Capítulo 27: The most important thing to wear is a smile.
"Good morning Gertie." Fabian greeted the elderly maid upon entering the dinning room, breakfast was already waiting for him.
Standing as usual by the table, "Good day Young master." Gertrude replied with a small smile, "Come sit with me." He said to which Gertrude obliged to.
Now both sitting, Fabian pushed his hair aside as he took his first bite of breakfast meal, Gertrude eyed him very obviously so he asked, "What? Is something wrong with my face? Do I look too terrible because of yesterday's ordeal?"
Shaking her head, "That's not why I'm starting, although you do look terrible." She joked.
Fabian scoffed at her, "Haha, so hilarious!"
Chuckling, "I was just joking, you actually look much better than yesterday, you seem alive." Gertrude replied.
"Then what are you staring me up and down for?"
"Your hair."
"My hair?"
"Yes young master."
"What about my hair, do not tell me you think I look girly with long hair because I will Flip this table.
My aunt's husband tried to force me to cut my hair once, and that is one of many reasons why I will not be doing it, just to piss him off even if he is dead now, I hope he is rolling in his grave!" Fabian said frowning.
Chuckling nervously, "Heh, that was... unsettling to hear.
Anyhow! short hair is in fashion for men of this generation, and you have nice features, you should be able to sport a shorter hairstyle without losing any charm.
However and to be truthful, I don't actually care enough to judge you for your choice, I do know few of men of class who have long hair, maybe not as long as yours, your hair is actually the longest I've ever seen on a man...The problem isn't your hair's length, it's more of how you groom it." Gertrude replied.
Confused, "What do you mean?" Fabian asked.
"You should always try to look neat and well organized, you are going to become a member of the Ton.
If you wish to keep it long, that's alright but I suggest you tie your hair, most gentlemen with locks like yours wouldn't be letting their hair free and about, tie it to the back with a ribbon or something of the sort, it's better than to have to push back your hair every time it falls on your face, and it would look charming on you.
You have to understand that hair is an essential part of your appearance, if you don't take full care of how you look including your hair, you will be ridiculed." Gertrude explained.
Sighing, "You have a point there." Fabian said.
"Of course I do!" Gertrude replied proudly.
"So could you bring me something to tie my hair with? Or maybe, tie it for me?" Fabian asked.
"Absolutely, enjoy your meal I shall go find you something to solve this little issue." Gertrude replied before she excused herself out of the room.
...A half hour later...
Fabian sat in front of the dressing table's mirror of his new bedroom.
Since his room was remodeled to be a workshop, He has been using the late Lord and lady's room instead.
Half of the room had his aunt's belongings still placed there, including her dressing table, even the ugly wooden comb Gertrude has spoken about during the funeral, was laying there on top of the table.
Gertrude was standing behind the seated young man, she smiled at him through the mirror and said, "Your hair is just as beautiful as your aunt's, no wonder you are hesitant to cut it."
"Maybe someday I would cut it eventually, but for now, I would rather keep it this long." Fabian replied.
"Whatever you wish for." She said picking the comb, Gertrude began slowly and gently brushing Fabian's hair.
Her soothing strokes sent a slight shiver down his spine, "I miss this feeling..." Fabian said.
"Your aunt told me stories about how during the first few years you lived here, you were always a fussy boy, causing her trouble all day long, but then the moment she comes to brush your hair, you would suddenly be very calm." Gertrude said smiling.
"Sometimes I would even fall asleep while she brushes my hair." Fabian replied.
"Your aunt believed that hair hold memories, she thought that by brushing your hair you can brush away your worries for the day which allow you to sleep.
And if you wish to forget about something heartbreaking, you should cut it.
She had this habit that everytime she felt a great deal of sadness she would cut some of her hair, especially when tragedies befallen her.
Do you know when was the last time she ever cut a bit of her hair?" Gertrude said.
"No, she never told me about such a thing, I do not even remember seeing her cutting hair when I was here?" Fabian asked.
"That is because you and her husband brought her so much joy by being by her side, she spent many years in bliss before she felt like cutting her hair again." Gertrude replied.
"Then when did she do it again?"
"When Safa's father died."
Surprised, "Was she that close to Lord Vega?" Fabian asked, the mention of Safa's family intrigued him deeply.
"Yes, Safa's father has saved her life in the past, he was the reason she made it to England and got married." Gertrude replied.
"I cannot imagine my aunt's husband was happy that she was close with Safa's father."
"On the contrary, if there was one man in the entire world whom late Lord Stuart most certainly trusted to leave your aunt alone with, it was Safa's father no doubt."
Fabian was astonished, "That is the most insane statement I have ever heard concerning my aunt's husband!" He said.
"Safa's father was a gentleman at heart, your aunt's husband was grateful for this man's help and friendship, his death was so unexpected, the news nearly shattered her, if it wasn't for her desire to appear strong in front of Safa so she can be the shoulder to cry on for that poor surviving girl." Gertrude replied, "If they were this close, why did Safa and my Aunt remain detached from one another.
