A different world

[DawnAntalios]

He smiled at her as he ushered she outside. It was relatively cold but not too much for walking. They walked side by side, Ben resisting the urge the grab Emilia's hand - although he knew that eventually that will also be necessary to keep up the illusion. The city was rather sleepy and not many people were outside on the streets. As they walked to the inner city he looked at her.


" As a noble lady it is not enough to act like one - you need to look like one too. " he said " Today is an important day for this day I need your counsel: I want to purchase the most beautiful clothes, jewelry and anything which comes in your mind. But in order for all of them to suit you I want you to choose all of them. "

 

[Dropintheocean]

There was a storng wind, which made Emilia feel a little cold.


She nodded as Benjamin explained what was on the agenda that day. She had never bought clothes before, so she didn't know what to expect, and she definitely didn't know what a noble lady would wear. "I must warn you, Benjamin, I don't know anything about shopping." She said while looking at him a bit insecure.


"You'll have to help me out a little." Which meant that he'd had to help a lot.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Ben nodded.


" Worry not, Emilia. " he said, calling her just by her surname. It felt very strange... but very comforting at the same time " I know most of the tailors in the towns and I know the best place we should visit. "


They have arrived at a large shop which was indeed a tailor's emporium. Opening the door the shopkeep greeted them warmly bowing before both of them. Ben walked up to the old man, stating their business.


" This charming woman next to me is called Emilia. She is my to-be wife and we have come to choose a fitting dress for her radiant beauty. I hope you have some luxurious pieces... the price is of no matter of course. "


The old man looked at Emilia, nodding approvingly and he brought forth his finest collection of clothes. One was more beautiful than the other, they were all finely crafted from the most luxurious silk one can wish in many-many colors.


" Well, my beloved? " Ben asked " Which one should have the honor to be worn by the most beautiful woman on earth? "

 

[Dropintheocean]

As they walked into the store, she held her eyes wide open. It was a very chique shop, one of the kind she had never visited before.


She greeted the skopkeeper with a gentle smile.


When he showed her the beautiful collection of dresses, she didn't know which one to choose. Each and every one of them looked gorgeous, and she still couldn't believe that she would be wearing this kind of luxury.


Her eye fell on a beautiful midnightblue dress. She thought the color would look good on her, she hoped at least. "I would love to try on this one." She said, pointing at the beautiful creation.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Ben motioned towards the shopkeep who immediately removed it from the collection and started to pack it in. Ben looked at him then he asked.


" Is there an another one with the same fashion? My precious one deserves the best. "


The man nodded with joy and he hurried away to the back of the store. While the two of them were left alone together he smiled at Emilia.


" I hope this one will be to your liking. Its color truly suits you, helps to bring out the beauty in your eyes. "

 

[Dropintheocean]

Emilia looked suprised when the man rushed back to get it for her lord immediately. She didn't know that the rich were served this well by tailors.


She blushed and nodded slightly when Ben complimented her. "Thank you, that's why I chose it."


She looked down, as she still found it a little uncomfortable staring into his eyes for a long time. It would be necessary though if they wanted to pull this con of.


When the shopkeeper returned with another dress, which was just as beautiful as the previous one, she smiled and reached out her hand to touch the fabric. "Wow, this is very beautiful as well." She said, looking at Benjamin for his approval.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Ben nodded.


" Indeed it is, my beloved. " he said and turned to the old man " We will take both of them then. Oh and my friend, do you happen to know a shop where we can purchase matching shoes for these amazing clothes of yours? "


" Oh definitely, Lord Benjamin. " he replied " Not far at the end of the road there is a beautiful emporium which sells all kinds of accessories - I bet they would have matching shoes too. "


" Splendid. " Ben said as he took the package from the shopkeep, paying him handsomely. After they left the store he looked at Emilia.


" Well your very first shopping tour has only just begun. Is it to your liking? " he smiled, trying to find out what her thoughts were about this.

 

[Dropintheocean]

They left the store, and Emilia was very pleased with the two beautiful dresses they had just purchased.


She nodded to Ben and smiled. "It definitely is, Benjamin." She liked the way his name rolled out of her mouth. She could get used to the whole idea of marrying him. Pretending to marry him, of course.


She followed him to the shop on the end of the road. The door got opened for them, and again Emilia thanked the young man holding it for her by smiling at him. The store they had just entered was as enormous as the previous one. But instead of clothes, this one had shoes all over the place. "It's so big..'' She whispered to Benjamin.

 

[DawnAntalios]

" As it should be. " he smiled " Only the best for you. "


He decided to leave her to freely browse every shoe she wanted to, after all it was her choice which mattered in this case so he walked over to inspect some boots, leaving Emilia alone so that she can choose her heart's desire. It was then when a slender figure appeared next to her. The young girl was smiling at her, she was in a maid dress, probably the assistant of the shopkeep.


