Dress Up, Father

Epione had woken from her deep slumber which had been a more frequent occurrence. The door opened to Lisa who immediately went to open the curtains and windows to allow for the warm sunlight to beam on her missus. She then leisurely walked over to the closet which was filled with simple garments, dresses, and accessories. Much more reserved compared to her old closet which probably has been destroyed. Epione enjoyed the much simpler outfits since they didn't require much upkeep or coordination. However, for today Lisa brought out a much more refined dress that was more for an outing along with a hat to protect her skin from burning in the Sun, "What's the special occasion?" Epione stretched herself on the bed before getting up from bed and going into the bathroom to freshen herself up.

Lisa await at the vanity table which was filled with beauty water as well as some cosmetics, "Your father has some business at the capital so he wanted someone to guide him around the capital." Aiding Epione with applying the beauty water on her face and braiding her hair into a beautiful fishtail braid which was accompanied by some ribbon intertwined into it, "He also wants to spend some time with you." Adding onto what she said since Epione knew that she hadn't been actively seeking out her father's company unless he had invited her or at mealtimes. Lisa then went to finish up with some light makeup on Epione's face before heading out. Her father was being fixed up by her mother who was helping him with his tie before giving him a kiss.

They were immediately embarrassed to see that their daughter had to witness such a scene first thing in the morning. But, Epione didn't mind since it only meant that they still have a burning passion for each other as they were newlyweds. Epione thought to herself what her love life would present itself in the future; it would be like her parent where love was neverending or was it never meant to be in this lifetime. That type of love was something she would have never thought. Only because she thought she would live and die for the Monciaux Dukedom in a loveless marriage that would only be advantageous to the Dukedom. But, Epione never thought to herself what would happen to her future if the Monciaux Dukedom would have fallen as it did not too long ago. She didn't know what was her future anymore.

As Epione was muddled in her thoughts, "Sweetie? Are you alright?" Her father gently took her hand carefully leading her down the stairs since it was dangerous to be at the stair absentminded, "Head in the clouds?" He ruffled her head waking her up from her daydream. Epione nodded as she walked out the door with her father to the capital. The ride to the capital was all too familiar to Epione who patiently watched the scenery until they reached the capital. They were immediately granted access through the capital gate as her father pulled a golden token out showing a coat of arms that had the embellishments of a lion and griffon facing away from each other with the royal insignia in the middle.

Epione didn't pay much heed to the royal token that her father possessed since His Majesty had visited the county not too long ago. Her father was supposedly was an important figure back in his prime where he actively participated in campaigns in the name of the Monciaux Dukedom. But soon disappeared as he settled down in the countryside to live in retirement. The familiar sights of the street were phrased by as the carriage continued through the roads in the direction of the more wealthy district to where they eventually stopped at a boutique, "Father, why are we at a boutique?" Epione questioned as her father lent out his hand to help her out of the carriage.

Her father blushed as he gulped, "Well, His Majesty has summoned me to the palace today." He had been summoned and yet he had never told her. Simply telling her that it was a normal outing. This was not a simply outing it was a formal summon by royalty, "I already have my suit prepared at this boutique since it was recommended to me." He explained as he entered the boutique with Epione following behind. Epione sighed as she knew that if her father was attending that she would also have to escort her father through the palace herself as well to aid him in the etiquette. She was immediately greeted by a busy Penni who was rushing around the place carrying a huge amount of fabric which her petite figure could barely carry herself.

Eos went to help Penni by taking a few bolts of the fabric into her hands, "Penni!" Her father hauled off the bolts of fabric from her arms before being directed to the pattern-making section of the shop where Penni had some assistants were tracing, drawing and cutting the patterns so that Penni would be able to sew them together to make a few of the preordered dresses for the ladies of high society.

After everything was settled in, Penni, engulfed Epione in a hug, "My dear, I was worried about you." Penni's eye were immediately drawn to the man that was standing next to Epione who was very handsome despite his age which rivalled to younger men, "Who is this gentleman?" Quizzically questioned as she stared him up and down as she thought of clothing designs that would suit and compliment his frame and structure to bring out more of his feature.

Epione chuckled as she was grabbed her father by the arm to introduce him to Penni who was probably the person who design her father's clothes, "Penni, this is my father." Her father nodded as he tilted his hat politely, "I came with him as a guide of sorts to the Palace today." This immediately perked Penni up a mentioned the word Palace before she rushed off something leaving both father and daughter behind in the pattern making room where there were others still working on the parts. Epione pulled her father out of the pattern making class before being taken by one of the employees who guided her to her private dressing room which had been assigned to her by Arachne.

As they walked through the lavish boutique her father was staring at all the decorative hallways with awe as he hastily turned to watch where he was going as they entered an evermore lavish room. Set with beautiful dresses, accessories, cosmetics & snacks that were freshly made in house in preparation for the special guest who was Epione. Her father shyly sat at one of the couches before staring at everything which was bright, "Sweetie is this what you see every day when you were in the capital?" He was quite overwhelmed in the room as he focused on his daughter doing something at the snack table. She came back to the couch with a teacup filled with a beverage. The smell of the beverage was something that he had never smelt before.

Epione seated herself on the opposite side with her own cup, "Not every day just on a weekly basis to get new dresses for any social events or for everyday wear," Gently blowing on the tea as the steam rushed away from the wind. Epione carefully inhaled the beautiful aroma of the tea, Glutinous Rice Pu'erh Tea, both earthy and green, "This tea is from the Eastern Kingdoms." Epione placed her lips on the edge of the teacup before savouring the flavours of the tea which was rice-like, nutty and a bit earthy.