As far as I know, Safa did not make any attempts after her family's funeral to be in contact with my aunt?" Fabian questioned.
"That's because the poor girl, find it really difficult to trust older women, especially ones with more power and influence than her.
She was betrayed by one after all." Gertrude explained.
Suddenly, "The brother's wife! Safa mentioned that her brother's wife did not get a gun salute from my aunt because she did not deserve it." Fabian realized.
"Safa is a wounded woman who keeps on rising with each fall, yet her rising each time doesn't change the fact that she keeps on falling.
Your aunt knew that Safa carried a lot of suffering that effected the balance of her life, she did not wish to bother the girl while she was healing herself, so she didn't pressure Safa to befriend her.
But despite the lack of relationship between them, Safa has Honored the relationship between her father and your Aunt.
The two families had an agreement to be there during the two families most significant events, which is she why came to the funeral." Gertrude replied.
Suddenly, "Safa has shorter hair than most of what I saw in women, when you met her years ago, was her hair always that short?" Fabian asked.
"Well when I met her, her hair was longer than yours, she must've cut it after meeting your aunt." Gertrude replied.
"Huh...I see."
"Are you really interested in Lady Vega?"
"Huh?"
"Nothing." Gertrude shook her head before she smiled and said, "And voila! We're done."
When Fabian started checking his reflection, his hair now was tied to the back in a ponytail, with a crimson red ribbon.
"Now we can see the face of our future Lord." Gertrude said patting the man's shoulders once, "Thank you Gertie, this feels much better than I expected." Fabian replied.
"I was simply doing my job, now...what do you plan on doing?" She asked.
Thinking, "I cannot say for sure...what can I do at the moment?" He asked back.
"Anything, well obviously not ANYTHING but there's a couple of things you can do, Maybe you could try to do something to cheer you up?" Gertrude said.
"Something to cheer me up...I cannot think of anything of that sort..."
"You could go to the workshop again? See if you have a knack for crafting, who knows you might turn out to be more skilled than the late Lord."
"That...is not bad of an idea." Fabian replied.
"Wonderful, wait here for a bit, I shall have few servants dust the room before you go there." Gertrude said smiling before she hurried off.
"Huh, look how happy she is? And Why do I feel like I was manipulated by her?" Fabian questioned himself.
...Meanwhile...
In Safa's bedroom, Clara couldn't pick anything modiste showed her, "Lady Vega your friend seems to have a really difficult time deciding on what she wants." The modiste said with a raised brow.
The modiste wasn't young, she was well in her 50s with round spectacles over her nose and greyish hair wrapped in a neat tight bun, with her scrawny built and unflattering grey dress, the woman was too serious looking.
Clara could tell the elderly woman wasn't pleased at all with her indecisiveness.
"Umm...I'm sorry I can't seem to make up my mind on one fabric or color..." Clara said nervously.
Sighing, "Well it was enough of a surprise to see that my favorite customer wants to change her style completely." The modiste said referring to Safa who chuckled at her.
"Forgive us, we should have planned for this better...my decision was rather a last minute sort of thing." Safa explained, "As for her." She pointed at Clara, "This is her first time doing something like this, so she still has no idea what she wants." She said.
Sighing again, "I can see that...fine how about I make you a different suggestion?" The modiste replied.
"What sort of suggestion?" Safa asked.
"I mostly make modest dresses, I can't deny the fact that I enjoyed working for you M'Lady because you have always worn the sort of dresses I prefer making and you do pay handsomely.
However since you want to go into another direction this time, I suggest seeking another modiste.
I believe you will find better options and better opinions than mine somewhere else, specifically at Madame Delacroix's shop." The modiste said.
Clara gasped, "Madame Delacroix?! Genevieve Delacroix! The most sought after modiste by the Ton!"
Frowning, "I heard of her, so I know Her shop is always swarming with those noble girls, I cannot go there and I doubt she would have time to waste to come and see me here." Safa replied unhappy.
"You are just making excuses to keep hiding young woman!" The modiste said disappointedly.
"What?"
"I have known you for years, and while I did enjoy making your gowns, I knew that one day you'll grow tired of wearing the same clothes."
Clara then watched the two women stare at each other intensely for few seconds before Safa gave up and sighed, "I take it that you do not wish to be my modiste anymore?"
"I'm sorry M'Lady." The modiste replied, "All is good...thank you for coming today, you may leave." Safa replied.
She glanced at Clara who was now sitting with a cloud over her head as she felt disappointed that the modiste doesn't want to work on their gowns anymore.
Once the modiste left the room, Safa took a deep breath and said, "Maybe seeking Madame Delacroix's help is not a bad idea."
Hearing that, Clara turned to Safa smiling widely.
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
QW_JiHi
QW_JiHi Fun fact: There were a considerable number of modiste in England and especially London during the regency era, Mrs. Gill was one of the leading modistes of the Regency, and pioneered the design of white wedding dresses at a time when few women of fashion wore them.
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