It Must Be ~{Fabulous}~ (Echo)

[echolight4eva]

She smiled charmingly. "How kind, thank you."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal tilted his head slightly, watching as Nikolai dreamed up some masterpiece of a suit. His curious expression faded as soon as Nikolai came back to them. "Thank you," he said. "It would be much appreciated. Shall I visit your shop tomorrow for measurements?"

[wizardlizard]

Nikolai smiled and nodded. "Of course sir! I would be delighted to have you!" He said with a short bow. Meanwhile, on the inside, Nikolai was banging his head off something. Another noble to visit his shop. Another order to fill. How lovely.

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide watched the two men talk, looking around at the ball. This was only the third she had attested since she had wed Nazeal, and se still felt the familiar excitement she had at the first one.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal nodded to Nikolai and then leaned close to his wife's ear. "We should dance," he murmured. "Just long enough to let them see us." After that, he planned to sneak up to their spot and just watch the rest of the party, far away from chattering nobles and social pressure.

[echolight4eva]

"I would be honored to dance with you, my lord," she said with a small smile, gently taking his hand and walking out to the fringe of the group of dancers.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal led her to a semi-open spot and placed one hand on her waist. "You really do look lovely," he said. "And it's more than just the dress."

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide blushed and gave him a smile. "Thank you, Nazeal," she said quietly, moving in time with the music. "That is kind of you. And you look very handsome, as well."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal smiled back at her, a new kind of softness creeping into his eyes. "How did you find out about that man--Volkov, was it?--anyway?" he asked. "I've never heard of him."

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide gave a sort of shrug. "Oh, just talking with other ladies. It seems anyone who is anyone has one of his dresses. And," she added, almost as an afterthought, "it would seem that now I'm someone."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"You were always someone," Nazeal said. "Everyone else just couldn't see it." And it took marriage to the Venture heir for others to see it, but that wasn't the point.

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide gave a half smile. "Well, at least in the literal sense," she said. "Thank you."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal glanced around the room and then gave her a conspiratorial smile. "What do you say we go upstairs?"

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide's smile widened. "Yes, let's. I rather prefer watching parties from above."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal took a small step back and gave her hand a squeeze before heading toward the door that led up to the balcony. If only he could spend every ball hiding up there with her. If only he wasn't the center of attention half the time.