-Prior-
Prior had arrived at the hairdresser's with the queen. She felt somewhat stressed and would have liked a little more time for herself.
But now she sat in the chair and had to watch as the hairdresser shook her head. She was a middle-aged woman, and gray streaks ran through her black hair. Surprisingly, though, it looked very good on her and suited her well.
"Not much has been done with it for a long time, and very few care products were used. The ends are quite damaged."
The queen had also taken a seat and sighed. "Child, you'll have to take better care of yourself in the future."
Prior only nodded.
"I would still recommend letting the hair grow out slowly. For the moment, though, I'll shape it properly and shorten it a little. We'll make sure it's better cared for from now on, yes?"
"Yes," Prior said.
Then the hairdresser washed her hair, and she received a light scalp massage. At least that felt good.
Finally, the woman cut her hair and kept communicating with the queen through eye contact. Prior merely sat there and let it all happen.
When she finished cutting, she worked some product into Prior's hair and blow-dried it.
"Much, much better!" the queen said. "Prior, we need to make sure your maid can do this as well."
The hairdresser held up a mirror for Prior, and she examined herself. Her hair was a tiny bit shorter and more layered now. It fell much more loosely, and through the styling it looked far fuller and curlier. It actually did not look bad at all.
"Thank you," Prior said.
The hairdresser simply smiled.
"Pati, we'll also need makeup," the queen said.
The hairdresser, Pati, nodded and replied, "I already have some ideas for what we can do. Wait a moment."
Then she disappeared briefly into a corner of the room and returned with a bag.
Pati sat down across from Prior and studied her face.
"But first we need to shape the eyebrows." Then she took a pair of tweezers and began plucking Prior's eyebrows. It hurt so much that tears welled up in her eyes.
"It'll be over soon," Pati said.
Once she was done, she dabbed the brows with something cool.
Pati turned and looked at the queen. "I would choose something subtle. A lighter tone and a little apricot-colored blush. For the eyes I would only use mascara. For the lips... hmm... I think a soft rose shade would be a good choice."
Prior saw the queen nod.
Pati then began applying makeup and doing Prior's eyes. Afterward, she handed Prior a lipstick so she could apply it herself.
When everything was finished, Pati once again held up a mirror for her. It looked perfectly fine. It was truly subtle. Prior still felt comfortable with it.
"For now, this works," the queen said. "We'll also use these colors for tomorrow's banquet. It works well as a delicate contrast to the dark dress."
"I'll pack these things up," Pati said. "If you or your maid have any doubts or problems, you can always find me here."
Maid still sounded very strange to Prior's ears. She accepted the things from Pati, and the queen had also stood up.
"Then we can move on to the next point," the queen said.
Prior had forgotten what came next.
The queen smiled and said, "The fitting for tomorrow. I informed Damant. We'll wait for her in your room."
Ah yes, the fitting. Prior was curious. But at the thought of the banquet the next day, her heart still began racing and her hands became damp.
As they sat in Prior's room waiting for Damant, Prior did not really know what to talk about with the queen. She poured her a glass of water and handed it to her.
"Thank you," the queen said.
Then she studied her. "Don't always look so serious. Try to smile more."
Prior nodded and forced herself into a slight smile. But it felt so strange to her. Besides, she did not think she normally looked serious. It was just all this tension all the time.
When there was a knock at the door, she felt relieved.
Damant had a dress draped over her arm and a bag in her hand as well.
She set the bag down and after a brief greeting handed the dress to Prior.
It was made of a dark green, almost velvet-like fabric. It was covered with sequins and rhinestones.
"I'll go into the bathroom for a moment," Prior said. She simply found it too embarrassing to change clothes in front of the two women.
"Oh, please, Prior," the queen said. "That's not necessary, you can change here. We'll probably have to help you anyway."
Prior swallowed. She wanted to object and say that she did not want that.
But then she took a deep breath and began undressing.
Damant helped her put on the dress. It felt very pleasant against her skin. It fit perfectly. As though it had been made for her. At the thought, she had to suppress a laugh. It had been made for her.