" Welcome to our shop, my lady! " she said cheerfully " My name is Lily and it is a pleasure to be at your service. How may I help you? "

 

[Dropintheocean]

She jumped a little when the maid stood behind her.


"Oh, well, I need some shoes to match with those dresses." She said as she pointed to the bags Benjamin was holding in his hands.


"Could you perhaps help me out with that?" she asked the maid, while smiling at her.


Nobody ever served HER, it was always the other way around. It was quite nice to have a little bit of change, she did not mind at all.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Lily nodded.


" Right away, my lady! " she said cheerfully as she started to browse the catalog, walking past each and every shoe she saw. Occasionally she took an envious look at Benjamin as well as they walked forward. " My mistress says that the gentleman you have entered with is your to-be husband! Frankly, my lady I am so jealous! You two are so lucky, noble born, I bet the wedding will be exquisite! " she said enthusiastically then turned red from shame. " N-Not that I am complaining! My mistress is really kind and considerate! " she lowered her voice " Please don't tell her that I said things like these. Please! "

 

[Dropintheocean]

She followed Lily around, looking at all of the shoes. She saw the way that the young maid looked at Benjamin, and chuckled a little. Emilia didn't blame her, he was a very handsome young man.


She nodded. "I am very lucky to marry him indeed." She said smiling at Benjamin.


"Dont worry, Lily, I won't tell." she said, putting her finger on her mouth. After looking around the store for a while, Lily told her she had picked out some shoes for her to try on. "I'd love to see what you've picked out for me." She went up to one of the chairs and sat down.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Ben finally returned, watching Emilia putting her shoe on.


" Is everything all right? " he inquired to which Lily heavily nodded.


" Yes my lord, the lady has a fine taste in shoes I tell you! The one matches this outfit is one thing but the others! She has a very good eye when it comes to picking the best shoes! "


Ben chuckled.


" Indeed she does. " he waited until she put them on. They looked marvelous on her. " Well, do you like them? They suit you well I have to say but you have to decide if they are comfortable or not. "


Lily looked at her eagerly with anticipation.

 

[Dropintheocean]

She nodded. "They look very beautiful."


She stood up from the chair and walked around the store a little, to see if they fitted perfectly. She turned around and took a look in the mirror. "They fit very well indeed, and I think they look stunning." She smiled at the both Benjamin and Lily and sat back down to take them of again


She could already imagine what the whole picture would look like, with her gorgeous dress, and these amazing shoes,. She would truly look like a noble lady. Emilia was know confident that their plan would work out just fine.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Ben was really glad that everything was working fine for her, Emilia seemed to have a wonderful time - exactly what he wanted. Buying these and some other shoes he had asked the shopkeep where they could buy jewelry and she helped them out with the information they needed. He nodded, bowing graciously and they headed towards the exit of the shop. In the meantime Lily watched them intently, as if she had something on her mind.


When they exited she could not wait any longer and hurried after them.


" My lady, wait! " she yelled, running as fast as she could. Ben stopped and smiled.


" It seems she wants to have a word with you, I will wait for you a bit ahead. " and with that he walked off. Lily stopped in front of Emilia, panting heavily, ignoring the cold.


" My... my lady. One word please. " she said, blushing heavily " I... I have a question to ask. "

 

[Dropintheocean]

They walked out with yet another bag. The whole experience was very overwelming for the young dame, but Emilia liked it. She turned around when she heard someone calling her name. She saw it was the shopkeeper and walked torwards her.


"I'll be back in a minute, Ben!" She looked at Ben and then turned her head.


"Lily, of course, no problem." She smiled gently as she put one hand on her shoulder.


"What is it that you want to ask me?" She was curious to hear the young girl's question.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Lily recovered quickly and smiled at her.


" My lady I know that our meeting was but a short one and that you probably have no time for lowly maids like me but... " she stopped for a moment " But I hoped you would consider my proposal. "


She gathered the courage to continue.


" For years I have worked in this shop, serving my mistress in all the way I could. I am by no means displeased but I always wanted to be a true maid, one who serves in gigantic mansions for nobles. I know i deserve not to have such dreams but... " she was now blushing so intensively that her entire face turned red " I was wondering... that when you get married you would surely need a housekeeper and I... well I... um... "


She took a deep breath again.


" I would gladly volunteer to be one my lady! It would be a honor to serve under someone as kind and considerate as you. "

 

[Dropintheocean]

Emilia had a sad smile on her face. She couldn't imagine what it would feel like to work for a mistress.


