~Devil's Land~
" Wow , this place looks really beautiful already, did you makes those gown yourself, I didn't know you were this talented, within two weeks, you sowed a lot of ball gown all by yourself, I must say I'm really impressed".
Ivan said
Thank you Ivan , it's just that people have not been coming here to patronise me or buy anything, I hope I didn't make a mistake, according to the rumour I heard at the inn , there is no other place where ball gowns are being made , so how come, nobody is buying it , and I chose the right location, a lot of carriages pass here everyday, they just look at the gowns with admiration, from their carriage window , and then , they just look away , like they saw nothing and the admiration was just my imagination....
Ohh I see where the issue now , Ivan replied
What is the issue , Anna asked
Ivan answered, "the thing is that in the devil's land, everyone is cautious, one single mistake could lead to a family's downfall just like the family of the lady that tried to seduce the crown prince"....
Soo.... How's that affecting my business... Anna asked .
Ivan replied " what I'm trying to say is , let's say for example you as the owner of the big and beautiful place has offended the minster of war , or the minister of foreign affairs, just any minister.... Any one that patronise you , is declaring war again that particular minster you offended , not just that if you offend the royals .... That would be worse , because you would be segregated and treated with discorn wherever you go in the devil's land, so , I'll say never , Never offend any high ranking official, you don't want the wrath of those old men ".
Anna replied, " but I have not offended anybody, why would they all admire and just ignore " Anna said with a bit of fear . " Or have I perhaps offend some high ranking official, is that why , that are all ignoring the beautiful gowns , is it becau_"
Calm down Jasmine, you didn't offend anyone ,Ivan cut her off .
"There's no need to panic , there's going to be a ball in the palace today, in the evening, you can use today to socialize yourself and get connected, with the high Ranking officials, we would be going together, I have a good relationship with the crown prince, I could even ask him to announce if the king does not attend the ball, if all goes well Tonight, be prepared , because a lot of people would book gowns and you'll be too tired , and I'm sure you'll need a helping hand , I could also come to help you when I'm less busy but I suggest you hire a sales girl , some one , sharp , smart and not greedy, I can get one for you , if you want me to".
Sure , I'll be glad if you can help me , but to think you're even close to the crown prince, just by the small rumor I heard from people about this crown prince I can tell he's really scary and terrifying, and are you sure just by introducing me people would really come and patronise me , just like that .... And why would the crown prince only announce if the king is not in the ball.
Okay I won't just be introducing you , you'll have to wear the most beautiful gown , that you have, this , Ivan said pointing at a pink and white gown , this is the gown you should wear to the ball , this way , your cloth would attract a lot of people, and well , people would know you have no bad blood with anybody and well that would be great for your business....
I'll come pick you up by 7 in the evening.
Take care jasmine.
Ivan left .
7:00
Anna was done dressing, the pink gown descended on Anna's figure in a very beautiful way, highlighting her beautiful figure , made of luminous duchesse satin , the dress, shined in the light,the design showed her elegant neck and shoulder, with the fitted bodice showing how slender her waist was, the dress was really beautiful on her body ....
When Ivan arrived he was stunned by her beauty....
" You look really beautiful Jasmine, I can assure you , this dress is going to make people definitely come to your shop and patronise you".
Thank you Ivan.
~The palace ball~
A lot of carriages were arriving at the palace, high nobility daughters were getting down from the carriage with grace and nobility, it was obvious that they were from high ranking families, Anna carriage arrived and Ivan got down before her , and stretched his hands towards her, Anna placed her hands on his palm , and he helped her get down from the carriage, people were already arriving and the ball had already started, so when Anna and Ivan got into the ball , all eyes were on her , the admiration , whisper , the look of envy ?, Why the look of envy through.
Anna didn't know she was walking with all the high ranking noble daughters dream man , turns out Ivan was also a minister in the court and very close to the crown prince, has a good realationship with the king, the ladies wanted to know who Anna's father was , a lot of thought running through their mind .
" Is she, minister Ivan betrothed, is she his sister , or are they married ,no she must be his sister , she can't be a lover or anything Ivan is not interested in marriage he made it clear the other day ".
" Why is he taking her to the crown prince, is he going to introduce her as his wife or something another high ranking lady said "
"Ivan , can't really be with this lady , right".
They were all busy with their own thoughts, and well they didn't forget to secretly admire Anna's dress , it was really beautiful, it was hard to miss such beautiful dress, other noble ladies that were not interested in Ivan , got close to Anna ,and found out that her name is Jasmine and she owned the new shop that was in the street .
" Oh my, you mean you're the owner of that shop , the other day I passed , I was in my carriage, I saw how beautiful those gown were , can I make an appointment right now , I want to be the first to book an appointment, because I'm sure people are still being cautious, but seeing you come inside with Ivan , I'm sure everybody would be free to come and book now "
Oh, just because I walked in with Ivan people can book for dress now ?, Anna asked .
The noble lady answered.
" Yes , after all he is the minister of war , and not just that he's a close friend of the prince , and has a good relationship with the king too".
What Ivan is a minster?, Anna was shocked
The noble lady was surprised Anna had no idea , how come you don't know about this, every lady here wants to be with him, minster Ivan is the youngest minster and well he's popular among the ladies ....
Wow , that's a lot , thank you soo much Mrs?
You can call me miss Arya
Oh I thought you were married, the ring , Anna said pointing....
No I'm not , I'm just engaged...
Ohh I see , Anna said
Yes , I have to go now , my mother called for me we'll catch up later ,
Miss Jasmine.
It was time for the dance .
Ivan walked up to her , he was talking with the king, and the crown prince about something...
" Hey , Ivan said I hope you're enjoying the ball ."
I am , Anna replied.
Can you dance, he asked her.
I can try, Anna said in embarrassment .
He smiled okay then ..
They started dancing and Anna once again, Anna became the center of attraction, the way her gown swirled around her , creating an effect that made heads turn at the palace ball ,the soft hue and sophisticated gown added grace to Anna's gown even though she couldn't dance very well.
Everyone had it in mind to ask her , where she got her gown from, envy or not , that dress was good , too good....
The ball was a success..... For jasmine and Ivan .
All went well at the end of the dance , Ivan told everyone that Jasmine was his friend and she's the one who made the dress herself and gave everyone the location of where her shop was.
Naturally everybody was delighted to know that , they could have such beautiful gown , without offending any high ranking official...