p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You were standing on a shallow box to present yourself for the seamstress who was working on another pretty dress for you to wear at the next party you attended. There have been a lot of them lately since you had made your debut this season, and since you were the first girl to be born into your wealthy family, they did not spare a penny on your appearance. It was partly because you had hesitated in participating in the former seasons, and therefore spared them money. But you had become of age a long time ago, and had to set focus on settling an arrangement with a man from another wealthy family to secure the rest of your life and your family's reputation. At least that was the proper thing to do and what you had been taught./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Even though you had settled with the thought of this being your destiny, you couldn't help the nervousness and constant overthinking about whether or not this was a good decision. How would you feel when you got married? Would you find someone you like? Is it true that people can fall in love, or is it all just made up from books?/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Miss, I beg your pardon, but would you mind lifting your hand a bit as I've requested now a couple of times?"/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Your personal seamstress who has been sewing your dresses and wear in general since you were born, was trying to get in contact with you while you were lost in thought about the future./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Yes, Greta. I apologize for my short lack of attention."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You followed Greta's instructions as she continued to work the fabric on your body./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I know I'm being quite straight forward now, but may I ask you what's causing your lack of attention?"/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You and Greta had made a strong connection through the years. Even though you haven't talked that much, one can tell a lot about a person based on the changes and growth of their body. She would always see the bruises you got from accidentally falling as a child and how your body changed throughout puberty. She was also the closest to witness you developing and recovering from a minor eating disorder you had some years ago. Therefore, you felt safe whenever you were around Greta. She was old and wise, and did even know your mother from when she was born and made all of her clothes as well. Even though none of you spoke about it, she had become more to you than just a seamstress. And she was one among few of the people your mother actually accepted. One thing about Greta was that she was very fixated on keeping the conversation formal even after knowing your family for all these years./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I was thinking about my future."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You kept it short and concise, like your conversations had always been./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Yes, that is very important. However, there is a difference between emthinking /emabout it and emworrying /emabout it. I would recommend that you don't emworry/em too much, or else you'll have even more wrinkles on your forehead than I have."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"This was also the reason you and Greta didn't say everything out loud. She had some kind of superpower that allowed her to know everything that was left unspoken. Even though you didn't say anything, you could be certain that she knew already. It was both to your advantage and disadvantage./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I understand."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You replied shortly./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""You have already been to some parties since your debut. Has someone made an offer already? I saw flowers being delivered a couple of days ago."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Of course she saw that. And she had probably collected more information. She would probably know you had an admirer before you knew it yourself./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Yes, it was from the Boucheron family. I didn't exchange a lot of words with their son, but I somehow made myself worthy of a bouquet of red carnations."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""The Boucheron is a very decent family, not only for their wealth, but they also make some of the finest jewelry in this country. You would be lucky to marry the heir and it is admirable that he seemed to have put some thought into the choice of flowers."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Greta was right. After all, Red Carnations was the symbolic flower of your family as it was associated with justice, and you were born from a bloodline of highly respected lawyers and judges that had had an impact on the law and politics of your country through ages./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""It's just a shame that he is a bit unfortunate looking."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You couldn't help the giggle that escaped your mouth at Greta's comment about his looks. She was right, though. The man didn't exactly impress you with his appearance, and you almost felt a little bad for him having a hard time finding a decent wife even though he was quite rich./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I will not make any comment on that."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You said while collecting yourself./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Greta kept working around your body to finish the measurements and fit of the fabric. You were relieved to hear that she was done after what felt like hours. It didn't matter how many times you did this. It would always be exhausting./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You changed into one of your more informal dresses suited for staying in the house. It was covering the length of your arms and reached all the way to your ankles painting you in a light shade of blue. there was a sudden knock on the door to your room as you invited the visitor to come in./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Miss, the Lord and Lady is expecting you in the living room to the right on the ground floor."