AN: Thanks for the reviews! Hope you like this chapter too :)

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Chapter 7: Gentlemen and Dresses

(Edmund)

This is dangerous, Ed… you know what's going to happen. I smirked at myself for essentially throwing away my old resolve to keep love away from my and Anna's relationship. I loved her anyway, whether or not I was willing to admit it. But I knew for sure that I would have no hope of escape by bringing her to the ball. However after a little bit of convincing, a brilliant smile graced her mouth and she practically tackled me.

I held her tightly with the onslaught of powerful emotions that crashed throughout my body. Eventually, her voice brought me out of my stupor, "Thank you so much," she whispered, "I've never done something like this before." I realized how intimate the moment was and had stable enough thoughts to realize that it would probably be a good idea to sit back up, laughing at her slightly ruffled hair and happy expression.

After essentially daring me to dance, I took her into my arms and imagined slowly ebbing music in my mind. Yet again, I felt the heat rise to my face as I felt her closeness and gaze bare into me. Make her laugh, my subconscious prodded. With one warning grin, I swept her into the air spinning as fast as I dared. Anna's hair flew back and flowed like fire behind her. Her unabashed laughter caused a deep one to erupt from myself. She is beautiful.

I slowly and gently placed her on her feet again, only to be met with those light blue eyes that have always enchanted me. She didn't blush, she didn't smile, she just looked right back at me with an emotion I could not place. Not yet, Edmund, not yet.

"We should probably head back; it's getting late," I murmured, before my own cheeks could get too red.

"That's a good idea," she responded, shaking herself out of her reverie, "and it's getting a little cold too, now that you mention it." She was only wearing a light shawl around her shoulders and was hugging it against herself tightly.

"Oh of course, I'm an idiot, you must be freezing out here." I took off my own jacket and placed it over her shoulders with a gentle pulse from my hands.

"Yes you are an idiot, but a gallant idiot," she laughed, "thank you."

I offered her my arm and grinned. "It is what any gentleman would do, my Lady."

"It sure is a step up from kidnapping."

(Annabelle)

I woke up the next morning to a rapid knock on my door. I groggily swung my legs out of the bed to the sting of cool air and wrapped my robe around me. "Who is it?" I called.

"I have a surprise for you!" responded the young man whom I had been dreaming of not five minutes before.

"Edmund, was it necessary to bring it to me this early in the morning?" I moaned, opening the door.

"Yes it is. This is the only time she could come meet with you without anyone knowing about it."

"She?"

"The dressmaker!" he smiled, pulling me out into the corridor and into the nursery.

"Already? We talked about this only last night! How did you find her in time?"

"I couldn't sleep last night so I got a hold of her early this morning. I wanted to find her quickly because these grand ball gowns take ages to make and she only has 29 days to make three," he explained. "Today I think you're just meeting with her so she can sketch some dresses and get your approval."

An aged woman with white hair and kind eyes glided into the room and curtsied to Edmund. "Is this Annabelle?" she asked in a gentle tone motioning to me.

"Yes, this is Miss Annabelle of Pria," he responded. "I'm sure you will handle everything perfectly. I am leaving her in your hands."

"Very well, she will be the most stunning young woman in the room—not that she needs my help."

I blushed at the compliment and wordlessly thanked her.

Edmund then turned to me with a smile on his face, "And Anna, don't worry about Lydia today. I'm going to take her to the park and then to find her a new pony. So, you can have the whole day off. Take your time!"

Before I could say a word, he spun around on his heels and left us with only one last grin for me at the doorway. He is impossible sometimes. The sweet scent of lavender reminded me of the other presence in the room.

"Are you ready, my dear?"

"Huh? Oh! Um sure…" I sputtered out, "Please, sit," I said motioning towards a couch.

In one fluid motion, she glided to the couch and sat down gracefully. It was a little unbelievable how she could be so elegant despite her age. I quickly joined her.

"Now, love, let's have a little chat. But before that, I just want to say how much I admire you. Not many young women would dare attempt to rise above their 'social status,' if only for a couple of nights. That's why I am going to make sure you look incredible."

"Thank you," I lamely responded, kind of caught off guard.

She smiled back at me sweetly. She was starting to remind me of the godmothers back at the orphanage. "Now, I want to get to know you a little better so that the dresses will suit you properly. Do you think you can tell me a bit about your personality?"

That proved to be a harder question than I thought it would be. I spent about five minutes stuttering out random adjectives and 'um's. Realizing my trouble, she began to ask questions to help me along without so many awkward and confused expressions. We talked for several hours, I believe, and I almost forgot why she was here. The dress maker told me her name was Florienna and even began talking about herself. She was truly a kind woman and I'm glad she was the one to be helping me. Despite her engaging conversation, she managed to continuously sketch on a large pad, occasionally looking up to study me.

"What do you think?" she asked abruptly, extending the sketch pad to me.

The first dress was a strapless, petal pink dress. The bodice was smooth, while the skirt was a cascade of ruffles, draping, and crimping of fabric, leading into fabulously long train that never seemed to end. What confused me was that though the drawing had a beautiful color, I never remembered her having colored pencils.

"This is incredible," I breathed.

She beamed at the praise. "I wanted make sure you would leave a good first impression on the court and especially the prince for the first night."

"Wait why would that… um…" I fumbled for my words.

"I've seen many a man in love and if Prince Edmund is not in love with you now, he will be at the ball," she said with a knowing smile

I blushed furiously in response.

Deciding to change the topic, she added, "There will be a loop on the train that you can put your hand through so that it won't drag behind you while you're dancing."

"I would have never thought of that," I laughed.

"You don't have to; that's what I'm here for. Now, would you like to see the other ones?"

I nodded and eagerly flipped the page to be met with an equally awe inspiring ball gown. This one was a stunning, dark, strapless midnight blue ball gown with crystal appliqués along the bodice and on the skirt which was made of tool, and had fabric draping across the front. It had more volume to it but luckily it had practically no train. Yet again, I was speechless.

"How do you know?" I finally asked, dumbfounded.

"Know what, dear?"

"How do you know what to make? How do you know my perfect dress before even I know?"

She reached out and took my hand to look kindly into my eyes. "From talking to you. I can tell that you are a gentle girl yet you have a hidden fire inside of you that you haven't fully found yourself. You're a survivor and a fighter."

I hugged her in response. "Thank you. This is more than I would have ever thought possible."

"You are welcome, dear," she whispered. Then with more energy, she sat up and looked at me expectantly. "I believe you have one more dress. It is my favorite and I think you will like it best as well."

"If that's possible," I smiled. But I turned the page anyway.

AN: And now we begin the **dramatic pause** NEW CHAPTERS! FYI the links to the two dresses described will be put on my profile wall so you can see them better.

REMEMBER TO REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! I will also be taking suggestions for fluff moments if you have any! Sorry but I have the plot worked out already so I PROBABLY won't use any big ideas. BUT if you have ideas for cute little moments, I may use them (and give you credit for the idea) :)