The only thing that made Maria not very satisfied was that the sleeves of the dress were particularly loose and long. The sleeves of the dress suddenly increased from narrow to wide at the elbow, like a long triangle hanging on the forearm, and the length was from the elbow to the knee.
However, Miss Eleanor's figure was still quite different from hers. After the dress was put on, the hem only reached above her ankles, the sleeves were also cut off, but the waist was much wider.
She felt comfortable wearing it, but the maids who saw her change clothes felt that it did not meet the noble standards and made her feel wronged.
Because at this time, the skirts of noble ladies had to completely cover the upper surface of their shoes, and it was best to drag them on the ground to match their status. Those who exposed their ankles were either servants or ordinary people. It was really rude to prepare such an ill-fitting skirt for Maria.
The skirt she changed was carefully collected and washed. I don't know if it was her illusion, but the person who took the clothes seemed to be shaking with his hands, as if he was holding not ordinary clothes but a pile of jewelry.
In fact, silk at this time was more precious than jewelry on the Oluya continent.
Afterward, Maria obediently sat still while the maids did her hair. They didn't know how to do her previous hairstyle, and since all the maids wore their hair in braids pinned at the back, Maria decided to guide them to make her a loose scorpion braid, which she left hanging over her shoulder.
The maids then wanted to put makeup on her, but Maria naturally refused.
"This is fine. Didn't you say dinner was about to start? Let's head down." She stood up, making it clear she wasn't interested.
The maids also brought her a pair of shoes that supposedly belonged to Miss Eleanor but had never been worn. Unfortunately, they didn't fit at all, so Maria kept her own shoes on.
Actually, they matched her dress quite well and didn't look out of place at all.
Once she was ready, she put on a woolen cloak, picked up a small box of cutlery from the table, and headed downstairs with the maids surrounding her.
By the time they reached the lower floor, it was already getting dark outside, making the castle even gloomier. Fortunately, torches lined the corridor walls, lighting the way.
The inside of the castle was colder than during the day, and Maria was grateful she'd taken the maids' advice and added the thick wool cloak. Otherwise, it wouldn't just be her ankles feeling cold.
But as they descended further, the unpleasant smell returned, and Maria had to take out her balm box for another sniff.
Instant relief.
The maids were curious about the little box she carried, which looked like a piece of art. The scent that wafted from it was truly unique.
"Smells so good," the younger maid, Julia, said, taking a deep breath.
Lucia, the older maid, glanced at Maria to see if she had heard or cared. Seeing no reaction, she gave Julia a warning look. Julia smiled apologetically and fell silent.
The timing was perfect. When Maria reached the great hall, the young count had just arrived and was talking with a group of people.
Simon had changed out of his heavy armor and was wearing a knee-length tunic. It was fitted on top and loose below the waist. He also wore a cloak, though his was shorter than Maria's, fastened with a large jeweled pin at the chest for easier movement.
Honestly, to Maria, his outfit looked almost the same as her dress, giving her the odd impression he was wearing women's clothes.
But it was just her. No one else found it strange. In fact, all the men were dressed similarly, though Simon's outfit was the most luxurious and unique.
When Maria, now dressed like a local, entered the hall, the lively chatter paused for a moment.
Felix's eyes fixed on Maria, as if no one else existed.
"Lovely lady, please allow me to invite you to take a seat."
Simon's actions and intense gaze made Maria feel a bit uneasy. It was the kind of desire a man has for a woman. Fortunately, he behaved appropriately, with a straightforward look that didn't cross any lines, and his good looks certainly helped.
Tonight's dinner was a grand feast, and it wasn't just for them. All the knights who participated in the hunt were joining in. This was the usual reward after each hunt.
Maria was invited to sit to Simon's right at the head table. On her other side was Simon's sister, Eleanor, and across from them was an elder in priestly robes, Father Matthew.
The knights sat at the far end of the long table, leaving the middle section empty, creating a clear division between the two groups.
If there were no unmarried female guests, Simon would have let the knights sit closer, but that wasn't appropriate now.
Even the food on the table differed.
The main course was wild boar from today's hunt. The knights had dishes made from an adult wild boar, while the head table enjoyed roast suckling pig made from a young boar.
In addition to the boar, there was also bread, fruit, and vegetables.
The bread was white bread, something only the nobility could afford. However, unlike the soft bread Maria was used to, this bread looked very hard, with a texture more like a biscuit or some other kind of flour product.
Fruits and vegetables are common types nowadays, but people's habits of eating them are different from those in later generations.