Scars on Tender White Skin

Warm sunlight began beaming down on Eos who was immediately awaken at the loud noise from the other customers in the inn. The needless annoying chirping of the birds rung in her ear. Eos then quickly met up with the coachman who immediately began riding to the capital where they ended up in the capital where she entered a clothing parlour where the employees immediately dismissed her as they quickly assumed she was someone not worth of being served. Nevertheless, Eos began browsing through the racks of clothing that were on display, but they were generic and only meant for the middle-class woman. Time was in Eos' favour since she was not expected to return the Monciaux Dukedom until this afternoon, "Excuse, can I have someone hand me the catalogue?" Eos politely ask however no one seemed to ignore seeing how simplistic her clothes were. Despite the saleswomen actions towards her. Eos could only sigh in helplessness seeing that this clothing parlour was of no use, judging a customer based on their appearance.

As Eos exited the clothing parlour, "Ah! Lady Monciaux, it is a pleasure to see you." A familiar furry of orange hair caught her attention was about to enter the clothing parlour she was walking out of. He was accompanied by a silent man who just quietly observed her appearance, "Just come back in from the countryside? I assume?" The man chuckled as he remained at a proper distance, but that statement was quite an unusual thing to say since it had only been an hour since she entered.

Eos tilted her head sideways trying to remember the orange hair man's name but with great difficulty, "Pardon me, but have we met?" Seeing that it was futile to try remembering the man's name. She tried to feign confusion since she had truly forgotten the man's name, but she couldn't admit that straight off. The silent man that was accompanying the orange haired man immediately laughing but he tried to muffle the sounds by covering his mouth. The orange haired man immediately went to slap the chuckling companion to no avail as his shoulder began to slump miserably, "I'm sorry sir but I'm in quite a hurry." Eos almost felt bad for forgetting the man's name despite only being able to recognise him because of his prominent features. Brightly orange coloured hair that resembled of copper. Eyes so blue that they swirled dangerously as the ocean.

Eos then went to another shop a little further down where is Arachne's family clothing parlour. Every saleswoman began to clamour around Eos bringing the catalogue, escorting her to a private room and offering her refreshments without any questions to her appearance since she was on the high priority VIP list. There were only ten people on the list. Those VIPs had to be served with the utmost respect and care regardless of if there were any other clients. It was small chain compared to the main store, but it was still up to date with all the fashion trends, and it also showcased some works of smaller tailor who wanted to have a chance to make it big. As Eos looked through the catalogue seeing nothing that piqued her interest, she began combing through all the hangers that held all the dresses. Combing through the racks of an endless number of dresses was now becoming a frustrating task since it was difficult to find a dress that she liked but also was appropriate to wear.

Soon, a person dressed to what seemed to be a tailor began bursting through carrying a dress in hands. Their glasses were lop-sized on their face as they began setting up to display their dresses in front of her trying to vie for her attention which it did. It was an off-white dress with a black bustier that was wrapped around the waist and the golden lace-like embroidery on the pleats contrasted with the subtleness of the floral embellishments on the lower back and the sleeves. The sleeve cuffed at the elbow, flaring out to about the wrist. The creamy off-white fabric of the dress was supple and lightweight, but it wasn't too lightweight that it would fly up at any wind. The over layer of the dress was a sheer fabric which shimmered differently as the sunlight reflects at different angles, "What is this fabric?" It was unbelievable that such a beautiful fabric existed, "It's very beautiful." Eos' eyes were drawn to such a fabric and the possibilities of designs that could incorporate such a beautiful fabric.

The tailor was stunned to see such a beautiful looking woman who despite wearing a simplistic dress that was made from expensive fabrics, radiating a softness. Then went to clean their glasses, "The fabric is a person project of mine but it's still a working in progress." Adjusting them on their face before taking the fabric into their hand before sighing heavily as she let the fabric fall, "It difficult to produce since its time consuming and to labour intensive." Despite this fabric being a working in progress it was so appealing to Eos' eye that the possibilities of what it would look like if it was finalised. It would be a waster if since a beautiful fabric to go to waste especially an unfunded talented tailor who was able to create such product.

