One last look-over. One last making sure that something he was wearing wasn't inside out. Social gatherings like these were never Leo's strong forte, and it showed. Charlotte watched, a mix of concerned and amused, as Leo went over every last thing, again and again.
"...You look fine," she finally said, wandering over to him, patting over his vest to straighten it, mimicking how she'd seen his retainers perfect his appearance.
Leo fliched ever so slightly at the touch, her hand brushing against him as she patted on his clothes. Maybe this is one of her ploys to attract men-
He suddenly felt himself being tugged forward, as Charlotte lightly pulled on the cravat around his neck, fixing it in place. He had almost crashed into her face then, had he not steadied himself in time, they would have probably been in an awkward position, perhaps stumbling on top of each other on the floor...
"You're... uh... You're a little too close," Leo said, sounding a little uncomfortable.
"I'm just making sure you're well dressed," she said, but her voice sounded almost devious.
Crafty little vixen... "This is all part of your famous charm, isn't it?"
She stepped back, examining him, looking as if she were quite content with her work. "Whatever are you talking about? Like I said... just making sure you're well dressed. Can't have you going out wearing something inside out..."
"T-That does not happen on a regular basis!"
She chuckled at his flustered expression.
With a deep breath, Leo assured himself that he looked fine, and then finally turned to the other matter at hand-Charlotte. She looked stunning, and it even seemed as if she carried herself with an air of grace. As if the clothes lent her and air of refinement and nobility. He'd witnessed Charlotte's skill in maintaining an act, so he had no doubt that she could hold up well enough... The only thing that worried him was that neckline, cut a little too low, generously showing off her bust. It was Camilla's dress after all... it was made to accentuate her best "assets".
"Lord Leo... I didn't expect you to be that type..." Charlotte's voice snapped him from his thoughts, her hand going up to cover her chest. Only then did Leo realize his line of sight had been on her chest for a little too long.
"T-That's not...! I wasn't-!" Again, flustered. He grasped and thought quick, noticing the lack of jewelry on her neck. "I was simply wondering why you weren't wearing any jewelry, that's all!"
"Oh, that?" Charlotte said. "Well, Lady Camilla wanted to lend me some, but I thought it very impolite of me to wear her jewelry, because most of them had been gifts to her. It'd be really embarrassing to wear a gift for someone else."
That made sense. Camilla was always showered with gifts from her suitors, and she had enough jewelry she hardly remembers who gave what. It would have been awkward for Charlotte to wear one, lest someone recognize it.
"...Actually, I may have something you could use..." Leo said, remembering something. He went back to his dresser, looking in the bottom drawing, finding a small ornate box that he'd kept hidden for quite some time. He brought it to Charlotte, and opened it before her-revealing a necklace with an emerald stone, set in silver.
Charlotte gasped, feeling her heart skip a few beats. There really was something exciting about a prince opening a box of jewelry before you-nevermind that it was for an act and he probably only meant to lend it.
"It's some old bauble my mother gave me some years back," Leo said. "So there are no problems regarding who it came from and such. I don't think she would mind if my... uh... pretend-date were wearing it."
In fact, she would likely be over the moon with joy, quite frighteningly so, Leo thought.
"It's lovely," Charlotte said, still staring at the necklace. And it looks friggin' expensive!
Leo chuckled, seeing the look on her face. "I'm only lending it. Don't get carried away. Now, if you'll let me..."
He went behind her, brushing away some of her her to reveal the back of her neck. Leo paused for a moment, realizing that being able to touch or see her bare neck like this was such a luxury. She often hid her neck and her shoulders in her armor... to have them within his reach like this felt so... intimate.
"Is something wrong, Lord Leo?" she asked.
"...Nothing," Leo said, snapping from his thoughts, closing the jewelry around her neck. He turned her around to view how it looked. "There. Looks good. I think we're ready now."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Music was already ringing from the ballroom when Leo led Charlotte out of his rooms. Arms linked together, they whispered to each other as they walked, which was mostly Leo trying to make sure their cover was flawless.
"If someone asks you a question too difficult, leave the answers to me," he said. While he trusted Charlotte's capable acting skills, he knew she was no noble; any well-meaning guest could uncover how common and uneducated she was. "Whatever you do, try not to be separated from me-"
"I would think it's your job to make sure no one takes me from you, milord," she said, teasing him. "Such a dream come true, being protected by a prince from the bad guys..."
She pretended to swoon, and he was about to chastise her, but he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. Charlotte noticed, and looked forward, noticing what caused Leo to stop. There were two men by the entrance to the ballroom, already with wine in hand.
Speak of the bad guys, Leo thought. Hans and Iago stood there, engrossed in some form of gossip.
Iago turned around and noticed them, quickly extending a greeting. "My, if it isn't Prince Leo!" His eyes then fell onto Charlotte, a curious look dancing on his features. "And who might this beauty be, hmm?"
Charlotte stepped to Leo's side. She'd known about Hans, and knew about his extreme actions in the battlefield-a ruthless barbarian with absolutely no regard for life. While she'd never met or heard about Iago, something in how he looked at her quickly unnerved her...
She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. She'd met plenty men like these.
"This is Charlotte, my dinner companion," Leo said, trying to get the introductions over and done with. "Charlotte, this is General Hans and Advisor Iago-some of my father's most trusted men."
Whether Leo was able to keep the spite out of his voice, he couldn't be too sure-what he was sure of, though, was that Hans and Iago shamelessly proceeded to stare at Charlotte, looking at her as if she was a slab of meat. Hans had absolutely no discretion, his eyes obviously trained at Charlotte's well-endowed chest. Iago was less obvious, his gaze more like a slippery snake's, slithering up her body from her to toe.
It made Leo shudder in disgust to see. He stole a glance at Charlotte, trying to gauge her reaction out of worry.
She held her chin up, not even rattled in the slightest.
She was used to being stared at like a piece of meat.
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Charlotte greeted the men with a pleasant smile and a curtsy. No hint of fear, panic, or confusion in her voice-absolutely nothing.
Those damn acting skills are solid.
"My, my, what a charming angel!" Iago said, sounding impressed, a wide smile on his face.
He motioned towards Charlotte, as if to take her hand or give her an embrace-but Leo stepped forward, and blocked him.
"Yes, charming, isn't she? I'm glad you like her, Iago," Leo said, not really meaning his words. Then he turned to Hans, who had still been blatantly staring at Charlotte. "If you still want a head on your shoulders, Hans, you'd do well to stop staring at her."
Iago raised his brow. Interesting. The little lion is baring his fangs. Hans only chuckled, and gave a half-hearted apology. "She's too beautiful to not stare at," was all he said. Leo turned away from them and said goodbye, taking Charlotte with him.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"...He'll get sick of her," Iago said, when Leo and Charlotte were already a ways away. "He is his father's son, after all."
