I hope you guys enjoy ;) And thank you for your PATIENCE with me <3

Chapter Twenty Eight

"She always wears white!"

"Because it's her signature look. I'm the lead designer here for a reason. So get the damn white dress!"

The two had been bickering all morning, back and forth nonstop. They had told me they were sisters and admired me from afar until Prince Gordon gave them the chance to work with me. Now they were here and said they could not be happier.

"Here, here. You're going to look beautiful, Ivy. Just perfect." I smiled, laughing as she handed the dress to her sister, who twirled it while running her fingers through it and looking for any imperfections.

"Go try this on. We've wasted enough time with our fighting. Prince Gordon should be here soon," she said, handing me the dress. Before I grabbed it, I wrapped my arms around her in gratitude, surprising her. I beckoned her sister over, who excitedly joined the hug.

"Thank you. You are both too lahke for this world," I said right before the eldest of the two began fussing that we would ruin the dress and shoved me into the bathroom.

I put on the dress before marveling at the artwork in the mirror. The designer had put care and love into each thread of the dress. It was held together by thin straps that transformed into a v-neck collar.

It flowed down, a thin section tightening around my waist before gliding and spiraling towards the ground. There was a slit along the side all the way up to my thigh which disappeared when I stood still. My hair had been braided to the left of my face, curling over my shoulder and stopping a little above my waist. They had turned me from a leopardess into a princess.

I stepped out, hearing the two sisters quiet their side comments as they looked at me. The youngest squealed while the other smile in satisfaction, pleased with her work. "You look beautiful, Ivy. Not a soul can say you don't have that going for you."

I smiled, twirling around just as the door opened. As I faced it once more, I found Prince Gordon standing there, his eyes taking me in. I watched them flicker before he turned to the two sisters.

"Thank you for your work. One of the enforcers will take you to Martin who will give you your payment," he said, nodding towards them. They thanked him before saying parting words and leaving the two of us alone.

"Päästja, you look wonderful," I said, looking at him. He was wearing a dark grey suit with a dark blue collared shirt underneath. His blonde curls had been pushed back and out of his face, allowing his green eyes to stand out further. He looked handsome, as he always did.

He was still staring at me, redoing one of his cufflinks while his faded watch flashed, disappearing under his sleeve. "You are ilus, Ivy. No other word could describe you so perfectly," Prince Gordon said softly.

He walked closer before reaching out and running a hand along my jaw then down my braid and holding the end for a moment, staring at it with expressionless eyes. "You are ilus, my dear," he repeated, his eyes finding mine.

"Päästja," I whispered back, forgetting about the world surrounding us and everyone in it. My fingers gliding along his chin, resting behind his ear where a curl was tucked. I twirled it around my finger, mesmerized by how beautiful it was up close.

"Ivy, I-" he started but stopped, unable to find his words. I could feel him lean closer, his forehead pressing against mine, his nose mixing with my own. I felt my eyes drifting close against their will, my lips parting.

But before anything could happen, there was a knock on the door, bringing us both back to reality. I could feel myself pulling away, refusing to look at him as the door opened and Martin walked in.

"Master Gordon, I paid the sisters for their service. You told me you had something for me to do after?" he said, looking towards Prince Gordon and completely ignoring me. I took advantage, walking further away from him and putting on my shoes silently.

"Yes, you will be escorting Ivy throughout the village today. I will introduce her, but I cannot spend the time with her. I want to allow them to get to know her without focusing on myself. You will be her main escort with several other guards," Prince Gordon explained, causing Martin's nostrils to flare.

"But Master Gordon-" he tried, but Prince Gordon waved him off, trying to catch my eyes.

"You are to do as I say, Martin. Prepare the carriages. I will be out in a moment," he added, Martin's mouth closing. I could see him turn a glare towards me before he stiffly walked out the door, shutting it behind him.

"Ivy," he said once we were alone again. I looked down, my hands clasped together. I had forgotten about Kai once again.

"We do not have to speak about this now, but a discussion is to be had. We cannot pretend this did not happen." He walked over to me, his hand skimming mine before he pulled something out of his pocket.

"Here," he said quietly, untangling my hands and pressing something into my palm. I pulled away, finding a bundle of money. "It is in case you find something of desire within the village. If that does not cover it, you can ask Martin for more." I looked up at him, finding his gentle eyes studying me.

"Thank you, päästja," I whispered, beginning to hug him but I found myself pulling back. I could see hurt flash across his face, making me regret my decision. "It is not you, Cayne. I need to sort myself out," I told him quickly, taking his hand and pressing my lips against it.

"We should leave, then. There is a long day planned," he said, pulling his hand from mine and opening the door for me. I smiled, thanking him before stepping out and heading to the carriage with him.

The ride to the village was quiet, neither one of us saying a word. He stared out of the window for most of it while I tried to decipher his emotions but it was difficult. His face was wiped clean of them as if the moment had not happened. I, however, was sure that mine were all over my face, mixed together in one large mess.

When we finally arrived, the carriage slowed down before pulling to a stop and Prince Gordon blinked, realizing we were at our destination. He turned to me, his face unchanging. "I will introduce you and explain that you will be walking through the village with Martin. They will ask you questions and that is your best opportunity to show that you mean no threat to anyone, okay?" he explained, completely business-like.

"I understand, Prince Gordon. Thank you for this opportunity. It would not be possible without you," I said, watching as his expression finally softened.

He sighed, shaking his head briefly. "It is impossible for me to distance myself from you, my dear," he said quietly, almost as if he was talking to himself. Before I could question him, the carriage door was opened, the crowd's cheers flowing in.

