On the morning of the next day there was a flurry of activity in my room. More maids than I've ever seen in this part of the castle were bustling in and out of my room's door. My bath water was hot, making my skin turn red, while the maids scrubbed fiercely in what felt like an effort to make it worse, apparently. After the bath I was led by a different group of maids to brand new sets of gowns and accoutrements that had been brought in just for today. They went through gown after gown while my mother oversaw every little detail, picking at the fabrics, the colors, the designs, and the other accessories. I was changed behind the folding changing curtain every time, the maids never letting anyone see my body, not even my mother.
When my gown and the details had been cleared, I was unceremoniously set down in front of my vanity as yet another group of maids began to apply my makeup and do my hair.
After everything was finished, I was told that there would be no breakfast and that I'd have a moment to myself. I received a stern warning not to sit or lay down because my gown could get wrinkles or shift on my body. Despite my mother being present during the whole process there were no words of encouragement, no gestures of care, no chances to speak to each other. I noticed a minute change in her expression at one point, but it was so quick that I couldn't tell exactly what it was before she rushed out the door of my room.
Having this opportunity to see the results of all the maids' efforts, I took a chance to look at their hard work in my full-length mirror.
"Wow, Marisilea Arkesh, your garments are beyond your station." Repeating the words I heard one of the maid's whisper to me as they dressed me behind the screen, I marveled at how beautiful the gown and accoutrements looked. Perhaps they were right, perhaps I don't deserve this kind of care. But I couldn't help but hope. To believe that after tonight I would be allowed to live with my family. Not just comfortably, no, comfort wasn't needed, but to have a chance to sit with them and talk openly about myself.
I had only very light makeup on my small face. Because I've only been eating better for the last week, my face still showed pronounced cheekbones and a thin neck. There was no trace of baby fat anywhere on my features. My violet irises were streaked with flecks of shining silver, a sign of the heritage of the Duke of Arkesh. My nose was thin and petite, with a slight upturn at the apex, and the nostrils themselves were well defined but only extended out a slight bit. I've heard one maid say that my features were good, but not enough to warrant arrogance. I don't know what that means for me, but I don't think I'm ugly at least.
My body was incredibly thin, with only a slight curve at my hips which could be attributed to the protruding of my hip bones rather than any distinguishing curves from my body's natural growth. My arms were thin but covered with silver gloves that ended with the lace embellishments, portraying the galanthus flowers of House Arkesh. The gloves hid the bony parts of my hands and arms well, extending beyond my elbows to halfway up my biceps. My shoulders were not broad but still visibly pronounced, the bony structures unadorned with any fat, in a barely imperceptible unhealthy way. I was told that most Young Ladies of their houses were kept thin so I wouldn't have to worry about standing out. My mother wasn't this skinny, but she was already the married lady of the House, so her weight would not need to be so managed.
My hair was done in parts. The top half was done in a four-strand braid, and the bottom was left loose to flow freely behind my back. After the oils were applied to my deep burgundy hair, it glistened under the light from my window, giving me an almost noble air. It silly, I'm supposed to be a noble, but this is the first time I've felt like I looked the part.
The gown itself was chosen to match my eyes as the main fabric was a deep, vibrant, violet silk. There were galanthus flower accents of silver and burgundy coming from the bottom and fading away to further solidify my position as a member of the Arkesh household. The style was a simple sleeveless A-line dress that was tapered up and around my neck. It flared a bit at the bottom to allow for the floral designs to be more eye-catching. I had a matching cape that flowed from the clasps at my neck and lower shoulders down to just barely above the bottom of the dress.
I wore very few accessories, probably because of the fear that I might steal them. A thin silver bracelet set with small amethyst and red garnet gems. A gold hairband, adorned with silver threads and some small pearls. Finally, I had a thin silver ring with two tiny gems, one amethyst and one red garnet. I put the ring on after the maids left because I feared they would not let me wear it. It wasn't as beautiful and polished as the rest of my jewelry because it was the only gift I received from my mother when I was a child, and the only piece of jewelry I kept hidden in my vanity. It hadn't received the care typically given to jewelry.
