Ralph stretches his right hand forward and the lady takes it and uses it as a support to step out of the carriage. He smiles proudly at her, and she smiles back.
"I hope you are happy now." Kidaya says more like a question as they walk towards the big door.
"Will be much happier after I walk you down the aisle." Ralph says to her and she fakes a gasp.
Coming to walk beside them and also grabbing her left hand. "It will be me who walks her down the aisle, Ralph. Don't even dream of it." Count Tegha says smiling at the girl who smiles back. "I am so proud of you, Kidaya."
~
"... I am sure your daughter Margery will be pronounced Diamond of the first water this season. One cannot help but be jealous of such beauty. She has everything." Lady Baldwin says coming to stand in front of the Weatherbys.
"Oh don't be silly Lady Baldwin, your Veronika is also a big beauty to behold, am afraid all the good Lords will be wrapped around her skirt this season. With her, am sure my Margery will have a fair competition." Lady Weatherby says applying another rose water on her daughter's neck. "But alas, today, it isn't our eyes that matter, but that of the Queens alone. With one word, she can make or mar a Lady. May the odds be in favor of us all."
"May the odds be in favor of us all." Lady Baldwin says walking away back to her daughter.
The door to the great hall opens and a girl comes running out through the door, crying. She runs straight out of the room where the other debutantes and Mamas were gathered, and run outside the palace grounds still crying. Soon, her mother comes out of the hall and runs after her.
Lady Weatherby stifles a laugh. "Be it the gods or odds, no one can steal the title of Diamond from my Margery. The earlier you all know that, the better for all of us." She whispers so only she and her handmaid and daughter, could hear.
Smiling. "Who is hosting the first soiree of this season, Mama?" Margery asks, eyes still close as her maid adjusts her veil.
Smiling. "The Grevilles always host the first Ball of every season, just like they will tomorrow. But this morning, I heard the most wonderful news of this season." Lady Weatherby says.
"The Viscount is asking for my hand in marriage?" Margery asks opening her eyes.
A little frown crosses her face. "The Viscount can burn for all I care, a higher bidder is in the market this season." Lady Weatherby says excitedly.
Eyes on her mother. "Who?"
"This season is set to be the best that has happened in years, and that will be because I have you for a daughter." She moves closer to her daughter and whispers. "A little birdie told me that the Duke of Wethingham will be available in the market this season, in search of a Duchess."
Eyes widened. "Finally!"
"Finally." Her mother confirms.
Margery gasps, a broad smile appearing on her face. "That is -
"That's not all." The older lady states. "I also heard that the second Prince will also be in the market this season."
"Mother!" Margery exclaims eyes widened.
Smiling broadly. "I know Margery, I know. That's why you must try all you can to appease the first Queen when we walk in there. Let the whole hall acknowledge you as the Diamond of the season and even the Queen, will not be able to deny you the title." Still smiling. "I have heard that the second Prince likes perfection, and with that title, you will be the most suitable lady in the marriage market for him, and even he, will not be able to say no."
Margery smiles at her mother. "I may become a Princess."
"Look around this hall Margery, you are the prettiest, smartest and wealthiest lady in this room, no one else can beat-" The door to the Picture room opens, and in walks Lady Erskine and her two daughters, followed by her ward.
The entire room went silent as everyone turns around to look at the ones who have just arrive. Lady Weatherby was about to say something when her handmaid whispers that they were the next family to be called in by the Lord Chamberlain. Looking away from Lady Erskine and her daughters, she helps her daughter up and walks her towards the door.
"Introducing, Miss Margery Weatherby, presented to Her Majesty the Queen by her mother, Lady Weatherby." The doorman announces just as the door opens and Lady Weatherby walks into the great hall, hands entwined with her daughter's.
From her seat, the first Queen watched the girl from the Weatherby household walk forward.
"Hmmm. This one is something." The second Queen whispers to no one in particular, eyes on the girl.
The Princess, who sat beside her mother, rolled her eyes, sinking her shoulder in boredom.
"Your Majesty." Margery said with a court bow when she got closer to where the Queen sat.
"Introducing, Miss Eddna Erskine and Miss Joan Erskine, presented to Her Majesty the Queen by their mother, Lady Agnes Erskine, together with Miss Kidaya Simon, presented to Her Majesty the Queen by her Guardian Lady Agnes Erskine." The doorman announces.
The Queen was about to lean forward from her throne towards Margery, when she saw the girl walk in. Not the two sisters in front, but the girl who walked behind the sisters. The entire hall began to whisper and change from its silent form to one filled with whispers and murmurs. Intrigued, the Queen leans back on her seat.
Margery who had begun to smile when she saw the Queen make a move towards her, lost her smile, a frown crawling up her face. It took a nudge from her mother for her to get up from her bow and move to the side where the other debutantes stood.
The Crown Princess who had looked away from the hall, looked back inside when she heard the people begin to whisper. Her eyes caught sight of the last Debutante and even she was captivated. "Wow!" The girl heard herself exclaim in admiration.
With poise, elegance, and confidence, the girl walked towards the crown, head held high, ignoring the whispers all over the hall.
"Your Majesty," Kidaya says with a smile, giving her full-court bow to reference the first Queen.
The first Queen stands from her throne and takes a step towards the girl, and the hall turns silent at this gesture. A smile adorning her lips, she walks forward and raises the girl's head up with her hand, staring down at the girl and all she held. "Radiant! Majestic! Confident!" The first Queen says her voice barely above a whisper. "You are a rare diamond!" The Queen proclaimed.