Sky Queen - Complete

Seeing Her

~~~~~Landon~~~~~

Once he had finished filing all the paperwork required as a result of his title, he waited outside the door where Evangeline was. Of course, he was used to seeing her in the garb of her kingdom, but the idea of seeing her in clothing of his own kingdom had him nervous. Landon was excited to see how the clothes would fit, but at the same time, felt nervous that the clothing would make her somehow different to what he was used to seeing,

"I've finished changing, Landon." Her voice whispered from beyond the door. "You can come see how this attire looks on me."

Pushing open the door, the first thing that met his eyes was the disarray of the fabric the tailor was already making plans to modify for Evangeline. When his eyes rose from that to meet hers, his mouth fell open. The light casted by the setting sun did not even seem to compare to her beauty. The more he stared, the more she shifted. The purple of the fabric swayed with her movements, making his gaze shift from it to her eyes. Though she was refusing to meet his eyes, the blush on her cheeks betrayed her thoughts.

"Words cannot describe exactly how beautiful you always appear to me." He said taking her hand to plant a kiss to the back of her hand. "I am a very fortunate man, indeed. Seeing you dressed in the clothing of my home fills me with happiness."

His statement could not have been more true in that moment. The way Evangeline's blush reached her ears pointed to him doing right by her. His mind was playing the same thing over and over again. 'I really hope she appreciates - at the very least - the thought behind adding new clothing to her wardrobe.' He thought, watching the shifting of purple/green robes against her skin. She was fetching before, the red attire accented her body perfectly, but seeing her in purple robes was all the more beautiful. Her lady in waiting had carefully applied - the same icy blue as her eyes - shadow to her lids, and her full, pouty lips were painted a pretty pink color.

"Milady chose this attire for dinner tonight." The tailor's words almost fell on deaf ears as Landon approached her. "Shall I make more robes like that one for Milady?"

"The color is especially fitting for her. Evangeline, did you know that purple is my favorite?" He asked watching as her eyes widen in shock. "Though, my Father informed me that purple was not a color to be worn by a King."

"I honestly had no idea. I picked it because it was my favorite. Miss, I like the design on this fabric. Would it be possible to have this in other colors as well?" She questioned softly, her request kind. "I should like to see it in others."

"Of course, Milady." The tailor replied with a bow. "I shall prepare some for my next visit and show you along with the wardrobe his Majesty has ordered."

"Ah, and for your lady in waiting," Landon said passing the woman a handful of gold coins, to which her eyes widened before she bowed over and over again, thankful. "I selected the best to highlight Evangeline's beautiful features. For the foreseeable future, please remain at her side."

"Yes, your Majesty. I am forever grateful." She said between bows. "I will provide Milady with the best service. Milady, I am called Meredith."

Landon offered his arm to Evangeline which she took, even as the blush staining her cheeks deepened. She had clearly not expected to have a personal servant, but every Princess and Queen should have several. Landon had simply not wanted to overwhelm her since her memory loss. As they walked together through the halls towards the Great Hall for dinner, he noticed the stares they were receiving and overheard the whispers.

'No wonder the Crowned Prince has selected her. She is supremely beautiful. You know she is the only one permitted to call him by his Given Name.'

'She was beautiful before, but wearing Royal robes, she's even more ravishing. Those two look like they were made for each other.'

'Shame the Prince has laid claim on her and keeps her close. Did you see all the heads she turned at lunch?'

"Landon, you look quite pleased." Her voice broke him away from the distractions of the whispers. "Did something good happen?"

"You could say that a beautiful woman fell into my arms yesterday who has been the most exceptional company." Landon replied with a smirk down at her. "And I have the joy of accompanying her this evening in a stroll."

He was so busy looking at her who was looking at the floor as they walked he did not see the servant with a large basket overflowing with laundry. The linens were scattered all over the floor and several of them settled on the girls lap, in what would have been a laughable manner had she not almost injured the future Queen. As Landon helped Evangeline keep her balance, he shot a glare - cold as ice - to the offending maid. Holding her left hand in his with a hand on the small of her back, he opened his mouth to scold her but was stopped by Evangeline.

"My goodness, are you alright?" Landon's eyes widened as his head snapped to her in shock. "My apologies, dear, I was not watching what I was doing."

She stepped forward and reached out for the dumbfounded maid who sat there with a blank look on her face. Realization seemed to strike her and she quickly shifted to her knees, bowing over and over as words of apologies left her lips.

"My Lady, it is not for you to apologize to one as low as I." Sobs escaped her lips as she spoke. "I should not have carried a load with so much in it that I could not see. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

"Please stop." Those two words left Evangeline's lips made the maid freeze, her head pressed firmly to the marble floor. "Raise your head."

Everyone nearby was waiting with bated breath. Once the maid raised her head to look at Evangeline tears streaming down her cheeks. The silence was deafening as servants and nobles alike looked on. Landon had wanted to scold the maid for knocking into Evangeline, but she seemed to have other ideas.

"I am unharmed. If either of us are guilty, it would be both of us." She giggled a little, covering her lips with her fingers. "Is there anyone that could help her clean up the linens?"

Several servants surged forward immediately, picking up all the dropped clothes quickly. The nobles stared in shock at how quickly they moved to her request. Landon had a theory about it, however. Evangeline orders no one, she asks politely, and is generally friendly. Offering her hand, once again, to the maid, she smiled softly as she waited for her to take it.

"Is it not uncomfortable to be on your knees like that?" Her soft voice seemed to snap the maid out of her stupor and she gently took Evangeline's hand to pull herself up. "We should both probably be more aware of our surroundings."

A giggle left her as she smiled at the maid, causing the previously tense atmosphere to disappear as though it had never existed before. Landon could not believe how kind and friendly she was towards even the lowest of servants. Her hand touched his gently as she met his eyes. Realizing her eyes had turned pleading, he smiled warmly.

"More people will be sent to aid you from here on." Landon said turning back to the direction of the Great Hall. "Princess, if you would allow me to continue being your escort, I will stop distracting you with my words."

Watching as color flooded her cheeks, he smirked before offering her his elbow once again. He would at least TRY to not to seduce her with his words.