"My lady, please hold still! We can't dress you properly if you're squirming around like this!"

"The corset is too tight! Make an exception and loosen it a little, won't you, Tanya?!"

There are a thousand kilos of pressure squeezing my sides and my stomach. If I take around ten steps out of this room now, I'll hurl all over the floor.

"You have become out of shape recently. Your waist is not as slim as it was three weeks ago!"

"So what?! That was three weeks ago. I have been skipping meals while I was at the academy. So, naturally, I started to eat more once I arrived back to the castle."

Tanya just clicked her tongue at me, shifts up the under garment (sleeveless shirt) and loosened the corset for me.

"Thank you, Tanya."

She just sighs and pulls the undergarment down again. I look over and see that two maids are holding the dress that I am supposed to wear at the ceremony. It was a simple red velvet dress with black lace for the collar, sleeves, white sleeve cuffs with red ruby "buttons", along with ruffles and frills. 

"... Tanya, this dress is too plain for this event. Get me fancier dress, please."

Tanya seemed taken aback by what I just said.

"But... My lady, you specifically requested this dress to be chosen... After all, it is one of your favorites."

"Well, I have changed my mind now. Please, pick a different dress."

"... Yes, my lady. I do as you will."

Tanya walks over the second wardrobe and pulls out a fancy, navy blue dress that is split down the middle with black frills that decorate the dress (along with black lace layered on top of the navy blue fabric that was used for the section that is not split down the middle, as well as the sleeves). The fabric in the middle part of the dress seemed to be a type of satin or silk that was dyed a lighter shade of blue than the main navy blue fabric used for this dress. 

I smiled at Tanya and said, "Yes, this is much better. Thank you, Tanya."

"My lady, we will not have time to iron or smooth out any wrinkles that may be on this dress," Tanya said, while she reluctantly held out the dress. "Are you sure you still want to wear it?"

"Tanya, pay no mind to the wrinkles and hurry to dress me up in time."

Tanya blinks and went back over towards me. She told the maids that were on standby, "Take the red dress and put it back into the closet. Make haste, now!"

The maids started to scramble. Tanya brought over the dress I wanted and told me to lift up my arms. I obeyed. Along with the help of the three other maids, the gingerly lifted the dress over my head and attempted to slide the dress over the under garments (hoping to not mess the dress up). The dress finally slides in place. Once the dress did so, Tanya tightened and tied the dark blue ribbon on the back of the dress. After she did so, Tanya inspected the dress (to make sure there wasn't anything wrong with it). 

"Does this satisfy you, my lady?"

"Yes, Tanya, very much so."

Tanya lets out a tiny smile and said, "That is good. Now, let’s pick out the accessories that will go with your dress."

The maids started to become a bit exited. I assume they enjoy trying to pick out the best of the extravagant accessories; mixing and matching until we get the perfect combo!

"My lady, we will do our best to serve you," The maids said in unison.

"Yes, yes. We all have undying loyalty for our beloved master. Well then, let’s get to work, shall we?"

I simply just nodded my head and smiled at all of them.

"Please treat me well, everyone."

                                                                                   ◦○◐◑○◦

Tanya and the maids had finally finished choosing out and putting on the accessories on Priscilla-er-me. I look into the mirror after they had finished. They braided my hair and pinned it (with pins made out of metal and pearls) around my head. An array of blue flower hairpins is also scattered along my braided hair. A beautiful and lustrous sapphire brooch is placed on top of a shoulder length cape to hold it in place. A simple golden ring (imbued with a protection spell, or so I am told it has) is worn on the left hand's ring finger. On my right wrist, I wear a gold chain-like bracelet with a golden flower charm with a blue jewel (in the middle of the flower).  A necklace (more like a choker) made of gold, blue jewels, and pearls is worn around my neck. 

After they finished putting on my accessories, they put on some light makeup for me.

I stared into the mirror once the maids finished their final touches.

Wow, I'm totally a different person! ... Metaphorically speaking... And Priscilla's natural beauty (and doll-like stature) definitely helps her shine!

The maids started to squeal in delight.

"Kyaaa~~!"

"My lady~! You look so lovely tonight~!"

"You're so extravagant and elegant!"

I let out a smile and said to the maids, "You maids have also helped me by taking part in dressing me up. Thanks to you, I can shine brightly tonight. You all have my gratitude."

The maids looked taken aback and said, "No, my lady. We are not worthy of such praise! We only fulfilled our duties by helping you."

"My lady, are we ready to go?" Tanya asked me.

"Yes, Tanya."

"Maids, you are dismissed."

All of the maids bowed towards me and left.

"... Is it just me, or has our ladyship changed after she came back from the academy?"

"I think we all noticed the little change. Our lady used to be so stiff, cold, and unchanging to the events that have happened to her."

"Yes, Princess Priscilla has changed her attitude and warmed up [a bit], I hope!"

The maids giggled to themselves as they left.

Tanya just sighed and said to me, "Let's just go down, my lady. Are you ready?"

"Yes, let's go down!"

Tonight will be a (sudden) challenge I have to face.

                                                                                   ◦○◐◑○◦

Tanya and I arrived at the main banquet hall.

"Ah, before I forget, here is the gift you have gotten Princess Eira, my lady."

Tanya hands me a silver gift box with a blue ribbon that was tied over it. 

I take it from her hands and said, "Thank you for keeping it for me, Tanya."

