Cullen watched as Gwyn struggled with her sash. It was too loose- the more she fought with it, the worse it became. He watched her fingers helplessly fumble trying to throw it over her shoulder, repeatedly almost dropping the material as she tied it around her waist. Finally, with a smile on his lips, he approached her.

"Allow me." Cullen took the blue material and carefully placed it over her shoulder, then took his time wrapping it around her waist. His fingertips paused at her hip at the exact moment he heard a slight hitch in her breath. She attempted to focus on a spot on the wall, but every now and then her eyes would shift back to his gaze. It was then that Cullen took the liberty to use the remainder of her sash to pull her towards him.

"What d'you think you're doing?" She squealed, using his arms to stabilize herself. A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.

"I just thought," his voice lowered as he tied the sash for emphasis, "since I've got your undivided attention before the ball, that I'd make some use of it." His face lingered near hers for a moment. His breath mixed with hers, the faint smell of mint, leather, and wood hovering in the air. His hands left her waist to cup her face. He kissed her gently, the stubble of his beard scratching lightly against her face. She arched her head, allowing the kiss to deepen before Cullen finally pulled away. Gwyn's body leaned forward, her fingers still entangled in his golden locks. She stumbled slightly in her boots as Cullen's smirk grew into a wide grin. A low chuckle escaped Cullen's throat as he retrieved the belt resting on a nearby chair and fastened it around her.

"There," he whispered, his fingers running over the material of her jacket. She reached for him again, wearing a mischievous grin on her face as she pulled lightly on his jacket. Her lips hovered near his, putting her weight on her toes to reach him. Then, the doors opened wide, causing the two to nervously break apart. Josephine and Leliana entered the room, mirroring the formal outfits that Gwyn and Cullen were wearing.

"Oh, good. You're both ready!" Josephine breathed a sigh of relief as she looked over her board. Leliana looked from Cullen to Gwyn, her eyes almost slits.

"The carriages to take us all to the Winter Palace are here and ready. Inquisitor, you'll be riding with us. Come," Leliana instructed. The four of them walked through the halls of Skyhold briskly. "Your party will arrive separately. For some reason, they've given us an excess of carriages- far more than just a simple strike team. Can you clarify who will be coming with us?" Gwyn froze.

"I….I-" She stammered. Leliana wheeled around, her face harsh.

"You, what?"

"I thought almost everyone was coming, at least that's what I told Josephine." It came out in a whisper, her face flushed. Josephine looked down at her piece of parchment, double checking her own work before nodding in guilt.

"It's true…I don't know what I was thinking. I'm usually so meticulous—" Josephine was blushing now, going through page by page of her reports.

"Well, there's no use arguing over it now. Has everyone been briefed, at least?" Cullen reasoned. Gwyn nodded as the hard line on Leliana's face finally disappeared. Finally, she shrugged and led them out into the night, their carriage waiting.

As the carriage moved, Gwyn looked out the window and admired the views that Orlais had to offer. Despite coming from nobility, Gwyn largely felt out of place during formal events. Each time she visited Orlais, it seemed like just another reminder of those feelings. However, the grandiosity that came along with Orlais never failed to intrigue and amaze Gwyn.

Out of the corner of his eye, Cullen watched as Gwyn fidgeted with her hands. She was twisting and kneading them as she took deep breaths. He glanced over at Josephine, who was sitting next to Gwyn and had her nose in her paperwork once more. Leliana, next to him, had her eyes closed as she hummed a hymn. Gwyn glanced over at him, chewing on her lip nervously.

"You're going to do just fine." He assured her. Now that they had become a couple and were attempting to keep it quiet to dispel rumors, he found it difficult to approach her sometimes. It was hard enough to keep his men from talking amongst themselves in the barracks, he didn't want it to start with his equals. The teasing Leliana and Josephine often gave him was frustrating enough as it was. Yet, all in the same breath, he didn't care in the slightest.

Gwyn continued to fidget with her hands until Cullen reached out, his fingers interlocked with hers. She looked over at him, her eyes wide as her gaze quickly looked over at Josephine and Leliana. If they noticed, they hadn't reacted visibly. Her hands were trembling. Unsure if it was nervousness of the mission ahead of them or the possibility of a few prying eyes, he took the chance to offer her a warm smile as the pads of his thumbs gently massaged her hands.

"We will all be close by tonight. If you feel unsure, find one of us. If you feel out of place, find one of us. You're much better with speaking to these noble types than I am; you have more patience. But, above all, you're not alone." She nodded slowly at his kind words, their eyes so fixated on each other that they did not notice Leliana peering at them, a small smile growing on her face.

When they arrived at the palace, Cullen stood outside the carriage doors to assist each woman from the car. In front of them, Gwyn was being introduced and spoken to by Duke Gaspard while Leliana and Cullen walked together.

"I saw what you did back there, Commander." Leliana's voice was quiet, yet her tone unreadable. Was she angry? Annoyed? Disappointed?

"I haven't the faintest—" Cullen stammered, the red on his ears betraying him. Leliana softened—a smile spread over her face.

"You think everyone has just pretended not to notice you two?" She laughed slightly as they watched Gwyn talk in hushed whispers with Josephine. "I think it's….sweet." She walked ahead of him, leaving him alone and red in the face.