Alessandra and Kathrine
“Sit down, Alessandra, or I will have this carriage turned around,” Miss Helga said while pointing at the seat Alessandra was standing on. “And you, Kathrine, let her fall over. If she bonks her head a time or two, she will learn not to stand while the carriage is moving.”
Plopping down in her seat by hopping up and kicking her legs forward, Alessandra whined, “But Miss Helga, the windows are too high to see out of if I’m sitting down.”
“That’s the idea, dear. If you can not see out, other people can not see in. It helps keep you safe,” Miss Helga said. “Now, please calm down. I know you are excited, but if you use all your energy now, you will be too tired for the sweet shop after we pick out your new dresses,” Miss Helga told the still-wriggling girl.
Alessandra tried to sit still, but it was hard. Not much had changed for Alessandra in the three days since the fluffy lamb had visited, except that she had been sleeping incredibly well on her new pillow. She also found it easier to pay attention during her lessons.
Today’s trip was possible because Mr. Declan was teaching the orphans at Fluffy’s Temple. Alessandra had asked what an orphanage was and was told that it was a place where children with no parents were taken to live. She asked Miss ‘dine why she hadn’t been taken to the orphanage and was told that she didn’t have to go to one because she had other people who wanted to take care of her. That wasn’t quite what she had meant by the question, but she let it slide as she felt Miss ‘dine really didn’t want to answer the question. She felt it might be time to stop pretending she didn’t understand things as well as she did; simple answers weren’t helping as much as they used to.
The carriage slowed to a stop, and Alessandra started to hop to her feet, but Miss Kat held her down.
“Wait for the guards to open the door, Alessandra,” Miss Kat said. “Before you ask why, lots of people want to hurt rich girls, and yes, you are a rich girl now, so the guards have to check for bad people first.”
Alessandra crossed her arms and flopped back in her seat, “I’m not rich; I’m just an orphan; Miss Helga is rich.”
“And because Mr. Jerome and I are your guardians, you are rich as well,” Miss Helga interjected. “How much pocket money did I give you for today?”
“One silver,” Alessandra answered thoughtfully.
“And how many coppers is that?” Miss Helga asked.
“One hundred,” Alessandra answered, and seeing where Miss Helga was going with her question, she continued, “That would be enough to feed me for two months in the Slums." She thought for a second and continued, "I guess that does make me rich.”
“How long if you eat every day?” Miss Kat asked.
“About a month, less if I eat meat more than once a week,” Alessandra immediately answered.
“I’m going to have Mr. Declan give you harder math lessons, little miss smarty skirts,” Miss Helga said, grinning.
Alessandra groaned and banged her head against the wall. She’d been tricked!
There was a knock on the door, and one of Miss Kat’s ‘minions,’ though Alessandra had gotten a ‘talking to’ by Miss Helga for calling them that, opened it.
“The street and shop are clear, My Lady,” the ‘minion’ said; Alessandra liked that word better than subordinate.
“Thank you, corporal,” Miss Helga said, getting up to leave the carriage.
Alessandra followed Miss Helga out of the carriage and grabbed her hand. She looked around somewhat nervously but was reassured by all the guards. While heading for the door, a girl around her own age, in a bright red dress with poofy sleeves walked out with a woman who looked like a maid. The girl looked over at Alessandra and Miss Helga, sniffed, and turned up her nose.
“Where in the kingdom did you come from? That dress is so far out of style I wouldn’t let my slave wear it,” the girl sneered.
Alessandra looked down at her pretty blue dress and couldn’t understand why the girl was insulting it. It had small puff’s on the shoulders, and the sleeves had folds that made it easy to move in. On the other hand, the girl's sleeves had huge puff’s on the shoulders that got in her face if she turned her head. How could you use a spear or sword in that dress?
“I was born in the Slums as if it’s any of your business,” Alessandra replied proudly.
Taking a step back, the girl screeched, “A SLUM RAT? Mirabelle, get me out of here before I get a sickness.” And with that, the two turned and walked to a carriage down the street quickly.
As the other girl scurried off, Alessandra started tugging Miss Helga towards the shop door. Miss Helga pulled her back and turned Alessandra to face her.
“Are you alright? Did what the girl say bother you?” Miss Helga asked.
With a little shrug, “Why would what she say’s bother me?”