Of course, she wanted to give the poor girl a chance. She promised her she would discuss it with Benjamin.


"It's very courageous to come up to me ans ask such thing, I admire that, Lily."


She turned her head and looked at Ben, who was still standing on the street, shivering a little. "I promise you that I will tell my lo- fiancé about it, and I bet he is willing to give you a chance." Emilia almost made a slip of tongue there. She smiled at the girl. "I have to go now, but I will let you know as soon as we have discussed the matter." She turned around and left, waving one more time at Lily. When she was standing next to Ben again, she smiled.


"As soon as we get home, there's something we'll have to discuss." she said very confidently.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Lily said nothing but nodded, watching as Emilia and Ben walked off in the distance. She could suppress her tears of joy no longer, finally a faint hope burning in her ever joyful heart. She wished them happiness, wiped away her tears and went back to the shop, now with renewed vigor.


" Oh is that so? " Ben asked, quite surprised " Very well, we shall do it then. Now where is that shop... "


It was late in the afternoon when they have finally finished buying everything. New jewelry, hats, coats and other wonderful things were purchased by Ben, all suited for Emilia's taste. He was really glad - it seemed that the girl was born as a noble, her refined taste and elegance made that pretty clear. As time went on he felt this act more to his liking, frankly he was afraid that she would be anxious or afraid about it but seeing how she enjoyed her part he was now glad.


When they reached home he put down everything in the main hall.


" There, let we rest for a moment before bringing them up to your room. " he said " So you mentioned something that you wanted to discuss with me Emilia? May I know what it is? "

 

[Dropintheocean]

When they entered the house, she put her coat on the coat-hanger.


She nodded. "There is indeed. You remember the maid we met in the accessory shop?" She looked at him waiting for him to react. "Well, after we left, she came up to me and wanted to ask me something." She walked over to the living room and sat down in one of the chairs.


"She told me how she had always wanted to be a real maid, serving in a big mansion, working for nobles." She coughed and then continued.


"She thought, because we were getting married, that we might need a new housemaid. And she told me she would be very honored if we hired her for it."


Emilia looked up at Ben. "So what do you think?"

 

[DawnAntalios]

Ben started to think.


" Hmm... that is quite the conundrum indeed. " he said " On one hand she would be a perfect substitute for you - I mean to cover up the maid story. On the other hand... "


He looked at Emilia.


" I know that she sounds like a nice girl but I have heard of stories of so called "maids" infiltrating certain noble houses to sabotage them from the inside. I know it is probably paranoid but better safe than sorry. I would consider this only if YOU vouch for her - I trust your word on this. What do you think? "

 

[Dropintheocean]

Emilia's face lit up immediately.


"Of course I would watch over her shoulder the whole time, and if you feel like it doesn't work, I will tell her to leave directly." She already got excited and couldn't wait to tell Lily about the good news.


"Thank your for giving her a chance, Ben." She looked deeply into his beautiful eyes. "It means a lot to me that you trust me so much."


When she looked at him, she got a warm feeling inside. A feeling she had never felt before.

 

[DawnAntalios]

He nodded.


" Very well then I will make the required arrangements. But before she would join us here I want to bring something else in your attention. Something that is... not exactly legal. "


He lowered his voice.


" Tomorrow I shall finish our trip alone. I will meet up with a... friend of mine, a ruffian if we want to put it gently. He has connections to the underworld and is able to make papers which are quite good forged documents about nearly anything. Like a past of a noble family. "


He did not want her to come with him. In reality he did not want her to be hurt if things turn out to be the worst... it was well known that criminals did not like nobles at all and asking them to forge papers for a girl was dangerous... if any harm had to come to either of them it was better if he went alone.


" I am certain it will go fine. " he added, sweating in fear.

 

[Dropintheocean]

She frowned her forehead. The thought of getting new papers had not crossed her mind yet.


"Isn't it dangerous to go there all by yourself?" She didn't propose to go with him, but she was sure there was someone who could accompany him.


"Can't you take someone with you? Just to be safe. I don't want anything to happen to you, Benjamin."


She put her hand on his leg and looked at him with sadness in her eyes. Hopefully, nothing would happen to him while he was arranging the papers. She would never forgive herself if something did happen.

 

[DawnAntalios]

He was a bit afraid but he kept smiling not to worry her.


" It is all right. " he said, putting his hand on hers. Immediately he blushed heavily and pulled his hand back on his leg, looking at her. He wanted to say that he promised to be careful... but he could not. He knew the risks but he wanted to do it regardless. For her. For them.


" It is safer if I go alone. Those "gentlemen" are not too kind to strangers... especially not to ladies like you. I do not want to see you hurt. "


He gulped. For her sake he would do anything.