Tales of Solaris : Before the royal Audience

Okay... here comes the part 3 the part three
(In case you guys interested :
Part 1: www.deviantart.com/qualbird/ar…
Part 2: www.deviantart.com/qualbird/ar…)

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It was an early summer day, the season of social gatherings was just around the corner, and Maude knew it was crucial for Sinderian noble society. Despite having debuted years ago, she wasn't keen on wearing tight corsets that left her breathless, thick makeup that concealed her natural beauty, or intoxicating perfumes that made her head spin. These superficial matters weren't in her domain, yet she acknowledged the importance of presenting herself elegantly to maintain Wolff's reputation.

Maude possessed a good look and figure, inheriting Wolff's striking grey eyes and glistening hair that she had chosen to cut short, much to her maids' dismay. Her decision hadn't diminished her elegant yet mysterious appearance, however, making her stand out among the sea of impeccably dressed nobles at these gatherings.

 

Maude Wolff was checking the important documents regarding her hometown and trading agreement with the merchant guild when the door of her study was knocked gently, without waiting for any answer from her, a gray-haired man with a well-trimmed beard comes from the door.

 

Archer Hoffman, the loyal butler of Wolff's townhouse, carefully placed a letter on Maude's desk. It was a sealed letter with an unmistakable symbol—a symbol of the Imperial Family—and it immediately piqued her interest. However, as she reached for the letter, Archer noticed her hesitation and understood that his lady was nervous about opening such an important communication.

"Shall I dispatch a runner to send a letter using a long-range teleport mailing service in the mage guild to inform Milady’s father?" Archer offered, trying to alleviate Maude's anxiety at least by providing a solution that would allow her to respond promptly without having to physically travel to Hohenheim herself. His words were gentle yet respectful, reflecting his deep understanding of the Duchess's character and position within the empire.

 

Maude softly rejected Archer's suggestion, shaking her head lightly as she gave him an unconvincing smile. "Well, we did inform Father weeks ago..." She hesitated before continuing.

Weeks ago, gossip had swept across the capital after a newspaper story described Maude during her years at the academy, where she had met the second prince, Alexis Saner. The news claimed that both Maude and Prince Alexis shared a special relationship, which was far from the truth—the two were merely close friends.

Despite knowing the reality of their friendship, Maude had made sure to clarify things with those she thought it important to be clarified, including her father and siblings. However, the gossip was too widespread, making it necessary for Maude to issue a public clarification. Yet, despite her efforts, the news persisted, showing no signs of ebbing.

 

She asked an information guild and Wolff intelligent network to trace the origin of the news, and they did find the source, a journalist with a good reputation, Klein Hunts, she even visited the man himself, asking for his source, yet the man politely reject to answer the question, instead offer her a chance to clarify the news, he did help her, but still it’s not enough since the news already instilled within Sinderian.

The letter in her hand was proof of its influence—a letter sent by none other than the current Empress, Lorraine Saner. Maude knew that this was a serious matter and would require careful consideration before responding appropriately. She took a deep breath, preparing herself for what lay ahead.

 

Maude's voice was filled with a mix of resignation and weariness as she spoke to Archer, "Archer, please summon Elaine here, I think she'll be delighted with this letter." Her eyes seemed to convey a deep sadness, reflecting the weight of responsibility that came with representing Wolff Duchy.

 

"Yes, milady," Elaine Dover replied, attending to Maude's request with attentive care as she entered the study with Archer. As the Head Maid of Wolff Townhouse and a former personal maid to the late Duchess of Wolff, Elaine knew intimately about Maude's tastes and preferences, thanks in part to their close-knit relationship. The Duke had assigned her to lead the townhouse staff precisely because of this unique understanding.

"Elaine, you dressed Mother whenever she was summoned by the imperial family, aren't you?" Maude asked, looking at Elaine with an anticipating gaze. She knew that the Empress's letter required a response of utmost elegance and propriety, and she wanted to ensure that her appearance was nothing short of impeccable.

 

"Of course, milady," Elaine responded quickly, her voice filled with excitement despite her short reply. Maude could sense the maid's eagerness to help and support her mistress in this difficult time.

"Well... Elaine, could you help dress me? A letter of dinner invitation arrived early, and there's no way for Father to reach this place on time, so..." Another resigned sigh came from Maude as she looked at Elaine with a mix of frustration and determination. "Could you dress me befitting the occasion?" she asked, her eyes pleading silently for Elaine to understand the gravity of the situation and do everything in her power to help Maude present herself in the most impeccable manner possible.

 

With a gentle touch, Elaine began the rigorous treatment that would prepare Maude for the evening's dinner invitation. The process started with a small amount of breakfast to help settle her stomach, followed by a series of special treatments designed specifically for Maude's needs.

Elaine was aided by her team of skilled maids, each one trained in various aspects of pampering and beauty. Together, they worked tirelessly to provide Maude with the most indulgent experience possible, beginning with massages designed to relax her tense muscles, followed by facial treatments that left her skin feeling soft and refreshed.

As the afternoon wore on, Maude felt herself slowly unwinding, the stress and anxiety of the past few weeks gradually melting away under the gentle care of Elaine and her team.

 

Younger maids led Maude to the dressing room, where Elaine and two senior maids were ready with their selection of clothes. As Maude entered, she winced upon seeing how tight the dresses showed before her. The thought of wearing a corset that was already making her breathless filled her with anxiety.

"Elaine, must I wear those?" Maude asked anxiously, looking at Elaine for understanding and reassurance. She knew that as her head maid, Elaine would understand her preferences and try to accommodate them, but she also knew that this occasion demanded a certain level of elegance and sophistication that might require compromising on comfort.

