Messed Dress

One day, while trying on the final two chosen dresses...

"I remember you mentioned Ms. Corin interceded for you. Do you trust her?" Calla asked Meara.

Meara opened her luggage from her bedroom and pulled out one carefully packed evening dress. This was her first choice when she hung four dresses before.

"Yes she did and no, but I have doubts about what more bad things she can do anyway," Meara slowly unpacked the dress. She gently pushed Calla out and told her to wait outside. She delicately put on her dress.

When she went out, she gathered the skirt so as not to touch the ground. Then she stepped on a stool and stood there displaying her dress proudly.

The beige dress is sparkly on the torso, and free-flowing tulle from the waist down with a thin gold sash highlighting the wearer's slender waist. The square neckline connects to the sleeves which are small puffs radiating a youthful and playful appearance with small details of clothmade roses with sparkling materials at the center.

"Wow… it's so beautiful on you!" Calla exclaimed.

"Yes… yes, it is truly beautiful. Nanny Lione said it was worn by my mother during her engagement to my father. She included the dresses in my luggage when she packed it along with some of my mother's rare things… or what's left of it."

Calla had a thought and asked immediately.

"In a disastrous case of an accident, do you have a backup dress?" she pointed at Meara's bedroom. She remembered she had four dresses to choose from.

"Quick, please pull the bag from my luggage. The one in a blue cloth is my second choice." Meara asked Calla to get it for her.

Calla took the second dress and spread it out. She put it in front of Meara and Meara held it near her shoulders. It's a more mature dress, much different from the youthful appearance of the beige dress.

"It's so sexy!" Calla exclaimed.

"Too sexy…" Meara mumbled.

"Yeah, too sexy. But it will fit you nonetheless." Theron, who just came in through their door, commented and quickly put the basket in his hand on the kitchen sink. He went back to the living room. He delivered prey today so he can walk freely to the little courtyard.

The dress is a V-neck midnight blue mermaid prom dress, sleeveless and with a long slit held by a 10cm crystal brooch in the form of tiny flowers and leaves.

"It is breathtaking but too mature for me. I like the youthful look of the beige one."

"Quick, change your clothes. I brought some freshly baked pastries from my village. Let's eat it while it's still warm."

They all agree, heads nodding like a hen pecking rice. Calla took the blue dress. Meara changed her attire back to the cotton dress. Theron set the table.

Meanwhile, in their own courtyards, both wives of the general got their sizes measured and waited for their custom-made dresses. Dressing up beautifully is also giving face to the husband. Both women knew it was part of their responsibility to represent the family well.

With Corin's petty heart, she called for Meara while she was having breakfast with Donne one morning.

The servant guided her to the courtyard of the second wife. The servant and Meara were approaching the room where Corin and Donne were having breakfast. This servant who was deliberately walking slowly suddenly caught her hand and stopped her from opening it.

"My lady, please let me." The servant knocked and opened the door. She guided her in.

"Good morning Master, My lady. You called for me?" Meara asked, humbly.

"Hi, check out that green dress over there, the one on top of the white one. Slide your hand behind it as the sequins may get entangled" Corin pointed at the dresses near the window.

Meara followed.

When she slid her hand behind, she was able to gently untangle some sequins from the first dress. However, she noticed that there was some bluish color smeared on the back of the green dress and the top of the white one. Immediately, she felt something was wrong.

"What did you do? Why are your hands dirty?" Corin, with her poor acting skills, ran to Meara. She roughly held her wrist and there was a dark blue stain.

"I… I didn't… I don't know where I got it…" then it struck her. The servant held her hand before she went in.

"My lady, I swear I didn't, the servant just now before I got in held my hand..." Meara stammered but said it truthfully.

"And here I was willing to lend you a dress?! Why did you have to ruin my dress for the banquet?!"

Donne took a sip of his coffee. He looked at Meara coldly then at Corin.

"Well, I told you she shouldn't attend yet you insist. Anyway, just let her provide for herself. If she can't then she will not go. Simple." He continued eating his breakfast.

"Get out then. I cannot lend you a dress." Corin dismissed her.

"I'm sorry." Meara went out. Tears finally fell when the door was closed.

On the other side, when the door closed, Donne looked at Corin inquisitively.

"What, what is it?" Corin asked.

"That was deliberate, isn't it? Also, you just ordered a dress right? So that means, that white one is not what you will wear." Donne asked her straight.

Corin felt a bit guilty but was able to maintain her composure.

"No, how will I know that silly girl will come here all dirty smearing her filth everywhere? Also, that white dress is my buffer, in case I need to change."

She sighed dramatically then continued.

"Now I need to do some emergency shopping this afternoon to buy another dress."

Donne no longer responded and they continued eating breakfast.

Meanwhile, when Meara went out the door and slowly walked out into Corin's courtyard, she heard splashes of water. She turned her head back to the side of the house. She walked sideways. Something is pulling her to peek. After a few steps, she saw the servant from earlier, washing her hands vigorously in the well.

From that scene, she knew that she was framed. She stood there dumbfounded.

That was when the servant looked up and saw Meara.

Meara looked at her with sad eyes.

The servant's eyes widened and rushed to gather her skirt and ran back into the back entrance.

Meara turned her back and walked back to her home.

'I never asked Corin for a dress. Also… So Donne doesn't want me to attend.'

Meara mournfully walked. As she passed by the next courtyard, she heard a gentle voice behind her.

"Hey, you alright?" It was Theron. He just delivered a few pheasants and one young wild boar to the cook.

"Yeah… Let's go back and I'll tell you and Calla."

Meara told them what happened, her eyes dim and sad.

"I knew she could not be trusted," Calla said angrily.

"You have to be careful." Theron seconded.