Lady Harmonia's Academy for Distinguished Young Women

Chapter 12: Makeup

She gestured to the chairs in front of the mirrors, her voice slicing through the air with crisp authority. "Sit," she commanded.

Jace, Tyler, Ethan, and Nate exchanged uncertain looks, but none of them dared to argue. They slowly moved to the chairs, the rich velvet cushions sinking beneath them as they sat. Liliana stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with cold amusement as she surveyed her captive audience. The room was her stage, and they were the unwilling performers.

"Silence," she said again, her voice firmer this time. And just like that, the boys fell quiet, their thoughts swirling with disbelief and anger. Liliana's smile deepened, a predatory gleam in her eyes as she motioned for her friends—Serena, Bianca, and Izzy—to join her. They stood behind her, silent and composed, their presence adding an extra layer of tension to the already suffocating room.

Liliana walked to Jace, her eyes narrowing as she examined him like a sculptor assessing a block of marble. She circled around him, her fingers grazing his shoulder before she leaned in, speaking softly but with an unmistakable sharpness. "We'll begin with you, Jace."

Jace tensed, his fists gripping the arms of the chair as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. Liliana stood behind him, her presence looming as she began to dictate his transformation. "You're going to be our example," she said with a wicked smile. "I've already decided exactly how we're going to remake you."

She stepped forward and reached for his hair, her fingers gliding over the tight cornrows that lined his scalp. "First things first," she said coolly, "those cornrows will be coming out. We'll grow your hair longer, giving it the volume and texture needed for something more refined—something that fits the image of Lady Harmonia's."

She paused, letting the words sink in, before continuing. "Your new hairstyle will be soft, with natural curls falling just past your shoulders. We'll style it to frame your face elegantly, making sure it complements your new look. Something effortless yet polished." Liliana's fingers brushed his scalp, as if already imagining the transformation.

Jace stared at his reflection, his jaw clenched in silent resistance, but Liliana wasn't finished. She turned her gaze to his hands, her eyes scanning them with the same cold calculation. "Now, let's talk about your hands," she said. "Fake nails—long, perfectly shaped, and polished. You'll keep them well-maintained at all times. We'll start with a soft pink, but as we progress, you'll be sporting more daring shades—deep reds, elegant nudes, even a classic French manicure. It'll be important that your hands always look delicate and feminine."

She traced a finger down the side of his hand before moving to his face, studying it carefully. "And now, your skincare," Liliana said, her tone turning clinical. "You'll be on a strict regimen. No more roughness, no blemishes. I want your skin glowing—smooth, flawless, and radiant. We'll use only the best products—serums, exfoliants, moisturizers, all designed to bring out the natural beauty of your skin." She smiled, knowing the impact her words were having, even as Jace sat still, his resistance buried deep inside.

Serena and Bianca exchanged knowing glances, both of them nodding approvingly as Liliana continued. "Of course, we'll also need to discuss makeup." She stepped back, giving Jace's face one more appraising look. "Your look will be subtle, yet striking. A soft, dewy foundation to perfect your skin, with a hint of blush to give you that natural glow. We'll enhance your eyes with a light smoky shadow—browns and golds to bring out the depth. Mascara to lift your lashes, eyeliner to define them, and of course, perfectly shaped brows. Your lips?" She paused, her smile widening. "Soft pinks to start, but eventually, we'll move on to bolder choices—reds, maybe even a dark plum. You'll be the picture of elegance."

Jace's face tightened, his eyes burning with anger as he stared at his reflection, but he said nothing. Liliana leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "And don't think I've forgotten about your wardrobe. We'll be updating that too—drastically."