Following William through the palace, Elianna periodically shot Nicholas some concerned looks, wondering how he was doing. From his expression, she could tell he was still bothered by what his brother had called him. Luckily, Freya held him close, comforting him, which put a slight smile on Elianna's beautiful face.

  As they continued to follow William through the opulent halls and down the stairs to the third floor, Elianna's eyes fell as she recounted the conversation with Tristan. She continuously wondered what Tristan meant when he called Nicholas a murderer. It wasn't something you would just call someone as a basic insult; it carried a deep accusation. While Elianna hated that Nicholas was called that, she wondered why he was called it in the first place. It was something she wanted to ask him, but didn't want to upset him over it.

  "Your majesty."

  Elianna looked up, seeing they were approaching a set of double doors. In front of the doors were two guards, who were currently bowing.

  "Open the doors," William commanded, not rudely, but with a stern tone.

  The guards stood and nodded before opening the doors.

  William walked into the room first, followed by Tristan, then Freya and Nicholas, and when Elianna entered the room with Celine, her eyes widened in awe as she looked around.

  They had entered a massive room with countless different types of clothes hanging along the walls. Rolls of fabric were situated on shelves that were placed here and there, and there were large mirrors big enough for people to inspect themselves. The room itself felt cozy, with white-painted brick walls and a light-brown wooden floor with a sheen. To Elianna's left and right were two entryways, which seemed to lead to two hallways.

  Standing at the end of the room, dressed in an elegant green-and-blue dress, was an elderly woman. She had warm facial features, brown eyes, and graying black hair. She had a kind smile that seemed to lighten the entire room.

  The woman gingerly grasped the skirt of her dress and curtsied, "Your Majesty. Welcome."

  William nodded to her, "Good morning, Daina. Has everything been prepared?"

  Daina stood up and nodded, "It has, Your Majesty."

  "Good," William said, and turned to face Elianna and the others. William gestured to Daina behind him, "This morning, Daina and the other seamstresses will be taking our measurements. This way, they can make all of us apparel for the engagement party."

  Tristan scoffed, "We're having clothes made specifically for this event? Why? It's not like we don't already have clothes."

  William eyed Tristan sternly, "It's your engagement party, Tristan. Refrain from calling it a simple event. And to answer your question, yes, we are. I would like us all to match."

  Tristan let out a dramatic sigh and rolled his eyes, "Whatever. Let's just get this over with." He raised his hand and began to inspect his nails. "I have better things to do with my day."

  Freya sighed, shaking her head.

  Celine shot Elianna an annoyed look, while Elianna was confused, wondering why he wouldn't be excited, since this was for his engagement party. When she looked at Nicholas, she noticed his gaze was still downcast. Her brows furrowed as her concern for him grew.

  William narrowed his eyes on Tristan, staring at him for a moment. Then, he looked at Daina, "Let's begin, if you're ready."

  Daina cleared her throat awkwardly before she stepped forward and smiled, "Good morning, for those who don't know me, I am Daina, the head seamstress for the palace." Her eyes flicked between the females, "Princess Freya, Princess Celine, and Lady Elianna." Daina gestured to the hallway to her left, "To your right, my left, is the hallway that will lead to the female rooms. If you would please head down that hall, you will run into Annabell. She will give you your next directions."

  Daina then looked at the males, "Your Majesty, Prince Tristan, and Prince Nicholas." She gestured to the hallway to her left, "It'll be the same for the males for the hallway to my right, your left. You will run into Quinn, who will give you your next directions."

  William nodded, then looked between his sons, "You heard her. Let's go."

  Tristan let out a deep sigh, like this was an inconvenience to him, before turning and walking down the hallway. William began to follow, but then he stopped and looked at Nicholas.

  Freya kissed Nicholas on the top of his head and smiled at him. "See you when you're done."

  Nicholas smiled and nodded to her before he began to walk toward the hall.

  Elianna's brows furrowed, seeing his downcast gaze. She didn't hesitate to reach out and gently took his hand.

