Sorry that this is a week late, I wasn't able to post while I was on vacation in NY. But next update will be next week as scheduled, so that should smooth things over a bit.

A lot of theories already, many of which make me laugh, since I'm still figuring out a lot of things that are involved in the ending of this story. Love all the ideas you have about these people already, but it will be a little while before the Prince of Masen makes his entrance, so a little patience there.

Love to my posse for their help with this and all my stories, and without further ado, here's the latest from Genoa.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of theirrespective owners. The original characters and plot are theproperty of the author. The author is in no way associatedwith the owners, creators, orproducers of any media franchise. No copyright infringementis intended.

Chapter 4

After an anxious dinner, I told Alice about what had happened in the meeting.

"You did well, especially with how you handled Lady Tanya, but for tomorrow, you will need to be very opinionated on fashion."

"How can I have an opinion on something I don't truly understand?" I asked flustered with how everything was going.

"You have to have some thoughts on fashion, you're a girl," Alice said.

"I was a servant," I whispered. "I was given my clothes and that was a blessing, I couldn't question it or do anything to draw attention to myself."

"Look, you have to at least have an opinion on your wedding dress, so why don't we talk about the wedding and those particulars and you can play along with the seamstresses. Just don't be afraid to tell them if you don't like something. They won't know what my preferences are besides the wardrobe you're currently wearing, so it will be fine. Now, let us discuss a typical Genoan wedding."

Alice's excitement as she detailed traditions and the pomp involved in a wedding in Genoa was exhausting, but then I realized that it wasn't going to just be these traditions, but those of Masen as well. I took specific notes, planning to pass them off as a list of things that were important to me for my wedding, and then after my evening ritual, I went to sleep.

The following morning came, and in the time that would soon be filled with my equestrian lessons, I sat in the outer room of my chambers and awaited the arrival of the three women who were sent to discuss my wedding and wardrobe. The three made their way into the room, surprised I was sure, to see me waiting on them.

"I know we have a lot to get through, and I have two classes and a lesson with Lady Carmen this evening, so let us begin."

The older of the two women who were here to gather information about my fashion sense spoke first. "The fashion in Masen is very different than it is here; we've observed that quite easily since our arrival. What we would like to know from you, Your Highness, is if there is anything in particular from your own style that you would like to incorporate into the style?"

"I know little about your country's fashion, if I am completely frank. Do you have any examples or drawings that you could offer me?" I asked the women. They scrambled through their folios until they could offer me the images. What I could see was shocking. "The neckline is always this low?"

"Yes, My Lady," the second woman answered. "The neckline sits above the bosom, leaving the collarbone and neck exposed. Depending on the weather it will either have full sleeves or a short sleeve that covers only the shoulder."

"That will take some definite getting used to," I murmured. "What about colors and fabrics?"

"Colors tend to be deeper, but there is no particular color that is used more often or less. The pastels that some of your young ladies use is what we reserve for lower classes because they cannot afford fabric that has spent so much time in the dye," the woman answered.

"That's understandable, and I've grown to favor the darker shades myself," I replied, waiting for them to discuss fabric, which the second girl finally did.

"Fabric depends on the season; the weather is much different in Masen. Where it is generally cool all year round here thanks to the proximity to the ocean and the northern location, Masen has much warmer springs and summers, so we use some silks and satins in those warmer months."

"That sounds very good, but there is one thing that bothers me a bit and I would like my clothing to reflect a meeting of the two worlds as it were on this. I will accept the neckline, though not before I am married, I want to bring one thing from my country's fashion. Girl, bring me two of the dresses we had put aside because they were growing a little worn, one with a fixed bustle, and another with the buttons." I hated calling Alice like that, but if I called her by a name, I might slip, and we couldn't have that.

"How is that made to stay like that?" the wedding planner had whispered and I smiled as it had gotten her attention too.

