"He's nothing special."
"You say that very quickly."
Kuri shut her mouth and went on with the hooks.
She did not mention the the lessons she took from him.
"So I will wait," said Aurora. "Tomorrow I will not sleep through Class D's test as I do every year. I will sit in my box with my mother's tea and watch the back row, and I will learn what he is. When I know him completely, I will decide."
Kuri nodded slowly, though the princess could not see it.
It was none of her business what the princess did to a boy she only slept with once or twice.
He could look after himself. She told herself so twice.
The last hook slid home.
"Gloves. White, the long ones."
Kuri found them in the third drawer and knelt again.
Aurora held out her arms, and Kuri worked the white satin up each one, button by tiny pearl button, from the wrist to above the elbow, left arm and then right.
Aurora shook her hair loose over the velvet collar and faced the mirror.