  Nicholas stopped and looked at her with raised brows.

  "Nick," Elianna began, her voice soft and filled with worry. She stepped up to him, "You okay?"

  Nicholas smiled slightly, but Elianna could see there was something off, "I'm fine. We can talk later."

  Elianna nodded, "I'll hold you to that." She gave a jestful smile, "Just stop looking so down. It makes me want to slap you."

  Nicholas blinked before his lips curled into a genuine smile that Elianna loved, and he chuckled slightly, "Noted."

  Elianna smiled, letting go of Nicholas' hand. He gave her a quick nod before he proceeded to walk down the hallway. As he walked past his father, William watched him curiously before he followed.

  "Alright," Freya sighed, then looked at Elianna and Celine. "Let's go get our measurements."

  Celine and Elianna nodded and began following Freya as she started down the hall. As they entered the hall, Elianna's eyes darted back and forth between the walls, taking in several doors that led to rooms.

  "Good job," Celine whispered in Elianna's ear. Elianna looked at Celine curiously. Celine smiled, "Making Nicholas smile earlier. You've always been able to make him feel better."

  Elianna's lips curled, "It's the same for me. He always knows how to make me feel better when I'm down, too."

  Celine nodded, her eyes looking Elianna up and down, before she looked forward.

  Elianna looked ahead as they passed the hall, entering a large circular room filled with more clothing options, fabric, mirrors, and even tables and chairs for people to sit. Standing in the room, close together, were four elegantly dressed ladies.

  One of the ladies, a beautiful woman with orange hair and brown eyes, looked up and smiled. She stepped forward and curtsied, with the other ladies following, and she said, "Good morning and welcome, Princess Celine, Princess Freya, and Lady Elianna." The ladies stood up, and the orange-haired woman continued, "I am Annabell, one of the senior seamstresses. Before we begin, may we get you anything to drink?"

  Freya looked at Celine and Elianna, who both shook their head. She then looked at Annabell and smiled. "No, thank you."

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  Annabell nodded, "Yes, Your Highness." She gestured to the hall behind her, "Then, if you would please each choose a room. We will have someone in there momentarily to take your measurements. It shouldn't take long, and to expedite the process, please dress down to your undergarments."

  Elianna blinked, "What? Our undergarments?"

  Annabell nodded, "Yes, My Lady. It'll help us get the most accurate measurements." She smiled, "And I assure you, it will be a female doing it."

  Elianna relaxed a little and nodded. Celine, Freya, and Elianna all returned to the hallway and went into their individual rooms. When she entered the room, she was pleasantly surprised by its size. It had a table with two chairs, a large floor-to-ceiling mirror, and a clothing rack with hangers to place her clothes.

  Following Annabell's directions, she took off her outer clothing and hung it up, leaving her in her bra and underwear. As soon as she placed her clothes on the rack, she looked toward the door as it opened. She observed a beautiful woman with chocolate brown hair and green eyes enter. She was dressed in a gorgeous green dress that matched her eyes, and her hair was neatly tied into a bun. But the most notable feature, which caught Elianna by surprise, was her elven ears.

  "Good morning," The woman said, closing the door. "I'm Vivian." She curtsied, "I'll be taking your measurements, My Lady."

  Elianna stared at Vivian for a moment, blinking, "Y-You're an elf."

  Vivian chuckled and smiled as she stood up, "Indeed, and so are you."

  Elianna shook her head, shaking off the surprise, before she smiled, "Sorry, it's just, you're the first elf I've seen since coming here."

  Vivian nodded, "I understand, I get that reaction quite a bit. We elves that reside in Zasaly are rare, but there are a few of us." Vivian stepped forward, "Now, let's start on those measurements. Face me and place your arms up, please."

  Elianna followed her directions, standing with her feet together and arms out wide. She watched Vivian curiously as she began to measure Elianna's waist. Elianna tilted her head slightly, "If you don't mind me asking, what's it like to live in Gavaria? In Zasaly?"

