Chapter 18: Reliving Vittoria's Essence (1)
A new bright morning descended upon Ethara. The beam streamed through the windows of Vanetta's master room, casting a glow in the entire space of her quarter.
Vanetta, in her nightgown, peeked from behind the dressing screen as Countess Lenné and the maids were looking through the cases that had been delivered earlier that morning.
There were at least six to ten huge cases in the guest area, littering a section of the space. What was inside them were dresses, to be more specific, the late Queen Vittoria's dresses when she was the same age as Vanetta.
Countess Lenné reached out for a dress in one of the cases, holding it in the air. As if on cue, the sunlight that flooded the room glowed on the fabric, causing the light to nearly blind Vanetta
She squirmed back to the comfort of the dressing screen, her hand shielding her eyes. Peeking out again, she squinted, trying to get a better look at the gown. "...W, Woah."
The dress shimmered in deep olive green fabric. To Vanetta's eyes that widened in awe, the dress came alive into the breathing leaves of a tree in the enchanted forest. It rustled softly as the breeze gently lifted its hem, drawing her deeper into its magic.
"Why don't we start with this one, Your Highness?" Countess Lenné suggested.
"Oh, okay!" Vanetta straightened behind the screen, waiting for her handmaiden, who carefully held the dress.
As the footsteps drew nearer, Vanetta took a moment to brace herself. When they finally stopped behind her, she was ready for the fitting.
The maids guided Vanetta to lift her arms as they slipped on the corset. When the tightening process started, each lace pulled caused Vanetta to hitch a breath.
As it continued, the maids still tugged the laces, Vanetta held air in her lungs to bear the pressure that was increasingly squeezing her body.
"Huk!" With the corset finally in place, Vanetta struggled to speak. "I, I don't think I can breathe on this," she managed to gasp.
"Don't worry, Your Highness. The maids didn't make it too tight," reassured Countess Lenné.
"A, Ah, are you sure this is no, not too much?"
Vanetta's eyes welled up from the tightness of the corset around her. It was hard to breathe, and she could not understand the reason for wearing this kind of garment.
'Th, This thing will suffocate me to death.'
However, Countess Lenné brushed off her worries and instructed the maids, saying, "Now, move on to the dress." Then she asked, "Your Highness, please step out for a bit."
Vanetta did what she was told. She backed a foot from the screen, giving some space for Countess Lenné to slip the dress over Vanetta's head.
When the dress cascaded down her body, it hugged her figure as if it was originally tailored for her, accentuating her curves perfectly.
The handmaidens gasped all at once, some brought their hands to cover their mouths in awe. One maid exclaimed, "It fits as if it was made for you, Princess Vanetta."
Countess Lenné inspected the dress from all angles, realizing with a murmur, "I, I don't think alterations are required at all."
"I want to see!" Vanetta said in excitement, glancing over her shoulder with her eyes shining eagerly.
The maids briefly pulled the tall mirror, placing it in front of her. As Vanetta's gaze fell on the mirror, she was stunned by the reflection she saw staring back at her.
For any commoner girl, wearing such an expensive gown would only ever be a dream. Overwhelmed with shock, Vanetta's eyes could absorb every detail of her body adorned with the dress.
She ran her fingertips along its fabric, feeling the texture against her touch. Her heart raced in her chest as she savored this feeling that would surely be etched in her memory forever.
But, just then, a rap against the wooden door abruptly interrupted her, snapping her back to reality.
"Princess Vanetta," called the voice familiar to her from the other side.
"Please, come in!" Vanetta responded, feeling the fingertips of a maid who adjusted her hair.
The door creaked open to reveal the Duke of Solmere, standing tall by the threshold. He stepped in through, his fiery hair framing his face. He came with his blue gaze sweeping across the room; behind him was a servant, who held a painting in his hands.
"Where are you, Vanet?" the Duke asked, his voice ringing in the space.
"Ah! I'm over here behind the screen, Uncle!" Vanetta raised her hand, waving to get his attention. Peeking out the dressing screen, she saw him standing near the cases.
Spotting her uncle with yet another item in hand, Vanetta couldn't help but ask, "Hm? What's that?"
"I have something for you, Princess," the Duke said.
The Duke of Solmere motioned for the servant to approach Vanetta with the picture. As she gazed upon it, Vanetta saw the painting of a lady who looked like herself, only with the firing burnt orange hair and sky-blue eyes.
"Is she–"
"Yes," the Duke replied softly. "This is the late Queen Vittoria."
Vanetta's gaze lingered on the painting as though she was staring into a mirror. It dawned on her why the nobles at the previous royal assembly were so shocked upon seeing Vanetta in front of them. She looked exactly like her mother.
Vanetta didn't get the chance to see her portrait when she was back at Solmere. There hadn't been a single painting of her there. It might have been hidden away, kept from anyone's view.
"Thank you, Uncle... But how did you get it? I didn't see Mother's portrait at Solmere?" she asked, puzzled.
"I asked the current King to give you one. It was hard to obtain, as her portraits were all stocked in the royal treasury," the Duke explained.
"W, Will you please hang it on the wall?" Vanetta asked with a gentle smile on her face, as the maids behind her worked to secure the gown on her body.
The Duke nodded, before gesturing for the servant to hang the portrait on Vanetta's room. As he observed the servant carry out his task, the Duke asked, "How did your tea party go?"
"Oh, it… went well. I'm working to be close to Princess Elucina," Vanetta lied, fiddling her fingers nervously. "I never had a sibling, not even with my adoptive parents, so I'm eager to get to know her better."
The Duke remarked, shifting his gaze towards the dressing screen. "That's right. Those commoners couldn't conceive a child."
Vanetta fell silent behind the barrier that separated them. After a moment, she spoke, "...By the way, thank you for suggesting to have the tea party at the royal garden. The place was lovely."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone