A/N: This is going to be a bit of a short chapter, and the next one will be a bit longer, I promise. Thanks for the reviews. It really makes me happy. This one I hope, will get reviews too. Kadaj and Natalie are finally going out.
Chapter 10: One More Step to Freedom
A top, jeans, and a pair of sunglasses... Easy enough, right? Wrong! Natalie realized this the hard way. After Kadaj's earlier orientation, she thought she had got all the 'concepts' correctly. But as the saying goes: 'Some things are easier said than done,' and picking out casual clothes was one of them. So far, she'd managed to dig out a pair of dark blue jeans that Tifa had secretly given to her on her recent birthday. It was a good thing her mother never found out, or a war might have ensued. She didn't have any 'tops' other than the semi-formal ones she wore daily, and she hoped these were good enough.
Slowly, she plucked a carefully chosen cream-colored turtleneck top from its hanger and tossed it neatly on her chiffon padded couch sitting in her walk-in closet. The top was loose enough so it had to work. Now for the shoes. She scurried about her closet to the shelves where a number of her footwear was perched—neatly arranged and assorted by kind. Thoughtfully, she pressed a finger to her lip. Now she had a problem. What would go with the clothes selection?
A loud knocking sound reached her ears, and she hurriedly tripped out of the walk-in closet and as quietly as she could, pushed it half-closed.
"Enter!" She called out, picking up a piece of stationery and flipped it between her fingers, pretending that she wasn't up to something.
Josie, her personal attendant's head poked through the double doors. Natalie blinked rapidly, afraid that she was going to have another talk with her parents and would so gladly postpone her and Kadaj's secret trip. Of course, there was one part of the plan she hadn't figured out yet. What were her parents going to think if she didn't show up for dinner? That was going to be a potential stumbling block. She resisted the urge to cry out in frustration. Of all things, why did she have to forget about that tiny detail at the last minute?
Josie was still staring at the princess, wondering what had caused the sudden stunned silence. She was about to ask if everything was okay, when Natalie spoke up.
"Okay... This is going to sound totally crazy," Natalie ranted, pacing the floor and the young woman's curiosity was suddenly peaked at the sound of the princess disregarding formal talk. "I-I don't know if you'll approve, but... Could you... Would you...promise to keep this a secret? Please?"
Natalie stopped pacing, interlocking her fingers in a pleading gesture.
"I beg your pardon, your highness, but I can't comprehend what your highness is trying to convey to me..." Josie replied, clutching her tab closer to her.
The princess squeezed her eyes shut and began ranting all over again. "Of course you wouldn't know... I never told you. I should have when I had the chance. I can't believe it slipped my mind. Um... I... I had something planned for the evening, but... I'm not really sure it's a... a... valid reason for you to squeeze it into my schedule..." She grinned nervously and then brought her nails to her mouth, sub consciously nibbling on them.
Josie frowned in confusion. "I'm afraid I still don't understand, princess..."
Natalie blinked several times. Should she tell her personal attendant? If you viewed it the other way around, it would be sensible to have an inside person to maximize her safety, and of course, to avoid herself from getting into quicker trouble, but could she really trust Josie? They barely knew each other, and she wouldn't have problems if the person standing before her were Tifa or Aerith. And now, Natalie knew she couldn't tell either of them if Josie were to know. Taking a deep cleansing breath, she squared her shoulders, composing herself.
"I'm going out." She said outright, intending to leave no room for questions and suspicion.
"Excuse me? You're...going out?"
"Out of the palace..." She gulped. "With Kadaj..."
"I do believe you are aware of the-"
The princess raised a hand to stop her attendant's advance. She might be making sense right now, but Natalie was still the boss. A very spontaneous one for that matter.
"I know what you must be thinking, but I've been waiting all my life and... and... my parents might think they're doing it for my well-being but all it does is make me feel like I'm a caged creature. Oh please, please, please Josie. I need this experience." Natalie pleaded, her gesticulating hands coming to a rest from the earlier rant.
Her attendant sighed, understanding her princess' disposition. It wasn't exactly Natalie's fault, and she was slightly taken aback at the princess's stark revelation of wanting to leave the palace walls when it wasn't her time yet. How this prince of Nyx had managed to persuade her, Josie had no idea. And truth be told, she was more than happy to help the young monarch in her quest. It could be dangerous, but proved to be an eye opener. How long would the queen and king think they could shelter their only daughter? A strong individual is built from a series of trials and experiences. Natalie needed this. It was a step to personal freedom. But the king and queen didn't have to know...for now that is.
But participating in this personal violation was so risky, Josie had doubts. Although knowing Kadaj's reputation, she shouldn't really be worried. Involving the personal security group would only arouse suspicion and much unwanted trouble. She stared at the princess, still standing before her with nervous eyes.
"Well, you can't exactly leave the palace looking like that," she nodded at the girl's current state of dress. "Anyone who isn't blind will see you instantly as the famous Princess Natalie."
The young blue-blood blushed, eternally grateful and happy for Josie's open-mindedness.
"I have some clothes picked out for the evening. Kadaj told me a pair of jeans, and a normal top would do, and a pair of sunglasses... But I have a problem with the shoes," she pointed out, leading Josie into her walk-in closet.
Natalie rushed over to the couch where she laid out her choice of clothing. Josie leaned over, inspecting each with a critical eye. It wouldn't hurt to give the princess some advice.
"Dark blue jeans would do," she nodded once in approval. "The cream-colored turtleneck sweater wouldn't do... What did you say your problem was, your highness?" Josie looked up.
"Please, just call me Natalie." She smiled. "The shoes... I don't know what would match, but since you mentioned the top, what would you suggest?"