  Vivian chuckled, "I don't mind at all. I get asked this question a lot." She undid the tape and measured Elianna's hips. "I love it here. Sure, you come across the usual rude person who shows discrimination, but all in all, it's nice."

  "How did you end up here?" Elianna found herself asking.

  Vivian smiled warmly, "I followed my husband out here. We met in Tri-Union City when he was visiting. We fell in love, and the rest is history."

  Elianna nodded, and her face heated as Vivian measured her bust. "I heard that some elves and dwarves lived here. But I was beginning to think those were only words, since I hadn't seen other elves or dwarves here." She smiled, "So, it's nice to have met you."

  Vivian stood and smiled, "It's not to meet you, too, My Lady." She tilted her head slightly, "Were you thinking about coming to Gavaria? Is that why you're curious?"

  Elianna looked to the side, as she couldn't deny that the thought had crossed her mind. After she thought about Nicholas staying in Gavaria under his father's orders, she wondered what it would be like for her if she moved there. Not for Nicholas, or anything...

  Elianna shrugged, "Just curious."

  Vivian chuckled and smiled, "I see. Well, like I said, I love it."

  Elianna nodded and followed Vivian's directions as she continued to take Elianna's measurements. Once Vivian was done, she watched Vivian curiously as she produced different color swatches and held them close to her eyes.

  Vivian smiled, "Ah, there we are." She put away the swatches, pulled out a notebook, and began to write. "Alright, that should be it." She finished writing, put her notebook away, and smiled at Elianna, "You're good to get dressed, My Lady. You can wait in the common area until the others are done."

  "Thank you," Elianna said, watching as Vivian left the room. Once Vivian was gone, Elianna quickly got dressed and left the room. When she entered the common room, she noticed Celine and Freya were already waiting. "Hope I didn't keep you waiting long."

  Celine and Freya looked in her direction, and Freya smiled, "Not at all. You ready to go?" Elianna nodded. "Alright," Freya said, and began to walk toward the hallway. "Let's go see if the others are done."

  Elianna and Celine nodded before following Freya into the hall.

  "So, now that that's done," Celine began, and looked at Elianna. "Is there anything you were thinking of doing?"

  Elianna shook her head, "I don't know. We didn't really get a chance to discuss it before we ran into Tristan."

  Celine nodded, "True." She hummed, looking to the side, before she smiled, "We could get out of the palace for a while. Get some fresh air and look at the city."

  Elianna looked down and smiled, thinking that it could be a good idea, especially for Nicholas, "I like that idea."

  Celine looked at Freya, "Would you want to come with us, Mom?"

  Freya looked over her shoulder, smiled, and shook her head, "Maybe, we'll see."

  Elianna looked ahead as they exited the hallway and entered the common area, where she noticed William, Nicholas, and Tristan were already waiting. Tristan was leaning against the wall, looking bored as he twisted the spatial ring on his finger. William was speaking with Daina, while Nicholas was standing in the center of the room, looking around.

  Nicholas' gaze flicked to Elianna as she entered the room, and he smiled at her, "Done?"

  Hearing Nicholas, William looked toward Freya, Celine, and Elianna's direction. He said one more thing to Daina before he began to walk over to the center of the room.

  Elianna returned Nicholas' smile and nodded, "Done. How'd it go?"

  Nicholas shrugged, "It was fine. She took my measurements quickly."

  Elianna's smile froze, and she tilted her head slightly, "She?"

  Nicholas simply nodded, "Yeah."

  Elianna blinked, a pang of jealousy beginning to pool inside her at the thought of a woman touching Nicholas while he was just in his underwear.

  Nicholas looked at Elianna curiously, "How about you?"

  Elianna smiled tightly, "Oh, it was fine."

  Nicholas raised a brow.

  "Hey, Nick," Celine began, looking at him inquisitively. "Elle and I were talking about going out to the city once we leave here. How does that sound?"

