“Sit up straight, Meyda,” Katelin said in a stern voice. Meyda was already a week in her lessons, and it was to describe it, a lot. The various etiquette, for addressing someone above you, below you, how to speak to servants. Drink tea, eat a simple biscuit, how to dress, which jewelry to wear to which event. If she wanted to hold a tea party, who to invite, who not to invite. What kind of tea there needs to be served, what kind of snacks to serve. Then there was the history behind each major house, a ‘brief’ lesson in the current politics, horseback ridding, archery, self defense and then at last the dance lessons. And Meyda doubted if she was able to remember all of it, it was so much and normally this all is learned over time. But she needed to learn all of this in a few weeks. Katelin shock her head in frustration, Meyda could only hope that it was not aimed at her. She was doing her best, even though she fought an up hill battle of information. “What was that old fox thinking. You are indeed smart there is no doubt about that, but sending towards a ball inside the Imperial Palace, were not only the nobility of the empire will be. But also guests from neighboring kingdoms.” Katelin placed her hands on her temples and started to rub them. Meyda gave her sister-in-law a sweet smile.
“Katelin Inaam, you are the Lady of the minor house Inaam, better known as the house of the stars. Your husband is not only the head of the house, but he is also responsible for the spice trade. That is why the Inaam estate is so close to the boarder of the Empire and the kingdom of Sodora. A kingdom well known for their spice industry, fabric’s. Your husband’s little brother is married to one of the princess to establish a better deal.” Meyda said, and Katelin nodded with a large grin on her face.
“That was pretty impressive. Do you know the name of my brother-in-law, and sister-in-law?” She asked. Meyda frowned slightly, she knew that Katelin told her this during the lesson earlier this week. But their names have slipped her mind. “It those not matter, because this piece of information gives you enough ground to start a conversation with someone inside the Inaam family. And if you remember as much about the other families, well your conversation fountain will never run dry.” Meyda looked towards the light blue carpet that lay on the floor. They were sitting in the lounge part of her bedroom, a space she hadn’t noticed in the first few days she lived here. Not until Katelin showed her, and it added a whole other layer to the room itself. “Alright that is one part of the long, checklist we can check off. But then there is the another mountain of other information we need to address. All what Meyda could do as a response was nod, it was indeed a lot that needed to be done.
“Shefi can you bring in some white lotus tea, with some nutty tarts. It is pretty warm outside.” Meyda said, also remembering that Katelin loved the nutty tarts of their cook. Katelin shook her head with a grin.
“Well, that is another thing we can cross of the list.” both of the women started to laugh. A knock landed on the door, and the door of the room opened. It was Ginat, who always popped up during the lessons. Just to check in, and to see the process Meyda was making with his own two eyes. “Ah, big brother I was already wondering when you would be dropping in.” Katelin said. “Your wife is in need of a dance partner, and I need you to teach her horseback riding.” Ginat’s gaze went towards his sister.
“You are know that I do not have a clue about how that thing you call a saddle works, why aren’t you teaching her?” Ginat asked, Meyda was wondering this as well. Katelin opened her mouth to answer, but was interrupted by the stream of servants entering the room with the tea and nutty tarts. She breathed out a sigh of relief when they were out of the room.
“I am not allowed on a horse for a couple of months,” Katelin said softly. “Doctors orders.” Meyda, and Ginat both narrowed their eyes. Why would a doctor tell her not to ride a horse? It didn’t make any sense in her mind. But then she gasped, when she was a bit younger she heard the doctor say the same thing to her stepmother when she was pregnant.
“Katelin, are you telling me that you are going to make me an auntie?” Meyda squealed. She knew that she would not be allowed to say such a thing if they where in another setting. But they were currently in the privacy of her own room, inside the Eldar manor. So she could act a little bit more freely. Katelin grinned at her, and slowly nodded. Meyda sighed, she was happy for her sister-in-law, a baby always was the beacon of new hope, a brand new beginning. Ginat sat down next to Meyda and looked a bit gloomy. Probably contemplating if he was going to congratulate his younger sister, or to kill her husband. He took a sip of the tea, and still hadn’t said anything. “Oh come on, she is a married woman. So she does not do anything different then we are.” He almost spit out tea. But Katelin started to chuckle loudly, and placed her hand on her lower abdomen.
“Big brother, did I already tell you how much I like your wife.” Katelin said, trying to calm herself down. “But let we drink our tea, and then transfer towards the dance lessons.”
