After leaving Ben and quickly saying goodbye to Belle I quickly went to my suite and into my walk-in-wardrobe as I started to think about what to wear for my meeting. I wanted something smart as I wanted to have a good first impression with Madam Kield. So, after some deliberation I decided on wearing a light purple blouse with dark purple waistcoat, skirt and pumps. I decided against going in the shower again as I had one at Evie's, so I moved onto my hair and makeup. I tied my hair into a plait and quickly applied my trademark makeup.
I was now stood in front of my floor length mirror making sure everything looked ok; I quickly smoothed my clothes down once more before turning to leave the room – with me hoping that my meeting with Madam Kield was going to go ok.
I was now stood in one of the smaller meeting rooms in Auradon Castle. And when I walked into the meeting room initially, I had noticed that it was already kitted out with pens, paper and newly brewed tea and coffee, which told me that both Hayley and Mrs Potts have been in the room no so long ago.
I sat down in the chair that was against the back wall and I was just about to pull my phone out to text Ben but stopped when I heard a knock on the door. As I slid my phone back into my skirt pocket, I let a smile spread across my face as I remembered what Ben had told me about Madam Kield being early to our meeting.
"Come in!" I called as I looked up and I then watched as the door opened. I then watched as Lumiere then proudly stepped into the room before holding his left arm dramatically out.
"Madam Kield Dame Mal" he smiled warmly at me.
"Thank you Lumiere" I answered, and the room fell into silence before I watched as a middle-aged woman walked into the room. I then saw as she turned to look at me and when her eyes landed on me her face lit up. As she started to eagerly walk towards me and as she did this, I took in the view of her as I stood up to greet her.
Her hair was a light grey that was pulled into a tight French twist bun; her eyes were a piercing blue with dark purple eye shadow. And in front of her eyes were bright red triangular glasses that sat on the bridge of her nose. I noted that to match her glasses she was wearing bright red lip stick and just above the top of her lip on the left-hand side there was a beauty mark. She was dressed in a bright green blazer with a white blouse underneath; and to complement the outfit she wore bright red skirt with black tights. On her feet she wore a pair of bright red high heels that clicked and clacked against the wooden floor as she made her way towards me. She had a large light brown leather bag thrown over her right shoulder and a couple of red folders in her hands.
"Dame Mal" she said happily as she set her folders on the table in front of her before she offered me her right hand.
"Madam Kield" I directed to her as we both shook hands. "Please sit" I offered as we pulled our hands apart and I gestured to the seat that was in front of her.
"Thank you" she advised happily as she pulled out her seat and eagerly sat down and placed her bag next to her on the floor. "I will admit Dame Mal- "she began as I also took to my seat. "I was overjoyed when you rang my office, admittedly I didn't expect it" she admitted. "I assumed, probably like everyone else, that Dame Grimhilde would be designing your wedding dress" she stated, and I froze in my seat. I didn't know that she was going to go straight into it, I assumed that I was going to be the one to broach the subject. "But hey ho!" she sang cheerily as she opened one of her folders that was in front of her. "I have had some ideas for your wedding dress" she grinned at me.
"Madam Kield- "I started. "If I may" I added hoping not to appear rude. "As I don't want to appear rude" I added, and I watched as her face dropped. "But I have not invited you for a meeting to discuss my wedding dress" I confirmed.
"Oh" she muttered. "I see" she noted as she slowly closed the folder.
"Sorry" I quickly apologised. "I maybe should have said" I added.
"No, it's ok" she dismissed. "I shouldn't have assumed" I meekly smiled at her.
"It's ok" she smiled warmly back. "So, what was the purpose of this meeting?" she enquired politely.
"Well- "I started. "I know that you are the leading clothes designer in Auradon" I added happily.
"You flatter me" she chuckled.
"Well, it can't be flattery if it is the truth Madam Kield" I chuckled back.
"Thank you" she said.
"You're very welcome" I returned. "Would you like some tea or coffee?" I offered kindly as I gestured towards the cups that was on the table to the side.
"Tea please" she answered, and I then picked up the tea pot and started to pour tea into two light yellow teacups. I then picked up Madam Kield's cup and handed her hers, she took it from her. I then poured milk into mine before offering her the milk jug and I allowed her to add her own milk; after she had done this, she gave me back the milk jug and I set it back down. I then went to offer her sugar and she gestured that she didn't want any. I quickly added two teaspoons of sugar in my tea before placing it down in front of me; and we then both smiled back at each other.
"You were saying" she prompted me.