With a small chuckle, Miss Kat said, “Good attitude, Alessandra.”
“Did the way she acted when you said you were from the Slums bother you?” Miss Helga asked.
“No, it makes sense. Most people in the Slums have a sickness,” Alessandra said with another shrug. “Can I pick out my new dress now?”
****
Kathrine was pleased with Alessandra’s response to the little twit that had exited the shop. She had made a note of the crest the maid was wearing and would make sure that they weren’t invited to the adoption gala that Helga wanted to throw, even if she had to 'lose' their invitation.
She could also tell that Helga was concerned that Alessandra wasn’t upset by the girl. Kathrine understood why Alessandra wasn’t bothered by the girl, those that were outside her circle didn’t matter. She had moved past her fear of everyone and was now clinging to those who had shown her love and kindness. If you didn’t show her kindness or aggression, you were unimportant. Not exactly healthy in an adult or a normal girl Alessandra’s age, but a better place to be than afraid of everything.
Upon entering the store, Kathrine wanted to gouge out her eyes. The colors of the dresses on display were too bright. Who would wear these?
“SQUEEE!” a high-pitched sound drove into her skull. Her eyes were drawn to a small body rushing to the most horrid dress in the shop. It was a garish pink so bright that it should be considered a war crime. The sleeves had enough ruffles that you could have made another dress out of it. The skirt had a large enough hoop that a halfway decent blacksmith could have made a short sword out of the metal. So, of course, a little girl loved it. If Helga let her buy it, she may have to kill her.
“It’s so cute, Miss Helga. Please let me have it. PPPPLLLEEEAAASSSEEE!” Alessandra pleaded.
Gently turning the hyperactive child away from the monster masquerading as a dress, Helga said, “That is a lovely dress, but you should look at more than one dress before deciding, dear.” Pointing the girl towards the more practical dresses with less weaponized colors. “Look at this one, it’s still pink, but you can use a spear while wearing it.”
“But it doesn’t have very many ruffles…” Alessandra said dejectedly as Helga dragged her over to the dress.
A young woman walked over and stopped a respectful distance away, curtsied, and said, “If the young miss and her…mother? would like we make custom dresses.”
Helga looked over at the woman and said, “I’m her guardian. Thank you, we will need at least one custom dress. If you would, can you take Alessandra around to browse? I assume your mistress did not pass on our special needs?”
The young woman shook her head, “I’m sorry, My Lady, I was supposed to be off today; however, my coworker fell ill, so I came in at the last minute. If you would enlighten me as to your requirements, I am sure I can fulfill them.”
“No harm done…” Helga started but was interrupted.
“EEEWWW green,” Alessandra called out as a very expensive dress fluttered to the floor.
With a sigh, Helga continued, “…until now. If the dress is ruined, add it to our bill.” Waving off the woman’s protests that that was unnecessary, she continued, “Avoid any shade of green; she hates that color. Avoid yellow as well; we think she will have the same reaction to that color as well. Other than that, she can pick out one dress for herself; the others I and Countess Moor will pick for her. She may say shocking or rude things. I trust your professionalism to not react, but if you do, we will not hold it against you or this establishment.”
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****
Alessandra was on cloud nine! Miss Helga and Miss Kat had left her alone with Nice Miss Francine to rummage through the dresses. Well, not exactly alone; there were two minions that were following her and Nice Miss Francine around, but Miss Kat said minions didn’t snitch on her, so she might as well be alone. She wasn’t sure about them not snitching as Miss Kat always seemed to know how she got muddy or when she peed in the garden. Miss Yvette and Miss Suzanne always got really mad when she did that, but it was so far to the toilet she didn’t want to waste play time going back and forth.
She was wandering through the dresses that Nice Miss Francine said should fit her when she saw it, the perfect dress. It had ruffles all over, not just the shoulders or sleeves. There were some on the chest and stomach parts. The skirt was nothing but ruffles! And the color! It was a bright, vivid pink, with the edges of most of the ruffles being black.
“MINE!” she yelled, rushing over and gently grabbing the dress.
“Are you sure, Young Miss? You only get to choose one; there are still more to look at,” Nice Miss Francine asked.
Alessandra smiled and nodded vigorously, and said, “So many ruffles!”
