“Would you like a ribbon or a hairpin?” The hairdresser asked her, holding the two items so that she could see the result. Meanwhile, two seamstresses were busy with adjusting the dress on the mannequin behind her.

“The… Ribbon? I don’t even know… I’ve never really worn this kind of thing before.” Her comment made the man shake his head.

“I see. In that case, I recommend the hairpin. It will most certainly catch the eye of any… Ahem. Young stallion.”

She threw a glance at the dress behind her. It looked like a tight fit. Low cut both in the front and in the back, adorned with expensive fabrics and a variety of expensive bracelets, and a brooch she felt certain was made from pure gold, with an actual diamond embedded in its center.

“So… Why can’t I just wear something normal?” Her question nearly caused the man to drop everything for the fifth time.

“Dear little lady, a beautiful young maiden like yourself ought to have the best clothes and jewelry to enhance your beauty… I suppose your goal is to find an excellent suitor?”

“No…? What do you even mean? Can you speak normal?”

“M-moving swiftly on my dear… I believe this hair arrangement is perfectly splendid.”

The man handed her a mirror. Despite her best effort, she was unable to keep her jaw from dropping at the ridiculous sight before her.

“Does your appearance please you?”

“Not at all. Nu uh… I’d rather keep my hair down, one hairpin to keep hair from my face…”

“Very well! You have excellent taste! Indeed, simplicity is beauty in and of itself is it not?”

“I would agree…” She turned around to find Lady Elistin in the doorway. The three attendants all offered formal greetings and resumed their work.

“Do I have to do this, mistress?”

“Think of it… As my way of saying thanks for your earlier efforts. A whole evening of good food, relaxation and excellent company…” To her surprise, Elistin leaned close and whispered to her:

“I wholeheartedly agree that it’s awful, the party will be too, but it serves a purpose.” She blinked to her and turned to the tailor.

“Please do continue! I expect my little lady to be no less than the center of attention for the whole party!”

“Y-yes your Ladyship!”

Eventually, the clothing ritual was finished, and she could finally leave the room of cosmetic horror. She walked unsteadily, her feet completely unused to the pumps she was now wearing. She had managed to bicker her way out of the pairs dedicated to ‘height compensation’ and had settled for a pair with barely any heels at all. Though her velvet blue dress had looked nightmarish while fitted on the mannequin, putting it on and wearing it felt surprisingly okay, although her concerns for the things expected of her overshadowed any other concern as simple as her attire. Her thoughts were soon interrupted by the others appearing. Indas and Rein both wore matching clothes which gave off an aura of nobility. Polished shoes, a fine jacket and a matching set of pants made them both look like young noblemen who would immediately attract the attention of any eligible women they might encounter. Carys as per usual, looked like the royal women she had seen in the pictures adorning Elistin’s mansion. Tilia, had apparently found herself unable to overpower her seamstresses, let alone her hairdresser, and came out with double pigtails, looking just about ready to tear someone’s head off. Farsilden soon arrived to bring them to the wagon. He wore a classical servant’s suit, propped up for the occasion and out of them all, looked the closest to normal. Waiting in the wagon was Elistin herself, which turned out to be even more stunning than Carys. The color of their respective dresses complimented each other well. Farsilden closed the door of the wagon and whipped some life into the two horses.

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“Now remember, be on your best behavior, gather information and do try to look dashing.” Elistin smiled and handed them each a small pouch. “Some emergency tools… Only to be used in real emergencies.”

“This is how we’ll do it… Tili, you’ll be hanging out with me. We’ll look after Elly…”

“Awh… Can I at least get to sample all the food?”

“Just… Don’t stuff your face like last time… It was unseemly.”

“Tili. I expect you to behave. This is a very important party.” Elistin gave her a very stern look, and upon seeing acceptance, if somewhat grudgingly, on Tilia’s face, returned to her gentle expression.

“Indas, go have a look around the house when you can, particularly the servant’s quarters. Rein, you’ll be on the dance floor. Show them what you are made of.”

“Sure thing… I’ll make’em swoon… Just you wait.”

“And Ferran… This will be your first party, so stay close to Elly at least until you get a feeling for how the place works… Suffice to say, nobles come in many shapes…”

“No.” Tilia interrupted.” They’re all bloated piglets.”

The carriage rolled through the gates, leaving the high walls of the imperial city behind. Soon, they caught up with a whole lot more carriages being inspected and cleared. A lot of soldiers were on watch, and many more had already mounted up and were spreading themselves along the whole line of carriages to act as escorts.

“Good evening my lady…” A soldier opened the door of the carriage and saluted.

“Yes? How may I help you officer?”

“Your invitation?”

“Certainly.” Elistin handed the guard a small scroll which he quickly skimmed through and returned. He then took out a small notebook.

“Lady Elistin, accompanied by?”

“These are my wards. Their names are provided in the invitation. I am also accompanied by my Master of servants.”

“Understood. Have you been provided with masks for the evening, or will you require a selection brought to you?”

“A selection if you please.”

“A moment then.”

The guard whistled and soon, a young squire appeared next to him carrying a wooden crate filled to the brim with masks; from the curious to the very simple, all the way to the extravagant. After a prompting from Elistin, she picked a mask, and the two guards left.

“This, has been a while…” Carys said, voice full of melancholy. She turned the mask over and put it on, hiding her expression.

After a long while of waiting, guards made the rounds announcing the continuation of the journey. Under heavy guard, the convoy of carriages made its way to the forest at the edge of the fields, and continued through the forest until arriving outside a massive fenced-in building. Guards with dogs were stationed all along the garden and the small plaza in front of the mansion. One by one, the carriages stopped in front of the main gates, dispensed its passengers and were then led to the side to be kept under guard.