"Well- "I began again. "As you know my main designer, or should I say sole designer is Evie 4 Hearts" I confirmed.
"Yeah" she agreed with me.
"Well, I was wondering whether you would consider working with Dame Grimhilde?" I offered as I hoped that my plan was going to work.
"On what?" she questioned in confusion.
"On like a mentorship scheme" I suggested.
"I see" she noted as she nodded to herself. "Is she aware of this?" she added.
"No" I admitted. "I wanted to surprise her" I told her. "She has always admired you; and I know that it would mean a great deal to her" I explained.
"I see" she repeated.
"You don't have to" I insisted. "Please don't feel obligated" I was quick to add. I wanted Madam Kield to work with Evie because she wanted to. Not because she felt she had to due to me asking her; I just hoped that if she accepted that this wasn't going to be the case.
"I don't Dame Mal" she quickly assured me. "Please be assured of that" she insisted.
"Good" I smiled.
"So, what did you have in mind for this mentorship?" she questioned.
"That you show her the ropes when it comes to the designing world- "I began. "Yes, she has a following; but you could help her to take the next step" I continued.
"And that is something that I would love to help her with" she confirmed, and I let an eager smile spread across my face.
"Good" I grinned.
"However- "she added, and I let my face drop at this.
"Yes?" I prompted her.
"I don't tend to take mentorship or apprenticeships" she reminded me.
"I know" I answered as I started to remember the conversations that me and Evie had shared in the past. I remembered that Evie had told me that she would love to work with Madam Kield; however, it was very hard to work with Madam Kield, as she didn't take on mentorships or apprenticeships. I believe that this why I felt so driven to try and speak to Madam Kield; I wanted to see if I could try and find an opportunity for my sister as I believed that she truly deserved it.
"Do you think Dame Grimhilde would oppose to doing a mock sample?" Madam Kield questioned.
"I don't suppose so" I answered politely. "I would have to ask her" I stated. "How would it work?" I asked.
"Well, I would give her a spec- "she started to explain. "Brief summary of what a client would want" she continued. "And she would have to design the dress, we would then meet up and discuss it" she suggested.
"I think that is something she would very much like to do" I smiled warmly at her.
"Very well" she said as she reached down and opened her bag and started to rummage through it. "Hmmm" she hummed as she sat up straight with a small red notebook and pen in her hands.
"What are you doing?" I asked as she opened the notebook and placed the end of the pen between her lips.
"Thinking of what spec to give her" she advised. "I have seen the body of work that she has done so far, I want to see if I can push her" she explained.
"She will strive to that challenge" I told her proudly. "I know my sister" I chuckled, and I watched as a large grin spread across her face before she quickly wrote something down in her notebook. I then watched as she placed her pen on top of her folders before ripping the page out of the book.
"Here" she said as she offered me the piece of paper as she placed the notebook on top of the folders next to the pen. I then looked down to read:
Element for brief: Green
Date to Discuss: Next Thursday at 1030 at Kield's Enterprise Offices
"Tell her that I would expect a full brief, samples, the works" she stated with a broad grin. "The date is when I will meet her" she added. "Also- "she said as she reached back down into her bag, and I heard her rummage around her bag once more and when she sat up straight, she gave me her business card. "Tell her to ring my office to see if she is going to take the appointment" she explained as I took it from her.
"I will do" I promised. "Thank you so much Madam Kield" I grinned.
"You're welcome my dear" she kindly returned. "I will understand if she doesn't want to mind you" she added. "I know when I was her age, and I was starting out I wanted to try and do everything on my own" she continued. "Don't get me wrong it was hard; and part of me doesn't regret it. But in the early days I made some mistakes that I wished that I had someone there to help me and support me through" she advised. "But saying that- "she started. "Given what I have been observing from afar Dame Grimhilde is doing quite well on her own" she finished.
"Yeah" I agreed. "She has worked really hard; and I only want the best for her" I explained. "Hence why you are here" I advised, and I watched as another large grin spread across her face.
"Are you sure I couldn't persuade you to consider me designing a dress or outfit for you?" she questioned. "You only wear Evie 4 Hearts clothes" she reminded me, and I started to think about this offer. I had only worn clothes that was either given to me on the Isle or what Evie had made for me. I just didn't want Evie to be hurt by this, but as an afterthought as I was going to be the Queen of Auradon wearing another designer couldn't be that much of a big deal – especially as it was still going to be Evie's clothes that I was going to wear. However, this was on the assumption that Evie accepted being my royal dresser.
