A lanky young woman and stout young man stood behind me, slight smiles gracing their faces. I could have sworn that they were both wearing maid’s uniforms last time I saw them, but I wasn’t sure. Perhaps I had just assumed incorrectly? Or I was too focused on the luxuries of the Etherium to notice?

“Erlian,” the woman curtsied in greeting, her thin skirt nearly ripping and thick red curls spilling from a messy bun.

“…and Vanris,” the man bowed, pressing a hand to his chest. A thick ponytail of auburn hair draped over his shoulder.

I was grateful that they introduced themselves, but I felt a little bad that I didn’t recognise them. “It’s nice to meet you both…again, of course.” My voice felt strained; the stress barreling down on me was suffocating.

“it’s nice to meet you as well, Lady Vivian! I do hope we can become acquaintances,” Erlian said in bubbly tones.

“Or—or, even friends!” Vanris chimed in. “If you’re comfortable with that, my lady.”

“That would be wonderful.” They both had bright eyes and brighter energies, and I couldn’t tell yet if that was making me more or less uncomfortable.

“Alright, I’ll, um—I’ll just get right to it then!” Vanris skirted a haphazardly placed chair and darted towards the line of powders on the vanity. “Turn your chin up for me please.”

“Oh, sure.”

“It’s really a good thing that you’re here, wouldn’t you know!” Erlian said. My eyes were closed, but I could hear her shuffling through the chest of gems. “I wasn’t sure if there was going to be a lady of the house all things considered! I mean, the princess--”

“Erlian,” Vanris chided.

Princess?

She scoffed. “She’ll hear about it eventually anyways! It’s bad enough that she doesn’t know--!”

“Erlian!” Vanris huffed, a bit sterner this time.

“That I don’t know what?” I mumbled, trying to keep my face as still as possible.

“Uh, er--”

“Ignore her, please, my lady. She has a tendency to ramble when she’s nervous.”

“Nervous?” I murmured back, skepticism marking my tone.

“Well, of course,” Erlian jumped back in, “everyone’s excited to meet you! In the manor and beyond!”

My eyes flashed open, “Really? I thought you were avoiding me and--” In my haste, I had twisted away from Vanris.

“My lady, please.”

“Sorry, sorry.”

“It’s true, it’s true! You must have felt so awkward, I’m sure! It’s only that Lord Rannon!”

“For the Ancient One’s grace, Erlian!” Vanris’s voice rose.

“Tch, I can tell her this much! Lord Rannon wanted us to give you space and so we have!”

“Hmmm.” Yeah, well, a lot of things have been “forbidden” by Lord Rannon. That isn’t much of a surprise, but it’s what hasn’t been said that worries me more.

“Oh, but, enough about that! Would you prefer pearls or charms, my lady?”

“Um…how about pearls?”

“Great choice! And you’ll want chrysanthemum charms too, won’t you?”

“Sure, yeah, that sounds good.”

Between Vanris’s brushes padding my skin and Erlian tugging at my hair, I started to feel a little claustrophobic, nearing irritation, but, when I could finally open my eyes, all of that seemed to disappear.

Golden eyeliner shimmered against my eyelids, and pearls glinted amongst my pitch-black curls. A deep red hue coated my lips and warmed my cheeks, and chrysanthemum charms hung from my ears. Even in my nightgown, I had really started to look like a noble lady.

“What do you think, my lady?” Vanris was the first to ask.

“I…like it. I like it a lot.”

“Oh, good, good! You look ravishing, dear!” Erlian beamed. “Just a moment. I’ll get the dress.”

…

Just as Angeline had said, Lady Augustine’s threadwork was truly a sight to behold. The leaf and chrysanthemum embellishments were laid well and straight, and the lace covering the bodice and boning were ornate without even a single loose thread. The slit was high, but had small buttons on the inside, in case I wanted to close it up. It was hard to believe that they made it in a day.

“Oh, my, it’s gorgeous! Isn’t it, Vanris?” Erlian hopped around the parlor, making sure to savour every detail of the dress.

“It certainly is.” Vanris was more critical in his gaze.

“It would be a dream to have an Augustine!”

“You already have an Augustine, Erlian.”

“I know, but I want another!”

“Well, what do you think of it, my lady?” Vanris turned to meet my gaze in the mirror.

A slow, creeping feeling swirled in my chest, that feeling of being out of place, just like when I first woke up in the manor.

“It’s pretty,” I murmured.

…

My heart beat loudly in my chest, damn near rattling my entire body. I followed Erlian and Vanris to the foyer.

Though I had readied myself for many things, I still wasn’t prepared to see Ophiel.

A golden diadem and white chrysanthemums crowned white waves decorated with pearls , a pale rouge tinted his cheeks and lips, and gold flecks decorated his eyelids. Flowing lace and linen draped over his body, revealing his chest. Illuminated by the bronzing yellow light pouring from the windows, it was true: He looked angelic.

Holy shit, he’s so fucking pretty.

“You look beautiful,” he said, his hand reaching out to take mine. You’re telling me that?!

“I, uh, and um…” I gulped. “Oh, uh, right, thank you.”

“My dear bride, you seem to be staring.”

“Huh? No! No, I wasn’t staring!”

He merely smiled. “Come along. Our chariot awaits.”