MIDSUMMER’S COURT (part 3 of 14)

[sidhe_faerie]

 ~~~~<O 3 O>~~~~

Princess Cara was waiting for her daughter impatiently when Endora walked through the door. “There you are! I’ve been waiting.”

“I had to put on my corset.” Endora said. She was a little out of breath from the corset being so tight.

“Turn around. Your laces are too tight. You look like you are going to faint.” Princess Cara commanded. “I see I have to have my maid train yours on the proper way to lace a corset.” Princess Cara pushed up the back of Endora’s tunic and untied the laces and started to adjust them.

“I could just not wear one.” Endora took a deep breath as the laces were adjusted.

“Nonsense. All proper princesses wear corsets. I assure you its more comfortable than binding.” Princess Cara finished tying the laces.  

“But it’s too restrictive for training and riding.” Endora felt much better now that she could breathe.

“You must get used to it. What if you had to fight in a gown? Would you say ‘wait while I take off my corset’?” Princess Cara admonished her.

Endora laughed. “No that’s silly. I see your point. I will start training in my corset.”

“And wearing it under your tunic?” Princess Cara gave her a stern look.

“I will wear it under my tunic, I promise. Can we please get this over with?” Endora did not enjoy being measured for dresses but it was something she must endure as a princess.

“Yes, yes.” Princess Cara waved over the seamstress. “We need new ball gowns and my daughter would like a new tunic as well.” Princess Cara smiled at Endora.

“Yes Your Highness. Which of you will go first?” The little seamstress asked.

Endora stepped forward. “I will. I still have training to do.”

“Very good My Lady. Just stand still and it will only take a few moments.” The seamstress took out her measuring ribbon and started to measure the young princess.

When the woman was finished Endora left to go train. Today she was training with lances on her unicorn, Astra.    

Princess Cara waited to make sure that Endora was gone. “There is one other thing. The Queen has requested a wedding gown be made for Princess Endora but she mustn’t know its being made. Not yet.”

“Her Great Majesty is going to betroth the Princess soon then?” The seamstress asked. The woman was thinking of all the dresses and coats she would have to make and how much she will get for it all.

“Yes. It is sooner than I would have hoped. We haven’t told her yet so if you could keep quiet I would appreciate it.” Princess Cara told the woman.       

“Oh yes of course, Your Highness. So I am to make two ball gowns, one tunic and a wedding gown, is that it?” The seamstress confirmed the order

“The ball gowns need to be done before we leave for Midsummer Court in two weeks. The rest can wait but start on the wedding gown as soon as the ball gowns are finished.”

“I will need to order the beads and pearls for the wedding gown now Your Highness. We haven’t had a wedding in a very long time and I have nothing saved back. I wasn’t expecting to need it yet truthfully.”

“Order what you need and bring the bill for it directly to me. She’s my daughter and I want the best for her. You may order anything you think will be appropriate.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Let’s get you measured.” The little woman smiled.

Princess Cara stands still for the seamstress as the woman makes her notes.

“I have one question, Your Highness. How modest should the ball gowns be?”

Princess Cara thought for a moment. “Not too modest but not overly revealing especially for the Princess.  They should be more revealing than the ones we wear at our own balls. Midsummer court is not a place of modesty but we should have decency at least.”

“I understand Your Highness. I will have them ready for a fitting in a few days.” The seamstress promised.

Princess Cara nodded and went back to her work on the grain ledgers. Endora will be upset at them all, she thought. She hoped the Queen wasn’t rushing this. She felt her daughter was just not ready for a marriage and family. Endora showed no interest in settling down. Princess Cara had an overwhelming feeling of doom about the whole thing.

PART 4