******
“One, two, three, and one, two, three.” Katelin was repeating the rhythm from the comfort of the sofa. Even looking at the couple twisting and turning made her feel sick, but Ginat was not able to keep his eyes from Meyda. Who in Katelin’s mind was a beautiful and smart girl, a bit timed at times. But the remark about married couples activities, was funny and complete unappropriated. But the respect that she had for the girl only grew with every interaction. She was shocked at first when she saw the dark blue brushes on Meyda’s arms, one of the reasons why the girl was wearing long sleeves, even it was quiet warm. Then there were the scars on her back, an image that would never leave her mind, after she had seen them on Meyda’s wedding day. Katelin knew that her father wanted to install sympathy in the members of the other houses, to let them know that this girl was a victim of the Old Crow. And she believes with her whole heart that the reason why Meyda soaks up information, like a woolen cloth soaks up water was to escape a beating. Meyda stepped on Ginat’s foot, and started to apologische, another surviving tactic. Trying to do everything right, and admit a wrong doing right away. Which would be something she, Katelin, need to keep in mind and softly beat it out of her. Not literally beating her, but… she sighed. Does her father really think that it was only enough to educate this poor girl? There were some things that needed time to unlearn.
“Do not worry about it, my feet are used to it.” Ginat said. “Isn’t that right, Katelin.” She nodded and he started the dance once again. Katelin didn’t pay much attention towards the dance steps, and just watched Meyda’s posture. It was a bit to stiff, again the fear of making a mistake and risk a beating. Which made the risk of the mistakes more present. Katelin stood up and walked over towards the couple.
“Stop for a second,” she said, and gave Meyda a smile. “You are to tense, a waltz is not learned in one day. You will step on his toes, you will miss a step, in other words you will make a mistake. But it will becomes easier over time. And one more thing, it does not matter if you make a mistake, so long you keep on dancing. Follow Ginat, trust him and everything will be fine.” Meyda lowered her head, and Katelin could already heat the apology. But she lay a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “There is no need for that, you are here to learn. And I will not raise my hand to beat you, neither will Ginat, Mizamor, Dorian or our father.” Meyda raised her head slightly and Katelin saw the tears in the large pink eyes. So much trauma to unpack, and all of that takes time.
“Thank you,” Meyda whispered so softly that Katelin was almost not able to hear it. But she did and it made her own heart swell up. She was going to become a mother herself, and she couldn't imaging that something like this would happen to her child. Even if she would die during childbirth, even if she gets sick a few years into her baby’s life. But now after Meyda entered her life, and after she found out that she was with child, it was the only thing she could think off. She will have a proper talk with her husband about this, during the evening and she will encourage her other sister-in-law, Princess Isabel of the Sodora Kingdom, to have this conversation as well.
“It is alright, now from the beginning.” Katelin motioned towards her brother and he took the lead.
*******
Katelin was a gem, and Meyda really liked her more and more. After her whole speech about that it was alright if she made a mistake, helped her a lot and she was able to enjoy the dance more. Now that the need to do it right was gone, she even dared to smile and giggle about a joke that Ginat made during the dance. When he made a mistake on purpose, to show her that it was really alright. A knock landed on the door, and Shefi entered.
“My Lord, ladies. Mister Artal has arrived with the dresses, and he wants to see if they all fit Lady Meyda.” Shefi said, while bowing. Meyda had completely forgotten about the whole ordeal of her not able to pick anything, before the Emperor barged into the room. She was curious what Mister Artal came up with, she didn’t doubt that they would anything else then beautiful.
“Bring him in,” Meyda said, and Shefi did just that. Mister Artal entered the room, with his arms stretched out.
“Hello beautiful Lady, there is no quill in the world that can describe how happy I am to see you again.” He said loudly. He bowed towards Ginat. ”I am also honored to see you as well my Lord. I have to confess that I went a little overboard with the dresses, and I made ten instead of the ordered five. All with a matching overcoat, for you.” Meyda’s eyes grew, he had made ten dresses for her? He clapped in his hand and his assistants rolled in clothing rack, with indeed ten dresses. “All of them are a bit larger, but I included a corset so that we can string you in until you have some more meat on your bones. After that the maid can easily change the corset for a zipper.” He explained, while he showed it to her and Shefi, who nodded slowly. “Alright, please do me the honor to see you in my creations. And after that we are going to discuss what you are going to wear to the Imperial ball. She felt a bit uncomfortable, there were so many dresses and he was already talking about another dress. But there was no time to protest, because Shefi and Aleen were pushing her into the other room, and they were followed by the clothing rack. She tried them on, one by one. Mister Altar, every time stepped into the room to see how the dress looked on her, and to make some changes. He even advised the maids, which jewelry and hairstyle would go best with the dress. It took hours, to get through all of the dresses. The last two dresses were her favorites by far, one dress was made out emerald green silk, the shoulder and pieces of the bust were open. Still there was a heavy beaded fabric that covered her breasts, the sleeves were long and at the end embroiled with a shimmering golden threat. The skirt of the dress was layered, and sort of cut of of the bust through a beaded belt, that was stitched onto the dress. The dress itself was finished of with an attachable cape that went on the heavy beaded necklace, so that her back was covered up, if she wanted.
