Worth The Frills

If there was one think she didn't like, it was dresses. Not those simple dresses that she often wore around the house or the nightgowns she often wore but a real dress, dresses that felt like they should be illegal with all their ruffles and lace. But because she was ever so nice and caring she had done it… she had degraded herself to a dress of that design so that she could attend Roderich's celebratory ball.

Elizaveta finally managed to find her way to the surface of her dress and step out from behind the changing screen to be assessed by the two men waiting.

"I think she looks wonderful, like a real lady." One said with an aristocratic air.

The other's voice was snarly and raw in comparison. "I think frau looks ridiculous."

"If you aren't going to give any helpful criticism then go wait outside for us." Roderich snapped, watching Gilbert stand and move to the living room.

Thank you Gil, she thought as she stepped back behind the screen and undid the clasps and buttons of the garment. She stepped out of it and ran her pale green eyes over the third choice: pale green with darker accents and an off the shoulder look with white lace decorating the hem of the sleeves in a spider web fashion. It was pretty… not her style at all, but pretty.

So in she struggled and when she had done everything up she stepped out. The Austrian smiled and nodded.

"That's the one… you look wonderful dear." She offered him a small smile as he stood and kissed her knuckles gently. "All you need is the right accessories to perfect the look and we can leave."

She nodded as he found her some pale silken gloves and some dainty white slippers. When she was fully ready, he turned to her and delicately plucked her ever present pink flower from behind her ear and hushed her resulting objections.

"No, I have something better for you Liz." Roderich said as he slipped a black box out of his pocket and presented it to her.

She gasped. "Roderich, it's beautiful!"

Resting on a pillow of black satin was a beautiful necklace and matching hair piece. The necklace was a choker made of small pearls that shone softly in the light with a pale green flower in its centre. The hair piece was the same, a beautiful array of pearls that lead to a flower. She smiled gratefully as he brushed her hair back and fastened the necklace clasp and gently clipped the hair piece into place.

"Köszönöm, it's lovely." Elizaveta said as she followed Roderich out into the living room where Gilbert was waiting for them.

"Mein Gott!" Gilbert cried when she came into sight.

"What?" Roderich huffed. "You look lovely my dear. Like a real woman."

Gilbert made a face. "She looks weird."

Elizaveta sighed as the albino was reprimanded and eventually kicked out of the house. When he was gone, Roderich took her hand and gave her a reassuring smile, making her heart swell at the sight. She did indeed hate dresses… but those smiles she received… were worth every frill.