****
“MINE!” a young voice called out from the other side of the shop. Kathrine looked up from the fabrics she and Helga were looking at and zeroed in on Alessandra. Seeing that her guards weren’t moving, she figured there was nothing to worry about until she saw what Alessandra was clutching.
Grabbing Helga’s attention and pointing at the offending dress, and asked, “My Lady, are you sure about letting Alessandra choose her own clothing?”
Helga, seeing the dress, sighed, “At least it doesn’t have hoops. Yes, Countess, I am sure. You heard what the Counselor said, she needs to feel some control of her surroundings, and an ugly dress is a small price to pay for her mental well-being.”
“I know, but it’s just so…so…pink,” Kathrine said, motioning at the dress.
“It is, Countess. Just make sure not to let your disgust show,” Helga said as Alessandra came closer with her treasure.
Shoving the dress towards Helga and Kathrine, Alessandra proudly declared, “I found it, the perfect dress.”
“Well, it is certainly unique,” Helga said diplomatically. Looking at the attendant, she asked, “Would you be able to help her try it on, or should I?”
With a look of horror on her face, the attendant stammered out, “N...no n-need for you to do that, My Lady; I can certainly help the Young Miss.” Kathrine felt that Helga had shocked her more than Alessandra could have with whatever weird statements she could have uttered. Just imagine a noble dressing a child, the horror of it all. After the woman led Alessandra to the back, Helga and Kathrine returned to the cloth they were examining. For a few peaceful minutes, they set aside different fabrics they liked and could withstand Alessandra’s destructive playing. Surprisingly enough, there were no disasters in the changing area, and the attendant and Alessandra shortly returned to model the ocular assault for Helga and herself. Kathrine could admit it wasn’t quite as bad contrasted with Alessandra’s tanned skin and black and purple hair, but she made a point to outlaw that particular shade of pink in her lands in her next correspondence to her nephew.
“Turn around, sweetie; I want to see how it fits in the back,” Helga requested while turning her fingers in a circle. Alessandra happily complied, twisting about rapidly. “Slower, dear, slower. That’s a good girl. It needs to be taken in a bit.” Turning to the attendant, Helga asked, “Can you do that but allow it to be let out when she grows some? It would be a waste if she could only wear it for a few months.”
“With this particular dress, that won’t be a problem. We can hide the folds under the ruffles,” the attendant replied.
“Good. I have figured out the colors and fabrics for the additional dresses I want to be commissioned. Can you please take her measurements and call out a seamstress so I can discuss my needs?” Helga asked.
“At once, My Lady.”
****
Getting poked and prodded was no fun. It was fun to tease Nice Miss Francine by trying to take off her undergarments when she had been told to undress to have her measurements taken. Too bad the minions had stopped her when she started to untie them though. Her pretty new dress wouldn’t be fixed until tomorrow, though, so that was sad. But now it was time for the sweet shop.
“Will there be honey? How about cake? I want all the cake!” Alessandra asked while bouncing in her seat. She knew what cake was now, and she wanted it all.
“They will have both of those and yes, you can have a piece of cake,” Miss Helga said with a smile.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea, Helga? She’s already bouncing off the walls. Giving her sugar will make her worse,” Mean Nasty Cake Denier Miss Kat said.
“It will be fine; we will walk the shops afterward so she can spend that silver that’s burning a hole in her pocket,” Very Nice Miss Helga said.
Reminded of the silver coin, Alessandra pulled out her coin purse to make sure it was still there, which it was, filling her with a sense of relief. Having money was good because she could buy things, but bad because she always worried about it. Maybe Miss Helga and Miss Kat would let her make a minion carry it for her.
The carriage came to a halt, and Alessandra made herself sit still until the minion opened the door. As soon as she thought the door was opened wide enough, she flung herself out, only to be captured by the minion mid-flight and handed over to Miss Helga, who had her ‘I am not amused’ face on. Miss Helga pulled her captive back into the carriage and set her back in her seat.
After a few seconds of glaring, Alessandra couldn’t stand the silence any longer and spoke up glumly, “I should’na done that.”
“That is correct, Alessandra. Now tell me, why you should not have done that?” Miss Helga said sternly.
Thinking, Alessandra thought back to what she had been told earlier about Bad People and rich girls and what the Paladins had been telling her in her weapons lessons. Taking a deep breath, she looked Miss Helga in the eye and said, “Because there could have been a Bad Person making the mi… err guard open the door. Rushing out also showed a lack of self-control, which is bad.”
