In the morning, Egon took her to a seamstress. When asked what color she wanted, her answer was simply, "Anything but blue." Her life had been ruled by blue, but not in Chrysanthos. She wore whatever color she wanted here. The seamstress chose a deep purple gown with intricate beading on the whole bodice. As she was about to turn the expensive garment down, Egon approved it. She needed it brought in and hemmed up, but the seamstress insisted it would be done by that evening in time for the party, as would Egon's matching outfit.
"I can't afford that dress," She explained as they left the establishment.
"It's already paid for," he explained.
"By you?"
"No, by the prince. He likes a certain atmosphere at his parties and has a habit of throwing his father's money around to accomplish it. He's paid for mine, too." That made her feel a little bit better. She didn't want to owe anyone when she had such an uncertain future.
She got to bathe first, which was her preference. Everything always smelled of Egon and Evander when she got stuck with the second bath. Egon picked out her soap and oil scents and set them up on a tray with a sponge and comb for her before she even got down to the bath. She felt as though she had to scrub herself extra well for a royal party and paid close attention to detail as she bathed. She even washed her hair earlier than she normally would have so that it would be fresh and shiny. The body oils had a complex scent that she couldn't sort out completely, but they definitely had jasmine and citrus. It was a very feminine scent that was complemented by the soap he'd placed out for her.
When she got out of her bath, Egon appeared with a box that had new jewelry. A few gold bangles, large dangly earrings, and a drop pendant necklace, all with amethysts set in them. They were going to match her dress beautifully. She pulled a few more bangles from the ones Egon had provided upon their arrival and added them to the mix. She had noticed that many of the women wore numerous bangles as a sort of status symbol.
When their clothes arrived, the seamstress insisted on coming into her room with her and helping her dress. Egon was sent to his room with assistants. She didn't much like that other people would be helping him change, but she didn't quite have a say. The seamstress showed no reservation with helping her both undress and dress. It wasn't that Mina wasn't used to being dressed by others, it was just that this woman was a complete stranger. Nonetheless, they persisted, and she was admiring herself in the mirror in no time.
Once the seamstress was happy with her work, she went out to check on Egon, who was waiting in the hallway. Mina followed her out only to be stopped in her tracks. He was unbelievably handsome in purple. His hair was carefully styled and freshly trimmed, and his face was clean-shaven. He had a little kohl around his eyes, which really made the golden brown pop. He was wearing amethyst earrings and a pendant. She was awestruck, and judging by the look on his face, so was he.
"You both look great." Evander stood in his doorway, looking out at them both as the seamstress checked her work on Egon's outfit.
"You think so?" She smiled at him and walked over to give him a little hug and kiss on the cheek.
"I do. I love your hair. Who did you find to do that?" He asked her. She had been wearing plain braids for days and finally felt herself with something more complex.
"The little one in the kitchen, Hazel, I think her name is. She was thrilled when she heard me asking around. She said she'd never gotten to play with so much hair."
"I'll have to give her a little bonus for making my date look so beautiful." Egon walked up to her and put his arm around her waist. "Are you ready, little queen?"
"I do believe I am," she responded playfully.
"Evander, you and Casper hold the fort down."
The house that they walked up to was a palace all its own. It was the largest house Mina had ever seen outside of a true castle. It had a beautiful foyer that was decorated with flowers and palms for the event. In the center of the foyer was a shallow pool that corresponded with an opening in the ceiling so it could catch rainwater. They were greeted by brightly dressed staff, and one broke off to show them to the great hall, where most of the festivities were happening.
"Egon! Brother!" A man who was positively decorated in gold jewelry approached them. He wrapped his arms around Egon with excitement. It was a slightly amusing sight as this man was a head shorter than Egon.
"Prince Oriol," Egon responded in kind.
"And who is this beautiful woman that you've found?" Mina smiled at the compliment.
"Violet Aldebrand," she answered before Egon could and offered a small bow in respect.
"An absolute pleasure," he said, taking her hand and kissing it. His eyes were a beautiful green, heavily lined with lashes, his hair was a gorgeous mop of curls on top of his head, and his beautiful tan face had the shadow of a beard. "Now that I've begun trying to steal your woman, you should make yourself comfortable near the head of the table with me."
"It would be an honor," Egon laughed.
The table was its own work of art. It was covered with various palm leaves like a tablecloth, and the centerpiece was a golden basket that was filled with local flora. Scattered about the rest of the long table were golden candlesticks and small floral arrangements. The tables were set with stoneware over gilded decorative plates. Even as a queen herself, she had never seen something so lavish.
"Here, sit," Egon pulled a chair out for her. She hadn't expected to be at the center of attention all night, but that's just what she'd be, sitting so close to the prince. Thankfully, out of all of his colorful guests so far, none of them seemed familiar.