"Ok" I nodded, and I watched as her face lit up at his. "I will allow you to design me a dress, and an outfit" I confirmed, and I watched as large and very eager grin spread across her face. "But I can't promise that I will stray from my original designer" I teased.
"Hey!" she exclaimed as she threw her arms in the air. "A shot is all I need" she stated happily as she bent down and quickly pulled out a large sketching pad out of her bag. We then started to talk about ideas for the dress and outfit that Madam Kield; yes, I was enjoying having this meeting with her, but I still felt bad hiding this from my sister. When I put this plan into place it was never my intention for it to be malicious; and I just hoped that she saw it that way.
When we started to end our meeting, we also moved Evie's meeting to Auradon Castle (should she decide to accept it) as Madam Kield thought it would be best that we had our meeting after she saw Evie. In all honesty it made sense to it to happen this way; and the longer our conversation went on the more excited I was getting at seeing what Madam Kield was going to make for me. And by the looks of its Madam Kield was very excited for this opportunity that I had given her; but the way I saw it it worked both ways – as she had offered my sister a chance of a lifetime.
"Well, that was a very good meeting Dame Mal" Madam Kield said we both walked into the main hall as I was walking her out.
"Yes, it was Madam Kield" I answered as we stood still in the middle of the main hall. "Thank you for taking the time to see me" I added fondly.
"You're very welcome" she said happily as she offered me her right hand and I shook it with my left. I was just about to pull my hand away and say something to her but stopped when I heard someone say my name which cause me to freeze. Me and Madam Kield both turned to see Evie and Belle walking towards us; I guessed that when Evie couldn't find me, she went to see if I was with Belle. I didn't know if Belle knew that I had a meeting, I guessed not if she had come looking for me with Evie.
"Dame Grimhilde" I replied cheerily as Belle and Evie stepped up to the pair of us.
"Erm- "Evie muttered. "Sorry" she quickly apologised. "I wasn't aware your meeting was with Madam Kield" she advised as she looked over to me and she threw me a concerned look. I knew how this probably looked to Evie, I just hoped she was about to afford me the opportunity to explain.
"No" I confirmed. "I forgot to mention it" I explained.
"So, this is Dame Grimhilde?" Madam Kield stated as she stepped closer to Evie.
"Yes" Evie answered nervously. "What an honour it is to meet you Madam Kield" she added as she offered her right hand and I watched as they both shook hands.
"Likewise, Dame Grimhilde" Madam Kield replied as they dropped their hands from each other. "Dame Mal has spoken a lot about you" she advised as she slowly looked Evie up and down.
"Has she?" Evie questioned as she threw me another concerned glance before looking back at Madam Kield.
"Yeah" she confirmed before she turned to look at me. "I see what you mean?" she smiled at me.
"Sorry?" I heard Evie say, which caused me and Madam Kield to both look over to Evie.
"Nothing Dame Grimhilde" I replied nervously. "I'll explain later" I advised, and I saw Evie throw me a look at me to say that she wanted to speak to me later and I nodded at this.
"Well, no doubt we will all be seeing each other soon" Madam Kield stated as she winked at me, which caused me to smile at her as I also winked at her. "Goodbye to you all" she offered kindly.
"Goodbye" the three of us all chorused. We all then watched as she quickly spun around before she quickly walked out of the main hall, with the noise of her heels clicking and clacking along the way. When the door closed behind her I then turned around and looked at Evie to see her pursing her lips together at me.
"I can explain..."
Me, Belle and Evie all walked to my wing; and when we got to my suite in the right wing, we decided to go into the living room to sit down and talk. So, we went to sit down with Evie sitting next to me on my left-hand side and Belle sitting across the way from the pair of us.
"Mal- "Evie began.
"Yes?" I replied.
"I know that as you are the future Queen you can choose who dresses you" she continued. "And I know that it doesn't have to be me" she stated as she put both hands against her chest.
"Evie- "I started hoping to stop her before she went too far.
"No Mal please?" she pleaded. "I just didn't expect it to be so soon" she admitted. "And secretly" she added as hurt started to show in her eyes.
"Evie- "I began again. "There was a reason why it was done in secret" I explained. "But it doesn't have to be a secret anymore, I can tell you" I told her.
"You don't have to" she dismissed as she pursed her lips together.
"I do" I advised as I took both of her hands in mine, and I gave them a gentle squeeze. "Given the arrangements that I have just made" I explained.
"What?" she asked in confusion as the hurt started to leave her eyes.
"Evie, I want you to be my royal dresser" I confirmed.
"But you just met with Madam Kield?" she asked in confusion.
