"Your Highness, you mustn't move!" Clara groaned.
She'd been fussing over Leander's jacket for the past 3 minutes, trying to put it on right, but Leander just wouldn't budge.
"Ugh, you're so annoying, Clara! Just put it on the first time! Why do I even have to wear this tacky jacket anyway?"
"Prince Leander, you are a model for your younger siblings to follow. A standard for the kingdom. Be mindful of your conduct." His nanny and governess, Countess Crispin, scolded him firmly. She was resting on a nearby chair, overlooking the rest of the preparations for the Second Prince's birthday banquet. She truly had a talent for multitasking, as she skillfully handled both, a very cramped guest list and a very grumpy Leander Halycra.
Lee puffed his cheeks. "Blah blah. I don't care. I don't want to rule this stupid empire anyway."
"Your Highness, you must understand that you are now at the age of acting like a refined gentleman. Such impolite behaviour does not suit the future crown prince-"
"I'm not of age! I'm not even 13 yet!" Lee grumbled. He did have a point.
The countess sighed. "You will be, in no time. Your younger brother's birthday banquet is one of the most effective ways the Imperial Family can demonstrate their influence, and you will be a major-"
"But why does Damian get to have fun on his while I'm demodoodooing or whatever the heck you said on mine?"
"You have to demonstrate influence, not demodoodoo, because you are the future ruler of this empire."
"I don't wanna be the future ruler!" Lee said for the hundredth time that day.
Just as the Countess was about to scold him another time that day, the door swung open.
The Emperor stood in the doorway, accompanied by Thalia, Lee's younger sister, and her personal maid.
Countess Crispin stood up and bowed immediately. So did Clara and all the other servants present in the room.
"Your Imperial Majesty, what brings you here?"
"Hm, I was just here to check up on Leander and the banquet's guest list. Celestia left that to you, yes?" he said as he waved his hand for them to rise.
"Correct, Your Majesty. I have sorted everything out, as well as accommodations for the foreign dignitaries and seating arrangements of the banquet hall as asked of me by Her Majesty, The Empress."
The Emperor laughed. "I knew I could trust you with this, Sabrina." The Countess smiled, "I'm honored that you think so highly of me, Your Majesty"
Meanwhile, Thalia walked over to the sulking Leander. "What's gotten into you, brother? Have you not picked a design for your attire yet? Or did you not prefer any?"
Lee stared at Thalia. This nine year old could speak in a more dignified manner than him.
"Go away."
Given the provocation, she probed further. "Oh, oh, I know! Maybe you got scolded by nanny!"
"Go away!"
"Or maybe you're just being a baby all over again."
"I said go away! You don't know anything about me!"
"Yes I do! I'm your sister! Your probably still fussy about being the crown prince."
"Well, would you like to not be able to do anything because of some stupid crown prince title for the rest of your life?"
Thalia looked taken aback. "Hm. Good point."
After a momentary discussion about business, the Emperor turned his attention to Lee. "Oh right, have you picked the design and given the order for Leander's clothes already?"
The Countess grimaced. "Not yet, Your Majesty. Prince Leander is being quite... difficult."
The Emperor sighed. 'I'll talk to him."
. . .
"Tia, are you done with your fitting?"
Duchess Thedosia Montclair walks into her daughter's room. Being nobility, her room was quite spacious, but not overly decorated with lace and trinkets like girls her age.
But today, it was scattered with all sorts of racks and hangers, boxes and clothes, lace and lace so much lace.
In the center of the room stood Artemesia, dressed in a nightgown and measuring tapes, surrounded by maids who fussed over how skinny her arms and legs were. "Almost, Mother."
Next to them sat Tia's nanny, Baroness Rivere, and the Designer she hired, Emma Lance.
Thedosia nodded as the designer stood to greet her. "Your Grace! You're here. Have you a moment? I would like to discuss the design for Lady Artemesia's gown."
The Duchess sighed and nodded. "Yes, I'm here for that."
She gestured for the designer to take a seat and beckoned Tia over. "Miss Lance, I'm sure you're familiar with my daughter and her nanny, the Baroness?"
Designer Lance glanced over at her and smiled, "Yes, we were introduced as we entered. Unlike most young ladies of her age, she carries herself with refinement. Polite, composed; a true noblewoman in every sense."
A slight tint of pink appears on Tia's cheeks as she sits down beside her mother. Thedosia smiles. "Thank you, miss Lance. Shall we get started?"
Emma nods, smiling, "As you wish, Your Grace."