"Here, Youngest, let me do your hair." Akane took the comb while Dongling is securing the belt of Yue's skirt.
Spring Banquet is in a few hours. As such, Beiyue must prepare well, after all, this is her official debut to High Society.
A woman's armor on parties are their dresses, their helmets are their hair accessories, and their weapons are their make up.
One of the things Ye Lian didn't introduce to this world are cosmetics. She's an alchemist, and the three of them likes to watch DIY on the internet.
Ye Lian had already had an idea in mind how to put make up on Beiyue's already fine and beautiful features. A make up, delicate, simple, yet would enhance her best features. All natural and work clash to her clothing but also won't be a foil. Clothes make the man but if their make up doesn't match the temperament, they are trash.
Ye Lian began to put on Beiyue's make up when Dongling finished arranging Beiyue's dress.
As for the calluses on Beiyue's hand, they didn't need to cover it up, after all, Beiyue isn't even ashamed of it.
Akane put on Beiyue accessories.
They had been so busy in preparation all day. Zhonglei himself had double checked the carriage. The debut of Beiyue must be perfect.
For all its worth, they knew that the backlash of this will be the amount of suitors and marriage proposals pouring in.
Regardless if Beiyue want it not, as a Royal family and bearing the surname Huang, she will be involved in Politics sooner or later. However, Beiyue doesn't need to fear. She's not alone, she had her friends and family backing her.
Dongling helped Beiyue in the carriage and Beiyue nodded to Akane, Yan, and Ye Lian who nodded and promptly disappeared without warning.
"Woah, we've been outside for too long, being back in this place sure is strange." Akane commented
"Speak for yourself. Although the mind-scape changed, it's still the same mindscape." Yan didn't stand on ceremony and sat down to make himself comfortable.
"Would you two really die if you don't argue?" Ye Lian sighed, exasperated
Beiyue's lips twitched. Ever since the seal was broken 3 years ago, her mindscape is practically vacant aside from using it as anchor of their mind link. Indeed, it's pretty lively now.
...
Huang Yingyi frowned at the yet again empty seat belongs to Beiyue, it's been reserved there every years, the seat belongs to Huang Huiwen was removed, and every year since four years ago, it's empty without fail.
"Royal Brother, no news about Beiyue yet?" Yingyi asked, she only glanced at Prince Qi when he was announced to have arrived, surprised he's present, or at least healthy enough to come. Huang Yingyi had gotten over her infatuation. She had other priorities, besides, it's different from before, she can see things she had been blind to, or actively ignorant and purposefully oblivious to.
"No. According to the servant that delivered the letter, Lady Ye Lian, the one that managed the two fiefs, only gave a nod, as always."
"Lingyang Academy will accept students, specially Royal family at the age of 12." Yingyi frowned, worried,
"Should we go and visit her?"
"That would be-"
"Princess Beiyue has arrived!"
Conversation ceased and the hall was descended into silence.
Huang Beiyue walked in. Elegant, graceful, dignified, and confident.
The elusive Princess is mysterious. While the higher ups had spoken that Princess Beiyue is a genius rarely seen, the rumors of her being trash has long since engraved into the hearts of others. Specially those who are envious and jealous. Perhaps it was a ploy to not disgrace the Royal Family even further, they had insisted and deluded that in their mind.
However, there is a premonition in the air that it will soon change.
Beiyue stood out, not just of her beauty and of her unique temperament. But because of the choice of clothing.
Di Daughters wore colors that only they can enjoy and flaunt their status as the Daughter of the First Wife along with the ornaments befitting of their status, of which would inflate their egos and superiority, something they can use and aim Cannon to their concubine born sisters. As a result… It became a redundant color amidst the crowd. Naturally, since being unable to wear vibrant colors only Di Daughters can enjoy, Shu daughters pushed the very limits of what they are allowed to do, this is to attract young masters of their choosing or one that would satisfy their vanity, their own must also satisfy the other.
The vibrant colors, accessories, it's a redundant sight.
Which is why, Beiyue stood out because of the choice of clothing the others prepared for her, effortlessly stealing the spotlight.
Blue dress so light it's almost white, and on the skirts are painting of snowy mountains and clouds. Ye Lian had spent weeks on the skirt alone. Because embroidery is last season, it's common, painting on fabric however, is another story altogether. The amount of fabrics she had practiced on for years, trial and error could makes one heart ache and vomit blood. The sleeves are delicate cloud painting. Painting are so real that it's like a piece of landscape was tore up and made to be a dress for Beiyue. Her accessories and make up fits the outfit very well.
It's a difficult dress to wear. A dress that could easily be ruined by those who doesn't match it but the dress is tailored for Beiyue. Cold, indifferent, unattainable, mysterious, and dangerous. Winter amidst summer. Since it's still early spring, there are snow that has not melted yet.
"Beiyue?" Yinyi gasped in awe. She wasn't alone in that.
Beiyue could feel the stares on her.
She salutes in Greetings, "Royal Uncle, Beiyue pays respect to you, I apologize for being late."
"It's fine, it's fine!" the Emperor, Huang Huiyi, is relieved and happy. Pleasantly surprised that his niece had arrived, "Beiyue, please take a seat. Enjoy yourself"
Everyone that watched realized, not even an hour since her arrival, the Emperor already showed big favor to Princess Royal's daughter.
Beiyue smiled and said her own thanks before she made her way to her seat, gracefully sitting down. Tonight, she effortlessly became the star of the night.
Amidst the stares, Beiyue could feel a very intense one, brushing aside the excited and hesitant Yingyi, Beiyue looked up to the source of the intense gaze.
Purple eyes hidden with deep meaning and dangerous edge, like miasma meet dark ones, clear and calm orbs, like the lake but deep and no ripples.
'Princess Beiyue, did you like the Roc Grass?' Prince Yi mouthed, lips curled up in a smile.
Beiyue didn't show any expression but she did mouthed, subtly, 'Did you like eating dust?'
Feng Lianyi didn't expect such a reply. She who shamelessly stole the herb he rightfully earned cheekily asked if he likes being unable to catch up to get it back.
'What an shameless, insidious, cheeky little girl.' Feng Lianyi though, greatly amused, finding such behavior unreasonably cute, 'I like it!'
Beiyue didn't want to get another eyeful of this handsome yet blooming masochist, averted her gaze.
Huang Yingyi proven to be a great distraction.
"Beiyue, I'm so glad to see you again."
"Likewise, Princess Yingyi." Beiyue tilted her head to bow, formally. After all, Beiyue is only a County Princess. A Princess of Second Rank in contrast to Yingyi who is an Imperial Daughter, Princess of 1st Rank.
Yingyi bit her lip, saddened and frustrated, "Beiyue, you don't have to show formality to me. Not to me."
"…. Your Highness, were in the Palace." Beiyue reminded
"……. I see…" Yingyi droops, sullen and sad.
Huang Beiyue is speechless, 'Your Highness, please mind where we are, people are watching, please keep your dignity intact. I'm begging you!'
Huang Zhanye came to the rescue, "Princess Beiyue, I hope you are in good health."
Huang Beiyue shift her gaze on Huang Zhanye who's staring at her as if trying to figure her out.
'She this familiar aura around her unique to the people I have encountered days ago.' Huang Zhanye thought, 'So similar that it's difficult to ignore, not when it's distinctive… Could she be… One of them?' Zhanye thought, 'It's possible. I would believe it more if one of them actually is Princess Huang Beiyue…. If my guess is correct, she should be the Bingluan's Summoner.'