Prince Gordon was the first to exit, holding a hand out for me. I took it, allowing him to guide us to the center of the village where its inhabitants were excitedly waiting to greet their Prince. They grew louder as they saw him, pleading to talk to him and touch him. The only thing stopping them was the herd of enforcers acting as a human barrier.

Prince Gordon entire demeanor changed as he talked to his people, telling them of the potential changes and about myself. He smiled, waving to them every now and then, keeping his voice light. However, his posture was stiff, as if he was not truly comfortable interacting with them. It was something that always happened when he was with others, even now.

I could hear him finishing, asking them to go about their lives and return to their business. He turned towards me, speaking. "Good luck, Ivy. Show them your personality. If you can do that, they can come to care for you almost as much as I do," he said softly before leaving, my heart running off with him at his words.

Martin stood close by, although he did not seem very willing. In fact, I was sure reluctance was in his every step by the grimace on his face as he held his head high, refusing to look at me. I chose to ignore him, not letting him ruin my chances of winning over Prince Gordon's people.

They did not come up to me at first, whispering to one another. It was not until a woman dropped her groceries on the ground that they began warming up to me.

I quickly went over, bending down to help her pick them up. I could feel her eyes on me, so I looked up with a smile. "It was smart of you to place the vegetables and fruits in separate bags of their own. Now, they will still be fine," I said, watching her blush as she looked away, the hint of a smile appearing on her face.

She stood up, grabbing her things from me. I felt everyone watching as she hugged me, thanking me for my help before parting. Within seconds, others came up to me to say hello, some asking me to shift. I declined on the second, promising that I would show them another day.

Martin and I found our way into the village's market, which was as busy as before. They were yelling this way and that, all trying to capture our attention. However, without someone by my side, I had the ability to buy what my little heart desired.

I bought fresh foods, delighted when I found a roast on sale. It would give me the opportunity to try Marlene's recipe one day. I bought cookies as well from a little boy who told me they were his best batch. Just as we were about to leave, I found myself pausing at a jewelry stand.

"Are you interested in something? Perhaps a necklace? I have quite a few-" the merchant started, continuing on and showing me multiple items. But I pointed to one in particular.

He smiled, nodding. "Ah, yes. This watch was brought from overseas. It is said to have been given as a gift to a knight from a maiden. He had saved her and she rewarded him with the watch, promising to visit him every time the big hand struck on the nine.

They both fell in love and she did so until the day he died. It is said that's the reason the clock is stuck at nine and hasn't moved since that day. However, I'm convinced it just needs new batteries." I smiled, handing him some money. As he was wrapping it up, I could hear Martin scoffing.

"Why on earth would you buy a watch that doesn't work? What purpose does it serve you?" he asked, his voice holding a condescending tone. I frowned, holding the watch close to me.

"I bought it for the meaning behind it. And if the merchant is right, then it simply needs new batteries," I said defensively.

He laughed in return. "He probably made that story up on the spot to get a naive person such as yourself to buy it. And it clearly worked. You do know that's how they make their living, right? By lying to vulnerable people like you," he said and I frowned, not enjoying the nasty edge to his voice.

"They make an earning through hard work. Do not look down on someone just people they live differently than you do. The only thing that serves in doing is showing your true colors," I replied, receiving a piercing look.

"You have no right to talk, shifter. You're no better than me, no matter how much you dress up and play nice with the Prince. It won't be long before everyone sees you for what you truly are, including him." At this, I went quiet, unsure of how to respond.

Perhaps he was right. Prince Gordon would realize within time that I was different than him, more different than he could handle. He would be too kind to outright tell me of his disgust the way Martin had, but he would not be so kind to allow me to stay. He would push me away.

What did that mean for our moments? Had Prince Gordon simply forgotten that I was not as human as he was? Not once had he showed dislike towards me or my kind, but that did not mean anything. There were many who did so but hid dark thoughts towards us in the depths of their minds. However, I did not believe Prince Gordon was like this.

I could feel my thought running around in complete chaos as we reached the center of the village where a large bonfire was burning, a mass of people around it. They took notice of us before someone beckoned us over.

"We are leaving soon," Martin said to me but I ignored him, smiling as I walked over to them.

I spoke with them until the carriage returned, the enforcers retreating into one while the other opened, revealing a waiting Prince Gordon. The villages quickly forgot about me, whispering excitedly to one another.

I said parting words before walking off and heading into the carriage with my bag. I closed it behind me before turning towards Prince Gordon.

"Did you enjoy yourself? I hope they treated you well," Prince Gordon said, his voice sounding tired. While I had spent the whole day within the village, he'd told me he had business to attend to.

"Yes, I did. I had fun talking to everyone and I found something for you," I said eagerly, leaving my spot to sit next to him. His eyes widened slightly with surprise when I handed him the bag before a brief smile appeared.

I watched as he opened the bag, confusion etched into his face as he turned the watch over in his hand before noticing it did not move. "Ivy, I am afraid they sold you a broken watch," he said gently, as if afraid to hurt my feelings.

I laughed before explaining. "No, päästja. A maiden gave it to a knight who saved her. She promised to visit him at nine every day and did so until he died. The merchant said it's stopped at nine since then. He also said it probably just needs new batteries.

I thought of your rusted watch and thought perhaps you would like a nicer one. I intended to buy one that worked but I fell in love with the story," Prince Gordon had stopped paying attention to me, his eyes on the back of the watch.

I peered closely, a smile lighting up my face as I read the etched words. "My savior, päästja! It was meant for you! I didn't notice-" but I was cut off as he tilted my head up and his lips met mine.  

Päästja - (savior)

Ilus - (beautiful)

Lahke  - (kind)