Eos gently caressed the fabric to find it to be very luscious texture that could easily slip through fingers, "I'll take this dress for today." The tailor was startled as many saleswomen crowded around the beautiful client who was immediately escorted to a private changing room. Once the sounds of the rings that held the curtain skittered across the rod, revealing the most beautiful fairy to have graced her presence to this small parlour. Eos smiled as she inspected the sleeves with satisfaction, "Do you have any clients?" This would be an opportunity of a lifetime being one of the designated tailors to one of the VIPs which meant a huge salary and bonus.

The tailor immediately knelt to one knee, "No, My Lady." But she was bought back to her feet as Eos then smiled seeing a personal tailor just for her. The dresses were too her taste simple and elegant without too much lavish embellishments; beautiful fabric that simply are like they were crafted from god.

Eos looked outside the window to see the sun was still very high in the sky and there was plenty of time, "I wish to commission you to make a wardrobe for the social season for me." A challenge to test the skills of the tailor who instantly froze up, "Afterwards, I would like you to invite you to the Monciaux Dukedom on a day that is suitable to you so that we can discuss the potential sketches." Her subtle wicked smile seemed brought out a fierce passion within the tailor who immediately set to challenge the task that was given to her. Seeing the young tailor run into a room to dive straight into sketching for potential dresses that she would wear for the social season this year. Eos immediately when to the reception who went to put a tab for the clothing that Eos was worn to be sent to her personal account to be dealt with later. She also requested for one of the employees to get the previous dress that she was wearing to a cleaning service and returned. As she exited the clothing parlour to find the coachman who was in the carriage stables just finishing up preparation to make sure she would return to the Dukedom in a carriage. In the corner of Eos' eye, a holsteiner horse which was shiny grey coat with a snowy white pattern on its back caught her eye. She began to carefully approach the horse as to not startle it as she stared at the horse, examining its features.

The horse stared back right at her as it stretched out its neck to reach her but unfortunately was stopped but the door that kept it inside. Using its muzzle to open the latch to be able to release itself. It began to approach Eos who was allowed the horse to smell her as it was curious about her, "It seems that Antione has become fond of you." Two figures entered the carriage stables who was now becoming a familiar sight, "It's quite surprisingly to see Antione being so receptive to you Lady Monciaux." Thankfully Eos was now able to remember the man's name.

Eos then went to touch the horse's neck feeling the surprisingly soft coat of Antione whose eyes stared at Eos, "So what you are saying is that Antione is typically aloof type of horse, Sir Bassett?" The horse began to nudge against Eos' hand as if trying to get her to pat or scratch her somewhere and as Eos began using her nails to scratch Antione's coat. Antione began to move its head to get the specific spot that was yearning to be scratched, "Does that feel better?" Eos lightly giggled under her breath as she talked to Antione as she never expected a verbal response but instead got a soft neigh in response. The coachmen approached Eos telling her that the carriage that they would be renting would take a bit longer.

Caedman soon then when to approach Antione who only haughty snorted at him possibly at the fact that he had left her in the stables for so long, "Lady Monciaux, if you wish I can lend you one of my carriages?" He offered his service however Eos shook her head as she dusted her hands.

She proceeded to take the pleat of her dress and only to sightly lift it, "I appreciate your offer however I must decline." Eos spun on her heel walking towards town square seeing that she had some extra time left before going back to the Monciaux House.

Remembering the potato cakes that were given to the fugitives were gone leaving her empty handed. Eos quickly decided to go to the bank to withdraw from money to buy from souvenirs. Snack, trinkets, salves, and creams were the few products that she had bought with her money so that she would be able to give a small token of appreciation for their hard work. After handing out the gifts did another servant approach her, "The Madam wishes to see you." She could instantly recognise that this servant belonged to the Madam. Sucking in a sharp breath Eos could only grimace to what would come once she entered the Madam's domain. The heels clicked under her as she walked through the lifeless hallways which would ultimately lead her to face the Madam.

