The guest house for the seamstresses is just as beautiful as Airin imagined. The walls were made of fine sturdy bricks, not wooden planks. There was a beautiful rug made of animal's fur which was placed on the floor of all the rooms, and all necessary furnitures are present, seemingly new or well managed. Airin and her family were given a portion of the large house to dwell in, and that included two bedrooms and a toilet that wasn't shared.
The kitchen of the guesthouse is shared by all the seamstresses, and two chefs were assigned to take care of the guests' food. Asahin further informed the seamstresses that they need not worry on doing any chores, there are cleaners responsible for making their habitation comfortable during their stay. But the bottom line is--to not make a big mess, or destroy any of the properties as that would be disrespecting the Viscount's kindness.
At 4:30pm, everyone was rested and recovered some of their energy, they had also unpacked their belongings and arranged their things in their various rooms.
While they all gathered in the parlour and were discussing fervently on numerous topics, they heard sharp knocks on the door.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
A moment of silence ensued before Jerry--one of the assistants, walked to the door and called out.
"Who's there?"
"The Viscountess' maidservant, Ali." A soft but audible voice responded.
Jerry hastily open the door, and standing at the door was a pretty maid in black and white uniform, with a red tie that was significantly different from the other maids that wore blue ties.
"Greetings, everyone." The maid smiled. "I was tasked by the Viscount to lead you all to the meeting room, where the Viscount and his family awaits your presence. I assume you all are ready, so please follow me."
"Of course!/Sure!/Okay!"
Affirmative words rang around, and everyone hastily stood up. Without uttering a word, the maid turned around and walked in large strides, leaving the seamstresses to catch up from behind.
Isolade clasped her hand around her sister's, dragging the elder female to move with the crowd. Airin withheld the urge to smack her sister, but patiently allowed herself to be lead by her.
The group of seamstresses, Asahin, and the maid, walked passed different areas before entering the main building. In unison, they marched through various hallways and corners before arriving at the entrance of a room with large mahogany doors.
Ali pushed the door open, stood by the side and gestured for the seamstresses to walk in.
Asahin took the lead, followed by the seamstresses who had solemn expressions etched on their face. Everyone subconsciously reduced the sound of their footsteps as they walked gently, their posture upright.
Amidst the small group gathered together, Airin, standing from the middle examined the room, her vision unimpeded due to her tall height.
Gorgeous lamps were hung around the room in an artistic manner, the ceiling was high up, mirroring the vast space of the room. Everything in the room screamed of wealth--the vases, rare flowers, beautiful engravings on the wall, wide windows that were taller than an average human's height.
Sitting on the golden couch in the middle of the room was Viscount Rosenberg--a middle-aged man with gelled black hair, wearing a monocle that covered his grey left eye, while the other eye is blue. By his left and right are two women. The older assumed to be his wife--a woman in her thirties, brown hair packed in an elegant bun with enchanting emerald eyes.
And the younger female looks to be in her teenage years, with blonde hair and emerald eyes. Her facial features are similar to her mother, with no semblance to the Viscount.
And sitting on the right side of the room, on another golden chair was a handsome young man in his early 20's. He had shoulder length black hair and blue eyes like his father. His facial features are more prominent amongst the entire Viscount's family, carrying a sense of sharp beauty that was dissimilar with the other members' pretty and soft features.
Asahin bowed in a 180°, respect flowing from his voice.
"Greetings, Your Honor. Asahin Vista at your service."
The seamstresses followed in haste. "Greetings, Your Honor!"
Airin bowed along with the group, eyes falling to her feet. In that two seconds the seamstresses bowed, maintaining their position, Airin felt a strange stare on her. Taking a subconscious glance up, she locked eyes with the Viscount's mismatched ones.
"You may rise." The Viscount said.
The sense of dread Airin had tried to ignore all this while came running at her with fervour.
Her heart beat vigorously as she raised her body in a tense posture. Her joints went stiff, and for a second--Airin felt like a stranger in her body. Every reaction she exhibited, felt outside her control and contradictory.
Her fingers twitched, expressing her suppressed desire to move, to run, run far away from whatever this was. But she remained motionless as though drained of all energy. Airin could barely perceive what was going on in her surrounding, her mind was set on the Viscount's mismatched eyes, and his on hers.
It felt so different. She had examined him the moment she entered the room, moved her gaze to his family, and then Asahin's greetings stopped her quick examination. But when they locked eyes, Airin felt a sense of dread overwhelm her.
The Viscount looked away from her with a neutral expression, then smiled, "Welcome, everyone."
The Viscount's lips parted, and in a split second, whispered a word that was barely audible to even his own ears, unnoticeable to everyone in the room.
His eyes glinted with warmth as he glanced at everyone, and all of sudden, Airin's nerves relaxed, her mind in a state of peace. The former feeling and experience seeming like a weird illusion.
"My great grandfather was a member of Astar, full-blooded, brought up in Astar until his latter years. Where he found an opportunity to grow a legacy that would last for generations, other than his children. The Rosenberg household have always placed importance on tradition and recognizing origins. While we might not be in Astar physically, we keep in heart the Astar tradition. My grandfather have been told his death would come soon, and one of his wishes is to revisit Astar, or have Astar visit him."
Everyone went silent, entranced in the Viscount's intriguing story, and perfect display of expressions that showed his longing to fulfil his grandfather's wish. The Viscount showcases filial piety, and clear empathy.
