Chapter 3!

As usual, Seth was in the gardens practicing his daily morning training. After all, a knight of the royal family must always be in pristine form. With skill, he parried the strikes of his imaginary foe. Unbeknownst to any passing spectators, Seth was actually faltering in his steps – something he rarely did – as numerous thoughts plagued his mind.

Thoughts about a certain liege of his…

Seth exhaled as he thought about Eirika, the princess of Renais, how her beauty always left him enthralled under that carefully guarded stoic face. He had always served the royal family, and in turn watched Eirika grow from a child to the woman she is today; a virtuous woman of astounding beauty, perseverance and courage.

Yet no matter how much he yearned for her, the Silver Knight knew that such fraternization between a knight and his liege would be unbecoming. He was not of nobility, and would forever tarnish the name of Renais. To ask for any more of a relationship of lord and servant would to be asking for the fruit of illicitness. Doing so would break all protocol – the code of chivalry he had learned to live by – to overstep the boundaries as a knight who doesn't know his place. He didn't deserve such attention from his milady if he couldn't even learn his place.

Seth furrowed his russet eyebrows, sighing as he realized he would not get any practical training with such thoughts prancing about in his mind. In fluent motion he sheathed his sword and strode off when a glimmering mass of green caught his attention. Immediately, he recognized the man as Prince Innes of Frelia. "Good day, Prince Innes," Seth greeted with his usual stoic face and professional tone. He bowed his head a little in respect even though he personally didn't like the man's demeanor. The war had made the knight realize that, yet Innes was still a royal family member that needed to be addressed with respect.

"Good day," Innes replied, his arrogant aura still radiating about him. "I'm looking for Eirika. Have you an idea to her whereabouts?"

Seth took a moment to reply, pondering where Eirika would be at this time of day. "If Princess Eirika isn't eating breakfast, then she may have already returned to her chambers."

"Hmm, yes. Thank you," Innes replied, dismissing Seth with a curt flick of the wrist before taking off.

Eirika stood at full attention as a knock resounded at her door, and she gently placed the dress she'd been examining on the bed. A ball was upcoming, and she always did it for her family to wear a dress…even if she did believe to look awful in the horrendous things. After briskly smoothing out the wrinkles on her outfit, she went to answer the door. "Brother, I thought I already informed you I would be attending the ba- Oh." She blinked in surprise as the man standing before her was most certainly not Ephraim. "Hello there, Prince Innes. To what pleasure do I owe this visit from you; and in my chambers no less?"

Innes smiled. "No need for formalities Eirika. And I've come to ask of a favor. Would you allow me the honor of accompanying you to the ball marrow night?"

Eirika weighed her options. Although she really didn't want to dance with Innes, he really was her only option. Knights were on duty, and there was no way Seth would ever be able to dance with her at these types of formal events. Of course, she would have to be careful to not lead Innes on. "Innes, of course. And honored I'd be as well," she replied with a smile as she kept her facade.

"Ah, wonderful!" Innes exclaimed. "Then the morrow I shall be your escort, where we may dance the night away. I cannot wait, princess.~" At the ball, Innes planned to initiate his plan of courting the princess of Renais. With his confident ego, he's sure he can win her heart over. As a farewell, he gently grasps Eirika's hand and lifts it to his lips.

Eirika's eyes widen at the gesture, and she quickly but nonchalantly pulls her hand away before he can kiss it, deciding to brush back some of her stray bangs instead. Was the prince so ungentlemanly daft and inept in his etiquette that he knew not to kiss a lady's hand unless she offered first? "And I shall eagerly await your presence. Fare thee well, Innes."

Innes nodded and strode off. He was a little irked that Eirika would refuse his proposal to kiss her hand, but nonetheless happy since the princess would be all his tomorrow evening.

Eirika sighed as she stood at the foot of the bed, for she was still indecisive on what outfit to wear. Suddenly she knew whose advice she wanted, and she strode off to locate him.

