| The rehearsal went off OK. Lina didn't have to wear the dress, much to her relief, and Prince Phil said he was saving his speech for tomorrow, thus saving Lina's sanity. The air between Gourry and Sylphiel became full of portent over the course of the evening, and Lina bet herself a great deal of money on Gourry's departure after the wedding. Begging off the post-rehearsal mini-party with all the nobility and courtiers -- "I gott have my beauty sleep to keep up with Amelia!" -- Lina went to her luxurious chamber. Her comment had gotten delighted laughs from the courtiers. Amelia had blushed, and Prince Phil was overheard to have said "Miss Lina Inverse has become a fine woman." But Lina herself hadn't heard it, and was instead up in her room, staring out the window. Am I growing up? Lina thought. Well then, what now? She couldn't have described her feelings to anyone. She wasn't as upset to see Gourry go as she thought she would be. She actually felt a bit relieved. Sylphiel obviously still loved him, and that would make him happy. Lina was pleased about that. She would be pleased to see Gourry happy. And he was clearly not happy with her anymore. Orin was a fine fellow, just a genuine good guy, and though Amelia still seemed a little flaky at times, Orin calmed her down a lot, and Lina got the sense that Amelia was a bit clearer on the whole good-bad thing. Prince Phil was a nut, as ever, but Lina didn't bother to worry about him. In fact, everything seemed great in the world. Mazoku attacks were way down. The kingdoms were peaceful. There's nothing for me to do anymore, Lina suddenly realized. I'm, I've got no place! She instantly felt worse. She'd been the one to save the world time and again until now, the world was beyond her and she had no purpose. L-sama, what will I do? I put myself out of business by being the best. Noone will even challenge me anymore. I've been everywhere, done everything. Now there's nothing left. Shedding her clothes, Lina squirmed into a white nitegown. Tired and depressed, she climbed into bed. Tomorrow, the whole day would belong to Amelia. The day after, Lina decided, she'd slip out of the palace early, leaving everyone behind. Maybe Zefelia, maybe Luna would forgive her and let her come home. As she fell asleep, she didn't notice the figure alighting on her balcony. The shadowy form seemed to peer into the room. A gloved hand pressed against the windowpane a moment, and then the figure disappeared. The next morning Lina woke early. She felt much better about everything. Washed up and dressed, she headed down to the same dining room she and Orin had used the day before. "Yessir, nothing's gonna keep me down!" she told herself. But when she entered the hall, she came to a stop. There sat Orin, dressed in only a robe and loose pants, staring into a coffee cup. "What's going on?" Lina demanded. Orin looked up. "Miss Lina, I have a favor to ask of you." Nodding, Lina said, "Anything. You name it." "The....guards...found evidence of a prowler last night around the residential wing of the palace. We've beefed up security, but I'm worried. There were no late visitors, no footprints in the ground, which means the prowler must have flown in." "A sorcerer," Lina stated. "Or Mazoku." Orin nodded. "We all know that the House of Saillune, while great and noble, has had it's fair share of bad luck. I need you to be not only my bride's Maid of Honor, but also her bodyguard." "Amelia can take care of herself, can't she?" "I know, but to have gotten by the mage guards to easily...." Lina slapped him on the back. "Count on me, Prince!" She left the dining room and headed for Amelia's room. She was delighted to have a purpose. Explaining to Amelia was simple. Amelia was concerned, but flattered at her husband-to-be's caution. "Gourry will be with the Honor Guards, right behind me, and you, Lina, will be right in front of me as Maid of Honor. Daddy will be beside me, and Orin, Sylphiel, and King Lucan will be up on the riser. Guards will ring the courtyard and mages on the battlements. What could possibly gmmmmffffmfmmmff!" Lina's hand covered Amelia's mouth. "Don't go there. Don't tempt ANYTHING! Got that?" Amelia nodded and Lina removed her hand. "Lets just start getting ready, OK, Amelia?" "OK. Clarise has come up with a great idea for you hair, Lina, and she took over from Marie on the jewelry. I think you'll like it." "Which one's Clarise?" "The hairdresser! But first, how about a swim in the biggest hot pool in Saillune?" Lina jumped up. "Great! Where is it?" Lina stared at herself in the mirror. The gown fit to perfection. Her fiery hair was pulled up on the sides and back into an antique clasp of gold and emeralds, the long ends left to hang down her back in a carefully curled mane. Her bangs still hung in her face, framing her eyes, and two long pieces of hair were pulled from the top and curled into ringlets behind her ears, setting off the matching gold and emerald earrings. A necklace, matching again, sat perfectly around the base of her neck. The dress enhanced her, and fell just long enough to be dramatic without tripping her. "I don't look like me at all!" Lina whispered. Clarise stood behind her fussing with the lay of her curls. "Miss, you look wonderful. You're an attractive girl to begin with, so it was easy to make you shine. And the healthy athletic look is popular now. That tan of yours makes most makeup unnecessary." They'd painted Lina's eyelids to match the dress and jewelry, placed a dusting of color on her cheekbones, and the lightest touch of peachy-gold lipstick graced her lips. "You look absolutely kissable. All the young scions will fall all over themselves at the ball." Confused and a bit awaed at her own transformation, Lina turned to look at the maid. "Why? Why are you being so nice and all? I don't understand." The maid gave her a stern look. "Two reasons, dear. One, because I want EVERYTHING to be perfect for Her Highness's wedding. And two, to show you that there's other things in life besides adventuring." "HUH?!?" "Miss Lina, if I may be so bold, I saw right away that you're at a point in life that comes to all women. You're questioning everything in your world, and you don't know what to do. Well, consider this a little gift. You're the Maid Of Honor at a Royal Wedding. That makes you the second most important woman here after Her Highness. I thought that one evening of perfection was what you deserved." Flushing, Lina turned back to the mirror. Looking at the elegant noblemwoman reflected there, she realized that she wasn't as uncomfortable as she might have been. She also noticed that her boasts about being beautiful we for once absolutely true. It gave her confidence. After a moment, she turned back to Clarise the maid and whispered, "Thank you." A tapping at the door alerted her that Amelia was ready. Lina went into the hall, and saw Gourry waiting. He smiled at her with warmth and friendship, but not love. His eyes admired, not coveted. And that was fine with Lina. Go to Page 4 |