Chapter 7:
Rudleberg Week: Part One
PREPARATIONS FOR THE SUMMER BALL began in earnest that same day, August 20th. Paula spent most of her time arranging Melody’s outfit. On the day itself she would do her makeup as well. At night, Melody would send her to Lect’s estate via Ovunque Porta, and she would leave for home from there. The next morning, she’d do her daily duties before Melody picked her up. This way they could maintain the illusion that Lect had not, in fact, returned from his journey instantaneously.
“First thing’s first: designs!”
Paula regarded her audience. The venue: Luciana’s room. In attendance: Luciana, Melody, Micah, and Serena.
“Her Ladyship’s dress is already accounted for,” Melody said.
“Wait, no fair,” Luciana protested. “When did that happen?”
“Your mother approached me about it some time ago. I had Serena put it together while we were at the academy.”
“I’ve since received her approval,” Serena added.
“Then that just leaves Melody and Lady Luciana,” Paula concluded.
Micah’s hand shot up. “I can’t sew, but I’ve got lots of ideas!”
“Me too!” Luciana chimed in. “I’ve got ideas too!”
“Meaning we’re down two hands as far as needlework goes,” Paula said.
“Paula, Lady Luciana isn’t to be counted in the first place,” Melody reminded her.
“Ah, right. My mistake.” She scratched her cheek. “She blends right in.”
Laughter filled the room as the design meeting began in earnest.
“I’m of a mind that white is Melody’s color,” Luciana said. “She wore it beautifully last time.”
“But, my lady, silver suits her just as well, I think,” Micah countered.
“Silver’s best kept to the embellishments. She’ll have blonde hair, and if we make her too dazzling, she’ll become blinding,” Paula said.
“Not to mention how simply angelic Melody looks in pure white,” Luciana cooed. “At the Spring Ball, it was like she descended from heaven itself. There’s not a doubt in my mind—it must be white.”
“Aw, I wish I could have seen that!” Micah whined. “Paula, do you still have her old dress?”
“That I do,” she said. “That’s actually a good idea. Let’s use that as a base and build from there. Here you are, Melody. Now, chop-chop. Get changed.”
“Of course you kept that thing,” Melody said.
She should have known Paula would stuff it away somewhere in her mountain of luggage. How she wished they were discussing her lady’s dress instead. She would have had plenty of opinions on that. But her own? She couldn’t have cared less.
Melody surrendered to her fate, and Paula eagerly took advantage of her new, living dress-up doll. She was all too eager to apply a light layer of makeup and bring Cecilia back to life.
“Oh my gosh, you look amazing, Miss Melody!” Micah said.
Oh my god, oh my god, this is nothing like the game, but it’s perfect! Where’s the screenshot button?!
Such was the nature of the chronic otome gamer.
“Not bad, if I may say so myself,” Paula said. “Granted, I had an excellent canvas. Lady Luciana, they called her ‘the Angel of the Spring Ball,’ yes? And they called you ‘the Fae Princess’?”
“That’s right,” the lady replied. “As much as I wish I didn’t get that name. The attack sort of put it out of everyone’s minds, but before that she was the talk of the ball.”
“I share my lady’s reluctance, for what it’s worth,” Melody mumbled.
“The angel and the fairy,” Micah sighed. “That’s so dreamy!”
No one heard Melody. No one was listening.
“We’ve got to maintain that image. Let’s use it as the theme,” Paula said. “Are we in agreement?”
“The only convincing I need is standing right there,” Micah said. “I’m in.”
“No objections,” Luciana concurred. “Melody and looking heavenly go together like tea and cookies, as far as I’m concerned!”
Paula continued, “It’s decided then. Serena, any input? You’ve been awfully quiet.”
“Who, me?” the doll said.
“Yeah, Miss Serena hasn’t said a word,” answered Micah.
“Anything to add?” Melody asked.
Serena thought, glancing between her creator and her lady, and then appeared startled at what she’d just considered. “Now, to be certain, my lady, you and Gentlesister will attend together, yes? As a pair?”
“That’s the intention,” Luciana said. “Once Lord Maxwell’s approved of it, I suppose.”
They did not plan to reveal to Maxwell that Melody was, in fact, Cecilia, but rather to present the pretense that she and Luciana had gotten to know each other after the last ball. Though he was a friend, Maxwell was also a nobleman of high standing, and walls had eyes and ears. Better safe than sorry, they thought.
“Then what do you say to a matching ensemble?”
Serena might as well have set off a bomb.
“I hear you both made quite the stir with your dance at the Spring Ball,” Serena went on. “Imagine the reaction if you attended together in complementary outfits.” The doll cleared her throat before concluding with a dismissive remark about her lack of qualifications.
“Matching outfits,” Luciana murmured. “With Melody.”
“Matching outfits,” muttered Melody. “With my lady.”
They stared at one another.
“Oh, that’s a lovely idea!” said Micah.
“If we chase that angle, we’ll want to play down the mistress-maid aesthetic,” Paula said. “Emphasize a sisterly air. Matching silhouettes, but nuanced details. Fae-like for one, angelic for the other… Yes, I like it! If there are no objections, I vote for Serena’s idea.” She waited for opposing opinions. None presented themselves. “Then it’s settled! Matching dresses it is.”
Applause filled the room. Serena tried to hide the faint blush coloring her cheeks.
“In that case, let’s hammer out some of the details,” Paula continued. “Seeing as there are only three of us who can sew, let’s be ready to stitch by tomorrow!”
Motivated cheers rose from the girls.
The next day arrived with another round of cheers.
“And with that, we have our final designs!” Paula announced to grand applause. “Let’s not waste time. We’ll need to cut patterns, for starters, but we can’t appropriate Lady Luciana’s chambers for that. Is there a sewing room, by any chance?”
“On the ground floor,” Melody said. “Let’s begin the needlework there.”
“Don’t you have a spell that can put it all together lickety-split?” Micah asked. “Why don’t we use that?”
“I’ve come to the realization that I rely far too much on magic for my work. I’m making a point to restrict myself from now on, so we’ll make these dresses by hand. A little elbow grease now and then does a maid good.”
“No clones either?”
“No clones. Paula, Serena, shall we?”
“Right, Gentlesister,” Serena said.