AN: Hope you enjoy reading~
Chapter 8:
Another day, another shift at the restaurant. Flavio was honestly starting to miss the labyrinth. He was sure his teammates felt the same. Fafnir, especially. Thankfully, the hectic week of celebrations was slowly coming to an end. They could return to their usual activities soon enough.
Actually, Flavio was looking forward to the Christmas celebrations. He and Fafnir never truly celebrated Christmas. There were attempts at the orphanage and token efforts at the Midgard Library. But he had been told that residents of High Lagaard truly went all out when it came to the festive season.
He always wanted to have his own Christmas tree to decorate and place presents beneath. He would not have such things this year, probably. But maybe he could help Hana decorate the inn?
"Flavio, I need you and Arianna to make some complimentary chocolates," Regina suddenly ordered of him.
Flavio arched an eyebrow. Odd. For the last few days, matchmaker Regina wanted to keep him away from Fafnir and Arianna. She must be in a desperate situation. "I'm busy out on the floor."
"I know," Regina returned with a sigh. "But I can only trust the two of you with this. Chloe would only eat the chocolate."
"No, I wouldn't," Chloe immediately protested, only to mumble under her breath. "Not all of it…"
If it was meat, on the other hand.
"Bertrand doesn't have a creative bone in his body."
The blond-haired protector shot her a disgruntled look over his shoulder. "That's harsh."
"And Fafnir's hand prevents him from completing the finer details."
Unfortunately, that was an observation that could not be denied. He had trouble writing with that hand, especially when it first transformed into its cursed form. Thankfully, he could write with his left hand, too. And he was slowly regaining dexterity of his right hand. Flavio had been patiently helping him relearn how to write with that hand once more.
It was slow going, but they were getting there.
"Fine, fine," Flavio relented. He was in for a very busy day, it seemed.
He tossed his hand towel onto the bar and walked around to head into the back of the restaurant, to the kitchen. On the desserts counter were the ingredients and materials needed. There did not appear to be much to do, and quite frankly he could do it alone.
Oh well. Maybe Fafnir brought up the fact that Arianna had been neglecting the other members of her guild in her determination to spend as much time as possible with him. Though, making chocolates would be a good and cute bonding experience for her and Chloe.
As Flavio pulled out the aprons, Arianna joined him. She appeared cheerful and chipper as always as she retrieved the apron from him. They stood side by side as they began mixing the ingredients and readying the moulds.
"It's strange," Arianna began, carefully. "I have spent much time with Sir Fafnir, and I still yet to know what his favourite food or dessert are. Even what his hobbies are."
Ah. It was an excuse to get Flavio to reveal some of Fafnir's hidden secrets. He thought it was suspicious that Arianna did not join Fafnir when he went to pick up the mail from the post office.
Nope. Not gonna take the bait. If Fafnir had not revealed them himself, then it was not for Flavio to divulge them. Simple as that.
"Oh, Fafnir hasn't told you? That's weird. I guess if he hasn't, then it's not for me to say," Flavio returned, purposely sounding oblivious and dismissive. "I'm sure he'll reveal them in time."
It was a little odd that Fafnir had not spoken about himself. What did the two of them talk about when they were together?
Arianna suddenly sighed in defeated. "I really cannot compete with you, Sir Flavio."
Flavio was not entirely sure how to respond to that. He did not like to think that they were competing for Fafnir's affections. They kinda were, but they also weren't. Fafnir had straight up stated to him that he saw Arianna as a sister. But that was not something Flavio could blurt out to the young lady next to him.
Ahh…what should he do?
He just wished things could go back to normal…
"Flavio?" Fafnir's voice pulled Flavio from his thoughts.
Oh, good. Fafnir was back.
"Coming."
He wiped his hands idly on a nearby tea towel and moved to the front of the bar, Arianna close behind. Gathered together was Fafnir with the rest of their guild along with Regina. In Fafnir's hands was a bundle of envelops, yet one had already been opened and rested in Regina's hands as she read it with a frown.
