I left my hidden closet to find Jake already here and talking to the two men in the living room. I walked over to them and I seen Jasper and his friend take the double take needed for this outfit. Jake just shook his head at the two men since he seen my outfit when I came out and he has seen me wear it many times.
"Melianna, I want you to meet my best friend Ashby Roves, Duke of Octas. Ashby meet Princess Melianna." Jasper introduced me to his friend.
"Please call me Melia." I said as he shook my hand.
"Only if you call me Ash." he said laughing.
As I sat down, I looked over Ash. He was the same height as Jasper and had close to the same build and facial structure. They must be related. Cousins maybe? He had light blonde hair with honey brown eyes. He wore a simple gray t-shirt with dark jeans and boots. Jasper wore a blue t-shirt and jeans with matching boots as Ash. I then looked over at Jake to see him wearing the same thing except with a white shirt. I suddenly felt over dressed so I pulled off my vest. As I did so, all eyes snapped to me. I smiled as I remembered that it kinda looks like I wasn't wearing a top.
I giggled as I walked over to my closet and walked in. The men followed me curious at what was behind the bookcase. I giggled even more at hearing Jake tell them that this was the first time he has ever seen inside of here. They gathered around the entrance as they watched me. I pulled out one of my simple white shirts and put it on. It was another one of the ones I sleep in so it draped over my left shoulder. I tucked it into the front of my jeans so that my corset could still be seen if I moved. I swapped out my boots for simple white pair of heels that were only four inches high.
"Haha gotta have heels to still fit in with big boys." Jake teased me as I pushed him out of the way of the door.
"Speak for your self. I am a man." Jasper stated as he teased Jake. With a hand on his chest as he puffed it out to make himself appear bigger, not that he really needed it.
"Same. But if her sword skills have anything to say for if she fits in with the 'big boys'. No, she rules them all. Sorry to say this, but Jake you got your ass handed to you." Ash stated with a giant smile as he joined in on the teasing.
"She is the Queen of men." Jasper said and I blushed at his words.
"Stop it. The only reason why Jake got his ass handed to him is because I am way better than him when it comes to gymnastics and the fact that he excels in archery not sword fighting compared to me." I stated as I walked back to my living room.
"I would have to fight you on that one. Jake has kicked my ass a few times when it came to the straight-edge katakana." Jasper said as he sat down on the couch closer to my chair this time.
"That is only because I was sent to Onyau for a year because my father had me negotiating some trading there." Jake said to explain why he was so good at it. He plopped back down in his chair then propped his right ankle on his left knee.
Jasper leaned further forward and put his arms on his thighs and rested his head in his hands as he addressed Jake. "So you are a diplomat in trade as well as a soldier?"
"Not any more. After my father died, I was given two choices. One be publicly beheaded like my mother or two become a soldier. As you can see I prefer to stay alive. Someone has to keep an eye out for this one here." Jake said referring to me. I just shook my head at him, but I knew that I would be lost without him.
"So if I wanted to employ you to be a diplomat for me regarding Braxton's possessions, would you take the job?" Jasper asked Jake.