~.✧ Austora ✧.~ [COMPLETE]

~.✧ twenty-three ✧.~

I scrambled to get everything I needed together in the library. I wasn't sure if I'd found all the right information but I hoped it would be enough. I sighed, wishing that I'd asked Kartren to help me with this but I knew he'd be busy helping set up the appeal meeting today. My heart gave a little flip at the thought. It was nerve wracking knowing that today, my parents might grant Larklind into the nobility and then we could finally be together, no hindrances. It almost felt like a dream.

The books were heavier all together in my hands so I stumbled out the library door a little clumsily as I tried not to drop them. The walk back to my room was long, but I made it without dropping a single one.

When I burst through my door and dropped all of the books on my bed, a startled Gentry emerged from my bathing chambers where she'd been cleaning. "What's all this?"

I looked over my shoulder at her, grinning. "It's just for the appeal meeting."

She stepped closer, inspecting the different books and documents sprawled out on my sheets. "I thought Prince Kartren said he'd present all the information."

"He did. He will. This is for something else." I couldn't keep the smile out of my voice as I looked at her. I'd debated with myself for a long time last night as I was doing my research in the library on if I should tell her of my plans. And while it might have been better for her to be warned of what I was planning, I wanted this to be a surprise. I just hoped she liked surprises.

I turned to her, taking her hands in mine. "Would you accompany me and Larklind to the meeting?"

She seemed surprised by the offer and hesitated to reply. "Are you sure you want me there? I'm just a maid."

"Yes, I'm sure. I want one of my best friends with me as we do this. If you want to, of course." But if she didn't come, that would thwart all my plans. So I held my breath, waiting for her answer.

She must have seen how badly I wanted her to come in my expression because she eventually nodded. "Alright, if you insist. Um, I'll have to change. When does the proceeding start?"

"In a little less than an hour." Panic flashed in her eyes for a moment before I laughed and added, "You can change here. Borrow one of my dresses."

She blushed. "I'm afraid my measurements are a little bigger than yours."

I patted her hand. "Nothing we can't fix fast. I'm not horrible with a needle so we can make some quick alterations."

Though she still didn't seem all that convinced, she eventually nodded. "Okay. But nothing too fancy please. I... I don't want to draw too much attention to myself."

"Okay. Whatever makes you comfortable. Let's go take a look in my closet."

After a quick browse, I finally convinced her of one of my nicer day dresses. It not only matched her soft blue eyes—the fabric a creamy baby blue—but was also a simple design that still looked beautiful on her. And it'd be one of the easiest to alter in the little time we had.