A Magic Happenstance

Chapter 13

Rap, rap, rap.

Sutton blinked awake at the same time the door to her suite was forced open and a team of women marched in. Sprinkles cracked an eye open and yawned, but refused to otherwise move despite the intruders.

"Um." Said Sutton.

A plump woman, well in her forties, cast a cheery look her way as she filled a basin with water from a pitcher she brought with her.

"Morning, my lady. My apologies for waking you, but we need to start getting you ready now if you mean to break fast with His Majesty."

Sutton had no idea what time it actually was. She only knew she'd rather be sleeping. Her mind was still slow and she stayed sitting under the blankets as the wheel in her head churned.

Had she agreed to eat breakfast with Steve? She didn't remember doing that.

But the woman clapped her hands together before Sutton could think to voice her question.

"Now, if you would get up, my lady. We have much to do before the hour. Would you, perchance, like a coffee or tea?"

Another of the women brought in a tray with a typical tea set along with a taller kettle. Sutton eyed the selection as she tossed the blanket over a grumbling Sprinkles and swung her feet over the edge of the bed.

"Coffee?" She hedged.

Someone immediately began to pour her a china cup full and their leader led her stubbornly to a vanity at the other end of the room.

"Your wardrobe is still in the works, of course, but we were able to procure a few gowns that I hope shall be adequate for your person."

Sutton took a moment to accept the delicate cup and savor the first, nearly scorching, sip of coffee. It wasn't as bitter as the coffee she bought at home, nor as burnt tasting.

"Anything is fine," she finally said. "But I'm assuming you mean something fancy and I'm not going to be allowed to wear normal clothes."

"It can be more casual, of course. As it's only breakfast, my lady."

Somehow Sutton highly doubted that their definitions of "casual" lined up.

But they swarmed her before she could think to protest, and Sutton figured she'd have to get used to them treating her like that while she lived in the guest suites. They all moved quickly, each person obviously well seasoned with their own line of work and used to working together. Her hair was smoothed of any flying frizz and curled nicely where it needed the help, then pinned back while another woman worked to rouge her face with whatever sort of make up they used.

It was honestly probably more work than Sutton used to go through on her own, and she'd at least attempted to look pulled together and professional before.

"We were able to find three dresses for you to choose from, if you would."

Out of the drawing room, one of the ladies pushed a clothing cart into view.

Fabric, fabric, fabric.

Sutton wasn't sure if it had actually hit her that she'd never see Earth again. She didn't even know if she'd miss it. But she suddenly had the strong feeling that Earth had cheated her concerning clothing.

There was a soft pastel dress with plenty of sheer layers and ruffled straps, another in that same deep royal blue color with bell sleeves, but the one that caught Sutton's eye was comparatively plain color-wise.

It was solely white or, perhaps, if one looked at it in the right light, the barest of lavender, with lace fitted sleeves that started nearly off the shoulder, and decorated with what looked like white butterflies pinned all over the chiffon skirt.