He averted his eyes as he continued rubbing his neck. “I, ah..yes! No! Not with draperies, I mean..” Nicolai frantically racked his brain for the right word. “Shawl! Mantle? Wrap-around fabric..” He made a gesture of something wrapping around him.
He hoped he was off the hook, but he never knew with Anna. “And I totally wasn’t going to say dress. Because that would be awkward. And I am a man.” The king paused and his eyes widened slightly by what he said. “Not..not that I ever wore one, of course! I, they..chocolate? There’s some in the kitchen,” he pointed out, a hand gesturing towards said place down the hall.
Anna blinked once, twice. Huh, her father sure was acting strange this evening.
“Ah…Papa, are…you alright?”
She tilted her head to the side, talking a step closer to the man. Maybe he was nervous about the ceremony? Anna placed a small hand on his shoulder. “You seem kinda…nervous I guess? Is it about the event tonight?”
He inclined his head as he chuckled. “Certainly. How could I ever forget about the chocolate?” It was a shame he had. When in doubt, eat all the chocolate.
His expression changed into a sheepish one and he rubbed the back of his neck. “Well..mostly. If they fit, they are. Some fabrics don’t make them all that comfortable, so I understand where you’re coming from,” the king replied. “I really understand. Except for how to get a dr- ah,” he coughed lightly, “drapery..thing..correct. I see your mother with them all the time, and I..well..”
Anna nodded. She wouldn’t mind getting a comfortable pair of pants tailored for her when he had the chance to order it for her. Who knows, it might be even more comfortable than the night gowns and casual dresses she was so used to.
“Yeah, I– wait, drapery? You’ve seen Mama with them?” Anna rose her eyebrows, tone questioning.
The man pursed his lips. “I wouldn’t want to either. But I tell you what: after the ceremony, you are free to wear whatever of your choosing. Deal?”
“Even pants. If you’re into them. I mean, you’re obviously not in them now, but you could be. Your own! Not anyone else’s, of course. If..um, never mind.”
“Hm…throw in a full plate of chocolates and I think we have a deal, Papa.”
Anna’s uncomfortable frown twisted up into a small smile, laughing softly at her father’s suggestion to pants. She’s never really worn pants before. Maybe they where just as comfortable as night gowns?
“Huh…I’ve never worn pants before. –Are they comfortable?” Anna continued to subconsciously scratch at the itchy spots on her body cause by the dress.
