Turns out when Anne said she would set up an appointment as soon as possible she really meant it.
The very next day I head out with Anne to a dress shop called Alana's boutique. Owned by the titular Alana. Apparently this is the shop I had always gone to. Also one of the most exclusive, usually booked out for months in advance. However, these are the sorts of luxuries afforded to the rich noble villainess. This status of mine does come in handy sometimes.
As I step out of the carriage at the boutique I glance through the windows into the shop within. Within the shop stands Eve, because of course she is here. I was apparently right, this will be the next plot point. I straighten my spine, slip my perfect noble mask in place, and steel myself for the inevitable drama to come.
I sweep into the shop followed by Anne and am greeted immediately. Alana upon noticing me and clearly recognizing who I am immediately drops whatever she was doing with Eve and comes over.
"Lady Blackwood I am so glad to see you again. Please step this way and we can begin to look at fabrics for this wonderful occasion."
"It is alright Alana, I see you are still dealing with another customer. Please finish with her first, I would hate to be rude and I am a little early for our appointment anyway." Trying my best to get the women to go back to helping Eve. If she finishes before me instead of being made to wait then maybe this whole thing won't end up being so drawn out.
"Oh no, I could not possibly make you wait Lady Blackwood. One of my assistants can take care of the Lady Clearfield. Especially considering the occasion this dress is for." Alana shoots my hopes down immediately. I just had to look like I was taking Eve's appointment over.
Still, this is hardly something new, this is the way the plot always manages to drag me back in. So my polite smile doesn't falter as I reply, "Well, if you are certain then please, let us begin looking at fabrics."
"So," drawls a snide voice from behind me, "not only were we made to wait behind the little Clearfield girl. Now we have to wait on the lovely Lady Blackwood as well?" Having been so focused on Eve I hadn't noticed Lady Ardew sitting with her posse on a set of couches off to the side.
"Well, your appointments still aren't for another hour my ladies. Both of these ladies had made appointments before you. You have also refused to allow one of my assistants to help you in my stead." Alana pipes up from behind me, her smile tight. Clearly these girls had been sitting here all for quite a while. Why they would is honestly beyond me, but probably for gossip purposes if I had to guess.
This idea is given further evidence a moment later when one of Ardew's side kicks buts in. "So, what sort of special occasion are you celebrating Lady Blackwood?"
Now the real question is what do I tell them. The truth will come out eventually but, Lady Ardew had seemed so dead set on marrying the prince last time and I am still very aware of Eve standing behind me. Which means she will know too. However, I do not really have a choice do I? if I lie I look like a villain later, and if I refuse to answer I look like a villain now.
All this stressing is really too much work and the silence has already stretched a beat too long. I decided already not to try so hard, so easiest option it is.
"My father received a formal proposal for marriage between the prince and myself from the royal family yesterday. I am visiting the palace soon to discuss the arrangement with the prince. I need a suitable dress to go in." The stunned silence from everyone inside hangs like a heavy winter cloak for just a moment. Then-
"WHAT?!?!" Screeches Ardew, the rest of her group gaping.
"You're marrying the prince?" The soft voice of Lady Eve finally enters the scene. When I turn to look at her she looks a little stunned, but not angry or jealous interestingly. Though she has probably only met him the once so far so she probably is not in love with him quite yet.
"Nothing has been finalized yet, that is why I am visiting the palace. Also, why I need the dress. Now, if you all do not mind we are wasting Alana's valuable time." With that I make deliberate movements toward the back of the shop where the fabrics are laid out in racks.
However, my life can never be that easy.
"You are not marrying the prince, he would never marry someone as boring and stuck up as you!" Ardew, is now standing behind me absolutely furious. Her face a rather unattractive shade of red and her eyes a little wild.
"I highly doubt my personality had anything to do with it. This is almost certainly a political move by his parents to gain more power through my father. Not something done out of any kind of romantic interest." Honestly that would explain why the prince asked me to dance, perhaps he had already been aware that this was the plan.
Several expression crossed the girls face than, most I could not decipher but the disgust she settled on was very clear. "Well, I'm certain that when he does meet with you he'll break it off immediately. He's too smart to let himself get married off to someone like the blackhearted blackwood lady." Oh, that's a new title and not a terribly creative one.
Apparently this name is considered insulting enough to get Alana to gasp and finally cut in. "Lady Ardew that is enough, please return to the waiting area. Otherwise, I will have you escorted out if you continue to insult my other customers."
This, finally, manages to get her to back off. She gives me one last hateful glare before whipping around and returning to her seat. Her minions surrounding her and murmuring what sounds like comfort to the little brat.
I sigh and am finally able to actually get my dress made without further interruption. Except for Eve staring at me the whole time, but that is so common it barely registers.