And it was not just one single shade of green. It looked more like a gradient. But a very soft one. Damant buttoned up the back of the dress and looked at Prior. She nodded.
Prior walked over to a mirror and looked at herself. She felt unreal. She had never worn something so beautiful before. The dress had short sleeves and a flared skirt that fell slightly above the knee. The green suited her hair and eyes well. The sequins and rhinestones were somewhat flashy—she could have done without those—but it was truly comfortable. Prior turned around and looked at the queen.
The queen nodded and smiled. "Damant, you truly have talent. Prior looks completely different now."
Damant nodded with a smile. "But we're not finished yet." She reached into the bag and pulled out a pair of shoes. High heels. With a thin heel. Prior's eyes widened. The shoes looked more than uncomfortable.
"Perfect," the queen said. "You're so small, Prior. With these shoes you'll cut a better figure beside Kashion while dancing."
Assuming she would even survive long enough in those shoes to get to the dancing.
"Try them on right away," the queen encouraged her.
Prior sat down, and Damant handed her the shoes. "But I don't know if I can walk in them," Prior replied.
"You'll manage. You can spend the rest of today practicing how to walk in them," the queen answered.
Excuse her? She was just about to protest, but she put the shoes on anyway. They fit and sat comfortably enough. Prior stood up and immediately noticed how unsteady she felt in them.
"Slowly," Damant said. "If you're not used to it, you really do need a little practice."
Never in her life would she have voluntarily worn shoes like these. They were so high. This truly was a high price she had to pay to be with Kashion.
"It would be best if you wore them during your dance lesson later," the queen said. "That way you'll get even more practice."
Prior only nodded.
"I also brought a jewelry set," Damant said.
"Oh, how wonderful." The queen even clapped her hands in delight. "I had almost forgotten."
Damant handed Prior a small jewelry box. She opened it. Inside was a silver necklace with a large rhinestone pendant and earrings in the same style.
"I'll put them on you," Damant said and fastened the necklace around her neck. Prior could put on the earrings herself.
She walked back to the mirror and looked at herself. She still had to adjust to the new height. The necklace and earrings truly matched the dress perfectly. The queen had also stood up and moved beside her. She nodded.
"Really good," she said.
Prior smiled. At least for once she had said something genuinely nice to her.
"Then, regarding your appearance, we're already well prepared for tomorrow," the queen said.
"I'll bring the other things over in the next few days," Damant said.
The queen nodded.
Afterward, Damant said goodbye.
"Before we ruin or dirty anything, you should change back."
Prior nodded and sat down. First she took off the shoes. Then the dress and jewelry, and finally changed back into her pantsuit.
"You should bring the shoes with you later for dancing."
Prior nodded.
The queen seemed to think for a moment.
"The fitness room can wait until after the banquet. We don't want you getting injured beforehand or being sore tomorrow."
Prior felt relieved. At least she would not have to go to the fitness room that day.
"We still have some time," the queen said. She looked at the clock. "In two hours I'll come with the girls who are possible candidates for the maid position. After that, the dance lesson and then the tutoring."
"All right," Prior answered.
"Then I'll have lunch with the king. Make sure you eat something too, so you'll have enough energy later."
Prior nodded.
The queen said goodbye, and Prior was relieved to finally be alone again. She lay down briefly on her bed and let out a relaxed breath. Then she picked up her messenger. No new messages. She was somewhat disappointed. She had actually hoped Kashion would have written to her.
Would she really spend more time with his mother than with him over the next few days?
-Kashion-
Kashion and Oren had already gone through the news and made notes on several things.
Then he had a first short meeting with the council members to give a brief briefing on the completed treaty and the interview. Over the next few days, they would surely need to spend a great deal of time on negotiations again. After all, they needed to develop different strategies for the people of Tingdao. Including one for the worst-case scenario. If Tingdao ended up having to pay the maximum contractual penalty.
At least everyone agreed that science should continue receiving the strongest subsidies from now on.
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