BUT I'M NOT A NOBLE!

A Pain In The Fashion

The morning sun had just risen over the castle walls as I finished my breakfast, feeling the warmth of its rays on my skin. I took a deep breath and savored the fresh morning air before setting off to attend to the princess's needs. It was my duty to make sure she was well taken care of, and I took my responsibilities seriously.

To reach the princess's room, I had to climb up the three flights of winding stairs, which were made of cool stone. Each step I took echoed throughout the castle's main hall, which was still silent as the royals had not yet begun their day. As I walked past each large room, I marveled at the grandeur of the castle's interiors, which were furnished with the finest tapestries, paintings, and furniture.

Finally, I reached the double doors that led to the princess's room, which were painted in gold and intricately carved with sunflower designs. I took a deep breath before pushing the doors open, revealing the spacious and beautifully decorated room that belonged to the princess.

The walls were painted in a soft shade of pink that complemented the warmth of the morning light filtering through the sheer curtains. The four-poster bed in the center of the room was adorned with a fluffy comforter that enveloped the princess's delicate frame. She clutched a large teddy bear close to her chest, which added to the comforting serenity of the scene.

As I approached her, I couldn't help but admire the peaceful expression on her face as she slept. Her feather pillows provided a soft and supportive surface, while a silk bonnet kept her hair in place. I reached out and gently stroked her head, hoping to rouse her from her slumber without disturbing her peaceful repose.

"Zinnia, my love, it's time to wake up," I whispered. She whined softly and turned the other way, which elicited a short chuckle from me. "Come on, don't make me pester you," I said, nudging her softly until she finally opened her eyes, squinting at the bright light of the sun that had just begun to peek through the curtains.

After helping her adjust her blankets and pillows, I accompanied her to the bathroom, where I assisted her with her morning hygiene routine. I handed her the toothbrush and toothpaste, making sure she rinsed her mouth properly before helping her wash her face with a gentle cleanser, wiping away any residue with a soft towel.

Once she was freshened up, I presented her with a selection of outfits to choose from for the day. I took into account the weather forecast, her preferred style, and the activities she had planned for the day. She finally made a choice, and I helped her get dressed, making sure each piece of clothing fit well and was comfortable.

"We're supposed to go to get measurements taken for the gowns today. Did you think of which designs you're going to ask to get drawn up?" I asked as I brushed her ringlets of blonde hair.

Zinnia smiled from where she sat, even though I couldn't see her face, I always could tell her mood through her voice. The light and airy tone is prone to the subtleties of octave shifts and pauses that became easy to pick up on. "I have, but I'm unsure whose rendition I will go with."

I nodded before pausing. "Don't you mean, which rendition?" I asked.

"Well~," she began, and I could practically see that derpy grin she put on when she thought she was being sneaky. "I asked two different designers to draw a mockup so that I could see which interpretation I liked better."

"And they know they both were asked, right?"

There was a pause, and I could feel the dread of this afternoon beginning to set in. "Right?"

They did not.

"Ah, Marquis how good it is to see you! I'm so glad you could make it, Zinnia was so excited to hear you responded to her letter!" I greeted the tall black-haired man before me, smiling as I tried to hide the discomfort I felt. Zinnia could have invited any designers she wanted, but no. She had to ask Marquis and Frederick. It was well known that the two were rivals, no nemesis. They hated each other.

"Ah, Lady Jiya, a pleasure as always. The princess is keeping you busy as usual, I see," he'd grin before looking at the other designer.

"I'm delighted to see you again, Lady Jiya. It seems like the princess is keeping you busy, as always," he said with a smile. He then turned to the other designer, a sleek brunette with a pompadour, and sneered, "And look who's here, Frederick. Are you trying to catch a contract from one of the bridesmaids, perhaps?"

Frederick gasped and quickly replied, "The princess is also considering me to design her dress, and unlike you, I showed up on time!"

As they began to bicker, I frowned to myself, not wanting either of them near me with measuring tape or scissors when they were in a sour mood.

As an outsider, it was easy to see why Zinnia had chosen Frederick and Marquis. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, both had achieved great success in the fashion industry. Marquis had inherited his family's silk trade business and had expanded it to include designing, as well as other fabrics.

On the other hand, Frederick had grown up with a modest seamstress for a mother and had to work diligently from a tender age to assist her with taxes and workload. Nevertheless, he eventually developed a reputation as a gifted fashion designer, gaining recognition comparable to the noble-born Marquis.

It was undeniable that the princess only wanted the best of the best, and it appeared that she had found them in Frederick and Marquis. However, I knew Zinnia's true motivation, and it was not solely based on their talent.

"This plan of yours is doomed to fail, Zinnia. The two despise each other!" I had told her this morning as we strolled hand in hand to the boutique.

"Jiya, you have no sense of romance. You know that to truly hate someone is to love them. Just think about how they gaze into each other's eyes, how they always know when the other is near, and how they can spot each other's designs with a mere glance. They are so close to being in love and don't even realize it!" Zinnia had replied, full of hope and optimism.

But as I observed the two men eyeing each other with disdain and animosity, I couldn't help but feel skeptical about Zinnia's romantic notions. Despite this, Zinnia was a hopeless romantic, always seeing the potential for love even in the most unlikely of situations, including between Marquis and Frederick.

I glanced at Zinnia hoping she'd put an end to their banter, but instead, her eyes sparkled with dreamy hopes.

I'd sigh and shake my head, knowing this was going to be a long day.