I haven't shown Jaskier or Geralt what kind of dress I bought, it was my secret until the banquet. At the inn, I quickly greeted both of them and then went up to my room, where I would yet again examine my new dress. The tailor gave me a discount on it because he really liked that dress on me. Sadly I didn't get his name, I'm sure he and I would be good friends.
I put on the dress one more time to see all the details on it. I looked at myself in the mirror to see how the dress works on me. It was red and white, the sleeves that went to my wrists and were white and simple. The rest of the dress was red, like wine and had golden details on the decolté, waist and at the end of the dress. The waist had a golden belt surrounding it and what made it especially nice was that it had pockets that were also decorated in the same way as the rest.
I had no matching shoes which is why I also bought some at a booth of a merchant on my way home. They were simple as well. Just black leather pumps with a single strappy in the middle to steady the foot. The dress and the shoes looked perfect together. Now the rest would be to put on some decent makeup and to tie my hair up nicely and everything would be fine. I wonder if Jaskier and Geralt have something nice to dress in.
As it was already getting late I went down and looked for Geralt and Jaskier. Both were nowhere to be found what would mean that I'll be having dinner by myself. I went to the bar and ordered food and ale to drink. The ale here was very good. Better than in my village or any other inn we were during the month of travelling. I could drink this all day.
While I ate I had nice chitchat with some people sitting at the bar. One of them was a really big guy who I first was intimidated by but it turned out he was a big softy and I shared some laughs with him. He asked me if it was my first time in Aldersberg and so I explained to him how it was my first time ever seeing something different than my home village, Posada. I also told him that I would head towards the castle of Lyria by tomorrow and then he told me a very interesting story about the royal family.
"Lyria and Rivia were separated but that soon changed with the marriage of princess Meve of Lyria and King Reginald of Rivia. King Reginald and Queen Meve were and are still loved by their people. During the years everybody was wondering if they ever have children to heir the throne and just as people started questioning it, so it happened. Queen Meve and King Reginald had a beautiful little daughter who looked just like her father. The family as well as the people were happy to finally have an heir to the throne. Just a few weeks after the girls second birthday she disappeared. She must've been kidnapped by someone. The folk was more than shocked by that but her parents? The King and the Queen did everything they could to find their daughter but after five years of no luck in finding her they gave up. They still hope to find her someday and therefore have sent out spies all over the continent to look for her. By now Meve and Reginald had two more children, twins to be exact. They hoped anyone can heir the throne since their daughter couldn't but both boys were too reckless and unteachable to be King of Lyria and Rivia."
"I hope they find their daughter someday. I don't know, how I'd feel, never seeing my father again." I sighed and looked at the man next to me who had the same expression as me. Pity for the King and the Queen. The door slammed open and revealed my two companions. Jaskier was, as he is most of the time, in a good mood while Geralt stayed with his brooding charm which wasn't even meant sarcastically but for real. He indeed was charming in his own way and I liked it.
I ordered two beers so that when they arrive at the bar they could have something to drink. Geralt sat down next to me and Jaskier next to him. "Where have you been? I was worried." I asked and looked at the two men. I grimaced. "What's that smell?" I asked as I waved off the smell that came from Geralt. "Alghouls." Geralt answered my question and took a big gulp from the cup of ale I ordered for them. "You know, Eve, I accompanied Geralt on one of his- one of his jobs again and what can I say... It was an epic fight." Jaskier was astonished by Geralt's fighting and I must admit, I am too.
"I bet I got an even more interesting story." I crossed my arms with a smirk and Jaskier looked at me like he doesn't believe me. "My friend over here-" I looked at my other side to point out the guy who told me the story of the lost princess. "Did you know that the Queen and the King, we'll be visiting tomorrow, have a long lost daughter? The true heir of the throne." I told them with a smug smile and watched Jaskiers reaction. "No way! That would make.. an amazing ballad don't you think so too, Geralt?" He nudged the Witcher who just wanted to drink in peace. "Yeah, definitely." he rolled his eyes and continued then to sit in silence at the bar. "Sorry to break it to you, but I already knew that." he then said and Jaskier and I both eyed him, wanting him to tell us about it. "I once visited Lyria. At that time Meve had a newborn girl in her castle. Never saw it, but I indeed heard it. Never knew that she disappeared though."