A Seamless Introduction
977 Words
Streaky, pale rays of morning light had barely crept over the horizon when Emilia was jolted awake by a curt knock at the door.
Quickly, she threw open the cupboard of one of the wardrobes and found rows of long men’s tunics, all in dark jewel tones with elaborate stitching. She pulled one from the top, a sapphire linen with gray fleur-de-lis stitched around the sleeves and collar, and hastily wiggled it on to cover her naked body. It came to her knees and the sleeves covered her fingers, but at least she was clothed.
Another knock, then a beat, and a girl glided into the room. Rosy skin, sparkling eyes…she was the picture of loveliness. But, her most eye catching feature was the cascade of curling, blooming moon flower vines that covered her head in place of hair.
“Good morning, Lady Emilia. I’m sorry to disturb you so early, but you have quite a day ahead of you. The royal seamstresses are waiting for you in the parlor to tailor your wardrobe, so we best get cracking. Follow me please.”
“I’m assuming you’re my new lady’s maid?” Emilia said, following the brisk woman out of the chamber.
“Indeed,” she giggled, “I’m Lucrezia. But please, call me Luci.”
Luci ushered Emilia into the sitting room and with a prim curtsy gestured to the guests already seated.
“Lady Emilia, allow me to introduce you to The Three Weavers, our royal seamstresses. Lady Oksonna, Lady Habita, and Lady Maeve.”
Clustered together on a single sofa, the three identical women appraised Emilia like a heifer at market. They appeared quite old, with milky eyes and gnarled hands, wrapped in identical gray shawls clasped at the neck with pins with each of their initials.Emilia was still getting used to fairy features, and tried hard not to stare at their flat,bare duck feet sticking out beneath their gems.
“It is my pleasure to meet you, good-women.” Emilia curtsied like a proper Duke’s daughter. “I’m sure you’re eager to begin your work, but let me get you all some tea to begin your day.”
Luci moved toward the dinette where a pot and cups had been set out, but Emilia told her to sit.
“It would be my pleasure,” Emilia insisted as Luci perched on the edge of a nearby chair.
Emilia may be about to become a princess, but she wasn’t going to be waited on hand and foot. She would need Luci to help her in the coming months, with everything from hair styles to fairy manners, and she may as well start building that trust with her maid now.
And thanks to her mother’s insistence that she learned hosting duties as a child,she wasn’t so hapless that she couldn’t manage tea for five.
Emilia set saucers and cups down before each woman, and poured steaming hot water over the fragrant tea bags. She laid out a pitcher of cream and sugar cubes. “Please, take a moment to relax, ladies. You too, Luci.I doubt anyone would begrudge us a few moments of quiet.”
“Very kind,” Lady Habita rasped. Her sisters agreed in an equally rasping echo. “Indeed, very kind. Very kind.”
They took a few moments, took a few sips, before Habita snapped her fingers and bolts of fabric and lace popped onto every empty surface in the room. Emilia felt the crackle of magic that filled the air and nearly jumped out of her skin.
Luci grinned into her teacup.
“Come, stand here, dear girl,” Habita said, pulling gleaming, crystal-bladed shears from her pocket. The other women did the same. “Let your old aunties look at you.”
Emilia was turned this way and that, lifted and lowered her chin and her arms and bent at the waist. None of the women were taking measurements, but after a few minutes, Habita bade her be seated again.
Yards of fabric leapt through the air, landing in each of the seamstresses' laps. The shears lifted, as if by an invisible hand, and snipped away at the fabric. Needles pulling fine threads pulled themselves through the cloth, knitting together the pieces as they were cut. It only took a moment, but Emilia could already see garments taking shape. Sheaths, gowns, tunics and skirts all being cut by fairy scissors and stitched together.
“Auntie Oksonna will be making your day wear, Auntie Maeve will be making you a few formal gowns, and I… will be making your wedding dress. Go get ready for your breakfast, dear, and you will see what we have made when you return.”
Emilia did as she was told, glancing behind her in awe as she trailed Luci back to her chamber, where she splashed water on her face and dressed in her lilac gown from her last dinner with her parents. Luci combed out her hair and pulled it into a loose tail.
“Is this too informal to meet the King and Queen?” Emilia asked.
“Don’t worry, this is a casual family meal. They just want to meet you before the wedding. Besides, King Algar once had a human bride. I’m sure he remembers how little you were allowed to bring. The Prince will be here soon. I’ll walk your furry beast and get him some breakfast while you’re gone.”
Moments later, Faren tapped at the door. Emilia was surprised she was happy to hear his voice, familiar and warm as it was.
“Little bride, are you ready?”
She thought she was. Washed, pressed, and neatly tressed. But her bones felt like mashed turnips and her stomach felt like it was filled with ants.
She was about to meet the King and Queen of the Fay.
- Writer