Elaine's expression softened slightly as she looked at Maude, understanding the discomfort she felt with the tightly fitted dresses. "Let's see what we can do, milady," she said gently, turning to the other maids for advice. After a brief consultation, Elaine turned back to Maude with a reassuring smile. "We might have something that meets both our requirements," she said, leading Maude over to a corner of the room where a simpler yet elegant dress hung on a rack.

"This one has a corset too, milady, but it's designed for comfort and support rather than constraint," Elaine explained as she helped Maude into the gown. As they worked together, Maude felt her anxiety begin to dissipate, replaced by a sense of relief and gratitude towards Elaine for understanding and accommodating her needs.

 

It took some time for Elaine and her maids to mix and match the dress with Maude's jewelry and makeup. This session was entirely in the hands of Elaine and her team, with Maude at their mercy, waiting patiently as they worked their magic.

As they dressed her, they whispered softly among themselves, sharing tips and tricks they knew would bring out the best in Maude's features. The room filled with the soft hum of their voices, a soothing background melody to the gentle touch of their hands as they worked.

Elaine stepped back, surveying her work with a critical eye before giving Maude a nod of approval. "You look stunning, milady," she said, her voice filled with warmth and admiration. The other maids nodded in agreement, their faces glowing with pride at the transformation they had helped to create.

Maude looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes widening slightly as she took in the reflection before her. She felt transformed, elevated by Elaine's touch and the subtle magic of the maids' hands.

 

The young lady of the Wolff family, Maude, looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she turned from side to side, admiring the elegant gown and the subtle makeup that seemed to accentuate her natural beauty. She felt transformed.

"Am I looking good?" Maude asked the maids around her, her voice filled with innocence and vulnerability. Despite her position as a representative of Wolff Duchy, despite her intelligence and strength, at this moment, she was just a young woman seeking approval and reassurance.

The maids, Elaine, and the others smiled warmly at Maude, their eyes shining with pride and affection. "You look stunning, milady," Elaine said, her voice soft and genuine. The other maids nodded in agreement, their faces glowing with warmth as they looked at Maude.

 

Their attention was diverted as knocks came from the door of the dressing room. A young maid ran to answer it, slowly opening the door to reveal Archer standing there, a small box in his hand and a proud smile on his face.

"I hardly see you smiling ear to ear, Archer," commented Elaine, observing the butler's rare expression of joy as he approached them. Maude looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with warmth as she took in the sight of Archer beaming with pride at her transformation.

"Why shouldn’t I? Our lady looks exquisite tonight," Archer said, his voice filled with genuine admiration as he handed the small box to Elaine. "And I brought something for you, from your father." He glanced at Maude, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief before turning back to Elaine, a slight gesture to invite the head maid to scoot closer to him. "A little something to make sure everything goes smoothly this evening."

 

Elaine opened the box, revealing a delicate golden brooch adorned with a small sapphire gemstone. She gasped in surprise and delight, her hands trembling slightly as she took the necklace out of the box. The same response came from the other maids when they saw the brooch, unlike Archer who still smiled gingerly.

The butler took the brooch from the box and put it in his hand before offering it to the startled young lady of Wolff's family. "His grace said, he trusted milady completely, whatever the outcome of tonight's occasion, he will continue supporting you, Lady Maude," Archer explained softly, his eyes filled with a mix of pride and warmth as he looked at Maude.

 

Maude took the brooch from Archer, her trembling fingers gently closing around it as she felt a surge of emotion. She knew that her father trusted her, but not to this extent. The brooch was a Wolff family heirloom, usually inherited by the head of the family, yet it was now tucked safely in between Maude's hands.

Elaine offered her hand, gesturing for Maude to help her fix the brooch to her dress. As Maude placed the heirloom on Elaine's palm, she felt a sense of responsibility wash over her. She knew that this gesture wasn't just about tonight but represented the trust and confidence her father had in her to represent their dukedom.

 

With gentle fingers, Elaine secured the brooch onto Maude's gown, right above her heart. It sparkled against the soft fabric, catching the light with its sapphire gemstone. The maids breathed a collective sigh of awe as they looked upon Maude, witnessing the unexpected turns of events before their eyes. Even though it was unspoken, the Duke already entrusted the Wolff family to his daughter.

As Elaine finished fastening the brooch, she stepped back, her eyes shining with pride as she surveyed her work. "You are truly a vision, milady," she said softly, her voice filled with warmth and admiration. The other maids nodded in agreement, their faces glowing with affection as they looked at Maude.

Maude's eyes met Elaine's, filled with gratitude for the head maid's guidance and support throughout this journey. She knew that without Elaine, tonight might not have been possible. With a gentle smile, she thanked her maids, feeling more confident than ever in her ability to represent their dukedom.

 

The butler reached out his hand, barely able to hide his excitement and pride anymore. "Now, milady, shall I escort you to the carriage?" Archer asked, his voice filled with warmth and respect as he looked at Maude.

Maude nodded graciously, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she took his offered hand. With a gentle smile, she thanked Elaine and the other maids once more before turning towards the door with Archer by her side.

As they stepped out into the hallway, Archer couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride. He had watched Maude grow from a young girl into the elegant young woman standing before him now, and he knew that she was ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.

Together, they made their way towards the waiting carriage, the one sent by the imperial family. Archer leading the way with Maude by his side. He helped her enter the carriage, and after she nestled safely inside, he closed the door slowly, with a simple hope that the lady will endure the night.
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Imma mulling the next part, hopefully in coming week ( or sooner )

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