A king's desire

Chapter 7

Cassandra

It was the next day that I was on my way to meet the tailor for measurements. They had requested a sitting room near the knight's common areas and so, on my other free day, far too close to the last one, I made my way over. The room had fabric rolls spread over a table as a woman and a man mulled over them. My entrance caused them to look over.

"Perfect." The man said with a smile. He stepped over taking my uniform in his fingers before turning back to the woman. "Number two for sure." He said, and the woman began rolling the fabric back up. The man turned back to me with a smile. "Excuse my rudeness, Miss Cassandra. I'm Luca and this is Lily, my assistant. She'll be taking your measurements for me." I blinked softly in surprise at his respectful tone toward me.

"No need for such formalities, sir. I'm just a simple knight." He waved me off with a soft smile and gestured towards a privacy screen set up in the corner. "Once Lily has finished packing up the fabrics, you can get undressed over there for her." I nodded my understanding as I watched Lily pack up the fabrics.

"Did you bring the other things?" My eyes widened sharply at the King's voice suddenly behind me. I turned and met his blue eyes for only a moment before I bowed deeply to him. I heard him scoff lightly.

"Yes, your majesty, of course," Luca responded to him as he gestured towards a catalog as I turned to walk over to Lily.

"Pick something to suit her features." The king said dismissively. Lily led me over to the screen and I glanced towards the king quickly. He was watching me intensely as I stepped out of sight. As I began to strip for Lily, I kept my ears trained on the conversation in the room.

"That is quite the task, your highness. I have never come across features like hers. Lily, did you pack any samples?" Lily poked her head around the screen and nodded softly. "Well, then shall we try a few today to see what might work?"

"That's acceptable." The king responded and I watched as his shadow crossed the room and sat on the couch. As I stood in my underwear, Lily began taking a few measurements. Meanwhile, I heard the rustling of fabrics. What exactly was going on? After measuring my arms, she moved to my legs. She wrote each number down as she went. I had never had someone take my measurements and it was a slightly intimate feeling as she took note of each curve of my body. Finally, as she got to my chest, she frowned at the sight of my bra.

She gestured for me to remove it and I realized why. I reached up and pulled it off for her. Her light fingers almost never touched my skin as she worked. She was a real professional. She disappeared back behind the screen. I heard whispering as I stood there, unsure of what I was supposed to do. As I grabbed for my clothes, Lily returned and shook her head at me. She handed me a new bra and gestured for me to put it on. Confused, I did so. She measured my chest once more and then walked back around the screen.

"Try this." I heard Luca say and Lily returned with a dress. A dress that cost more than a whole year of my salary. I shook my head quickly.

"I don't wear dresses. I just need the uniforms." I watched the uncertainty and nerves fill Lily's body in an instant.

"Put it on Cassandra." I heard the king say. I had almost forgotten he was there. I sighed harshly, loud enough for him to hear.

"I've never worn a dress, your majesty." I heard him stand and watched as his shadow walked toward the screen. Without shame, he stepped around to me and took my chin in his fingers.

"That's going to change. You have to look presentable for the banquet. You'll be debuting." As my brain struggled to understand this information, the king looked at the dress Lily was holding. It was a deep red and he scowled. "This won't do. Something light. Blue or.." The king locked eyes with me for a moment. "Purple."

"Your majesty, I can't debut. I am a commoner with no last name. Not to mention I couldn't possibly find an escort for such an event." I said as Lily dashed around the screen again. She returned with two new dresses. One in a violet and one in a light blue. The king pointed to the purple one first and then turned back to me.

"I am King Cassandra. I decide who may debut. You have earned it. Don't argue and try on these dresses." He said as he walked back around the screen. I sighed harshly again and looked at the dress hopelessly. Lily gave me a soft smile and helped me get into the dress. She used a few pins to bring it in so it fit me better and then gestured for me to walk around the screen. With a steadying breath, I stepped around into the room.

The king looked me over with a soft frown. Like I was a piece of artwork. Then he waved his hand dismissively. Lily whisked me back around the screen before I could say anything. Before I could process it all, I had been switched to the blue dress with Lily's fast hands and professionalism. As she led me back around the screen, I watched as the king's eye widened. He stood from the couch and walked over. He reached forward and pulled my ribbon out of my hair. As my hair fell free around my shoulder and lightly framed my face, I grabbed for the small black ribbon quickly.

This caused me to press myself against the king as I reached for the hand that he had raised above his head. He was taller than me but I managed to grip the ribbon and pull it free of his hand. He stood stunned as I took a step back. I tied the ribbon lightly around my wrist and swept my hair back over my shoulders out of the way. Suddenly, he reached forward to grab my wrist as I began to gather my hair again. He didn't take his eyes off me as they swept to the floor and back up.

"This blue will do nicely. Though the dress is far too plain. Make her one suitable and find accessories the same color as her eyes." He spoke over his shoulder to Luca, who nodded along.

"Agreed. The color suits her. You have a good eye, your majesty. It shall be done. Shall I send the bill to your steward?" The king nodded and finally let me go.

"You are all dismissed. I want this room cleared. Add this dress to the bill if you like." The king reached forward and took hold of my chin as the sound of movement filled the room. He ran his fingers through my hair lightly as I heard the door to the room close.