The next morning, I was woken up by Adel. She immediately led me to the vanity table with the three children trailing behind her. I sat there as usual, and they began my routine.
However, I noticed a change. Adel opened the drawers on the left side of the vanity—the ones she had told me were reserved for important occasions or parties.
She pulled out powders that looked similar to the usual ones, but the scent was stronger, more fragrant, and luxurious. Even the finishing powder made my face glow with a radiance far beyond the daily routine. Everything from those drawers had a much more impactful effect on my face and skin.
Once they were done with my makeup, they didn't retrieve any gown from my wardrobe. Instead, Aelia went to the bedroom door and opened it.
A group of women bustled into the room. I recognized one face immediately—it was the owner of the boutique I had visited. They rolled in a clothes rail filled with gowns. These dresses looked incredibly expensive, far more exquisite than anything I had seen displayed in her shop.
While I remained seated at the vanity, the owner began showing me the gowns one by one.
"Which gown is pleasing to My Lady's eyes?" she asked, holding up a shimmering silk dress.
"Everything is pleasing to my eyes," I admitted, "but I still can't decide which one I will wear."
I turned my gaze to the three children standing by the door. "How about you three take a look at those gowns and tell me which one catches your eyes?" I glanced at Adel. "Adel, you take a look too."
The three children looked surprised but excited. Along with Adel, they began to inspect the row of dresses.
The boutique owner leaned in slightly. "Are you pretty sure about this, My Lady? They are children. Maybe they will pick something that is weird or mismatched for you. Especially since this occasion is very important."
"Well," I smiled, "sometimes a child's opinion can be a good idea. They see something that I can't see, or maybe that adults miss. Their view of what is glamorous, exquisite, and pretty is unique. Even I myself can be viewed as a child, after all."
A few moments later, they had made their choices. I asked them to present them to me.
Alecia stepped forward first. She showed me a red gown with patterns and ornaments in bright orange.
"Why did you choose this one?" I asked.
"It is an assertion of domination, courage, and bravery," she declared boldly.
Next, Alicia showed me a blue gown with green patterns and ornaments. I asked her the same question.
"It symbolizes loyalty, faith, sincerity, and trust from you, the fiancée," she said softly.
Next, Aelia brought forward a purple gown with dark yellow ornaments that looked like gold. I was surprised she didn't pick something green to match her ribbon.
"Why this one?"
"It is the color of royalty," she answered simply.
I looked at the owner. "Is that true?"
She nodded. "It is indeed."
The last one was Adel. She showed me a black gown with intricate white patterns and ornaments.
"Why this one, Adel?"
"My Lady's wardrobe is full of white dresses," she explained. "Because of your white hair, people assume white suits you. But how about the black ones? It is the opposite of white. It would be perfectly balanced between My Lady's white hair and the gown."
I thought for a few seconds and made up my mind.
"All of your suggestions are amazing," I announced. "I have heard your thoughts. For this occasion, I will choose the suggestion… from… ADEL."
Adel smiled, bowing her head.
"Like she said, my dresses in the wardrobe are full of white ones. Therefore, the black color will be amazing."
After I decided, the boutique staff and the owner immediately set to work. They dressed me up and made final adjustments. In a few minutes, they were done.
I looked in the mirror behind me. The black gown was stunning. It suited me perfectly, making my hair shine like moonlight against the dark fabric.
I opened the drawer of the vanity table and took out the white hairpin and the necklace with white gems—the gifts from the twins.
"Adel, please put the hairpin in my hair," I requested.
I sat back in the chair. Adel pinned my hair up and fastened the necklace around my neck.
Finally, the special morning routine was complete. The boutique owner and her staff excused themselves and left the room.
"My Lady, it is time for breakfast," Adel said. "Shall we go to the dining room?"
I nodded.
Adel led the way, with the three children following behind me. As we walked through the halls, I saw the other servants stop in their tracks, looking astonished and amazed by my appearance.
When I arrived at the dining room, I saw everyone was already there. As I entered, their faces lit up with fascination.
The twins, who were already seated, immediately jumped down and ran toward me.
Ophelia spoke first, her eyes wide. "Sister Aurelia! You are so beautiful today! Like you are the Lady of this Kingdom. And the black gown is perfectly suitable for you. Your white hair has its spotlight, and the black gown has its own spotlight. Therefore, you have two beauties!"
