The Presentation
POV: Alexandra
It felt like for the past two days that people were walking on eggshells around me and they have made me relax. This was especially true for Jess. Every time I was going to go down for breakfast, she brought it up to me. When we were at school, Derek kept Melody away from me by fake flirting with her before she could get close to me. The morning of the presentation ceremony I had finally asked Jess when she came in with my breakfast, “Okay, spill. What is going on?” She sighed, “I was hoping you wouldn’t catch on. Look, after you fainted at the castle, Grand Pretre told us that you needed to relax for a while or you would go mad. It was too much all at once that she saw a future where you would internalize your stress and it would go to your mind.” Since it was Saraphia that made this proclamation, everyone took it deathly serious. I got to see my mother a few times as well but she kept vigil by her brother’s bed side but every time I saw her, she looked worried. This morning she had strode into the room acting like the mother that I knew and loved. This meant that she knew she had a duty to tend to and nothing would keep her from doing so. Her particular duty was getting my lazy ass out of bed and into some sort of fancy dress that she brought with her from London for the presentation ceremony today. She smiled at me, “Good morning, little rose. You need to get out of bed and get ready for the ceremony today.”
I grumbled, “I’m eating breakfast though.” She crossed her arms across her chest and shot me a glare, “I swear, you just love pissing me off when you know you have places to be.” Jess shrunk into the background thinking she did something wrong. Mother looked at her, “You didn’t do anything wrong, Jess. You did as you were told and I thank you for your assistance caring for my brat of a daughter.” Jess straightened up at the praise, “Thank you, Your Grace. If you’ll excuse me, I have to get myself ready as well.” My mother stopped Jess and summoned Dana, “Go fetch Jess’ outfit from her room. The ladies will be getting ready together with our assistance.” Dana curtsied, “Right away, Your Grace.” I begrudgingly got out of bed, grumbling while I did so. Mother knew my weak spot was Jess and whether she intentionally did it or not, she used my friend to get her way. Point to my mother on this round of the battle of wits. My mother smiled at me and then winked at Jess. My mouth hung open, that was intentional and she even got Jess in on it. I crossed my arms, “Okay, Jess, rude.” She shrugged, “I was ordered by a senior member of nobility. I had to obey.” My mother went over to my wardrobe and pulled out the sage green chiffon tiered gown. She pulled out white strappy heels, to which I visibly shuddered. She laid the gown on the end of the bed and the shoes on the floor underneath. She walked over to my jewelry box as Dana entered the room holding a light blue panel gown with blue strappy heels. She laid those on the bed next to mine, mother had brought these from Terre to have us wear for this occasion. Apparently, her deciding to buy these were a last-minute decision when she found out she was coming to see her brother and knew that the ceremony was soon.
My mother returned with two boxes of jewelry. She placed the box holding the pearl set on top of my dress and the box holding the ornate silver jewelry on top of Jess’. She smiled at the both of us, “I picked the sets best suited to your dresses. Let’s get you two ready.” She assigned Dana to help Jess into her dress, jewelry and do her hair and makeup. The two worked in tandem to make sure we could get ready simultaneously without taking up resources need for the other. After a short while later, Jess was rocking a beautiful curl framed updo with a silver and topaz clip on the side while I had a twisted chignon with a pearl lined comb placed in the crease. Our makeup was done so that it would match the gowns we were wearing but not so much that it would look bad or heavy handed. Derek knocked on the door wearing his dress blue uniform, he was assigned to escort one of the ladies but none of us knew who. We would all find out our assigned escorts when we showed up in the reception room.
The carriage ride over to the castle was uneventful. We were ushered into a different part of the castle that we were in just a few days ago. We were placed in the ballroom which was set up with various chairs, refreshments, vanities and full-length mirrors. I had imagined whomever directed the servants to set this up, thought a great deal about how the ladies would want to look their absolute best. I had imagined that this was likely the Queen Mother’s doing. It was just all of the Queen candidates in this large room, our party that escorted us was not allowed in the room. Since she was not allowed, my mother went to the throne room that was across from this room. I thought we were going to find out who our escorts were at this point. An older gentleman entered the room, “Good afternoon, ladies, I am Elder Enzo and I shall be overseeing today’s event. We will begin with the Lady Delnaro.” Lady Delnaro rose from her seat and cross the room. The door was shut behind her and there were whispers amongst the women. One of the ladies with Melody remarked, “It is strange that we haven’t had an introduction to our escorts yet. How are we expected to act around our escorts?” Just as she said that, something occurred to me and turned to Jess and Lady Baltilliard in a quiet manner, “I think this is a test. It’s the only thing that makes sense.” The two other ladies nodded and Jess said, “Poor Lady Delnaro was the test subject for this.”
One by one the ladies were called to be presented to the King as a candidate for his hand in marriage. I stood in one corner and thankfully so did Melody but you could see them whispering and sneering towards me. Jess spoke into my ear, “I wouldn’t let them get to you Xan. They are only jealous of your kindness, wit and beauty.” I looked at Jess and smiled, “They don’t get to me, I just look at them with sadness for having such hatred in their hearts.” Jess smiled and then Elder Enzo entered the room, “Next will be Lady Kellen.” She rose from her seat and squeezed my hand, “I do hope you will be okay here by yourself.” I nodded up at her, “Don’t worry about me, I will be fine.” She strode out of the room and I was left alone. I sat and stared out the window towards the Queen Mother’s garden, no doubt where she grew the very ingredients for the blend of tea that I was presently sipping on. More and more the women were called out of the room until finally the last two left were Melody and I. Silence enveloped the room as I continued to stare out the window until I heard the other woman clear her throat. I looked up at her, “You realize that this is a game that you will lose, just thought I would make it clear.” I sighed, “I don’t see this as a game, it is merely as something that I am duty bound to do.” She chuckled, “Whatever you say.” She started to walk off towards her corner but Elder Enzo reappeared and called out to her that it was her turn. She gave me an evil grin as she passed. The door closed and I was alone in the silence.
A short while later the Elder came for me, “Are you ready, Your Grace?” I nodded at him and rose to my feet. As I stepped out of the door, Malinus was standing there dressed in his finery. He bowed at me then offered me his arm, “Your Grace, I shall be your escort to present you to the King.” I curtsied at him, “I am pleased to see you again Sir Malinus.” He offered me his arm and I placed my hand in the crook of his elbow. He led me up to the door and they opened to a row of red carpet and people standing on either side. I was announced and we walked forward down the red carpet towards where the King, the Queen Mother and the Prince were sitting. As we reached the front of dais, we bowed and Malinus said, “Your Majesties and Your Highness, on behalf of the House Batiste: I present The Batiste, Alexandra Rose Batiste as a candidate for His Majesty’s bride and Queen.”
