but slitted, to allow room to move. It was beautiful, spectacular even, but also practical, should L need to jump into action for whatever reason.

Who could have sent her something so incredible, and just so her? L's mind was racing through the possibilities, there were a few of her friends it could have been. She would have to ask around Lymasia when she got back. Thanks to this outfit though, some of her anxiety about the ball had dissipated and she had whoever it was to thank for it.