Miss Helga smiled, which meant Alessandra had given a correct answer, so she gave a tentative smile back. Miss Helga motioned for Miss Kat to exit the carriage but glared Alessandra back into her seat when she started to stand. Miss Helga closed the door and moved over to Alessandra’s side of the carriage, and sat next to her.
“I will not force the issue right now, Alessandra; I know you are a very smart and observant girl; you do not have to pretend not to understand so we will protect you. I know why you have hidden how much you see, hear, and understand, but you do not have to do that anymore,” Miss Helga leaned over and hugged Alessandra. “I just want you to know you do not have to hide anything about yourself. Whether it is how smart you are or that you hide your surcoat so the 'maid-thief' doesn’t steal it. I love all of you. Now let us eat cake.”
Alessandra smiled and calmly opened the door, and stepped out. Sometimes getting in trouble isn’t so bad, she thought. It’s nice having someone be upset with her because she could have hurt herself.
****
After the cake shop, where Mean Miss Helga and Cake Denier Miss Kat had only let her have one piece of cake and one small spoonful of sugar in her tea, the group started walking down the "Promenade." It was a glorious sight, clean streets and shops full of people that were not dressed in rags. Alessandra wanted to run into every store, but Mean Miss Helga said no.
"But why can't I go in, Miss Helga?" Alessandra asked pleadingly. "I'm rich now, so they won't call the Guards on me!"
"Because these stores sell items that are for adults. You would not want to spend your silver on something you broke, would you?" Reasonable Miss Helga replied.
Alessandra agreed that that made sense and let Miss Helga know this, "That makes sense, Miss Helga. How much longer 'til we get to the kids' store?" she asked while attempting to pull Mis Helga's arm off by bouncing up and down with excitement and sugar.
"It is close, but you really must calm down, or we will have to go to the park first. You would not want to be too tired to shop now would you?"
Alessandra did her best to walk calmly for the remainder of the way to the store, which, as promised, was only a few more minutes away. It was a glorious sight; the store was set back from the street, on one side of the path leading to the storefront; there was a simple practice dummy, with an old man helping a few boys hit it with play swords. On the other side, there were two pretty young women giving pony rides to some very young boys, with some girls waiting impatiently in line for their turn. Alessandra barely noticed these happenings, she could ride ponies or practice swordplay during her playtime any day. No, she was staring at the brightly painted building with its display of toys in the windows. There were lots of soldiers sitting in the windows on one side; on the other, there were dolls and plushies of all shapes and sizes. A hand flew in front of her face.
"Alessandra, honey, are you ok? Was this too much excitement for you? Do you want to go home?" Miss Helga asked.
Alessandra looked at Insane Miss Helga with horror and responded in the only way she could think of.
"SQUEEE!!!!" and ran for the door, expertly ducking under the arms of the minion that tried to grab her.
She heard Miss Kat sigh and say, "I'll take that as a no on going home."
A few minutes later, Alessandra was happily looking at some balls that were supposed to bounce all over the place when Miss Kat and a minion found her.
"Don't move a muscle, young lady," Miss Kat ordered. She grabbed Alessandra's wrists gently and lifted up her arms. "Corporal, you know what to do."
"Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry young miss, but you brought this on yourself by running off all alone." He then took out a thin rope and tied it around her waist and then ties the other around Miss Kat's wrist.
"It's ok. Minions have to do what Miss Kat says," she told the corporal. She looked at the rope and shrugged, and grabbed one of the balls to buy.
"What, no protests about the leash?" Mis Kat asked.
She shrugged, staring at the dolls at the end of the row, and replied, "It won't make you take it off, and you caught me fair and square. Can I go look at the dolls?"
"Yes, we can look at the dolls, at least until Duchess Helga gets here. Corporal, please go find her and lead her over." The man in question saluted and walked off.
While looking at the only doll that had dark skin like hers, Alessandra heard Unamaused Miss Helga's footsteps approaching, she quickly decided to get the doll. She smiled and turned towards Unamaused Miss Helga and said, "I'm ready to go home now, Miss Helga."
Taking the leash from Miss Kat's wrist, Unamaused Miss Helga tugged Alessandra towards the front of the store, "Good because you do not have a choice anymore. Let us pay and head home. Countess Moore, send a runner for the carriage."