“Keep her hair loose, but keep one string off behind an emerald hair clip.” Mister Alter said, and he showed the maids what he meant. “And use heavy emerald earrings to make this look complete.” He then focused his attention to Meyda. “How are you feeling in this one?” She gave him a smile.
“I love it, and I want to wear this to Imperial ball,” she said, while her hand went over the smooth, yet soft fabric. Mister Alter frowned slightly, but then grinned.
“A bit unexpected, but you know, you are absolutely right. This dress on you deserves all the attention, that it is able to get, and the ball is the perfect place to do that. I am going to get your husband.” He said and left, to come back not much later with Ginat and Katelin. Ginat gasped when he saw her in the dress, and Katelin covered her mouth. Her eyes sparkled slightly.
“I am sorry, hormones,” she gave it as a short explanation.
“Ginat, I want to wear this dress to the ball.” Meyda said. He smiled at her and sighed. “I really do not need a new dress for the ball, because this one is simply perfect.” He nodded and shock his head.
“This dress is indeed perfect, and so are you.” He said, he then looked at the other ten dresses. “Are you done with your fitting, it is almost time for dinner.” She raised one finger, to tell him without word that she only have one more dress to go. He chuckled, “which one?”
“The black one with red,” she said, and Shefi picked it out of the rack.
“Well now I know what to change into, if you all want to excuse me.” He bowed and left the room. Katelin nodded slowly.
“This dress is indeed a beautiful dress, so elegant, still it makes you look strong. A lot of the ladies present would be jealous of you, and rightfully so.” She said, and then turned towards Mister Alter. “I never seen a dress like this before, you have outdone yourself.” Mister Alter bowed. “Can you design, something similar for me? I do not want to wear the same dress as Meyda to the ball,” Mister Alter raised his hand and handed her pieces of paper.
“I made several sketches of dresses like this, so pick one.” He said, and then clapped in his hands. “Alright ladies it is time for the last dress.” This one also looked beautiful on her, chiffon red and black fabric complimented her skin tone perfectly. The bust had a bit off a mesh in the front and looked like it had buttons on the front but those were fake. The skirt was beautifully layered. “Alright, lets make this picture of perfection complete.” She nodded and let him guide her to her own vanity table. The maids, pinned her hair up and put some ruby earrings in her ears. A choker made with red and black ruby stones was placed around her neck. “Beautiful, you look beautiful. Regal, strong, yet elegant. My work here is done. Lady Inaam, have you made a decision?” She nodded and showed him one of the sketches. “Wonderful, I will see what I can do. I will ad some extra room around the abdomen so that people will not notice the growing baby bump .” Meyda heard that Katelin thanked Mister Alter, and he left.
Katelin helped Meyda down the stairs, on their way to the dinning room. She already had sent a messenger to the Inaam mansion that she would not join her husband for dinner.
“Lean on me, keep your head up high.” Katelin instructed, it was on of the first times that Meyda had such high heels on, and she needed to learn how to walk in them. And now it was the perfect time, to do that. It was not a long trip towards the dinning hall, but for Meyda how was struggling to walk it was still a long way. But again she trusted her sister-in-law, she thought. They were almost at the stairs, and that was the obstacle she feared the most. But to her relieve Ginat showed up, and supported her while she carefully walked down.
“Finally, I was beginning to believe that the three of you wanted me to starve,” Sayar said out loud, he didn’t look up. But he kept staring towards his empty plate.
“I apologize, Lord Eldar. We are late because of me,” Meyda said. Now he looked up and saw her in her new dress.
“My, oh, my. Mister Alter outdid himself.” He said. Ginat snorted.
“This dress, is indeed beautiful. But not as beautiful as the dress she wore before this one. And believe me, father this dress was very beautiful.” Ginat said, and Katelin beside him nodded.
“I have to agree with Ginat, I ordered something similar to that dress.” Katelin added. “Why are you looking at me like that, I didn’t order the same dress. I am not a monster.” She exclaimed.
“That is true, Ginat.” she said, and motioned towards the empty plates that were already set up for the three that were still standing. Ginat understood her, and guided her towards one of the seats. Servants entered the hall with scales filled with fish, meat, vegetables, and potato's. The glasses were filled with wine and water.
“Did you also order a dress for the Imperial ball?” Sayar asked. Meyda shook her head, and looked at her shocked. “Why not?”
“Because he already made my dress,” she said with a smile. “A beautiful silk green one.” Sayar frowned and he then looked at Ginat and Katelin, and they both nodded.
“Alright, then,” Sayar said with a sigh. “Then I have to wait and see.” All three of them nodded, and the Silver Fox sighed again. And put a piece of fish in his mouth.
