Chapter Twenty-Four: The Dress
Stein remains on guard as everyone is still entering the ballroom. It has been a few hours and it now feels like a waiting game.
Lexi has finally arrived with a small assembly of her priesthood. Iymp has used the other entrance as they are not permitted the entrance, so he is not present here. Which everyone knew he would be okay with. Stein did not recognise anyone in her group, sadly no Kenneth as he remains in Vulkania. However, Lexiana stood out as she did not wear her traditional garb. Instead wear a scarlet and black feather mermaid dress, with a matching masquerade mask.
Stein thinks it is clever as she still hides her facial identity as priests do. However, the mobility of the skirt needs to be desired. As the dress is so tight her figure is plainly seen. The mermaid's tail however flared down looking like flames. The audience gasp as they look at her new form of dress. A woman faints as it looks spectacular and almost sexual.
Lexi passes off a snarky grin as she walks down the stairs first with the others soon following. Paying her respects to Avery and Gauthier, by giving them a quick bow they tried to welcome the red citizens happily. Gauthier was failing to find his tact, making it obvious of unwelcoming tone. Lexi replied by simply bowing again and thanking them. Then finding Lei who she easily finds. Stein gave her a quick hello as she did not recognise him in the armour.
Frederick then makes his appearance in his traditional clothes. Wearing a long dark green and fur cloak with a clasp of red rubies. His outfit is basic as they come to other countries. With only silks and cotton with no embellished patterns. Stein and Mali told the prince not to show up as it is dangerous. But Fred didn't care and threw all caution away. He is a prince and he will use every opportunity to have his privilege. He arrived alone and arrived with little fanfare. Much to his disappointment, walking down the stairs he does recognise fellow countrymen and women. Strutting towards them.
Stein furious with Fred, began to fret that Iolene and Constant have not made it yet. There is late, then there is LATE.
"Viscountess Elfie Fleurir and Viscount jean-Bernard Fleurir!" The announcer said.
The young noble lady looks extravagant as her large dark green Pompadour dress took centre stage. Her large wig came with a surprise as a rare red bird nested in her hair. The nest looked spun gold. Her husband was dressed in a matching puff suit with a matching live bird ornament.
"The people never seem to stop surprising me..." Stein says with annoyance. "That poor bird is tied by the legs attached to the wig. All for a show... "
"I want to see the bird shit in her hair... Poor thing." Lexi says frustrated as Lei laughs. Hoping for the same thing. No one in his home country will be so cruel to living animals in such a way...
The highborns of Dragon-City enter the ballroom. Stein noticed their garments are now heavily influenced by the Black Empire. Dark lace with puffy shoulders. Slimming mermaid dresses with lace capes. Brocades, charmeuse, and velvets, still drenched in wealth they all are.
His heart sank as he recognises many of them. But no one was the people he knew personally when he was an advisor for the Ovideus family. They were all their children, now all grown up and leading their families in this depressing world. Morningstar, Eveningstar, gold, golden, Castor, Flavus, Sarris, Cirillo, Stromgold, Dorado, Gylden, Zelta, Nova, Starfyre, Goldheart, Dragon, Starship, Kanchana, Stars, Gouden, Drakos, Arawan, Galanis, Sarris, and Pantazis.
They all looked hollow and miserable... Him guessing them all being here is only for the obligation to their "leader". Prisoners in shiny clothes he assumed. If he spoke to them no one will know or recognise him... Fighting with all his will to not speak to them. It is far too dangerous to talk to them now.
"Iolene is late..." Stein says worried, trying to preoccupy his mind. "Maybe I should not have left her with Constant and Eidith."
"She will be fine, she is in good hands," Lei replies, trying his hardest to reassure the old man.
Queen DeVillier stands up as her three handmaids help lift her skirt up to help the queen stand. The dress is so long, thick and large that it takes a minimum of three people to lift the hoop skirt. The queen decided to wear a dark blue and gilded gold outfit. Stretching her legs for a moment as she sits back down. Drinking a glass of red wine, looking incredibly calm.
