Chapter 16: Modiste

The women stood in rows at the modiste's shop, the air heavy with tension as the madam supervised their fittings with a critical eye.

Her harsh commands rang out like the crack of a whip, chastising them for their failure to win the prince's favor.

Meals had been cut, waists cinched to impossible measures, and skin scrubbed and polished to ethereal brightness.

The lengths they were forced to go for beauty bordered on madness.

Rae leaned against a mirror, her fan fluttering lazily as she observed the scene with mild amusement.

Beside her, Evelyn adjusted the hem of her silk gown, their sharp eyes catching details others missed.

At the center of the commotion stood a frail young woman, her frame so slight it seemed the corset would break her.

The modiste worked with quiet intensity, pulling laces tight until the woman's breaths came in shallow gasps.

"Your waist is exquisite," the modiste murmured, her voice a low hum that only the girl could hear.

Her hands lingered, brushing over the delicate curve of the woman's sides before drifting upward.

The girl stiffened slightly as the modiste's fingers hovered at her chest, adjusting the fabric over her modest bosom.

The lady turned pink from lack of oxygen, the modist moved her hands over the curve of her waist "It's quite small."

Her hands moved over to cup her breasts "Your creams are even smaller." the lady was blushing furiously.

She didn't seem uncomfortable, rather shocked as the modist moved further to her lower region. "I think I'll make it bigger."

She continued to fill the curves of her breasts from the silk of the grey dress "That way you can catch the princes attention."

It was the the most subtle display Rae had ever seen and she sat down with her hand fan watching with wild fascination.

As the modiste dropped her measuring tape and bent down to pick it up.

As she slowly rose her hand trailed up the length of the lady's thigh and the lady gasped as her fingers slipped into her tight folds.

"We'll make this fuller," the modiste said softly, her eyes glinting with something unspoken. "To draw his attention."

Rae's gaze sharpened as the modiste's hands traveled lower, smoothing the silken fabric over the girl's hips.

There was a sensuality in the way she moved, her touch both professional and deeply intimate.

Evelyn leaned closer to Rae, her lips curving into a mischievous smile. "She's certainly thorough, isn't she?" she whispered.

She turned a mischievous gleamer in her eyes as she spoke "Deeper."

The modist slipped two fingers into her folds and the lady gasped "Slower." Rae added her eyes sparkling as she exchange smirks with Evelyn.

"Your undergarments," the modiste said, her voice steady as she adjusted the hem of the gown, "are woefully inadequate. I'll design something more... flattering."

The room was alive with the chatter of other women, too engrossed in their own fittings to notice the silent interplay unfolding.

Only Rae and Evelyn watched, their expressions alight with intrigue.

And the modist reduced her tempo.

Slow, so deliciously slow, where the thrusts that the lady trembled.

"Faster." Evelyn commanded and she increased her tempo, the lady was gasping now biting her lips to hold back moans.

"Rub." Rae said just as the modists thumb played with her clit.

"Slower," Evelyn murmured under her breath, her voice teasing as though the modiste could hear her.

The modiste's hands moved with a deliberate elegance, the faintest of motions hidden beneath the folds of the dress.

The girl trembled, her lips parting as if to speak but saying nothing.

"Faster," Rae whispered, her tone laced with playful command.

The rhythm shifted, the modiste's fingers almost imperceptible to anyone but the woman, who clung to the edge of composure.

Her breaths quickened, her cheeks flushed, and when her lips finally parted, her voice broke the stillness.

"Oh, my!" she exclaimed, loud enough to turn heads. "I mean... what a lovely fit!" she added quickly, laughter bubbling nervously as she steadied herself as eye rolling orgasm rushed through her.

Rae and Evelyn shared a knowing glance, their smiles wicked and sweet.

The modiste, ever composed, stepped back, her gaze locking briefly with the woman's in the mirror.

Her hand lifted to her lips, her fingers brushing them lightly as if savoring the taste of her triumph.

The moment shattered as the madam stormed into the room, her presence as sharp as the clink of her boots against the polished floor.

"Enough for today," she barked. "We're leaving."

The women filed out, their silks rustling like whispers in the air. The young woman kept her head high, her expression serene, but Rae didn't miss the quick glance she threw back at the modiste before stepping through the door.

Outside, the sun cast soft golden light over the street, but Rae's smile was sharper than any ray. "Well," she said, folding her fan with a snap, "that was... entertaining."

Evelyn laughed, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Indeed. I think I might start accompanying you more often."