"Hmm..." Josie pondered thoughtfully, walking over to the various open mini-closets and scanning the racks of clothing the princess owned. "Do you by any chance have t-shirts or regular blouses?" She asked, turning to our beloved blue-blood.
"I think I do... Tifa and Aerith made sure of that. My mother doesn't know though," she explained, heading to the closed dresser, and pulling out the first drawer revealed a few cute tops in the selection.
Going out of her way, Natalie let Josie rifle neatly through the stacks of casual clothing she owned—even though she was seriously lacking in that department. Josie pulled out a blood red sweater, and a black and red sleeveless feminine top that had netted black roses in black vines twisting at the bottom. Accessorizing the latter was a tight long-sleeved black jacket that halted at the midriff.
"Which one do you favor?" She asked the princess, holding up both items of clothing.
Natalie pointed at the sleeveless feminine top with the jacket. Her attendant nodded once and handed the item to the princess.
"Okay... I don't think the jeans work anymore. Do you by chance have a mini skirt?"
Natalie nodded once and opened the third drawer that held another pair of skinny jeans and a variety of skirts. She stepped aside and let Josie do her job as she rifled through the items yet again. There was a knee-level cherry red skirt that went straight down and the other one she'd managed to grab was a ruffled black mini skirt that halted seven inches above the wearer's knee. Josie stared at the black material with relative approval.
"Perfect!" She whispered and twirled around, draping the skirt over Natalie's arm. "That would go well with your top. Now for the shoes, but first...could you find yourself some black stockings, preferably a pair much longer than the boots?" she asked, eyes already set on the pair of feminine knee-high black boots on Natalie's tall shoe rack.
The blonde came back later with the items needed and Josie promptly directed her to try them on at once in the changing room. Five minutes later, a very unrecognizable and gothic princess appeared before the young woman. She nodded her approval. Now the only things missing were a bit of make-up, and accessories.
Josie directed the young monarch to the vanity dresser where black liquid eyeliner was applied to her gorgeous dark blue eyes, and shiny lip gloss onto her pink lips. Her personal attendant had managed to rummage through Natalie's jewelry box and come across a necklace with small silver chain links attached together and the point of attention drawing one's eyes to stare at the black and red rose pendant. Carefully, she slung the piece of jewelry around Natalie's neck.
"You need a belt. And I have one that would go perfectly well with your skirt. I'll be right back, your highness," Josie bowed and swiftly exited the walk-in closet and Natalie's room.
vVvVv
When all has been said and done, Natalie had practically deemed herself utterly unrecognizable in her top with the jacket buttoned at the very bottom leaving the rest open, showing off the rose pendant, her black mini-skirt with the black leather belt across her hips, slanting at a certain degree, and a narrow and small silver chain across her thighs, black stockings and black boots; both skirt and stockings having a gap of four inches showing off some skin. She also wore gloves that had finger holes—yet another item owned by Josie. Slung across her shoulder was a small black purse that contained her wallet, phone, and handkerchief. And as was Kadaj's advice, she wore dark sunglasses over her eyes, her wavy blonde hair tied back in a side ponytail... To say the least, she looked...well...sexy. But it was for her own good, so she didn't argue.
According to Kadaj's earlier instructions, they were to meet at the gazebo in the palace gardens. With one last check in the mirror, and an approval nod from Josie, both of them proceeded to sneak their way out of the palace.
vVvVv
Kadaj checked his wrist watch. It was almost three and she wasn't here yet. He sighed heavily, and tipped his head back. Our gorgeous silver haired monarch wore something close to the look of a gothic punk. There was no need for a formality was there? Kadaj is dressed in a black t-shirt, topped with a leather jacket, slightly fitting black jeans, and black sneakers. He pretty much looked simple, the only accessory being a wrist watch.
He didn't really notice it when another figure ran up to the gazebo followed by a young woman in a pencil skirt and semi-formal blouse. And to her credit, Natalie was utterly unrecognizable. The prince was slack jawed as he stared at the young princess before him in her gothic attire. He couldn't help staring. She was so damn hot, his thoughts reflected to the earlier ones that had gone through his head during her party. If he thought she was hot then, she was damn sexy now! He blinked; the urge to drool was present.
"Who are you and what have you done to Princess Natalie?" He said with a gorgeous smirk, eyeing her carefully, impressed.
"So are we ready to go?" She asked, hopefully.
"Yeah... We probably should." Kadaj looked over at the princess's personal attendant, wary of their agenda being exposed.
"Have a good time, your highnesses." Josie bowed. "I'll take care of distracting your parents, princess. Keep safe."
Kadaj nodded once, acknowledging the young woman's apparent show of respect, and if he was being honest with himself, he was quite glad to know there was someone backing them up in case of trouble. He reached into his pocket and fished out his phone.
"I need your number, so I can call you when something goes wrong, and... take mine as well."
Josie nodded once, carefully taking the prince's iPhone and typed in her number for him to save. She handed it back and he nodded once, an indication that she was dismissed.
"Thanks again, Josie... I owe you one," Natalie called after her.
When the two were alone, Natalie turned her gaze towards Kadaj who had the initiative to look her up and down again. He really couldn't stop and she was practically captivating him.
"My compliments to your stylist, Natalie. Let's just say you're my gothic princess for the remaining hours." He smirked, offering his arm out for her to take.
She bit her lip, flushing slightly at the compliment. "But do I look normal?"
He nodded. "Like your average wealthy goth. Shall we get this adventure started?" He smirked at the pun, and was grinning in victory when she complied with a small nod and a smile.
"I'm ready..."