She knocked on the door as she pushed it open. "Nostradamus?" she called, looking around.
"In here," he replied as he turned toward her, a stack of baskets inhand. "It's been awhile, my student. I was wondering if you'd given up altogether," he raised a brow, his expression patronizing as his eyes scolded her.
"It wasn't exactly my choice," she defended herself. "When the king says 'Come to this party. Now, show up for breakfast. Oh here, translate these letters!' you do it."
"Translate?" he asked, both brows now shooting skyward. "What other talents are you hiding?" he asked, plopping the baskets down on the workstation.
"I speak basic German and I can sew. Nothing else comes to mind," she chuckled. "Rather ordinary, if you ask me."
"Not many people of our station speak more than one," he remarked. "If that's the case, perhaps these," he turned to the bookshelves, plucking out three large volumes, "would do you some good. Heaven knows, I don't understand them. The queen offered to find me a translator, but it would seem that's no longer necessary," he smirked, handing them over to her.
She accepted them graciously, paging through them. "I see what you mean, double the homework," she chuckled. "I've been dying for something to work on in the time I'm away. Thank you. I'll see if Bash can get me more paper and ink so I can bring you a copy you can read."
He nodded in thanks. "As for today's lesson, can you guess what we'll be making based on the ingredients?"
She unstacked the baskets, occasionally picking one of the flowers up to smell it. The lavender, she was already familiar with. She could identify most, but not the green ones that looked like shrubbery.
"Lavender, apple blossom, catnip…" she picked up a bottle of gold shavings that were sitting nearby. "I don't know that one," she admitted, pointing to the final basket, "but I'm guessing something for fertility?"
"That one is called Lady's Mantle, but yes, you are correct. This one will be a salve applied to the," he paused, clearing his throat uncomfortably, "lower area for full effect."
She nodded, thengot to work, grinding up the ingredients. She measured carefully, putting in the amount he instructed, then mixed them into a paste. She grimaced at the smell.
"Ugh, this smells horrid!" she exclaimed, leaning her body as far from it as she finished the final touches. "Are you certain this is for fertility and not a male repellant?"
He chuckled. "Where this is going, they shouldn't smell it much if at all. Well, unless he's a very good husband."
She smirked before promptly popping the top on and handing him the finished product. "All done, thank Heavens."
"That concludes your lessons for today. Now that you're subject to the whims of royals even moreso now, I don't expect you daily. I would, however, like you to stop in at least once a week, if possible."
"I think I can manage that, but I make no promises. I didn't expect to be so busy so quickly. It's all happened so fast…"
"That is all I can ask. The life of royals has many perks, but also many responsibilities. Though you were already subject to their whims as a servant, you may find yourself busier than ever now. You're not only marrying into the royal family, you've also made yourself useful. Royals rarely turn someone like that loose," he warned.
As she opened her mouth to respond, their was a knock at the door.
"Our patient must be very anxious for her salve," she chuckled.
"Enter," he called.
Anne entered, grinning from ear to ear as she spotted her. "Mo- I mean, Lady Mona, I heard I'd find you here."
"Yes, just continuing my lessons with Nostradamus. Were you sent for this?" she asked, pointing to the jar in his hand. "Fair warning, you'll want to hold it far from your face. It smells wretched."
"Sent for? Oh! No, I was sent to deliver this," she held out an envelope in her hand, sealed with red wax. Mona noted the stamped seal.
"Does the king have more letters for me to translate?" she furrowed her brow as she popped it open. As her eyes scanned the page, she let out an excited yelp. "Francis and Mary's wedding! Oh, how wonderful!"
Anne smiled and nodded. "Queen Mary wanted to be sure you received an invitation and asked that I be certain it made it to you before day's end."
"Oh how sweet! How did she know you were my…?"
They shared a look.
"Bash certainly works fast," Mona smirked. "I only just asked him this afternoon. Has he spoken to you of his terms?"
"Yes, I am to continue my training to ensure you're well prepared for royal events, such as this one," she nodded to the invitation.
"Speaking of which, isn't this rather short notice for a royal wedding? This is dated for three days from now."
"Royal weddings can be drawn out or happen in an instant. Francis and Mary have been engaged since they were children," Nostradamus remarked, wrapping the salve in a cloth to help dampen the smell.
"I see," she nodded before turning back to Anne. "What will I wear? As beautiful as those dresses are, I don't think any of them make the cut for an event such as this."
"I'm sure your betrothed has a solution," Nostradamus assured her. "How about you take these books back to your room, then go find him?" he asked, handing her the stack from earlier.
"I think that's an excellent idea."
"I can take those back to your chambers for you, m'lady," Anne offered with her arms out.
"Are you sure? They're quite heavy…" she looked at Anne's arms questioningly.
"That is my job, is it not?" she smiled, taking them from her, struggling a little at first but seeming to get control of them quickly enough before heading off to deliver them.