"To ask her something" I stated bluntly. "That is all" I added. "You have the rights to my wedding dress" I reminded her as I meekly smiled at her. "I would say clothes also, but Madam Kield persuaded me to allow her to design me a dress and an outfit" I admitted. "Sorry" I quickly apologised hoping that she wasn't going to mind.
"Don't be" she dismissed again. "You are going to have every designer knocking your door down" she reminded me.
"Doesn't mean that I have to accept them" I returned quickly.
"No" she agreed.
"Anyway- "I started. "On the subject of my royal dresser" I confirmed. "I have spoken to Hayley about that particular contract" I advised.
"Contract?" Evie questioned slowly.
"Yeah" I nodded. "We both have to sign it" I confirmed, and I watched as Belle nodded at this. "However, I want some stipulations added to it" I explained.
"Like what?" Evie said as she squeezed my hands.
"I have put in that I am aware that I won't be the only person you design for, I know that you want to do a clothing line" I explained. "And I didn't want me to restrict that" I confirmed, and she nodded at this.
"What does the role of royal dresser include?" she questioned.
"Belle, do you want to take this?" I stated as I looked over to her, hoping to include Belle more in our current conversation.
"Ok" she smiled. "You would design the clothes for Mal basically" she began to explain. "You would get given an allowance for the materials you need; or if you want to buy anything" she continued. "You would get rooms in the castle to use as a work room; and a wage on top of it" she added.
"I see" she noted.
"You don't have to accept it if you don't want it" I offered. "If it is too much" I added.
"No" she advised. "I want it" she confirmed, and I let a large grin spread across her face. "Can't have just anyone dressing you, can't we?" she teased.
"No" I chuckled. "No, we can't" I added. "Well tell Hayley is there is anything that you want adding to the contract and we will both sign it" I advised.
"Do we really need a contract?" she questioned.
"It's just the way things have always been done" Belle interjected.
"Yeah" I sighed.
"How does this link to Madam Kield though?" Evie questioned in confusion, and I pursed my lips together. This was it! The moment when Evie found out about my plan, I started to get nervous at the fact that I didn't know what she was about to react to what I had done for her.
"Well- "I started. "What I am about to say Evie, I hope you aren't annoyed with me" I continued. "I thought I was helping, and you don't need to accept. We both would understand" I offered.
"Understand what?" she asked slowly, and I took a couple of breaths to steady myself before I spoke.
"I asked whether Madam Kield would consider mentoring you" I admitted.
"What?" she asked in shock as she pulled her hands away from mine and she put them against her mouth. "Mal she doesn't do that; she never does that" she continued in shock.
"She does now" I confirmed.
"What?" she repeated in the same shocked tone.
"I asked her; and she said yes" I told her.
"What?" Evie said for the third time as she started to look excited.
"However- "I said, and I watched as her face dropped.
"You need to pass the spec first" I advised.
"What spec?" she enquired eagerly.
"This" I said as I took out the piece of paper out of my pocket and I handed it to her. "She said she will meet you here at that time and place for your meeting" I explained. "I have a consultation after that" I added. "She said you need to confirm or deny the meeting" I finished.
"I see" she noted as she gazed down at the piece of paper in her hands. "But Mal- "she stated as she slowly looked up at me. "Why did you do this?" she questioned.
"You've always wanted to work with her" I told her. "I think she could help your business; and I wanted to do something nice for you" I advised. "To say thank you for always being there for me" I smiled at her.
"Oh Mal" she gasped, and she quickly pulled me into a hug. "This means a great deal to me" she said over my shoulder.
"I thought it would" I advised as we broke apart and smiled at each other. "I just hope that you don't think that I am taking over" I stressed.
"I don't" she advised. "You are just trying to help me; and that means the world to me" she added, and I smiled as I looked over to the clock on the fireplace to see what time it is, and it was getting close to lunchtime.
"Are you hungry?" I enquired.
"I could eat" she confirmed and when I looked over to Belle, she nodded in agreement to this.
"Let's go down for lunch before someone comes looking for us" I chuckled.
"And by someone do you mean Ben?" Belle teased.
"Yeah" I grinned. "Probably with Adam in toe as well" I sighed as I didn't know whether Adam knew that Belle and Evie were already with me.
"I hate that you two have to go through this" Belle sighed.
"Me too" I agreed. "But we can't do anything about it now" I sighed sadly.
"Hopefully Ben will be able to find a way to get that proposition made void" Evie offered hopefully.
"I hope so Evie" I answered meekly.
"I really do hope so..."