After five days of consistent bedrest and 15 nutritious meals, Heidi Evans had made a full recovery. Upon his arrival back at the manor, Alexandra's father had been met with his daughter telling him she had hired a whole family to be her personal servants, and ended up reluctantly agreeing to her choices once she said they would be accompanying her to Moshu and wouldn't affect him at all. With that, Heidi and her family were officially integrated into the Sinclair household. 

"We don't typically hire whole families," Alexandra was explaining the details of the job to Heidi while Jack and Collette played together on the floor, "so the servants' quarters aren't exactly suited for your family. We typically split the quarters by gender, but I'm going to assume that you wouldn't want to be separated?"

Heidi nodded. "If possible, my lady, I would like for our family to stay together."

"I think that would be a good idea too," the redhead agreed. It seemed that even after  5 days of her telling Heidi to be more casual, she was still determined to call her "my lady." Oh well, if that was what she wanted...

But there were more important things to discuss. Alex still hadn't told the Evanses about her trip to Moshu, or how they would be expected to go with her.

"My father wants to keep our current system for servant housing, so we're going to have to make new arrangements to accommodate your family. Don't worry," she stopped Heidi before the woman could begin to apologize, "my  family definitely has the means to do so. But it will take some time, so you three will be staying in this guest room for the time being."

"Thank you, my lady," Heidi smiled, but Alexandra wasn't finished yet. 

"That's not all we have to discuss," she said a bit hesitantly. No matter how grateful Heidi might be, there was no guarantee that she wouldn't take the news of having to move to Moshu badly.  

"Yes, my lady?" the raven-haired woman questioned. 

"How much do you know about me? Now that you know my name, what have you heard about me before?" she began.

"I know that you have a high status in society, and that you're the fianceé of Prince Nicholas Aelius," Heidi started to respond, but stopped abruptly. 

"What is it, Heidi?" 

All of a sudden, she looked rather nervous.

"Well, to be honest my lady, I've also heard...some not-so-nice rumors about you," she admitted, but quickly began to reassure her. "—but I'm sure those rumors are not true! After all," she looked away, "you have been so kind to us."

"Haha, thank you Heidi," Alex smiled warmly. "But those rumors are not entirely untrue, I'm afraid I used to have a horrible personality that I'm not proud of." 

"But don't worry!" she quickly continued. "I am now trying to become a better person and succeed with my own power."

"That is very admirable, my lady!" Heidi praised. "Prince Nicholas is lucky to have such a thoughtful fianceé."

"Um...about that..." Alexandra rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. "I'm...no longer engaged to the prince."

Heidi gasped. "What? What happened?" Her eyes were so concerned, and Alex felt a warmth bloom in her heart at the black-haired woman's genuine worry for her.

"He cheated on me," she shrugged and ignored Heidi's horrified look. "multiple times. So I broke it off. You can't tell anyone though, it's supposed to be confidential."

"I won't tell a soul," she promised.

"Now here's the problem,' Alex continued. "The annulment came with a couple conditions from the king, one of which is that I have to disappear from high society for a year after my debutante ball next week. I will be traveling to the kingdom of Moshu, and as my attendants, you and your children will be expected to come with me."

Heidi looked concerned, and rightfully so. Alexandra was asking her to basically uproot her entire life and bring her children to a new kingdom. 

"I don't want to force you to go with me," she smiled sadly. "And if you want to seek work elsewhere, I completely understand. But I'd love for you to come. I can guarantee your safety while we're there, and as Moshu is a kingdom of great magical advancement, it would be a great place to begin Jack's education."

She expected Heidi to need a couple of days to consider her offer, so she was surprised when the ravenette immediately smiled and agreed to come.

"Are you sure?" Alex asked worriedly. "You don't need more time to consider?"

"There is no need, my lady," Heidi reassured. "I owe you my life, and I'm sure this will be a good opportunity for us. We will follow you anywhere."

Grateful tears welled up in Alexandra's eyes. 

"Thank you Heidi, I'll make sure you don't regret joining me."

***

It was the afternoon of Alexandra Sinclair's debutante ball, and everyone in the manor was up in a panic. Servants rushed through the halls carrying decorations and cleaning supplies. The kitchen was filled to bursting with cooks. And as for the lady of honor?

She was currently being held hostage in her own room by a small army of maids. 

"Do we really have to go to this much fuss?" she whined as the flurry of women curled her hair and powdered her face.

"Yes, miss!" Marie was in top form today. "It's your debutante ball! You must look stunning!"

Alex groaned and resigned herself to an afternoon of being subjected to the girlish whimsies of her overexcited maids. There was nothing better to do anyways. She had already packed everything and prepared for the trip to Moshu. Marie, Heidi, Jack, and Collete would be coming with her, along with a guard or two.

"My lady!" Just then, Heidi entered the room with a large flat box. "Your dress has arrived!"

"Thanks, Heidi, just set it over—mmph!" Alexandra could barely get a word out before she was forced into the garment.

"Miss, you're gorgeous!" Marie exclaimed happily.

It really was quite stunning, she had to admit. Madame Deveraux had  truly outdone herself. 

The dress itself was a dark rich purple with gold embroidered detailing on the bodice. The cut showed off her collarbones well, and the daring high-low style of the skirt was tempered by the soft feminine waves of the different tiers. Paired with a delicate gold necklace, an amethyst butterfly hairpin inlaid with gold, and a pair of gold high-heeled gladiator sandals, Alex had an outfit that was sure to simultaneously impress and horrify the elite of Iridia.

"Alright ladies,"  she pasted a determined smile on her face. "It's time."

"Let's begin the debutante ball!"