CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR.

(MELIORA'S POV)

The plump old woman looked at us from head to toe with a toothpick between her teeth.

"Well, well, I thought I was done primping all the young girls in the village! Looks like I've got a few faces left." She ushered us inside with a sweeping gesture.

"Come in, come in out of that chill, dearlings. We've not a moment to waste before the festivities truly begin, I'm sure."

The small, furnished room was filled with dressing screens, and makeup articles of all sorts, as well as a large vanity table in front of the mirror.

The air was thick with the scents of rosewater, orris root and other costly perfumes.

Madame Celestine clapped her bony hands together decisively as we all stood in a hesitant cluster. "Right then! Who shall step forward for makeup first?"

The girls exchanged glances, then Beth gave me a playful shove forward. "Liora can take the first turn, I think. She still seems the most doubtful about being made over into a proper beauty befitting the occasion!"

I rolled my eyes good-naturedly as they all giggled. Striding forward, I deposited my small carpet bag of belongings and sparse makeup supplies on a stool near the grand vanity.

"A brave face she puts on, but I can see the trepidation in this one's lovely eyes, can't I?" Madame Celestine said with an impish wink in my direction.

"Very well, little dove - let's see if this old hen can put those worries properly to rest with the simplest embellishments."

Settling onto the velvet-cushioned stool, I met the cosmetic charmer's bright, birdlike gaze steadily. Though she had a tendency toward lofty, flowery praises, there was an inherent warmth and gentleness to her that instantly put me at ease.

"Give me light makeup, good Madame. I'm only a friend at this event..." I mentioned.


Madame Celestine laughed melodiously at my request for a simple makeup look. "Oh my sweet little dove, you underestimate an artist's touch! When I primp a beauty such as yourself, it is to bring out your most radiant and exquisite qualities - not for any casual, haphazard effect."

I watched nervously as she began uncapping jars of powders and pigments, setting out a dizzying array of brushes and beauty tools on the vanity before me. The other girls crowded around, eyes alight with eagerness.

"Just you wait, Liora! Madame Celestine will have you looking like a princess when she's done," Suzanne declared with an impish grin.

Martha chimed in breathlessly, "Yes, you may think you only want a simple look now, but if she gave us all a magical look excluding you, you'll totally feel out of place!"

I laughed weakly, meeting the cosmetic artist's bright, birdlike gaze. "Very well, I wouldn't want to feel out of place among my friends, Madame."

"That's a wise choice, dearling," she purred, already whisking a fat brush through a sifter of face powder. "We needn't go garish or overdone, but I'll bring out all your natural splendor - you can rely on that."

For the next candlemark, I sat obediently as Celestine worked her magic. Despite my misgivings, I couldn't deny the deft, skilled way she applied powders, creams and pigments with the utmost delicacy.

Kohl rimmed my eyes to make them appear larger and more arresting, rouge tinted my cheeks with a healthy glow, and my lips were made plump and glossy with a rosy balm.

"There, there - you're already becoming the loveliest bloom in this little garden," the old woman murmured as she fussed and dabbed.

When at last she set down her brushes, I peered at my reflections in the multitude of angled mirrors before me. My breath caught in my throat at the transformed, luminous vision staring back.

"Well? How's our duckling looking, ladies?" Madame Celestine crowed, winking impishly at me in the mirror.

The girls erupted in a chorus of admiring gasps and girlish titters. "Stunning!" "Like a portrait of feminine grace!" "Oh Liora, you're a vision indeed!"

"I...I barely look like myself," I murmured, raising a hesitant hand to touch my glowing cheek in wonder.

Celestine clucked her tongue in satisfaction. "Just wait until you've properly coiffed and dressed as well. Now - off to the changing rooms and get dressed! Let me primp the rest of the flowers before the ball starts!"

An hour later, I emerged from the dressing room feeling rather too pleasing for my liking. My own gown of pale sapphire silk fairly shimmered in the light whenever I moved.

The single shoulder strap and cinched waist complementing a light, flowing skirt perfectly suited for twirling and dancing - combined with my artfully arranged tresses made me feel every inch the pampered, primped maiden.

"Don't you look absolutely delectable?" Beth sighed enviously as I gave a self-conscious twirl. "One look at you and every unmated man will be begging to tie their clan's colors around your wrist!"

I worried deeply. No way I'm going to the mating ceremony looking like this when I'm not seeking a mate. I told myself firmly. We have a mission - to uncover who was behind Father's death and see justice done. Not waste time swaying men with frivolous feminine wiles!

"Er, you know, perhaps this look is a bit much for me after all," I hedged as Suzanne emerged and gasped in delight.

"Liora! Celestine's skills have made you an absolute vision," she crowed, circling me with admiring eyes. "This gown is utter perfection! You'll be the breathtaking star of this entire ceremony."

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of..." I muttered under my breath. Before she could argue further, I began nimbly stripping off the sumptuous dress. "No, I'll revert to my simple woolen day dress for this evening. Something less...distracting."

Suzanne frowned in bafflement at my modesty but seemed to sense my unease. "If you insist, I suppose. Though you'll still look splendid even in plainer attire, enhanced by Madame's peerless cosmetics skills. Don't worry - you'll be surrounded by dozens of lovely, dressed-up maidens tonight. No one will give you too hard a time stealing glances, believe me!"

I could only hope she spoke true as the other girls gradually emerged from the changing room equally radiant and eagerly jangled with silks, ribbons and lace.

Soon we were all assembled once more, the air thick with excited chatter and dizzying perfumes as final touchings were made.

"Are we all finally primped to perfection, my dearlings?" Madame Celestine trilled from amidst the chaos. "Then let's be off - the first strains of music and revelry are already filling the night air!"

As we made our way back to the village square, I only made a silent prayer as the rest giggled and chatted. I pray I don't run into Selene or her mother at the party, those two seem to hate me and I want no trouble.