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Chapter 12
Preparations
Haligation Day was still two weeks off, but there was so much that had to be done before then. Since it was the most special holiday, even though no one knew why, everything that people bought or made or had prepared had to be of the best quality. All the cloths were of silk or satin, all the food was made by the best bakers in the kingdom, and even the party entertainers were the best money could buy, and same for the musicians. The whole kingdom was buzzing with things to do.
Inside the castle, life was even more hectic because of the ball. The cooks were fussing over the desserts the bakers brought and what to cook for the main meal. The gardeners were complaining about having to either cut the flowers in the castle gardens or to pay florist to bring flowers. The guards were busy making sure that there were enough arms to ensure the safety of the royal family, and who was to be posted at guard where.
Probably the busiest were the maids. They had to clean, dust, polish, order others around about where to place what. The older maids were also busy picking out and making new wardrobe choices.
"Queen Aurora," one maid said, curtsying as the queen entered her rooms. "I think I have found the perfect gown for you to wear!" The girl pulled out of the wardrobe a floor length dress. The sleeves were long and fitted to the arm, while the neckline scooped almost too low for public viewing. The bodice was loose with flowing skirts. It was a deep green velvety silk with gold trim.
"I think that you are right, it is the perfect gown." Aurora told the now ecstatic maid. "Have you found something for my husband?"
"Of course Majesty!" She pulled out from another wardrobe a blue silk coat that would be fitted, with gold buttons and trim. The maid also pulled out a white silk dress shirt and black pants.
"Excellent choice." Aurora said. "Now, if you would call the best seamstress? The maid bobbed a curtsy and hurried out the door.
Moments later, an older maid came into the room. She curtsied and asked, "How may I be of service to you Majesty?"
"I want you to make a gown for me. Well, for my daughter. I have all of her measurements. I have an idea of what I want, but I could use some advice from an expert. Please," Aurora said, motioning to a chair. "make yourself comfortable. Here's what I want…"
"Now Dear, you can have anything you like, so choose carefully." Aurora told her daughter. They had had a jewel master come to the palace with the finest jewelry in the land. Aurora wanted Rose to look her best for when she introduced her mystery friend.
"Mother, these are too expensive! I couldn't possibly wear anything like this!" Rose complained.
"May I suggest you try something on before you decide Princess?" the jewel master put in. he pulled out a tiara with soft pink inlaid jewels, another, larger tiara with rubies, and yet another with diamonds. Putting them on a cushion he spoke again. "These are my three best designs. They can be made with any stone, and any inlay that you wish. Would you like to try one?"
Rose looked at the three head pieces on the cushion, looked at her mother, and sighed as she tried on each one. The first one was a two inch band that sat on top of her head. It was made of gold with diamonds inlaid all the way around.
"No, that one is too small, to plain." Aurora said. Try this one." She picked up the largest of the three and replaced the first tiara.
This one was also made of gold. It had three points on either side, each higher than the next, leading up to one final point in the center. There was a large ruby in the center, with lots of smaller ones surrounding it. The tallest point was six inches tall, and the back came down to two inches.
"That one is perfect!" Aurora said gleefully. "We'll take…"
"Mother!" Rose interrupted. "It's too big!" She took the crown off her head and reluctantly tried the third. It was considerably smaller than the last, with only three points. The two on either side of the middle one were about two inches high, as the middle was three. The back thinned out to one inch, making the whole thing seem smaller and properly formed. There was a medium sized, soft pink stone in the center, with two smaller stones under the other two points. The metal was a white gold or silver, Rose couldn't tell.
Looking in the mirror, Rose grinned from ear to ear. "It's perfect."
"But it's so small!" Aurora said. She wanted the best for her daughter, but she was willing to get what she wanted. "Master jeweler, we'll take it. Now what about necklaces? Something to match of course."
"I have just the thing." He pulled out a necklace that would fit around the collar bone. It was of the same metal with the same soft pink stones. The design was an intricate weave of roses which were the stones, on a vine.
Rose squealed in delight when she saw it. When she tried it on, she almost burst with happiness about how mush she liked it.
"I think that means that we want this as well." Aurora said, laughing at Rose.
Anything else Majesty? How about a ring or bracelet or earrings?" the jewel master said, pulling some out. The ring he pulled out was of the same silvery metal, as were the bracelet and earrings, with just a large soft pink stone. The bracelet was just a miniature version of the necklace, and the earrings were just roses in the same soft pink stone.
"Mother, can I have the bracelet and the earrings? I don't like the ring." Rose asked.
"Master jeweler, we will take the tiara, the necklace, the bracelet, and the earrings." Aurora said.
Bowing, the jewel master took the selected objects, put them in their prospective cases, and handed them to Rose. "I will send the bill to the king in the morning Majesty." He said, bowing again.
Carefully placing her figs on her dresser, Rose squealed and enveloped her mother in a huge hug. "Thank you mother! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"You're quite welcome Dear! Now hurry on to your lessons." Aurora said, sending her daughter off.
Even people outside the castle were busy. Everyone was running around trying to find gifts and new clothes to wear to all the parties. The seamstresses were probably the busiest.
"Sir, turn to your right please. No, to far, perfect." An old lady was working on fitting a coat for Jessie. It was to be made of dark blue satin, because he couldn't afford silk. There was going to be silver embroidery around the hams, and vines running up the sleeves. Jessie was also getting a satin dress shirt and black pants. "If I may say so my Lord, you look absolutely charming! I don't know who you are trying to impress, but trust me, you'll sweep her of her feet." The old seamstress said.
"Thank you Lady." Jessie said, giving her a bow.
"Say still!" the old lady ordered. Chuckling, he did as she said.
