Road of the Heavenly Light

11-2: Well-Meant Lies

Isabella's mouth was wide open in shock as Audrey looked at her in amusement.
"I knew you'd be surprised, but I didn't think you'd be this surprised. I understand you'll need some time to consider, but I really hope you'll accept. It would mean a lot to me."
Audrey stood up and left for her room, leaving Isabella behind. She let out a sigh of relief, as she had no idea how to respond. It hurt her to know that her first instinct had been to refuse if Audrey hadn't left. She didn't feel like a lady-in-waiting was something for her at all, it just didn't sound right. Then again, she had no idea what a lady-in-waiting actually did. She definitely needed to know more about the position first, and maybe it would change her mind. She could also use a good night's sleep, as she was still exhausted from the sports she'd done.

When she woke up the next morning, Isabella noticed she was later than usual. She'd been awake until late thinking about Audrey's offer. She was still pretty unsure about it, truth be told. The other girls were already at breakfast, so Isabella hurried down to the cafeteria on her own. She quickly spotted her dormmates sitting with some of her other classmates.
"Good morning!" Anna greeted her, "Audrey was just telling us about her household for after her graduation."
Of course she was. Audrey couldn't keep anything to herself. Isabella sat down with a smile.

"It's something you'll have to think about carefully," Elizabeth warned, "your ladies and your maid need to be people you absolutely trust." Clearly, she was speaking from experience, with her own father's betrayal still a fresh memory.
"Have you sorted out your household yet, Elizabeth?" Laura inquired.
She nodded, "during the winter break, just before I turned 18. I won't have time when I come home after graduation, what with all the planning for the coronation coming up."
In a way, Isabella was glad she did not have to worry about coronations and households. It all seemed extremely stressful.
"I can't wait to select my household, it seems like a lot of fun," Astrid chimed in.
"Oh, I quite agree," Laura said, "I think it's important to have the dignity of an entourage and a lady's maid of my own."
"Of course you do," Glen commented.
"I don't see the whole fuss, to be honest. All I'm entitled to is a valet when I turn 18," Felix remarked.
"For now," Levi teased.
"Stop! I don't want to hear talk of weddings at the table!" Amaya complained.
Isabella almost wanted to comment that she was not entitled to any servants or ladies, but she didn't want to sour the mood.

"Will you receive your household here at school, Audrey? Since you said you've already chosen them," Eleanor asked.
"Yes, they're arriving this afternoon for proper introductions in my dorm. I know them all, but most of them don't really know each other that well. They were very excited to come visit and see some of Earth in the process."
Another reason for Isabella to be hesitant. She didn't know any of the other girls Audrey had selected, and there was a chance they wouldn't like her.
"Oh, does that mean the three of us are banished from the dorm for the afternoon?" Amaya asked, irritation clear in her voice.
"No, Isabella will be there too. She's a potential lady-in-waiting, too."
Despite being her best friend, Isabella wanted to strangle Audrey at that moment.

"You mean to have a commoner as a lady?!" Laura exclaimed in horror.
"Why, is there something wrong with it?" Astrid asked.
"It would be an unprecedented break in tradition, and many noble women at court would be offended that a commoner would be chosen above them in Falmar. I imagine it must be worse in Brightwald, with more noble families to choose from. You would have a national scandal on your hands before you could even have your debutante ball!"
That did not help to reassure Isabella at all.
"Nonsense! My mother has commoners in her household too, and nobody has ever batted an eye about it. My mother was a performer from Belmont before she became queen, and she is well-beloved by the people. Don't let some silly traditions stop you from surrounding yourself with friends, Audrey," Elizabeth argued. Laura scoffed in response, but did not comment further.

Thankfully, the conversation steered in a different direction after that, and the matter didn't come up again for the rest of the day. Isabella sat through her classes next to Audrey, feeling nervous about the meeting that afternoon and worried that the other ladies would be of the same mind as Laura. At least with Laura, it was clear she had warned Audrey to protect Isabella from scorn, even if it came out rather snobbish, but Audrey's ladies would almost certainly not have her best interests at heart. Isabella went for a quick run after classes to clear her head before changing into her most respectable clothes and returning to their living room. The dorm was still empty, except for an excited Audrey.
"Am I the first one here?" she asked.
Audrey nodded, "the others will be here any moment.
As if summoned by her words, there was a knock on the door. Audrey opened it and six girls their age walked in, none of whom Isabella knew. Her friend greeted them with excitement as they all sat down. Audrey handled the introductions: first up was Susan, who was Marchioness of Accora in her own right since the passing of her mother, followed by Lady Harriet, daughter of the Duke of Giraldi, who would serve as Mistress of the Robes, the most important lady-in-waiting; Lady Eileen, daughter of the Countess of Cellini; Lady Sybil, daughter of Viscount Longo; Lady Rose, daughter of Baron Valier; and finally, to Isabella's relief, Kate Vasari, another commoner who was to be Audrey's lady's maid.

"Now that we're all here, I thought it would be a good idea to first go over everything that will be expected of each position and practice the formation of the entourage," Audrey explained, handing everyone a book on the various positions at a royal court. As Isabella read through the pages on ladies-in-waiting she felt like she was pretending to be something she wasn't. She did like the idea of following behind Audrey at all times, but not at all managing her correspondence and schedule, always matching her outfits, keeping up with court gossip (Audrey had no doubt added this detail herself), and helping her plan charity events. That was not the sort of person Isabella was, she didn't want to feel like she was some sort of accessory. She accidentally flipped a page further than was required and ended up on the chapter about the personal guard. That caught her attention way more than any of the details on dresses and perfumes.

Sadly, her attention was forced back to the group as Audrey wanted to practice their formation. Like many things regarding etiquette, it was strictly determined by precedence, and Isabella found her usual place at the back next to Lady Rose, only in front of Kate. She felt like she was an entertainer, not a part of the household of Brightwald's future queen. Thankfully, the whole ordeal was over after that, and the other girls left to get settled at the inn in Earth.
"Well, what did you think?" Audrey asked when they were alone, "do you want to be my lady-in-waiting?"
Isabella's head was screaming for her to refuse, but Audrey's hopeful gaze made her hesitate. She felt like she could hardly refuse her best friend and princess, even if she didn't like it, so she went against her better judgment and accepted.