Page 97 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
Miss Lilywearer’s Finest Wearings
Gerda
I arrived ten minutes early, just in case, finding a seat at the fountain but being careful with my long hair. I had to pull it over my shoulder so I wouldn’t sit on it or risk it getting wet.
The summer sun meant everything was bright and hot, and I did not regret my choice in dress. The gown was something I’d found in a dungeon. I’d brought it toMiss Lilywearer’s Finest Wearingsin Sumbria, and they’d altered it to my desires. I’d chosen it not just for the +2 Dexterity enchantment but because it wasperfect.
The dress was a lilac purple, soft and sensual. The corset top dipped at my cleavage and rounded out like the top of a heart. Layers of the sheer lilac-colored fabric skirt fell to various lengths, but the base layer underneath was a soft green just a shade lighter than my skin tone. It gave off the illusion that you could see right through the thin silk.
I’d had Lily sew on royal-purple delphinium fabric flowers with tiny ornate embroidered leaves starting between my breasts and going down in an arch to my left hip. Matching purple flower straps fell off my shoulders, offering absolutely no support at all.
The dress barely touched the floor because, as much as I fantasized about billowing skirts that trailed behind me in an enchanting puddle … I didn’t want to dance in a fabric puddle.
I wore matching dark purple boots with silver leaf embroidery, and lilac fingerless gloves that came halfway up to my elbows. With my thick muscular arms and strong shoulders, there was no sense in wearing longer gloves.
Besides, showing off my arms complimented the green in my dress.
After much debate and careful consideration … I’d decided to let my hair down. Unraveling my braids gave it a distinct wave. I’d been tempted to letallof my hair down, but instead, I’d braided my bangs and woven them around the strap of my purple-and-silver half mask.
I had to wear the Ancient Gamblers Amulet around my neck. If I unequipped it, then every time someone crossed my bridge, I’d be forced to pay them in experience points instead of gold … and my massive treasure trove of gold was the only reason I could traipse across Valaria enjoying myself instead of doing my job. Luckily, the amulet was silver. While unimpressive on its own, it didn’t clash.
My perception immediately noticed when Julian arrived. It also noticed that the half elf didn’t greet me right away.
He stood there for a solid thirty seconds, unmoving, but I didn’t call out to him. I liked to think he was standing there staring at me in shock.
A troll could dream.
“Miss Gerda.” He cleared his throat.
I stood and offered him a smile. It was my turn to stare at him. Julian wore exactly what he’d been wearing on the cover of season two’s promotional picture: a black undershirt, a long royal-purple silk vest with delphinium flower print, and black pants. His silver buttons matched his silver pendant, also unassuming in comparison to the rest of his outfit. His mask was similar to my own.
His lips were in their usual unimpressed, harsh line. I wanted to poke the half elf on the cheek and force a smile, but I didn’t.
“Duke Julian.” I curtsied naturally. Then, I couldn’t resist the tease. “It looks like we both made it in time today.”
Julian’s lip twitched, and then he covered his mouth to hold back laughter.
“So it would seem,” he managed, walking closer. He held out his arm to escort me, and the gentle smile on his face made my toes curl. “I have to ask …”
Knowing that my raised eyebrows were hidden behind my mask, I took his arm and said, “Yes?”
“Did you arrange to wear that dressbeforeyou knew that I was going to escort you?” He eyed me from the side, looking to the flowers trailing down to my hips and back up to my mask.
My shoulders stiffened, and I fought to keep the lighthearted smile. “What can I say?”
“You can just say that you knew all along,” he replied, though I noticed a hitch in his voice that I couldn’t place.
In a very dumb move on my part, I decided not to lie. “I knew what you were going to wear, but I had no idea we were going together. Promise.”
It was true. My own interaction with the storyline had never come up. I was never seen by the eyes of the chosen in any scenario, or forewarned of in any perk.
Granted, I rarely interacted with the story itself.
His voice dropped ever so slightly even as he said through a smile, “If I didn’t ask you, who were you planning to go with?”
“Lady Amy,” I replied. I knew many people in attendance … but not personally. And while there had been a pile of invites delivered to my room after my identity was revealed, I couldn’t have planned for that.
Julian nodded. “Her loss … Is she also wearing purple today?”
