It's all a Facade

Chapter 16: Power of makeup

I woke up as soon as I heard a knock. "M'lady are you awake?" the voice of the head maid echoed through the door. "It's Friday today. I was informed by his Grace that you have somewhere to be." I looked at the wall clock to see it was already noon, around 12:04 to be exact. I went on my way to the dining area once I finished dressing up.

"What are you keeping from me, head maid?" I looked at her sternly as she plays with the bracelet on her wrist. She only does this when she's anxious about something.

"I have nothing to keep from you my lady" She pats her skirt and looks the other way.

"I'm only sliding this once." Her face lightens up and she curtsies. "Thank you, my lady. I'll be on my way. Your transportation has been arranged." She leaves as she says this and I prepare to leave.

I arrived at my cousin's place after an hour's drive. As I walked through the large halls, everyone I passed by stood frozen. They looked at me with shock. Was there anything on my face? I wondered. "What a surprise, princess!"

I looked at my cousin annoyingly. "How many times have I told you–" Matthew approached me and rested his arm on my shoulder. He looked at the other employees standing and sent a signal for them to leave. "Before throwing a fit, why don't you look at the mirror?" I was about to get my phone to look at my reflection but then the door in front of us opened.

"You're late. And your disguise is gone." I was startled by the sudden statement and looked at Matthew as he was holding back his laughter. I must've forgotten to activate my illusion when I woke up. I'm rarely disoriented. It's probably stress. "Let's not waste time. Both of you come in."

"I noticed that you look very worn out." France started. "You've been using your power way too much." He says as we sit down. "You know I don't have a choice. Besides, this is training." I reasoned out. "Don't push yourself too much, princess." Matthew exclaimed. I took a deep breath and crossed my legs. "What's your point?" I impatiently asked. "Makeup. Not much changes in your face when you activate your illusion but your hair and eye color." That was a fact. I had golden blonde hair and emerald eyes as my original appearance. If I activate the illusion spell I cast on myself, my hair would transform into dark brown hair and I would have dark brown eyes. "You're correct. But makeup doesn't conceal my aura." I added. "Just trust the makeup process! Leave your aura to your Eiffel Tower." Matthew winks as he enters another room and leaves me with my cousin, France. "Eiffel Tower? Seriously? It's been a long time since I've heard you call me that." He looks at me and then sighs. He hands me a jewelry box and tells me to open it. "Wear that necklace. I know you rely more on your power but at least let me get lessen the burden on your shoulders. This necklace will conceal your aura. No one but us can know it's you." I looked at the bright blue stone as it shines under the light.

"Hey are you two done? I'm dying here!" Matthew peeks through the door as he waits impatiently. "Alright, I'm coming." I wore the necklace and left its box with France. I entered the room and I was stunned to see a familiar face. "SURPRISE!!!" It was my personal maid. "Lia?! Matthew I can't believe you made her travel all the way here!" Lia, my personal maid, was the one who prepared my wardrobe. She was also in charge of dolling me up whenever there was an occasion in the palace. "I missed you, my lady!" She hugged me, dropping the item she was holding. "But that's enough... we should catch up later, right my lady?" I nodded as I sat on what they called a beauty chair. "Because you won't be using your power, we'll be using makeup and contact lenses! As for your hair color, I believe His Grace has something planned." I looked at Matthew with confusion as he just shrugs. "Now, we'll see what the power of makeup can do!"