The Next Sovereign

Chapter 5: Preparation

Another vivid morning. It wasn't an ordinary one, however; it was the morning of April 16, Princess Mizuki Leighton's birthday.

The two princesses woke up and got ready for another day. Their loyal servants walked into their room and helped prepare themselves. A silent meeting for Mizuki, yet a good conversation started when Lucien walked into his friend's quarters. "Good morning, Your Highness. How was your sleep?" He said walking to the brunette. "Oh, good morning to you too, Lucien. Please, for the millionth time, call me Valeriya. I'm your friend." She giggled a bit after, standing up and heading to her drawer. She sat down, and the servant smiled sweetly while beginning to braid her hair, embellishing it with two bright red ribbons and her crown afterwards. "Your mother is looking forward to seeing you and Princess Mizuki at the throne room, by the way." Lucien informed Valeriya. "Oh, okay!" the latter nodded. The retainer departed from the room and the princess got in a simple yet nice raspberry-colored gown, soon leaving as well.

The two sisters walked in the throne room, bowed and greeted their mother. "Good morning, Mother." One said in a cheery tone, and one in a more stoic one. "Good morning, my two dearly beloved." the grey-haired queen responded, bowing her head and smiling softly. "Practice shall be cancelled due to preparations for the gathering that will occur later." she told the two. Mizuki pouted, whilst Valeriya nodded with a smile. "Now, you two know how it is during these parties. Have fun, dress your best, act elegant yet humane. I expect you to head to breakfast, then go find a dress, and before the sun sets, be sure to be present at the ball room." Caieta gestured, dismissing them, and the two princesses performed another curtsy before leaving.

Later after the breakfast, Mizuki and Mio were spotted heading out of the castle, whilst Valeriya and Lucien stayed inside and headed to the former's accommodation.

At the seamstress's site.

Mizuki and Mio entered small yet cozy premises which featured wooden walls and a seamstress who sat down at a rocking chair, sewing cloth together. She was a young adult with hair that was the lightest shade of blonde, her fair-skinned face hidden behind a black cloth mask, and she wore a grey babydoll dress. "Hello, your Royal Highness." the gal stood up and bowed, and Mio bowed her head back for a brief moment. The seamstress then sat down. "I know the only reason you're here. Happy birthday. What theme of gown would you like created for you this year?" the seamstress beamed. 

The golden-haired princess stood there thinking for a while. "I want... one which is themed after a sunrise. You know what's a sunrise, right?" Mizuki crossed her arms, tapping her foot impatiently. "My, my, yes I do know what it is, but it's oddly specific. Any particular reason?" the seamstress hummed, gently impaling her pincushion with the tiny needle she was using. "Sunrises represent a new beginning. I have something prepared, that will help begin my," she paused for a brief while and swallowed. "-possession of something I've wished for, for quite a while now." The seamstress nodded, and put her cloth aside. "That's rather fascinating. I hope you get it, whatever it is." She reached in her sewing kit for her measuring tools. The two who stood at the entrance meanwhile sat down at the nearby chairs and waited. 

"Please stand up." the woman said, and Mizuki stood there. The seamstress stretched out the measuring tape across her different body parts, measuring the princess carefully and jotting down her measurements in a notepad.

At Valeriya's closet.

Lucien held a couple of dresses in his arms as Valeriya hustled through her spacious closet, checking out her gowns. "Are you sure you don't want to head to a dressmaker for your gown, Val? You've been spotted wearing all of these. It'd be nice if people saw you wearing something new." the servant allocated his opinion, concerned about the princess's reputation. "Simple is nice, Lucien. Besides, I don't exactly have a fashion sense. Mizuki has that. Do you think I'm her?" Valeriya sighed, and Lucien remained silent. 

Later, Valeriya spotted a dress she did desire to wear - it was one that represented the starry sky. A dark blue ball gown with white glitter scattered all over it. She wore it, and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She looked alright. Lucien styled Valeriya's hair into a lace braid and put her crown on, she looked better. Something felt missing, the servant thought. Then, he found it. He snapped his fingers and looked inside one of the compartments of the drawers, then grabbed two moon-shaped dangling earrings and put it on the princess's ears. She looked even better.

"Thank you! Now I look like the bright night sky!" Valeriya stood up and twirled around, laughing. Lucien began to giggle too with his hand on his mouth. "You're exceptionally beautiful, Val. Though, we should probably take off the earrings and gown first. You don't want to keep that on for the entire day, do you?" he proceeded to approach Valeriya and take off her earrings. 

Everything was going well. Servants decorated the ball room, the monarchs began to find their outfits, people received invitations..

It just seemed like the perfect day and nothing could go wrong.