The next afternoon, the King hosted a welcome luncheon, and Lyria wore the first in a series of long, stately dresses that were delivered the night before to her room. The one she had chosen for the first competition was ice blue, with a high neckline and short sleeves. It shimmered in the candlelight when she moved, being embedded with tiny crystals. She had chosen it because it was the least ostentatious, but it was still far too much for her.
Of course, as she and Aertis glided into the throne room, where the contestants were instructed to gather before the luncheon began, she realized she was underdressed.
Aertis, of course, wore a simple red dress. She wasn’t a contestant. But Ravelina spotted her from across the room and as she moved toward Lyria, Lyria found herself stunned.
“Y