"My grandfather used to follow his father to visit Astar once in a while, and continued to do so even after my great grandfather's death. But as the Rosenberg household grew, work piled up, and even old age posed a problem for Hegard Rosenberg to continue his visit. He stopped doing so, and until the moment of his foretold death, we never knew the old man still had a longing for the home in Evergreen."
At this juncture, Viscountess Rosenberg placed a hand on her husband's thigh, and chimed in to the conversation with a loving smile.
"To honor his last wish, we aim to celebrate our tradition and bring our connection to Astar on a whole new level. We will host a ballroom party in a few days, and the theme would be Astar. We have hired designers for the decoration, but to finalize the show, Astar's infamous traditional attire is necessary. We hope you all can help us achieve our goal."
"Of course, Madam!/Yes, ma'am."
Sparked by the show of empathy, and the respect for Astar and its tradition that the Rosenberg household holds, everyone was eager to do their best and contribute to the set-up.
The splendid story and revelation brought up many positive feelings for the Rosenberg County and its leaders.
"Thank you." The Viscount said.
"Our honor, sir." Asahin responded with a wide smile.
The Viscountess continued, "As time is short, if you all have rested enough, you may take our measurements now so we can get the basics settled today."
"Of course, Madam." Mrs. Sillia spoke up. Then hesitated, "That... we would need to get our tapes and other instruments to take your measurement down."
The Viscountess nodded. "That's not an issue. This room will soon be turned into your workshop for a few days, starting tomorrow. So in the boxes over there--Carter, please get the boxes."
The Viscountess ordered the young servant standing by the edge of the room, to get the boxes which were placed in a far corner.
Carter walked over and brought the boxes forward, placing it in the space between the Viscount's family and the seamstresses.
"All the things you'll need are here. And for the sewing machine, those will be provided before noon tomorrow. For the fabric and jewels, simply provide a list to Ali--the maid from earlier, and that will be settled. A decent budget is available for your expenses. So... check for your tapes, notes, quills inside the boxes."
After receiving instructions from the Viscountess, the group of seamstresses walked forward to the boxes which Carter brought. And from there, they brought out tapes for measurement, and paper and quills to note down the measurement.
As professionals, they wasted no time organizing their tools. Four seamstresses carried their tapes to meet each of the Viscount's family, who stood up and spread themselves around the room. Their first assistants held a note and quill, the other holding the ink bottle. They jotted down the measurements of the seamstresses.
Eren, being the lead seamstress, did not choose any of the Viscount's family to measure--they were all occupied by the other seamstresses.
But as was told of her by the Chief, Eren monitored the work of the other seamstresses. Her assistants stood afar off to not make the Viscount's family feel crowded, and she took note of other things.
Eren first arrived before the Young Mistress. The seamstresses gave way as she approached the blonde haired teen.
"Permit me to see your hand, Mistress."
Puzzled but without question, the Young Mistress stretched out her hand to Eren. Eren grabbed her hand gently, and pushed her sleeve upwards. Startled but nevertheless remaining still, the blonde haired girl watched Eren stare at her arm, with her palm facing up for few seconds, before Eren stepped back and thanked her.
Walking away, Eren voiced out to her assistants. "Cool skin tone, light colors would suffice. Fabric color should be of bright blue shades."
Airin wrote quickly on the paper, and Isolade held the ink bottle.
To the Viscountess, Eren repeated the same action, and voiced out her findings to her assistants. And to the Young Master, and finally, the Viscount.
Airin could not shake off the discomfort she faced, when the Young Master kept his eyes focused on her face, and the Viscount also. Somewhere, deep in her mind, she labelled the two nobles as 'no-go, avoid' areas.
Many women dream of the love story between a commoner and a noble, but Ms. Romania had taken it upon herself to warn Airin of the nobles, extinguishing what bit of fantasy could grow in Airin's mind.
As the seamstresses were dismissed, and began walking away with Ali in the lead, Airin's mind recalled a conversation with Ms. Romania.
"I hear you and the others will be traveling to the Capital for a job."
"Yes, Ms."
"I have travelled many places... before I decided to settle here in Astar for its beautiful landscape and intriguing culture. A beautiful girl like you is sure to attract animals. If, by chance, you get the attention of some nobleman, you better run for your life."
"Miss...."
"Precautions are necessary, Airin. If you receive some unwanted attention, run. The real life stories are horrible, vastly different from fiction. Those noblemen bastards would turn you into a sex slave-"
"Miss!"
"Impregnate you, or feed you false delusions that will end in misery. Even if you do win the nobleman's heart, he is bound by his status to marry a wife of decent standing--you'd become an eyesore to the wife. You'll live as a concubine, an eyesore to the society. Or if he chooses you over those rules--to make you his wife, his status must be forfeited. And at that point, be prepared to fight angry prejudiced family member."
"That will not happen-"
"Expect assassination attempts, to get their son back as a fitting nobleman. Even if you avoid all that, an aristocratic man can barely feed himself without his status or family wealth. The aristocratic family members will not support a son that chooses to disgrace their status."
"You'll be the breadwinner for life, or if you marry a blessed man, he'll be able to assist one way or another. But even so, the chances of them letting you marry him to take to your village is small. The chances of him being willing to revoke his status for you is almost non-existent, the chances of you both living a happily ever after is unknown. The chances of him being satisfied with the new lifestyle is unknown. Fight a good fight, Nessarina. Or simply run and stay away."
"Don't become... a second me. Mocked by society, with a broken heart, and an illegitimate child living in God-knows-what situation, separated from his mother."
Ms. Romania offered a living example, a shocking one that Airin had to acknowledge.