After their short breakfast, Meredith went back to her chambers. Their breakfast became silent after their conversation for Krillien only called for her to tell her the news.
Seeing how it went, Meredith wondered why he couldn't have Theodore tell her about it. It was only a simple announcement a servant could have made. She thought of how odd this tyrant emperor was. Well, he does indeed not follow the rules and customs of nobility at all. He definitely follows his own way.
"My Lady," Fiona entered her chambers, the door opened by the guards. "The seamstress is here." She announced.
A woman with a puffy dress and big hair with streaks of gray came into the room, with a young man beside her wearing a tailored suit. They bowed their heads with a hand on their chest.
"Greetings, Your Highness." They said, their voices low.
The woman raised her head, her eyes widening as her gaze landed on Meredith, familiarity in her eyes.
"Oh!" She exclaimed. "Lady Meredith." A smile crept on her lips.
"Madam Miriam..." Meredith uttered, shocked to see Miriam as well. "I see you are still sought after." She smiled.
"Of course, I am. Reputation and whatnot." She smiled wide. "As you are a familiar client, you know how things go by now. Let's get started." She clapped her hands, and the boy, who seemed to be her aide, began setting up the area and the materials needed for Meredith's measurements.
"My, it's been a while hasn't it?" Miriam said as she began to extend the tape measure on Meredith's body. "You were just a debutante the last time I saw you... now, you're about to be wed." She said fondly, a sad smile forming on her lips, her eyes a bit shaky.
"Mn, yes..." Meredith exchanged the same smile. Madam Miriam raised and extended Meredith's arms.
"I noticed you have changed," she chuckled. "You were such an... active child before."
Meredith awkwardly smiled. She knew what that meant. Meredith was quite hot-headed back then, yelling at anyone and everyone. Impatient and full of privilege. The two years of living outside of nobility have humbled her. Crumbled her to ruins before building herself up again. Perhaps some good came out of the tragedy that befell on them. It seems as though she has Krillien to thank. But she'd rather not.
She glanced at Fiona who was silently watching with a calm expression on her face. The old Meredith would have yelled at her for something by now, being rude or even ask her to do pointless things for her entertainment. Meredith cringed. Oh, how awful she was back then. The daughter of a noble she was.
"I suppose. You've heard haven't you?" She asked. "Of what happened."
Meredith had no idea why she needed to ask. The news was everywhere. Still, she hoped that maybe one person did not know about the embarrassing thing that happened to them. Or pity her too much because of it.
Madam Miriam slowly nodded. "Yes, I have," she stopped measuring and glanced at the aide with her. "Apologies, Lady Ryvetsky. And to your family as well."
Meredith sighed and gave a smile. "It's alright. Though you must be wondering why I am here to marry him."
Fixing the tape measure, Madam Miriam said, "well, it has always been the plan hasn't it?" she looked at Meredith. "To marry into the Royal family."
"I... yes." Meredith stepped off the pedestal and fixed her clothes. She glanced at Fiona who was still silently watching. There was no point in trying to hide it anyway. Everyone knew about it, of course. Her planned engagement with one of the deceased brothers. Though there were never any official announcements, the former emperor and her father had been planning it for quite some time.
She remembered the smile her fiancé-to-be gave her whenever their eyes met. It was an awful thought to realize that he was already dead. A prince who could be 6 feet under or a body burnt to a crisp.
"I suppose it is always the plan for me. The path I was destined for." Meredith looked down at her calloused hands. "Despite it being a rocky path."
"Yes, Your Highness." Madam Miriam bowed. "I shall bring you your gown before the banquet."
"Will I be choosing my gown?" Meredith called out. "The design?"
"I'm afraid not. His Majesty has already chosen one for you. Last night." Madam Miriam explained.
"Oh, I see..." Despite trying to hide it, her disappointment was obvious.
"Do not worry, My Lady. His Majesty chose a beautiful gown for you." Madam Miriam assured with a smile, remembering how Krillien stared at the designs with furrowed eyebrows and a serious face. His Majesty had called all of a sudden for her service last night, asking for gowns fit for an engagement. Albeit in colors not so suited for one, but for a Tyrant Emperor's engagement indeed.
She was surprised to find out that Krillien had found someone to marry. She thought the new emperor would like to rule this empire himself, without someone to contest his authority and power. But the Emperor is still a man after all. Who could resist a woman's charms? Much less the charms of the woman in front of her? Madam Miriam thought, chuckling to herself a bit, leaving Meredith's chambers.
Madam Miriam's eyebrows knitted as they left the palace grounds, continuously sighing.
"Is everything alright, Madam?" The aide asked, carrying their supplies in a Gladstone bag.
She looked at her aide and looked back in front of her. "I am just worried about Lady Meredith's marriage. I cannot tell how good of an idea this is despite her... situation."
"Only time will tell, Madam." He said softly.
Madam Miriam looked up at the darkening sky. It seemed like the clouds will be pouring later tonight.
"Indeed." She uttered.