"Haha, thanks for the compliment, Ophelia," I laughed.
Aurelio spotted the jewelry. "Are those the things we gave you? The hairpin and the necklace??"
"Ah, these! Yes, they are the gifts from you," I touched the hairpin gently. "I wear them to show my little siblings affection. And they make me look beautiful and pretty too."
They blushed deeply, grinning at each other.
"Let's go back to the table and eat breakfast," I said, taking their hands.
We went to our seats. After I sat down, Father cleared his throat to give me the information for the day.
"The Crown Prince may arrive at noon," he said seriously.
I nodded. "I understand."
I looked at both of them. "What do I need to do today?"
"You don't need to think about logistics," Mother answered calmly. "Adel will lead you. You just accompany the Prince and have a conversation with him."
"I don't quite understand what Mother just said."
"Adel will lead you to the spot prepared for you and the Prince," Mother clarified. "Everything will already be set up. For example… let's see… an afternoon tea in the garden. Adel will lead you there, and the table, chairs, tea, and snacks will be ready. So you don't need to do anything besides talking and conversing with him."
"I see. And what topics does the Prince like?"
"I think the Prince will be the one giving you the topic, Aurelia. Is that right, dear?"
"Yes, it is," Father agreed. "Usually on this occasion, the gentleman starts the conversation and tries to sway the lady. You don't need to think about what he likes; he will tell you himself to impress you. So you just follow his lead—or don't follow him if you find his topic unimpressive. Immediately he will understand. If he is a great gentleman, he will apologize and avoid that topic again."
"I apprehend it."
"Great. And once more, Aurelia," Father lowered his voice slightly. "Your sickness is still a secret from the public, even in the noble court. So I hope today there is nothing wrong with you. Try to keep it as secret as possible. If you suddenly feel unwell, just excuse yourself immediately. Adel and Gena will know quickly what is going on and will try to prevent the Prince and his entourage from seeing your sickness."
"I understand, Father."
"Good. Now let's enjoy our breakfast."
He clapped his hands, and the food arrived.
After breakfast, I went back to my room to wait for the Prince's arrival. I asked Adel and the three children to leave me alone, telling them to inform me only when he arrived.
I sat in front of the vanity table for a while, alone with my thoughts.
Suddenly, in the reflection of the mirror, I saw two figures standing behind me.
I spun around immediately. It was Gena and Delia.
"How on earth can you come into my room?" I demanded.
"Well, we are not human. I can show it to you," Gena said with a grin.
She walked to the vanity table and stuck her hand straight toward the glass. Her hand pierced the mirror as if it were water, disappearing into the reflection.
"With this, we can walk or come in wherever we want, because there is nothing that can stop us."
Seeing that, I immediately grabbed her arm where it entered the glass. It felt solid. My hand didn't phase through her. She pulled her arm back out.
"So what do you two want?"
"Nothing. I just want to check on you, especially since it is a big day for you," Gena said. "And it is my obligation to treat you and stay beside you, right?"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know it. But how about her?" I pointed at Delia. "What do you do here?"
"Same as Gena," Delia shrugged. "I am just checking you."
"What for? Or from what?"
"Maybe about the diet that I cooked for you. Is it too much for your diet or not?"
"Just tell me the real reason you are here. Don't blabber something like the diet."
"Maybe about how beautiful you are in that gown, so I am checking you?"
I stared at her fiercely. I didn't buy it.
"Hehhhh..." Delia sighed, rolling her eyes. "Because Gena told me today is going to be great and amusing. So I followed her to see that."
Hearing that, Gena immediately turned a sharp glare toward Delia.
"Great and amusing? Why?" I narrowed my eyes.
"Maybe you will act—"
Slap!
Out of the blue, Gena clamped her hand over Delia's mouth.
"We will excuse ourselves, My Lady. And hope today will be great for you, not amusing like this woman said," Gena said hurriedly.
She dragged Delia toward the wall, her hand still firmly over Delia's mouth. They pierced through the solid wall and vanished from the room.
But a few seconds later, Gena stuck just her head back through the wall.
"One more thing, My Lady," she whispered seriously. "We sense something from your Prince's entourage. Maybe you better be careful."
"What have you sensed?" I asked urgently.
She pulled her head back without giving me an answer. The wall was solid once more.
They must know something.