"It is no problem, my lady."

I felt my hands start to shake... I felt pretty nervous because I know Priscilla didn't have the best reputation within the empire. (Lots of "big shot" nobles will be attending, as well as Gray and Yuan.) Will Priscilla... No... Will "I", as Priscilla, be able to make amends towards the people that Priscilla has hurt? 

"Go inside, what are you waiting for?"

"Ah, right!"

"I will be working around. Call for me if you need anything..."

"Yes. Goodbye."

The doors suddenly opened and I went inside. There were slight murmurs across the room as I walked in.

"Ah... It's her... I was hoping the second Princess would come in already."

"I heard the first Princess had lost her mind... She doesn't look as crazed as I thought she would look..." 

"Perhaps that rumor is false...?"

Many people sent condescending glances towards my way. All of a sudden, an announcer had started to talk.

"Please welcome, the first Princess Priscilla Penelope von Shuli!"

 There was only a slight clapping (from a few people). Otherwise, there was only a deafening silence.

I looked toward the announcer's way and he made such an awkward facial expression. The announcer pulls out a white handkerchief from his pocket and wipes some sweat from his brow. All of a sudden, many people turn to look at the northern side off the banquet hall (opposite side of where I just entered)

"A-AH! And now, here comes the second Princess, Eira Asur von Shuli!"

Many more people have started to clap and cheer for the second Princess. Princess Eira came down the set of stairs in the northern side off the banquet hall.

"Wow, look at how stunning Princess Eira looks!"

"The dress Princess Eira looks so luxurious! I need to ask her how it was made!"

"Yes, the Silga style mixed with Vizen style really does go well together; if paired right."

I just sighed and stepped out of Princess' Eira's path. I observed Eira. She has straight, shinny, black hair with a lustrous purple tint. Eira's eyes are a sea foam green. Her cheeks have a light pink blush and her skin is pale. Her stature seemed similar to Priscilla's, only that she was a few inches shorter. Her dress seemed to be a mix of a "kimono" and a medieval style dress. 

Princess Eira noticed me and came towards my way. 

"Ah, eldest sister! Thank you for attending my ceremony." 

Princess Eira stops in front of me and curtsies. I turned to her and let out a gentle smile.

"It is no problem. Congratulations on becoming of age," I said to Eira. "I got you a gift. I hope you enjoy it."

Eira smile back at me and took the gift out of my hands. She undid the ribbon and opens the box. She took off the lid and gasped.

"Oh, my! It's the latest pen set imbued with magic," Eira said in shock (and with delight). "This was sold out everywhere! How did you get one set, Priscilla?"

I blinked and a memory was triggered. Priscilla went to the stationary shop a month ago. Apparently, a new pen was announced two months ago. I think Priscilla wanted to buy the pen for herself or to give to Gray. She stood in line (for at least) two hours before she got the pen. As she was walking back into her room, Priscilla overheard (from some maids) that Eira wanted the pen set very much. So, Priscilla decided to give the pen set to Eira (for her coming-of-age ceremony).

"Priscilla?"

"AH-!" I was startled. "Ah, I bought it when it just came out a month ago. I went to the shop early in the morning."

"You must have stood in line for at least two hours! You could have skipped the line using your status..."

"Ah, well, Gray told me it wasn't nice to do such things... So, I decided to wait."

"My! How noble of you, eldest sister! I will cherish this pen set (since you waited a long time to buy it)!"

"I am glad that you are happy."

"Thank you, truly!"

Eira put the lid back on the box and re-tied the ribbon. She held the box by the ribbon and curtsied towards me, showing her appreciation. I nodded my head and smiled. The crowd seems like they are shocked.

"The first Princess truly did that just for the second Princess?"

"The first Princess must want a favor in return if she was willing to give such an expensive pen away, just like that."

As more people started to whisper to each other, the king and the first prince descended the same steps that Eira took. The announcer noticed this and spoke again.

"Now, King Carolus Penelope von Shuli the III [third] and the first Prince Arjose Penelope von Shuli have arrived!"

Many people started to clap and cheer upon their arrival. Many of the noble ladies seem to fawn over the first Prince.

"Oh my, those two look dashing as ever!"

"King Carolus looks very nice tonight."

"I have an eldest daughter around the first Prince's age~! I want to arrange their meeting~."

"My, my. I heard that the first Prince already has a fiancée."

King Carolus is wearing a dark, emerald green cloak on his shoulders. It was fastened by an emerald brooch. Underneath, he is wearing a white shirt with an emerald "necktie" piece with golden floral patterns embroidered into the "necktie". His cuffs have emerald pins that are holding them together. King Carolus is wearing black dress pants and his shoes were fancy men's dress shoes that are black. (His outfit seemed pretty casual, only the cloak is what made his outfit seem "classy".)

Prince Arjose is a young man who seems to be in his early 20's. He has brown hair with a red tint. (Arjose's hair style seemed similar to L*ght Yag*mi's hair style.) He is wearing a red military-like uniform with a white cape that is worn over his shoulders. His pants are also a black dress pants and he is also wearing fancy dress shoes, but in white. Arjose's skin was a much deeper peach tone and contrasted to Eira's pale skin. His expression seemed calm but emotionless... 

"N-Now that all of the main guests have arrived, let Princess Eira Asur von Shuli's coming-of-age ceremony begin!"