"It is simpler than you think, and it is good of you to take notice, because this is how I want the back of my wedding dress," I spoke to her before turning to the others. "All of the dresses start out like this one; open with the fabric pooling behind the wearer to form a train. Now there are two options, the first is to place these tiny pearl buttons on the fabric, with matching catches so that you can hook the fabric to the button and create the folds and pleats. The other option is to make a fixed bustle, where the folds and pleats are sewn in with heavy thread so that they are permanent. I'm aware that it is expected of me to have a long train and veil during the ceremony, but for the banquet, I want the train to be bustled up. You may each take one of the button bustle dresses with you as a reference, and you two may also have a fixed bustle one. I won't be wearing them anymore, so it matters nothing to me."

"These dresses are now as wide as dresses in Masen normally are, My Lady, is that something you would like to emulate also?" one of the seamstresses asked.

"Yes, the bustle works best when there isn't a large area to try and cover, you can create cascading layers, but it gets sloppy when spread out too wide, in my opinion."

"Very well. As for other fashion peculiarities, would you like us to follow the normal standards in Masen?" I was asked.

"I think its best. I will one day be the Queen of Masen, so my clothing should reflect on it more than my homeland. But that brings me to a final question, is there something particular that a woman wears while riding, because I cannot imagine riding with my dress tucked up under me."

"No, Your Highness, we brought you several riding skirts. They are truly a pair of very full pants that appear almost like a skirt, but they make straddling the horse to ride astride very easy and comfortable. These should last you until you arrive in Masen. Now, if we can take your measurements, we can be on our way."

Allowing them the chance to do what was needed; the wedding planner also took note of those measurements and then returned to her seat so that we could talk.

"I will have the seamstresses work to add the bustle with the train, which will be between nine and ten feet, per tradition, but it will make it easier to manage at the banquet once the lady's maids figure out how to work it out. Now for your neckline, I think we should find some jewelry that will show off your décolletage as it will be the first time you will dress in such a way," she began, but I cut her off.

"I will have a full, high-collared neckline on my wedding dress. If you wish to display the lower neckline on the bodice you can do that but below it, there will be fabric closer to the body that will cover my neck and give me full sleeves. That is a Genoa tradition that will not be ignored," I said firmly, remembering Alice's discussion of the significance of the high neckline.

"Can it at least be lace or another light fabric that will give not stand out as much?" she hedged and I conceded, knowing the Queen might be annoyed by my stance.

"That is a fair compromise. Now the veils-"

"Veils?" the woman asked before realizing what she had done. Her face froze in fear, but I waved off the look, she had spoken out of shock, not impertinence.

"Yes, another Genoa tradition, the unveiling of the bride by the groom, that will be taking place, no question, so make sure it is arranged."

"Of course, Your Highness," she murmured.

From there, the discussion went much smoother, as the other traditions had been discussed by the royal families before passing it onto the planner, so after I had agreed to what was laid out, she went on her way.

I made it through my classes, enjoying the simplicity of being able to learn without too much focus on me, before I ate dinner with Alice in our rooms.

"With Countess Carmen as your tutor, her daughter will be there for the lesson," Alice said, renewing my worry. "Just be on your guard with her and find a way to get rid of her as soon as you arrive in Masen. But you must be smart about how you handle it."

"How do I remove the daughter of a Countess from my staff without upsetting people, including my in-laws?" I asked, hoping she could give me insight.

"Something will come to you, Your Highness. You have a confidence about you when you assume the role, and it will come easier with time. Just listen more than you speak tonight, and watch the strawberry tart," Alice teased, and I couldn't help but laugh.

I went to that lesson and did exactly as Alice said. There wasn't much out of the ordinary in the discussion. Royal women often take up special projects that are philanthropic in nature, usually choosing one cause to draw awareness to. I would have to be careful of the cause I chose, but it wasn't too much different than what Alice had told me of the ways in Genoa. Only that the Masen Royal women tend to be more involved with their projects than meeting with a committee every few weeks.

Carmen told me how I should defer to my husband since he was not only my lord and master, but my prince and future king. This was something that I expected also, but I wasn't aware that it was so much in the forefront of their culture. Once again I would observe and move from there, because anyone who had a daughter like Lady Tanya could be moving to further a familial plan.

That evening I thought long and hard on the other things that would be required of me and I wondered if Alice's faith wasn't a little misplaced.