"What's going on?" Flavio asked as he reached Fafnir's side.
"We've been invited to Lady Gadriel's birthday dinner party," Fafnir explained.
A dinner party? Truly? They had done much for the Grand Duchy, but to get an invite to the duchess's birthday dinner was a surprise.
Regina, however, looked displeased as she handed the letter back to Fafnir. "Looks like you five will have to take a few hours off to go shopping for formal wear."
Ah, that was why. She would have to handle the busy restaurant on her own for a short while during a very busy week. Well, she wanted to run a restaurant. Time for her to get a taste of it during a busy season, he supposed.
It would give him a break, at least.
With there being a lull at the restaurant, everyone decided to head out to a clothing shop that Regina recommended. The streets were icy, as per usual it seemed, with a few locals begrudgingly trudging about.
After a few moments of walking, they finally reached the address that Regina had written down. In the large bay window of the shop called Grisandole's Secret Desires was a beautiful white gown, adorned with lace and shimmering jewels, and topped with a long white veil.
It was a wedding dress.
"Oh, wow!" Arianna said as she moved to stand directly in front of the window. "It's beautiful!"
Bertrand crossed his arms over his chest. "Kid, this is a social dinner, not a wedding."
Arianna blushed deeply and covered her cheeks with her hands to hide her embarrassment. "Y-yes, of course. I was simply admiring the craftsmanship of the dress."
She certain had a new interest in romance and relationships, didn't she? It was not a bad thing. Nearly everyone wanted to experience such things in their lives. Flavio himself certainly did. With no one other than Fafnir. So, he understood. Truly.
A troubling thought struck Flavio; was Arianna being pressured to get married? If so, why wouldn't she simply say so?
"Besides," Bertrand continued. "It's made for someone who is as skinny as they are tall."
Chloe suddenly released a low, ominous chuckle as she played with her glasses. "Heh. It would fit Flavio."
Flavio bristled. Oh no, he was not about to have someone joke about his weight, or lack thereof! "Excuse me?"
Rather unfairly, Fafnir leaned forward to inspect the wedding dress closely, his hand grasping his own chin in a serious pondering motion. "Hm. It would, actually."
"I'm not trying it on!" Flavio practically shrilled, in near panic. "Don't think about it."
Chloe gave him a truly, one hundred percent, outright mischievous smirk. "No one mentioned trying it on."
"You were thinking it!"
"Yeah, yeah," Bertrand said. He released a tired sigh and placed a hand on Flavio's shoulder, physically pushed him toward the shop. "Let's get this over with."
Entering the shop, they found it empty of other shoppers. Only a single woman stood by the counter.
She was a tall and well-built woman, adorn in layers of cloth and materials, emphasizing the myriad of jewels and beads she wore around her neck and wrists. Her hair, blonde in colour, peppered with streaks of grey, was kept in an eccentric sweeping high bun atop of her head. And, yes, embellish with charms and beads also.
A bright, beaming smile immediately appeared upon her features when she noticed them. "Welcome! What can I do for you lovelies?"
At the front of the group, Arianna smile politely and folded her hands elegantly in front of her. "Pardon the intrusion, but we have been invited to Lady Gadriel's birthday dinner and require dinner attire for the night. Your store has been recommended to us. We do look forward to working with you."
The shop-keep's eyes widened, and she beamed a bright, excited smile. "Oh, what a prestigious night! I would be honoured! Now, called me Grisandole and let me have a look at you."
Flavio never liked to be inspected or scrutinised, so he had to stop himself from flinching when Grisandole turned her far too critical gaze upon him. He knew she was simply examining him in preparing for the fitting of a suit. But…she was lingering on him a little too long.
"Um, miss?" Arianna prodded, confused by her actions.