Soon the columns which were place on each side of the hallway were made from polished marble with golden paint to emphasise immense wealth and luxury. As the door opened to reveal a well-dressed posh woman sat on chair with a fan held up to her. Her dress was wine red dress with some rose gold accents, making her seem like a danger flag. Eos curtsied, "Madame, you called for me?" her eyes never left the Duchess' eye who stared right back at her.

The Madame was the title of the lady that sat before Eos; one of immense power within the Dukedom. She was married the second lady to which the Duke married after he casted away the first lady who was unable to bear a heir for the Monciaux House. Everyone calls her the Madame since she never took on the role of the Duchess and throwing it on Eos who already was dealing with her own business outside of the Dukedom, "You didn't bother to keep an eye on your brother?" The Madame bought the teacup to her lips as she slowly sipped at the tea before her facial expression grimace with annoyance. Snapping her finger, the servant quickly took the tea set away and went to brew another batch of tea.

Eos stood motionless at her spot in front of the Madame as the thought of the expected task that was placed on her, "Madame, brother is a full-grown adult, but I just recently become a full-fledged noble." Eos stated plainly as she waited for the expression on the Madame face which was filled with scorn toward her, "Whilst I have to handle all the duties of Duchess and regional lord, I do not have time to watch over your son fooling around in the casino." Eos was much too tired to filter her words since she was still required to set up the tea party in the next coming day for her friends and handle the food management in the territory. There was simply not enough time to waste on the supposed heir because there was so much work that was needed.

The madame's expression tightened at Eos' words as she tightened her grip around the fan that was in her hand, "Shouldn't you be grateful to be in this position?" The air surrounded burned with anger, "If it wasn't for my husband, you wouldn't be here!" the servants around her began to tremble knowing full well that they would have to face the wrath of the Madame later.

Eos was fairly done with having to waste precious time on this woman, "If it wasn't for me you would have to do all the duties of the Duchess and I know you hate to work." As she ran her finger in her hair to push back the stray fly away hair from her face, "Since you have free time why don't you educate your son for once since you're his mother." The facial expression of the Madame only writhed even more as she began to flush not knowing how to respond back to Eos' words. Soon, the fan that was in the Madame's hand began to fly towards Eos who caught completely by surprise.

The fan soon bashed against Eos' head enough for it to become a bruise the next day, "Get me my whip!" The servant began making a commotion since that the young lady was injured but it was okay before the debutante ball but now, she was recently initiated as a noble, "Now!" The Madame demanded and the servants obey not wanting to have to deal with the Madame's outburst if she didn't vent her anger. Soon, she rushed over to Eos who was stunned by the fan that was thrown at her whipping her head, chest, back, arms and legs. Places on the body where people wouldn't be able to see because of the long dresses.

Eos could only endure the pain and she continuous reminded herself that it would be over soon since the Madame didn't have enough stamina to last long. Soon, the whipping cease as the as the sound of the Madame's laboured breaths was the only sound in the room. The Madame then throw the broken whip at the motionless Eos could only helpless lay on the floor, bleeding all over the ground but she eventually bought herself up from the ground. As she scanned the room there was nobody. No one even tried to help her. Eos then released a maniacal laugh as she stared at the wounds left behind on the beautiful dress that she just purchased today. Her body was tired from the loss of blood, but this was nothing new to Eos who just anchored herself against the wall as she stood up.

She could only rely on the wall to support her as she walked out of the Madame's room. As she continued to walk through the empty and cold hallway of the Monciaux household occasionally staggering along the way. It was painful lonely and excruciatingly suffocating to be in this wretched household. Eos already missed the cozy environment of her parent's home that was filled with warmth and love. A croaky voice shouted at Eos, "Miss Eos!" That familiar voice echoed in Eos' head who could barely hold herself up anymore as she crumbled to the cold hard ground, "Please hang on! Miss Eos!" The voice was very much more audible now that it was closer. Her body was lifted from the ground before it was carried off. The voices that surrounded her was beginning to muffle as her vision blurred and her eyelids could barely keep open.