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"It was one of the newly hired maids that brought the message. It was easy to tell that she had just set foot in her profession based on her appearance and act. The proper thing to do would be to inform about the formality of the meeting. Especially since they hadn't made an appointment today. Did they bring any guests? Is it a celebration?/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I will go meet with my parents as soon as I know if I'm ready to make an appearance."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You were trying to give her a hint as to give you further details about your parents' request./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Oh, yeah!"/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"The girl quickly covered her mouth in embarrassment, and then bent her head and knees down in apology./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Please, forgive the lack of information. The Lord and Lady is expecting you downstairs for some tea. There are no visitors. They want to discuss an arrangement. I'm sorry, but that's all I know. You seem ready to make an appear-"/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Thank you, but I'll make the decision about me being ready or not by myself. You may go now."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You didn't want to appear so harsh towards her, but it was better that you gave her a silent warning about how to act than have your mother do it. If she ever made a mistake in front of your mother, she could risk getting fired./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"It took you a couple of minutes to get to the living room where your parents were expecting you. You had to walk through a long hallway from your room with large windows on one side to get to the stairs. They were of middle size in your opinion, but some would maybe say otherwise. Your house consisted of three floors where your room was on the top floor. When you got down to the ground floor, you had to walk through another long hallway with large windows that let tiny lines of sunlight through to light up the subtle green walls surrounding you./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"The living room you met your parents in was the largest and most formal one in the entire house. That's also why you were questioning the formality of this meeting. When you passed through the opening of the two doors that lead to the large living room, which in one way could be described as emevery shade of white you could ever imagine/em, you are met with four people. emOh no, I should have dressed for this. Mother is going to give me a hard time for this later/em, you thought as your heart started to fasten its pace. You could read your mothers future words through her unamused expression. At least you looked just decent enough to continue further into the room. You placed yourself on a stool in front of the coffee table, and accepted the offer from another maid to have a cup of tea./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Mr. and Mrs. Gojo, this is our daughter whom we've talked about. I'm certain she will be happy to know about your excellent request."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"It was your mother that introduced them as the good hostess she was. The white-haired man and woman reached their hands out to you and you shook them both firmly. Then the man spoke./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""My wife and I are pleased to meet you, Miss. We have come here in the name of our son and heir to our clan. The Lord and Lady have just accepted our offer to have you marry him."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Even though you had settled with the thought of this being your destiny, you couldn't help the nervousness and constant overthinking about whether or not this was a good decision. How would you feel when you got married? Would you find someone you like? Is it true that people can fall in love, or is it all just made up from books?/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Miss, I beg your pardon, but would you mind lifting your hand a bit as I've requested now a couple of times?"/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Your personal seamstress who has been sewing your dresses and wear in general since you were born, was trying to get in contact with you while you were lost in thought about the future./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Yes, Greta. I apologize for my short lack of attention."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You followed Greta's instructions as she continued to work the fabric on your body./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I know I'm being quite straight forward now, but may I ask you what's causing your lack of attention?"/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You and Greta had made a strong connection through the years. Even though you haven't talked that much, one can tell a lot about a person based on the changes and growth of their body. She would always see the bruises you got from accidentally falling as a child and how your body changed throughout puberty. She was also the closest to witness you developing and recovering from a minor eating disorder you had some years ago. Therefore, you felt safe whenever you were around Greta. She was old and wise, and did even know your mother from when she was born and made all of her clothes as well. Even though none of you spoke about it, she had become more to you than just a seamstress. And she was one among few of the people your mother actually accepted. One thing about Greta was that she was very fixated on keeping the conversation formal even after knowing your family for all these years./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I was thinking about my future."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You kept it short and concise, like your conversations had always been./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Yes, that is very important. However, there is a difference between emthinking /emabout it and emworrying /emabout it. I would recommend that you don't emworry/em too much, or else you'll have even more wrinkles on your forehead than I have."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"This was also the reason you and Greta didn't say everything out loud. She had some kind of superpower that allowed her to know everything that was left unspoken. Even though you didn't say anything, you could be certain that she knew already. It was both to your advantage and disadvantage./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I understand."