"Oh yes, of course, hun. There's plenty of dresses that would suit you. Take your pick," Grisandole said airily, dismissively, not for even a moment taking her gaze away from Flavio. She then leaned back and pointed a direct and very dramatic finger at him, right in his face. "But you. You. You're perfect!"
Flavio reared his head back, dumbfounded. "Excuse me?"
Grisandole began to blatantly circle him. Like some kind of vulture. "Tall, thin, narrow waist, hips to die for." She abruptly poked Flavio in the back, instantly causing him to stiffen and straighten his spine out of pure reflex. "Posture is near perfect. Oh, I could work with this."
What was she yammering on about?
With an all too dramatic sigh, Grisandole ran her hand along a rack of ball gowns. "Oh, darling, you simple must model a dress for me."
Flavio spluttered, gaped, and flushed all at the same time. "Wh-what?"
"Come now." Grisandole had the audacity to chide and wag a finger at him. "I'll give you a discount if you model just one little dress for me. Just one. You're perfect!"
"Stop saying that!"
"Lala, I have the perfect one in mind~!" Grisandole ignored him and turned her attention back to the rack of gowns once more, picking out randoms ones and holding them up to the light. "White? No, that would clash with his hair. Purple? No. Dark colours. Ooh, perhaps dark emerald, green!"
Flavio waved an arm frantically at her in a desperate attempt to get her attention. "H-hey! I'm not agreeing to this!"
He'd…he'd look ridiculous in a dress, let alone a ball gown. He did not have that kind of confidence! And absolutely not in front of everyone!
He paused when a hand suddenly grasped his shoulder. He turned to look at the hand and followed the arm to meet the gaze of none other than Fafnir. "Go on," he said, his tone dead serious.
Flavio narrowed his gaze. "What?"
"I want to see Flavio in a dress," Chloe added.
"No!"
Gah! What was it, pick on Flavio day?!
"Can you focus on Chloe instead?" Flavio abruptly requested, hoping to turn the attention away from himself. And, well, wasn't society dinners more about the dresses than the tuxedoes, anyway? "This is her first society dinner."
That, thankfully, got Grisandole's attention. "Oh, sweetie, is it?"
"Yeah," Bertrand added as he placed a hand atop of Chloe's head. "Don't worry about the price. We want to make it memorable."
"Aww, that's so sweet!" Grisandole cooed as she abruptly returned the dresses she had in mind for, ah, Flavio, and instead focused on the actual customers. "I have the perfect dress just for you! Let's see; pink? No, mustn't take away from the hair. Blue? Hm, maybe something bold like yellow?"
Whew, successful got the focus away from himself!
Better yet…
"Why don't you help Chloe, Arianna?" Flavio suggested. "You know more about these dinners than anyone else. I'm sure Chloe would appreciate it."
Chloe raised her head, looking between Flavio and Arianna. A light dusting of pink suddenly dusted her cheeks and she fidgeted with her glasses. "Y-yeah."
"Oh, yes, of course," Arianna, thankfully, agreed.
Perhaps Chloe had also noticed that Arianna had been acting clingy toward Fafnir, too. Whether she would verbally admit it or not, but she saw Arianna as a big sister figure.
After Grisandole chose a few dresses for the girls to try out, she focused on find the best suit and tuxes for the guys. Fafnir was first and then Bertrand.
Flavio was last, likely an attempt from Grisandole to have him reconsider her proposal. Honestly, why him? A dress would be wasted on him. One needed some confidence to wear such lavish ball gowns. And he did not have it.
He would admit they were pretty dresses.
What would happen should Fafnir find Arianna beautiful in her dress?
Flavio resisted the urge to hit his forehead against the nearest wall or hard object. Ugh, it was so stupid! He was not in competition with Arianna!
"Now, darling-" Grisandole began.
"Um…" But Flavio cut her off, fidgeting meekly. "I'll model a dress."
Grisandole beamed at him. "You will?!"
Flavio frantically shushed her. "But only one! A-and only in front of Fafnir. Ok?"
