7-20: Vassalage I

The last few days was chaotic. The constant library dates with Celia, the servants running around and preparing for the celebration, and the extremely consistently blushing queen.

It didn't exactly help that the servants were also constantly in and out of everyone's rooms, taking measurements over and over, various designers coming around and showing off all sorts of expensive dresses. The etiquette lessons were also added on, but due to the amount of time left, it was a lot of training in a very, very short amount of time.

Not to mention, when the day of the banquet came about, there was even more chaos. Servants quadruple checking every tiny detail. The chefs were working tirelessly, preparing every single food item for all the guests that will be arriving.

Veronica was nervous. A huge banquet to celebrate what she and her friends have done was one thing. But tack on that every single important noble in the Empire is going to be there?

Veronica didn't have time to think about how to handle it, as the banquet was nearly ready. All that was left was for everyone to get dressed and wait for the guests.

It didn't begin to feel real until the maids burst into Veronica's room with handfuls of clothing and makeup. It felt like a battle of its own, like fighting against the maids, but ultimately losing. She sat there as the maids did their work, layering on makeup and rearing off Veronica's clothes, just to put on new, fancy ones. At least the clothing looked good.

It took seven maids to dress Veronica. Seven. Two of them were on makeup, another two on her hair, and the rest on clothing. All Veronica was allowed to do was sit still and let the maids do their job. For three hours. Three hours just to make sure she looked perfect. There was no "good enough", it had to be perfect.

But, when they were finally done, Veronica could barely recognize herself. Her hair was soft and wavy, her make up made her look less pale than she really was, and her outfit made her look like some kind of delicate commander. A beautiful dark blue dress with a lighter military like coat over it.

Veronica was just simply glad that it was very comfortable. She couldn't tell whether or not she looked good, but she certainly looked more rich.

Then, a knock at the door, accompanied by a man's voice.

"Lady Dornan? It's your escort." The muffled voice said.

It was finally time. Veronica took a deep breath and prepared herself for what's next. The maids opened the door, and her escort, one of the many royal guards, held out his hand.

Veronica took it, as her rushed training reminded her to do, and she tried as best as she could to elegantly and calmly make her way to the main room.

The banquet was going to be one hell of an event.