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You replied shortly./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""You have already been to some parties since your debut. Has someone made an offer already? I saw flowers being delivered a couple of days ago."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Of course she saw that. And she had probably collected more information. She would probably know you had an admirer before you knew it yourself./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Yes, it was from the Boucheron family. I didn't exchange a lot of words with their son, but I somehow made myself worthy of a bouquet of red carnations."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""The Boucheron is a very decent family, not only for their wealth, but they also make some of the finest jewelry in this country. You would be lucky to marry the heir and it is admirable that he seemed to have put some thought into the choice of flowers."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Greta was right. After all, Red Carnations was the symbolic flower of your family as it was associated with justice, and you were born from a bloodline of highly respected lawyers and judges that had had an impact on the law and politics of your country through ages./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""It's just a shame that he is a bit unfortunate looking."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You couldn't help the giggle that escaped your mouth at Greta's comment about his looks. She was right, though. The man didn't exactly impress you with his appearance, and you almost felt a little bad for him having a hard time finding a decent wife even though he was quite rich./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I will not make any comment on that."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You said while collecting yourself./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Greta kept working around your body to finish the measurements and fit of the fabric. You were relieved to hear that she was done after what felt like hours. It didn't matter how many times you did this. It would always be exhausting./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You changed into one of your more informal dresses suited for staying in the house. It was covering the length of your arms and reached all the way to your ankles painting you in a light shade of blue. there was a sudden knock on the door to your room as you invited the visitor to come in./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Miss, the Lord and Lady is expecting you in the living room to the right on the ground floor."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"It was one of the newly hired maids that brought the message. It was easy to tell that she had just set foot in her profession based on her appearance and act. The proper thing to do would be to inform about the formality of the meeting. Especially since they hadn't made an appointment today. Did they bring any guests? Is it a celebration?/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I will go meet with my parents as soon as I know if I'm ready to make an appearance."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You were trying to give her a hint as to give you further details about your parents' request./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Oh, yeah!"/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"The girl quickly covered her mouth in embarrassment, and then bent her head and knees down in apology./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Please, forgive the lack of information. The Lord and Lady is expecting you downstairs for some tea. There are no visitors. They want to discuss an arrangement. I'm sorry, but that's all I know. You seem ready to make an appear-"/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Thank you, but I'll make the decision about me being ready or not by myself. You may go now."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"You didn't want to appear so harsh towards her, but it was better that you gave her a silent warning about how to act than have your mother do it. If she ever made a mistake in front of your mother, she could risk getting fired./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"It took you a couple of minutes to get to the living room where your parents were expecting you. You had to walk through a long hallway from your room with large windows on one side to get to the stairs. They were of middle size in your opinion, but some would maybe say otherwise. Your house consisted of three floors where your room was on the top floor. When you got down to the ground floor, you had to walk through another long hallway with large windows that let tiny lines of sunlight through to light up the subtle green walls surrounding you./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"The living room you met your parents in was the largest and most formal one in the entire house. That's also why you were questioning the formality of this meeting. When you passed through the opening of the two doors that lead to the large living room, which in one way could be described as emevery shade of white you could ever imagine/em, you are met with four people. emOh no, I should have dressed for this. Mother is going to give me a hard time for this later/em, you thought as your heart started to fasten its pace. You could read your mothers future words through her unamused expression. At least you looked just decent enough to continue further into the room. You placed yourself on a stool in front of the coffee table, and accepted the offer from another maid to have a cup of tea./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Mr. and Mrs. Gojo, this is our daughter whom we've talked about. I'm certain she will be happy to know about your excellent request."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"It was your mother that introduced them as the good hostess she was. The white-haired man and woman reached their hands out to you and you shook them both firmly. Then the man spoke./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""My wife and I are pleased to meet you, Miss. We have come here in the name of our son and heir to our clan. The Lord and Lady have just accepted our offer to have you marry him."/p