Grisandole was more than fine with those conditions and nodded her head excitedly. "For his eyes only, got it~! I have the perfect dress in mind. Oh hun, he's going to swoon! This way!"
Flavio immediately began to regret his decision as Grisandole pushed him toward a room toward the back of the shop. Yet, he knew it was too late to back out. She was very dramatic and would not let him get away without a fight.
It took Grisandole just seconds to shove a dress into his arms.
As he undressed and slipped in on, he just had to tell himself that he was doing it for Fafnir, and no one else.
It was midnight blue in colour with thin, delicate black scrolls and swirls embedded into the material that had a soft, silky texture. The bodice had an off the shoulder collar with loose, lacy sleeves and ended just above his waist. The skirt flared out where the bodice ended, pooling lightly at his feet.
The dress was no doubt beautiful. Should Grisandole be wasting it on him? She seemed happy, though. Practically glowing as she hummed a merry tune, making adjustments and taking measurements here and there.
He could not believe he was actually…
Jealousy was one heck of a motivator.
Grisandole winked at him. Yes, winked at him dramatically. "I'll go get him. His jaw will hit the floor!" she promised as she flitted out of the room.
Flavio could only sigh. He probably looked ridiculous.
Fafnir was either going to be stunned speechless or bust a gut laughing. Probably both. Either reaction was fine, he supposed. Flavio did not like it when Fafnir was irritated or frustrated.
A murmur of voices soon had Flavio's heart racing with nerves, however, and not a moment later two figures appeared in the doorway.
"What are you-?" Fafnir asked over his shoulder as Grisandole pushed and shoved him from behind.
"He wants to show you something, hun~"
Fafnir, with his brow furrowed, finally looked forward. And his gaze collided with that of Flavio's.
Fafnir stumbled a half step into the room. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open as his breath visibly hitched in his throat. An expression, a gesture of someone who had seen something so mesmerising, so…beautiful that he could not quite comprehend it yet take his eyes off of it.
Yet, he was…staring at him.
"S-say something," Flavio murmured.
Fafnir swallowed thickly. "You're gorgeous."
Flavio felt his cheeks heat up in a deep, fiery blush. The absolute conviction in Fafnir's words made his heartrate increase and butterflies to appear in his stomach.
He…he was not expecting that!
H-he really meant that?
Fafnir took another step forward. "Why are you-?"
"I, ah, kinda thought you would laugh," Flavio admitted and scratched his cheek as a sign of his embarrassment.
"This is no laughing matter," Fafnir stated firmly and suddenly crossed the distance between them and placed his hands upon Flavio's shoulders.
Flavio smiled nervously as how scarily serious he was. "You know that I-I'm not wearing this to the dinner, right?"
"Good. Don't."
"What?"
"Too many people would look at you."
"And probably laugh."
Fafnir tightened his hands on Flavio's shoulders and looked him dead in the eyes. "No."
Flavio was not entirely sure how to respond. He was deadly serious. "Huh?"
"Pfft!" Came a loud, chortling laugh. "Oh, you young couples are always the best!"
Flavio would have jump if Fafnir did not have his hands grasping his shoulders tightly. He had honestly forgotten that Grisandole was still there with them and felt his cheeks flushed in embarrassment. However, he noticed that Fafnir did not correct her when she called them a couple. And Flavio…he was not going to, either.
"Since you're here, why not try one more outfit?" Grisandole requested. Yet, her lips were twisted into a catty smirk.
She then pulled out this…thing.
It was a dress of sorts. If one could call it that. With a v-neckline that reached to the wearer's belly button, if not further, with a split on the left. And the hem was mid-thigh anyway. Sparkly, the colour of red wine. Not something would wear in winter. Or summer, honestly. Something one might wear to the beach, if they were very, very bold.
She could not be serious…
"Absolutely not!" Flavio shrilled.
Fafnir, however, seemed to choke on his own breath.