The Tiger Within 287 Falling Ou

The sun was starting to rise by the time Clovis got dressed and cleaned up enough to leave the building. Kyera brushed her hair and braided it over her shoulder, honestly feeling like she was a mess. A shadowy figure, small and fox like jumped up into her lap and pawed at her bangs making them behave and fall out of her eyes. She chuckled honestly needing the light hearted moment. The fox dissipated into the shadows in the folds of her clothing as she stood and smoothed the dark purple fabric over her body.

A knock at the door caught her attention. "Come in." Kyera called out with a bit of a curious glance. She felt a touch self conscious, half naked in the Prince's room would not look very good. The purple gown she was wearing barely pa.s.sed as acceptable. She moved behind the bookshelf using it to hide most of her form.

A woman walked in carrying a dress. A familiar woman with long hair and a bit of a slow motion made Kyera chuckle. "Mally, I am so glad to see you." Kyera greeted as she stepped out from behind the shelf. A pair of amused and accusing eyes looked her over from head to toe.

"I was wondering who the Prince would request a dress for at such a early hour. I should have known you would be the lady in need of a dress. Let's get you cleaned up so no one knows your naughty little secret, Princess." Mally teased playfully causing Kyera to chuckle and walk over slipping the purple dress off so Mally could help her get dressed. The laces of her corset and the carefully designed lace of her bodice having to be tightened by someone other than herself.

"Nothing happened, we just needed to talk about a proposal he had for me." Kyera replied with a smile. There was a bit of surprise from both ladies as the dress fit her like a glove. The powder blue color actually bringing out the warm pale highlights to her porcelain skin.

"Proposal?" Mally prompted, her tone insinuating a certain amount of teasing flare. Kyera grinned as the last layer of the dress fell into place. She turned and took Mally's hands, her golden eyes a bit apprehensive.

"Yes, I… after finding out what happened back home I had to make a decision. The Fourth Prince has asked me to be his wife, and I agreed." Kyera replied smiling, the hopefulness in her eyes was nervous and the smile didn't reach her eyes. Mally stared at her, taking in every detail of Kyera's response.

"How… So soon?" Mally asked frowning at her. "Do you realize that Verone isn't even in the ground yet? We haven't found his body and you are considering getting married?" She hissed stepping back from her. "How can you agree to something like this?"

Kyera felt a sharp pain in her chest as she stared at Mally. Her words like a sharp slap across her face and a dagger driven into her heart. "Mally let me explain." Kyera began but Mally slapped her hand away and moved several feet from her. Recoiling with disgust in her eyes.

"You are abandoning your people when they need you most. You are soiling his memory. He loved you. How can you live with yourself? You are many things, Kyera Mei but I swear I never dreamed I would have cause to call you swift hearted." She spat turning away as though unable to look at her.

"Mally I am doing this for my people. I would never…"Kyera tried to explain but her friend turned away and slammed the door behind her leaving Kyera's heart shattered. She stood frozen in the middle of the room, her arms helplessly at her side.

Was she right? Was she doing this for selfish reasons? No, Kyera knew she wasn't doing this for herself. Yes, she was honestly happy with this arrangement, and had hope for a decent life with Clovis. She knew she could trust him but no one had taken the place of Verone. Her heart still ached at the sound of his name. The Fourth Prince never mentioned love, he said he cared. She cared for him as well, but her heart didn't belong to him. It could perhaps. One day she could truly love him. She had a lot of healing left to do before that could even consider becoming true.