Chapter Text
Maxi stared at the dress that was laid out for her. She stared at all its glory, the deep red wine outer dress and silver under bust corset. She then moved to the dark burgundy undergarments, her eyes widening.
She picked up it and examined it. The bottom of the garment had a beautiful cross stitched pattern. She ran her thumb over one of the cross stiches, noting now rough it was. As her eyes moved upward, she saw no fabric covering for her shoulders and chest.
Maxi turned the undergarment to the back side and softly gasped.
There was hardly a back covering, in fact it revealed most, if not all of her back. Even the sides of her waist were exposed. The only thing that held it together was a band with clasps at the upper back. She looked further down at the garment and saw that her mid and lower back would be exposed, with the shape towards the end being a ruffled low v cut with bows on each side.
How can she possibly wear this to the dining hall? She asked herself.
Just as she began to put the garment down, she heard a soft knock on her door.
“My lady, may I come in?”
“Y-You may.” Responded Maxi
Rudys opened the door and bowed, “Good evening madam, I am here to dress and prepare you for the dining hall.”
Embarrassed at the dress that she held, she quickly put it down and asked Rudys for an alternative.
“I-Is there something else I could w-wear?” Maxi asked, praying that there would be something, anything except the garments that were laid out.
“I’m sorry my lady, this is what we could only find,” Rudys said apologetically. “Your gowns are at the moment being washed and tended to. If you wish I could try to find and fetch a gown from my wardrobe for you to wear.
Maxi thought for a moment. Borrowing a dress from her maid? She wouldn’t mind…but the knights will make fun of me. What will think Riftan when sees what I wear? He won’t see a proper and dignified wife, but a ugly fool.
She shook her head, Thinking like this will make me late to the dining hall and Riftan will worry.
“I-I’ll wear this t-then, if you may.”
Rudys nodded and began to assist Maxi with putting on the undergarments.
Maxi had the undergarment on her and she had never felt so naked in her life. Her elbows and chest were exposed. She could fill the cold air against brush against her back. Maxi shivered, and Rudys took notice as she clasped the back.
“My lady I can put more wood to the fire place. If you’d let me, I’ll go and fetch some.”
Maxi didn’t want to be any more late than she already was and she didn’t want to send Rudys out by the stables to get firewood. The air Anatol was already cold as it is.
“T-Thank you, but I’ll be okay, it is i-is cold out, I d-don’t want to trouble you.”
Rudys was truly happy to have such a kind mistress. She nodded and grabbed the outer dress.
The outer dress was a bit difficult to put on even with Rudys’ help. The dress was adorned with black ruffles at the mid shoulders and at the long sleeves. The upper part of the dress had two black lace straps that were connected to the collar in an upside down v shape. The collar and the base of the lace straps were adorned with red jewels.
Eventually the Rudys was able to put on the outer dress. Now came the final parts the under bust corset and hose.
Rudys took the corset and put it to Maxi’s waist.
The corset was a stunning silver with intricate designs. The center piece of the corset was a silver tassel that hung adorned with small upside down fans, each on the side of each corset.
“Can you hold the front end for me please?”
Maxi did as she was told, and Rudys clasped the corset from behind. It was a perfect fit. She looked at her reflection in the window as Rudys attached the chains from one side to the other on the lower back of the corset.
The more she looked at herself in this dress the more miserable she felt. This doesn’t suit me… Rosie would have looked better in it she thought to herself. She began to think back when she was in Croix Castle, how the maids each year would talk about her. How she failed in comparison to her sister.
Rudys clasped her hands, snapping Maxi back to the present. “My lady I am finished, we can put your hose and shoes next.”
“Ah…yes please.” Was all Maxi could say as the lingering thoughts clouded her mind. Though she tried not to show it, Maxi’s face had a look of sadness.
Rudys assisted Maxi with putting on her hose and finally her shoes. Maxi looked at the sleeves of dress, down to her shoes.
Rudys noticed the change of atmosphere and coughed. She looked at Maxi and smiled. “My lady, you look beautiful.” She went on to explain the dress she wore. “The seamstress couple that Lord Calypse hired seemed to be well known for creating beautiful pieces of clothing and unique ones as well.”
“A-Ah I see...” She trailed off.
Silence ensued between them.
Rudys who tried to cheer up Maxi broke the silence asked “If I may would you like me to brush your hair?”
Maxi nodded, and sat in front of the mirror. Rudys took out the brush from the drawer and began brushing Max’s long red, wavy hair. Putting the brush down, Rudys asked Maxi if she wanted her hair to be up.
“N-No, please leave my hair down.” Maxi stated. Riftan’s words echoed in her mind.
“Leave your hair down when you around me, I like it like that.”
Rudys nodded at the lady’s request and left her hair down, but not before braiding a bit of her hair into a crown braid.
Maxi stared into the mirror as Rudys put the finishing touches on her braid. Who was that girl in the mirror? Maxi felt as if she was looking at someone else, her reflection was not her own. As she mulled over these thoughts, Rudys began speaking.
“If I may ask my lady ,would like to wear these earrings?” She held up two beautiful red gem stone earrings in the shape of teardrops. Maxi’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the jewels, amazed at their beauty.
“Yes please.”
Maxi stared at the gemstones that were on her ears. She turned her head admiring the different shades of red emitting from the stones. She was quite entranced with colors. She smiled at Rudys.
“ Thank you for dressing me Rudys, you can leave the rest to m-me.”
Rudys smiled back and walked towards the door. “I shall summon Rodrigo to escort you to the dining hall.”
Rudys bowed courteously and left the room, closing the door softly.
Maxi sat and waited with only the soft crackling of the fireplace to keep her company.