Love Is Never Ugly

Chapter 26

Charlotte chose to wear the satin and scarlet colored gown with a white under skirt that had red roses embroidered in the fabric. Her shoes were scarlet as well and for jewelry she wore a simple necklace that consisted of a gold chain and ruby pendent that was in the shape of a rose. She applied a little make up, sprayed some lavender perfume on to her neck, all she needed to do now was her hair.

Knock-knock!

"Who is it?" Charlotte asked.

"It's Vagatha. May I please come in?"

"Sure."

The moth steward entered the room and closed the door behind her quietly.

"I just wanted to check up on you. Is everything okay?"

"Yes I'm just trying to figure out what to do with my hair." Charlotte said. "I wanted to do something new but I don't know anything about hair, shoes, clothes or any kind of fashion."

"Well I don't know anything about clothes or fashion either, that's Anthony's department." Vagatha said. "But I do know a little about hair. Do you mind if I try something?"

"Not at all."

She sat Charlotte down in front of the vanity, grabbed a brush, and proceeded to comb her mistress's golden hair. Vagatha was very gentle and if she found a knot she did her best to brush through it without hurting Charlotte. Once the brushing part was done Vagatha pulled a long red ribbon from her dress pocket and used it to braid her gold tresses. When Charlotte was a child she often fantasized about her and Helsa doing each other's hair like good sisters do. But it was never like this. On the rare occasion Helsa would do her hair she would always yank and pull so hard. It felt nice to have someone brush her hair with care for once.

"Something wrong?" Vagatha asked upon noticing the melancholic look on Charlotte's face.

"It's nothing I was just reminded of when my sister would comb my hair."

"That must've been a good way to bond."

"Not really. She never did it much and when she did she would do it really hard. Not at all how you're doing it."

"Well I'm sure she probably didn't mean to."

"That's what I always thought." Charlotte sighed. "But...But I'm beginning to think that's not the case."

Vagatha saw the melancholy spread. She didn't want to upset Charlotte. Not today. She slid her arms around Charlotte's shoulders to give her a comforting hug.

"I'm not human so I don't know a lot about relationships and people but I do know that if your sister ever intentionally hurt you then it must be because of her own issues and negative feelings. Not because you did anything wrong."

Charlotte smiled in appreciation.

"There we go. All done." Vagatha grabbed a hand mirror from the vanity drawers and held it up to where Charlotte could see her reflection. "What do you think? Do you like it?"

"I love it. Thank you."

Charlotte embraced Vagatha gratefully and she returned the embrace. At that moment there came a soft knock at the door.

"Oh it's him." The blonde gasped in a whisper. "One moment please."

Charlotte took one last look at herself in the mirror to check her hair and make up then smoothed out the wrinkles in her dress. Unbeknownst to her, Alastor was taking a moment to check his own appearance. He had spent all morning combing out his mangled fur and practicing how to smile in front of her without scaring her.