  Nicholas' face brightened, "Oh, that sounds like a fun idea!"

  Tristan rolled his eyes, "It's just the city. It's nothing special."

  Celine gave her cousin a narrowed gaze, "Well, it'll give us something to do."

  "I'm afraid it'll have to wait," William said, approaching. "Nicholas and Tristan will be accompanying me today."

  Tristan's head snapped to his father, "What? Why?"

  Nicholas' face crumpled, which irritated Elianna.

  Celine sighed, thinking she should've expected this.

  Freya narrowed her eyes on her brother, "For what?"

  William looked at his sister, "I have a council meeting today, court, and then administrative items that need to be seen to. Nicholas and Tristan will assist me with these."

  "I can help you with those," Freya said. "Let Nicholas relax."

  William shook his head, "Not this time. He and Tristan will both be with me." He looked at his sister sternly, "And just them."

  Freya's jaw clenched, knowing he was saying she couldn't be there this time.

  William's eyes flicked to Nicholas, seeing his dejected expression. He was silent for a moment before he said, "However, you can see the city tomorrow, Nicholas. For today, you and Tristan will be with me."

  Nicholas looked at his father and sighed, "Yes, Father."

  "Father," Tristan began, sounding annoyed. "I've been to countless council meetings. Surely I can skip this one."

  William looked at Tristan sternly, "You missed the last five. You will be there."

  Tristan grumbled, "Fine."

  William shook his head slightly before looking at Nicholas. "Go get dressed appropriately, then meet your brother and me in the council room."

  Nicholas nodded, looking less than happy, "Yes, Father."

  Without another word, Nicholas turned and left the room. Elianna and Celine shared a gaze before following him.

  Once they were gone, Freya looked at her brother sternly, "William."

  William looked at his sister, "Tristan, wait for me outside." Tristan shrugged before he walked outside, closing the door behind him. "Before you ask, no, you can't join this meeting or court. Nicholas has to stop relying on you."

  Freya's jaw clenched, "Nicholas doesn't want anything to do with this."

  William raised his chin, "He's still a prince, and will act according to his position. That is final."

  Freya huffed, "As you say, Your Majesty."

  William narrowed his eyes on his sister before he turned and walked toward the door. He stopped before he looked at his sister, "I'm doing this for him, not to him. Hopefully, one day, you will both see that."

  Freya's brows furrowed as William left the room, closing the door behind him.

  ***

  "Talk to me," Elianna said gently as she walked beside Nicholas down the hallway.

  Nicholas sighed in frustration, "I just don't understand why he keeps doing this. I don't want to have any part in Gavaria's politics."

  "Look at it this way," Celine began, and shrugged. "He's just asking for some help."

  "He has Tristan to help him." Nicholas shook his head and stopped, raising his head to look at the ceiling, "To be honest, I'm less annoyed that I have to help out my father than I am that I have to now spend the day with Tristan."

  Celine sighed, giving Nicholas a sympathetic gaze.

  Elianna eyed Nicholas, seeing several emotions cross his handsome features, as if he were feeling several things at once. "Nick," Elianna began softly. "Can I ask you something?"

  Nicholas looked at her, his brows furrowed, "What? You know you can ask me anything."

  Elianna nodded before her eyes fell. She was wondering if she should ask this, since she didn't want to upset Nicholas more. But she wanted to know, to understand the animosity between Nicholas and Tristan better.

  Elianna looked at Nicholas straight into his deep sea-green eyes, "Why did Tristan call you that earlier? A murderer?"

  Nicholas' lips went partially agape, and a deep sadness filled his eyes. Elianna regretted the question immediately. Celine's gaze softened, looking at her cousin worriedly.

  "Because of my mom," Nicholas sighed and looked down.

  Elianna's brows furrowed in confusion.

  Celine placed her hand reassuringly on Nicholas' shoulder.

  Nicholas closed his eyes and swallowed hard, "She died because of me."