King Gauthier dressed in a slim dark purple and black suit. Unlike the rest of his citizens, which made him stand out amongst the rest. In place of a wig, he wears a long top hat accompanied by a dragon's bane flower. He stands up as he prepares his welcome speech. The queen remained still as she listened to her husband.
The crowd join and moves into the middle of the room. Gauthier a surprisingly loud man can be heard clearly in the massive room.
The queen's nonchalant gaze went to the staircase. The King stops his speech halfway through as everyone turns in confusion.
Lei and Lexi look up at the grand staircase as the room fell silent. Everyone looks up in shock as another noble lady enters the ballroom.
Iolene stands above all as she wore a large, grand light-yellow and white ball gown. Paired with Iolenes dyed brown hair, wrapped into a large bun. With a sparkling crystal kokoshnik tiara resting on her head as a centrepiece. Reminiscent of the many dresses Iolene has seen in her ancestor's memories, she wanted to honour them. Collaborating with Eidith she desired a similar dress to her great, great, great, great, great... grandmother's ancestor Empress Ethelene IV. It was named the victory dress in history as the Empress wore it after sealing Drakkus and Abandon to the two moons. Eidith and her searched long and hard-to-find sketches and fabrics to make the dress work. Each part of the dress has embroidered stars and flowers. Iolene loved every single aspect of the dress... But it made her feel unhappy as it is the only thing in the room influenced from Loan.
Constant and Eidith arrive behind her and are announced. Eidith on her left, Constant on the right. Eidith wearing a large olive green pompadour dress as Constant wore a matching outfit at his daughter's behest.
"IOLENE SUMMERS, from Aquarius City!" The announcer proclaimed.
The room fell dead silent as Iolene tried to compose herself. No going back now... Iolene walks down the steps. Looking around at everyone staring at her. Her heart felt like it was going to burst. She clenches her dress and smiles. Her gaze then reaches Queen Avery. The Turquoise Queen has a large grin with a supporting nod. Her personal slave waved her large feather fan as she felt hot in her thick and massive gown.
The crowd parted for Iolene as she wanted to reach the queen. Many of the young men tried to get a clearer view of her. As some can be seen nudging the people in front to get others out of the way. Iolene smiles shyly as she couldn't help but like the attention. Is this what it's going to be like when I become Empress? Giggling shyly as she is not used to such attention.
Stein has a face of awe and pure fear. Iolene did not recognise him as she walked past.
Iolene smiles almost with relief as she reached the stairs to the thrones. Bowing low to Queen Avery and King Gauthier.
"Good evening your graces, please forgive me. I am so very sorry for being late and interrupting. I am glad to be invited here tonight to grace your presence. I hope tonight will be a night that will be remembered."
The king's smile is long as he seemed to be enraptured by Iolene. He did not say a word, not even an ounce of anger can be seen or heard.
"Dear fair maiden," The king says with his heavy accent. "I shall only forgive," He says playfully as Iolenes's heart skips beats. "If you give me the first dance of the evening!" He says excitedly. Iolene has no choice but to accept the dance offer. Walking up to the platform standing in front of King Gauthier.
Avery glances at her husband as she tried not to sigh. She reaches out her hand as Iolene takes it and curtsies.
"I am very pleased young lady. I hope you eat and dance all night. Enjoy yourself!" The queen said. But Iolene looked at her face. Iolene up close can feel the fear in Avery's heart. The King gestures to a seat where one of his family members was supposed to sit.
I must prove myself to the queen tonight... She sighs as she felt like she hasn't breathed in the past hour. Feeling her corset just magically tighten. Taking out her fan to try and calm herself. Having a high point to sit she can see everyone in the ballroom. To Iolene's delight there are many dragons attending. But she could not see Beau, Iymp or Duryss anywhere... Which made her worry. For she hasn't seen Beau much as of late, being Evelyn's new project of taming a savage dragon. She then looked for Lei and Lexi which took her a moment. Iolene not realising she is not listening to the King's speech.
The King finishes his speech as he announces the entertainment. First was a small jester man whose bells jingle. Laughing and cheering as everyone claps and follows his lead.
Iolene watching from the chair in surprise notices when he takes the entertainer's platform. Mali!?