The Lady Justice

Chapter XLIV: To Enjoy, And Be Enjoyed

Lady Katherine Harrington of Johanne

4 December, Year 1 of Sebastian VI, Emperor of the Longbournian Nations' reign

Amöneburg Ballroom, Amöneburg

The Longbournian Nations

"You look lovely, Mistress Harrington."

Walking up the spiral stairs, I pushed a stray curl behind my ear, as I looked up. The elderly herald standing by the Palace Ballroom's double doors, was beaming at me in recognition.

"Why, thank you, Sir von Pappen," I chuckled, returning his smile, "I hope you have had your dinner? I should not like to think you are expected to stand here all night without a break." I viewed him in concern.

Indeed, he was already in his dotage, and had yet to retire from the Emperor's service only because he still needed to support his family.

"Oh, nay, Mistress Harrington, my shift ends in half an hour. Sir Weber will take over after that," he assured me, smiling warmly, "I will return home, and have my dinner then. Please do not worry about me, and enjoy the ball." He gestured to the ballroom.

I nodded. "I will. Would you mind doing me a favour, and please not announce me when I enter the ballroom?" I requested sheepishly, "I am already very late as it is, and I do not want to draw any attention to myself."

He laughed. "Of course, right this way."

He gently opened the doors an inch for me to slip inside without a sound. Almost at once, the light within blinded me, and I had to shield my eyes for a moment, before they adjusted to the brightness.

Clearly, the Dowager Empress had spared no expense. The ballroom was all but a mine of glittering gold. Gold drapes hung about the walls, shining with the light from the enormous chandelier that hung from the ceiling, filled with thousands of candles that lit up every inch of the room.

Different statues of gold tigers – the empire's symbol - were placed near the borders of the dance floor, and even a small, golden water fountain was placed near the refreshment tables.

The Palace staff, also dressed in gold coloured clothes, scuttled between the guests, serving them glasses of red wine and small pastries. Every flick of their hands caused rays from about ten different rings on their fingers to shine straight into my eyes.

My poor eyes hurt from simply looking at the ostentatious display.

"There you are!" a voice exclaimed behind me, "goodness, does it take so long to change into a gown, Mistress Harrington?"

I glanced to my right at the sound of the voice.

Princess Natalya was striding towards me, her kohl-lined sea-green eyes twinkling as she grinned at me in relief. The moment we had reached the Palace earlier, she had brought me to her chambers to change into one of her evening gowns - since I had not brought any of mine with me from Monrique - and went ahead to the ball first Corporals Baudelaire and Montgomery.

When she drew closer to me now, however, her beam turned into a frown. She came to a stop, clearly surprised about something. She tilted her head at me, and begun to circle me, observing me from head to toe.

I felt self-conscious. "Mistress Hohenstaufen, what are you doing?"

She paused. "Out of the hundreds of evening gowns in my chambers," her voice was filled with exasperation, "why the hell would you choose this one, Mistress Harrington?"

I looked down at myself. I had thought it was a nice gown. It was a simple, cream gown of silk, with almost no embroidery whatsoever, and it was quite comfortable.