Her father was unfamiliar with Eastern Teas, "Oh… That's a lot of dresses." cautiously took a sip which was immediately met with intrigue and delight, "This is good! Your mother might like this." He stared at the cup with delight as he continued to sip at the tea trying to savour it for as long as possible.

Epione smiled as she took the bell that was on the table before ringing it. An employee immediately went to attend to Epione, "Could you pack up some of the Glutinous Rice Pur eh Tea?" Politely requesting for the tea for them to take home with them later. The employee nodded before leaving the room. The doors to the private room were slammed open to reveal a whole brigade of people carrying various outfits and accessories, "No wonder they were taking so long." Epione then was attended by some of the people in the brigade as they dressed her up to escort her father to the Palace.

Her father was immediately bombarded with employees who were dressing him in custom-tailored suits that were measured to his body measurement. Epione had already finished since it was much easier to dress her since she already knew the protocol when getting dressed. She was dressed relatively quick and she then proceed to choose some tailor suits with different fabrics and colours to mix and match. Once her father had finished dressing. It was very apparent that she did inherit her father's green eyes which contrasted with his military-style uniform which had green accents to give the outfit an extra pop of colour. It wouldn't be that far of a stretch to say that her father could be one of the most handsome men in the Empire, "This isn't particularly the most comfortable suit I have ever worn." Her father pulled at the constrictive collar of the extravagant suit that he would have to wear if he were to be considered appropriately dressed for the Palace.

Epione chuckled as she fixed up her father's suit from him trying to get more comfortable in the suit, "Well formal suits were never meant to be comfortable." She patted her father's suit down before escorting him out of the boutique so that they could get to the carriage so that they would be able to get to the Palace, "I'm glad the colour suits you." Epione was pleased with her colour choice as it made her father's green eye pop out more. This instantly made her father happier as she beamed with pride as he held his head higher than before. They soon eventually reached the Palace where the door was opened where there were many servants ready to welcome them. Including the head of the knight orders were awaiting their arrival which was to be expected since the glorious person who had brave dangerous expeditions, climb through the ranks of knights also well as having swordsmanship style which was many wished to learn from.

However, they did not expect a handsome middle-aged man who aided a young lady down the carriage, Eos Monciaux. The one who was the catalyst for the civil war but also the one to aid the current ruler in the succession of quelling the war. The people all had mixed feelings about the young lady who was accompanied by the glorious person who only just returned back to the scene of high society. Epione did not heed their invisible thought and continued to hold her head high in front of these people as they were the ones to spread the news and scandals from high society to the common people, "Sir Ferdinand. Lady Mon-" The head servant, an elderly man, bowed in a polite stance holding both individuals in high esteem however before he could continue his sentence.

Epione's face was monotonous with emotion hearing the Monciaux name, "The Monciaux Dukedom has fallen there is no need to address me as such anymore." She was glad to see the fall of the Monciaux Dukedom but now it also meant she no longer had a path to strive for leaving her wonderless.

The head servant understood but Epione would still need a title to be called by for others, "Apologies, My Lady." He bowed his head in apology, "How would your ladyship rather be called?" Still gave Epione a chance to publicly reverse her name back to her original name.

Her father grabbed her hand giving it a gentle squeeze as if to reassure her that everything would be ok, "Well since she is my daughter then she would have to be called Lady Ferdinand." Her father proudly took his stance as he walked with Epione into the Palace. The head servant already knew that but the rest of the servants and heads of the Knight Order didn't know that the Lady of the Monciaux was actually the daughter of Lord Ferdinand. The head servant lead the way for the father-daughter pair who left the entourage of people stunned with their appearance. It wasn't too long before they were escorted to the office of His Majesty which was utter chaos from trying to get their state of affairs in check.

There were piles of paper which towered over the people who rushed back and forth with His Majesty in the centre of the room working feverishly as he was struck in the workaholic mindset to be able to finish his work, "Your Majesty, Lord Ferdinand and Lady Ferdinand have arrived." The head servant announced the arrival of both the father and daughter pair as a way to give his majesty a break from his non-stop work trying to stabilise the empire. His majesty's head popped out of the pile of papers on his desk as he went to tidy up their appearance. His clothing was well presented, unlike his actual appearance which was haggard with fatigue.

Everyone in the room was worried about his majesty working so hard, "Your Majesty, have you slept? Eaten?" Courtney cam bursting through the door hauling over Lilith who was pouted having to be dragged into the place where paperwork ruled, "Epione! What are you doing here?" Surprised to see Epione so soon after meeting at Ferdinand County. Lilith perked up after hearing Epione's name as she spun around on the ground and leap into Epione's arm, weeping.

Epione patted Lilith's head, "Just escorting my father into the palace and around the capital." Lilith was sobbing hysterically as she nuzzled her face into Epione's dress, "We might go have lunch after this." This immediately perked up Lilith whose eyes sparkled with joy at the sound of going out to eat. This made the girl make some plans to eat some desserts to replenish their energy as well as rest.

However, on the other side, Epione's father went to His Majesty's side before seating him down on a nearby chair, "Let me cast a little bit of magic." He placed his hand over his majesty forehead where a faint blue light glowed as it entered His Majesty's head. To the casted magic that was placed on His Majesty gave instant cooling relief, refreshing His Majesty which brought able a burst of newfound energy.