Seth sighed inaudibly as he stood in the middle of Eirika's room, said woman examining all the dresses laid out on the bed with a hand on her hip. "Pardon me Milady but… You truly want my advice in this area of expertise?"

Eirika turned to Seth and smiled; her features and composure lax. "Seth, I've always trusted your advice ever since I was little; now is no different." She rubbed her temple. "I've already asked Tana, but she says I'll look great in whatever I choose… which doesn't help my case. She even chose the most of them."

Seth nodded and approached the bed. Even though the door was open, he couldn't help but feel that he shouldn't be alone in the bedroom with her even if they were just picking a dress. He looked at all the types of silk, satin, and such available, and contemplated the options. The knight first gently picked up two dresses, nearly gawking at how ridiculously frilly and poofy they were. "Milady, excuse me if this sounds rude, but based on your more… tomboyish nature I don't believe these to suit you at all."

A smile tugged on Eirika's face. "I'm glad you agree, Seth. Tana was about ready to force me into that thing if I couldn't get a second opinion on it." She walked up to Seth and took the dresses, walking to her closet to neatly hang them.

Meanwhile, Seth glanced at the rest; they were all long formal party gowns of various colors that were well-suited for the occasion. Gingerly, he picked up the gown and held it in front of him. His eyes were drawn to the front upper half, where it was cut far too low and hardly looked capable of covering much of her bosom. "Should you wear such an outfit at the ball, Milady?" Curious, Eirika walked up to Seth to see the dress in question. The knight gently cleared his throat, phrasing his words carefully. "This gown is rather, mmm, revealing per se. I would advise against it, for men are not the most… subtlest of creatures." Even to him, the thought of the princess in such an attire was tempting.

Eirika flushed, her cheeks glowing lightly at the statement. "Y-yes, of course," she nearly squeaked. A shy smile graced her features. "Such an apparel wouldn't be suitable for dancing either." Tana truly did choose the most… unique of dresses. "And the others, Seth? A couple you could narrow it down to?"

"Hmmm…" Once more, Seth looked at the options available after handing the other. They were all visually appealing, made of other materials and predominantly – if not completely – of silk or satin. "If I may…" He picked up a silk wine red gown that draped to her ankles, with a few ruffles along the upper half. The straps were a couple inches across the shoulder, and the heart-shaped cut was low enough to hint at only a little of cleavage, as opposed to the other. "You've always fancied red. Perhaps this, Milady?"

Eirika retrieved the gown from Seth, beaming as she held it in front of her in the mirror. "This one should do. Thank you Seth!"

Seth nodded. "Should you undress and try it on perhaps?"

Eirika grinned like a Cheshire cat. "My, my, how forward Seth."

Seth's composure immediately tensed. "Nrk! Apologies, Milady. I did not mean to imply-"

Eirika giggled and placed a hand on Seth's forearm. "Relax Seth, I only jest." Immediately, she saw his features loosen. "Although if you don't mind…" Seth nodded and detached himself from her, turning on his heels as Eirika slipped behind the changing screen.

After a few moments, Eirika verbally cued Seth she had finished, the knight turning back around as she stepped in front of the mirror. She twisted her body as she examined the gown's fit, twirling occasionally. She turned to Seth and smiled. "How's it look?"

"Becoming of such a formal event," he answered formally without actually having to express his personal views.

Eirika continued to beam and turned back to the mirror. "Wonderful! I'll inform Tana and the two of us can accessorize. Much thanks again, Seth."

A small smile played at the Silver Knight's lips. "Of course, Milady. Anytime."

And so, we introduce tidbits of flirting between our protagonists~ *nudge*

Alright. Questions, comments, critiques, I'm always open

Currently, I have chapters 1-3 all typed up. I'm not sure exactly how I want to continue the story, so feel free to throw out suggestions either in a review or PM

Peace out :3