"Do you like it, Mahsapa?" Ani asked.

"It's beautiful," Leyla replied.

In truth, the engagement dress was a disaster.

Jara had instructed the famous seamstress to make cap-sleeves for the dress, likely so that it would cover the Goddess cloth Leyla would wear underneath, but hadn't thought to say anything about the skirts. Pasting a smile on her face, Leyla took a step forward in the dress now, feeling the pull of the long train behind her with an internal groan. Since the bathing ceremony yesterday, she had been accumulating a long list of things she wanted to throttle the Mahsap for. Perhaps if there was time between this fitting and the engagement event that evening, she could ask for a sparring session with him; Jara could use a knock to his head!

"I'm glad you approve." Ani handed her beautifully crafted bone needles to her assistants. 

Leyla had suggested that the Susu seamstress make her dress for this evening to see if the she would try to poison her. But Jara's men, who tested both Ani's needles and the materials used in Leyla's dress, found nothing untoward. The girl didn't seem out to do anything more than cry.

Fingering her long braid nervously, the noblewoman  looked to her helpers, "Elina. Zego. You may withdraw, I will speak to the Mahsapa alone for a moment."

Leyla was surprised at the request, but not as much as Zego. "Ani- I mean, Madame Seamstress. That does not sound like a good idea."

"I agree," Elina's worried eyes moved between Ani and Leyla. "There isn't long before the engagement ceremony, we should get you ready too..."

Ani's companions were obviously worried about her, but she was having none of it. Squaring her shoulders the girl raised her head, "Leave us, now."

So she did have some backbone. Leyla took two steps towards the chair to her left so that she was within reach of the hidden dagger beneath its pillow. At this point, she was fairly convinced that neither Hekeri nor Ani were the killer they were looking for, but it was best to be safe.

Their reluctance evident in their slow movements, Elina and Zego pulled the door closed behind them. A hush fell over the apartment as Leyla waited for what Ani wanted to say.

Her pale blond lashes wet with unshed tears, the seamstress took a deep breath. "I'm sorry."

Leyla's brows rose in question. "What for?"

"Because I...I have been coveting what is yours." Ani's voice wavered and a single tear slipped over her pale cheek.

She felt a twinge of guilt at the game Jara and she were playing and wanted to comfort the sad woman. Unfortunately , giving comfort was not something she was good at.  Suddenly, the words Keteri told her in the baths came to her mind. "Ani, men are like Zareg dung; you won't notice the stench till you've stepped in it."

Ani's innocent eyes opened wide as she blinked, "You... are you comparing the Mahsap to...dung?" Her voice lowered into a whisper on the last word.

Yes, now that Leyla thought about it, that flirt totally deserved the comparison. "What I mean is, you need to find someone who treats you better. Someone who doesn't make you cry."

Ani seemed to consider her words, then her head bent forward and tears fell to the ground. "I just can't seem to let go."

Leyla knew letting go was hard. She hadn't wanted to let go either, until Raphael made her realise that holding on only led to pain.

"I'm sorry, I only meant to apologise to you," Ani gave her a brave smile, but her lips were quivering. "I will take my leave now."

She could only watch as Ani rushed out of the room and was still looking in the direction the Seamstress had left when the door opened once more.

"Raphael?" Leyla blinked, surprised to see him. After the bathing ceremony, the Prorex spent the rest of the evening with Asya, returning to their rooms only as the sun was about to rise. Once he took to bed, Leyla left to train secretly in the empty staff canteen and had been busy ever since so they had not had a chance to speak.

"That looks -" his golden eyes grew darker as he took in her engagement dress. Then his lips curled with his ever-wry smile. "Uncomfortable."

"Indeed," Leyla shook her head mentally. What was she expecting from the Prorex, a compliment? She took in his outfit, noticing how the blue double breasted jacket fit his broad shoulders perfectly. 

"Here," Raphael was suddenly holding out the white box he had brought with him. "It seems I was correct in assuming that fake fiancé of yours lost what little brains he possessed after the bathing ritual."

"What?" Leyla took the box, trying to follow his train of thought. "What is this?" When Raphael didn't bother to explain, she opened the box to discover a dress. The long flowing skirts were made out of several layers of traditional Aqua Pond silks, allowing for freedom of movement, while the bodice was threaded with hundreds of tiny crystals lending the outfit elegance. It was beautiful and must have cost a fortune.

"Is this one of Asya's dresses?" she asked.

Raphael cocked his head as if trying to figure out where she could have gotten such a notion. "I purchased it from one of the Aqua-Farm tradesmen at the gaming tables yesterday."

Right, if the Prorex played the tables the way he had the first day, he will have made a fortune. She held the dress to herself, enjoying the airy softness of the material on her hands.

"It's been altered to your measurements, don't worry." Raphael stepped forward, his hand reaching out to tuck stray hair behind her ear. "You look lovely by the way."

Her heart picked up its beat as she looked up at him. Her measurements, how did he even know?...remembering his gaze on her yesterday during the bathing ceremony she took a hasty step back. The damned crazy man, he never forgot anything he saw, did he?

"Thank you for the dress, Prorex," she said after taking a calming breath. There was something wrong with her these days. Leyla had never felt so unfocused. She had to finish this mission quickly, take the Prorex home and put an end to both of her farcical engagements so could feel more like herself again.

He nodded curtly, the soft air around him suddenly gone. "The murderer will show himself tonight, so don't forget your promise Lieutenant. Don't get hurt."

"I will be careful," Leyla promised, watching him open the door to leave.

Then he stopped and looked over his shoulder. "And if that Mahsap asks you any ridiculous questions, just say no."

"Ridiculous questions?" Leyla frowned, but as usual, the Prorex hadn't waited long enough to explain.