There were many times I was warned that the few valuables afforded to me were property of the household, and I had no right to wear or take them out. The majority of them were stashed away after I received them, never to be seen or touched by me again for fear of the repercussions if they were lost.
I recall one necklace that had a diamond set between a few amethysts on a beautiful, polished silver chain. It wasn't gaudy, but it certainly wasn't something I'd typically see. I'd sometimes take it out to look at it, until one day I couldn't find it, looking all over my room for it. I had to tell Lizabeth, whose expression became incredibly forlorn, with her replying that she would have to tell my father about it. The next morning when Lizabeth came in, she hesitated for an hour before administering the ten lashes decreed as my punishment. She allowed me to rest in my room the rest of the day, expressing her understanding of my inability to move well. She came late that night to apply medicine, holding me tightly while I cried in to her chest.
Taking a deep breath, I realized it was almost time to leave. My nerves were starting to fray, and I could feel my breathing begin to accelerate. The tightness in my chest increased in slight increments, gradually causing my vision to fade at the edges. Grabbing my chest, I inhaled as deeply as I could to pull in as much air as possible. I knew if I didn't get a hold of this I'd pass out right here, ruining this day.
Suddenly I heard the rustling of leaves and smelt the soothing fragrance of blooming flowers and fresh grass. I began to calm myself, using the breathing methods I had learned and bringing my focus inward, towards a refreshing meadow in a gentle forest. There was immediately no shaking hands, no tightly clenching chest, no deafening pounding of my heart, and my vision became clearer than ever before.
In a quick whisper, I could only quietly utter "Thank you Mother Tree" before a knocking on my door brought my attention back to the meaning of this day.
"Who is it?"
"It's Lizabeth, m'lady."
"You may enter."
Lizabeth gently opened my door, pausing for a long moment as she took in my appearance.
"You look so incredibly beautiful Young Lady." Her gentle smile and the creases that formed around her eyes as she attempted to soothe any worries I might have were still comforting.
"Thank you, Lizabeth. Did the Duke and Duchess send word regarding my escort for this evening?"
"Yes m'lady, you are to be escorted by the Young Lady of the Elven Kingdom's envoy. She is of similar age, and their presence here is a tradition amongst your mother's family. Your father isn't happy with the arrangement, but he cannot ignore the politics between Kingdoms."
I'm shocked that an envoy from another Kingdom would be present at a Duke's firstborn daughter's Magi Circle Ceremony. The influence of House Arkesh in other Kingdom's isn't insignificant, but to warrant an envoy of such importance during such a customary ceremony is typically unheard of. The alliance between our Kingdom of Lestryal and the Elven Kingdom of Feyris is stable on the surface, but who knows what undercurrents there might be.
As for my escort being a girl, it's a commonly upheld tradition in our Kingdom to have only immediate family members or Ladies of similar standing to act as the escort for a Young Lady of unmarriageable age, or who does not yet have a suitor. The impropriety of an unknown man escorting a woman alone is social death. As my brother isn't of suitable age, being only a little under two years old, the escort of a Lady of equal status from another Kingdom's envoy is considered a great honor.
"Is there anything else I should be aware of?"
"The King, Queen, and the Crown Prince are attending as well, possibly due to the envoy from the Elven Kingdom."
This isn't as much of a surprise. The King will sometimes attend the Magi Circle Ceremony for the Houses of great importance within the Kingdom, and if a distinguished envy from another Kingdom is here it means they had to go through the proper procedures to gain entry. This would allow the King to know, and they would obviously take extra steps to ensure the process was peaceful and pleasant for the envoy. Under normal circumstances though, a firstborn daughter's Magic Circle Ceremony wouldn't result in His Majesty's attendance.
Maintaining my calm demeanor, I can only press on and adjust to the situation accordingly.
"Thank you for informing me of everything Lizabeth, and I will do my utmost to ensure the Kingdom will not be shamed this day."
"I'm glad that milady's training and education has paid off, your poise is impeccable, and your adaptable attitude is the appropriate approach."
"Without your guidance, Lizabeth, I'd be naught but a quivering mess." Giving her a slight smile, doing my best not to break from decorum still, I begin to march forward. "We best not keep our esteemed guests waiting or I fear father will lose face."