Mona bid Nostradamus farewell, then strode off to find Bash. After asking around the castle, she made her way toward the kitchen. As she neared the door, she heard whispers.
"I was thinking five tiers, but some of them in the traditional almont but with-"
"Lavender icing?"
"Yes!"
"I think we can manage that. Do you have a date yet?"
"No, but I'll let you know as soon as- Mona!" Bash exclaimed as he saw her enter.
She raised a brow, looking at her brother and her betrothed.. "What are the two of you up to?" she asked, suspicion seeping into her tone.
"Nothing," Leith said, his voice jumping half an octave as he tried his best to keep a straight face.
She narrowed her eyes, walking forward, but was quickly intercepted by Bash who swooped around the counter, pulling her into his embrace. Leith let out a sigh of relief.
"Don't worry about that now. I see you've gotten your invitation as well," he nodded to the paper in her hand. "We need to have a dress made for you and fast."
"That would require money and a seamstress and time that we don't-"
"That you didn't have access to before. There is an entire troup of royal dressmakers onhand. They'll be quite busy with the rest of the wedding party, but as you're my fiance, your dress will take priority after the rest of the royal family."
She was stunned. "I- royal seamstresses?" she asked incredulously. "Now that's a job I could've managed. Why though? I can't imagine they stay employed year-round."
"How else do you think the royal ladies keep up with all the newest fashions?" He smirked. "We'll need to head their immediately if we want to get your measurements in in time."
The pair waved to Leith and headed straight for the dressmakers.
"Marguerite, we have another," one of the seamstresses announced as they entered.
"Prince Sebastian," she greeted him warmly, though Mona could tell her smile was a tense one. "I presume you're here for a dress for your lady?"
"Yes. I'm sure you're under quite a bit of stress at the moment and I know the pecking order well. We're here to have her measurements taken, then I promise, we won't bother you or your miracle workers until it's finished."
"Your patience is much appreciated, m'lord. Some of the other ladies are so anxious I have to shoo them out. They want an update on every stitch, it seems," she threw up her arms in exasperation. "Come, sit," she gestured, inviting them over to a small table with several sketches strewn about. She stacked them up, setting them to the side, then pulled out a fresh sheet. After they sat across from her, she got out her ink and looked at Mona. "So, what does m'lady have in mind?"
"I… I'm not sure. I've never been to a royal wedding before. Where I'm from, they're not too picky on what you show up in."
"Ah," she nodded in understanding. "Let's start with a color, yes?"
Mona nodded hesitantly. "Um… what colors are customary for guests?"
"Well, Queen Mary will be wearing white with gold, her ladies in grey and silver. Lord Frances will be dressed in deep black and burgundy. As long as you stay away from those color palettes, you'll be fine."
She looked to Bash. "What do you think?"
"I think she'd look lovely in a softer color."
"That's a good starting point. We have silks in nearly any color you can imagine. Would you like to take a look?"
"Yes, please."
Marguerite lead her over to a rainbow assortment of silk and chiffon.
"May I?" she asked, holding her hand out toward the fabric.
"But of course!"
Mona touched the fabric, feeling how smooth it was to the touch.
"Hm… this one for the main color with," she strode over to the darker colors, "this for the corset?"
"I think I'm seeing your vision. Any embroidery?"
"I was thinking gold. I would say a matching lace overlay, but I'm thinking you haven't got nearly enough time for that."
"Unfortunately, no, but embroidery, we can do," she nodded. "What are we thinking for the sleeves?"
"Perhaps something off the shoulder with draping sleeves. Not too long though. I'm quite clumsy and likely to knock things over," she winced.
Bash chuckled behind them. "Yes, her first royal event and she already knocked her wine to the floor like a drunkard."
"Oh hush," she scowled at him. "I hadn't had a drop," she whined defensively.
"Understood," Marguerite interjected. "May I?" she asked, reaching her hand towards Mona's arms.
"Absolutely. What are you thinking?"
Marguerite touched a spot just above her elbow. "I'm thinking a flowy, mid-length butterfly sleeve. No risk of knocking anything over, but enough coverage to still be modest."
"That sounds perfect! Can you do a sweetheart neckline on the dress and corset?"
"Absolutely! Are you wanting the skirt to have some volume or no?"
"No, I think with the butterfly sleeves, the skirt should be very flowy. Circle skirt?"
"Yes! Heavens, yours may be the easiest to make yet. The duchesses all want overly complicated designs that would take me weeks if I didn't have an entire team."
Mona giggled. "I do have one request though. Can you do two panels? I'd like some pockets along the seams. One never knows when pockets will come in handy."
"Done. Now, let's get your measurements."
Bash watched the head seamstress work, taking each measurement twice to be certain. Within moments, she provided a rough sketch of what the two of them had been babbling about.
"How's this?"
Mona gasped. "I can't wait to see the finished product! Oh, that is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you so much," she gushed.