Mariana saw the palace from a distance indicating they were on the correct way. They had asked another person and he had said that the only way to the palace was through the open road. Any other way would be the way towards thugs and looters.
Hearing that, Mariana was glad their carriage stuck. Atleast it prevented them from getting robbed. Though, the blue-eyed man would surely have saved her.
Her heart skipped a bit thinking about him. Handsome, strong, brave and charming. Really, the town had handsome men. Veronica was right. But she doubted king Aaron would surpass the beauty of the blue-eyed man. Mariana was sure his saviour was the most charismatic man in the town.
She dusted her skirts and set the escaped strands of her hair back into the pins. Thanks to the blue-eyed man, she hardly spoiled her dress. He didn't even let her fall down. Would she ever see him again?
"Looks like we are almost there", Mr. Roberts said looking out the window.
When she looked, she saw the palace gates coming near. She exhaled, trying to calm her nerves. Now, she would meet the princess. Good luck, Mariana!
When they came to the gate, the guards stopped them. Mr. Lawrence spoke something and the guard came towards her window.
"Show us the card please, miss", he said.
Mariana fetched the card Miss Harlow had sent her with the letter and gave it to the guard. The card stated that the princess had invited her to show her work with the designated date and time.
The guard saw the card, and nodding his head, gave the card back to her. "Thank you, miss".
He moved ahead and allowed her carriage to pass.
There was a vast distance between the gates and the palace. Various bushes and shrubs with colourful flowers adorned the land on both sides of the path. It looked heavenly. The view was beautiful and the air smelt of pleasant flowers.
They reached towards the palace and Mr. Lawrence haulted the carriage and opened the door for them.
Mariana stepped out of the carriage after Mr. Roberts and looked at the magnificient structure.
She had imagined a dark and old building. But the palace was farest from it. It was built with white stones with the finest architecture she had ever seen in her life. She was in awe of it. It was huge and majestic.
"Splendid, isn't it? Mr. Roberts too, admired it.
"Yes".
She looked down and saw him carry the two trunks she had taken with her.
"I can hold one, Mr. Roberts".
"Oh, no, miss. Walk ahead confidently. Let me be your humble servant".
Mariana felt warmth in her heart. She was really blessed with good people in her life.
She walked ahead and climbed the front stairs of the palace. Mr. Roberts again showed the card to the guards at the door and they were welcomed inside.
If the outside of the palace was majestic, then the inside was spectacular.
The floor adorned with white marbles and the carpets looks lucious. Some parts of the walls were decorated with finest wallpapers. Several scenic and abstract paintings were hung in beautiful frames. And when Mariana looked up, she saw the most huge and glorious chandelier. She felt like she landed in one of the angel's home.
The butler of the palace was a tall man with silver hair, he greeted them and took their coats.
Then, he showed them towards the downstairs room, a parlor with sitting arrangements and homely feel.
"Wait here, please, miss. Sir. I will get Her Highness", the butler said and left them.
"Oh my god. I can't believe this. These are the walls I would like to be captured in". Mr. Roberts's mouth was wide open when he scanned the room.
Mariana chuckled. She would really capture this moment in her heart for the rest of her life. The palace was one breathtaking specimen.
Few moments later, they both heard footsteps. Mr. Roberts pulled his collar tight. She too, ran a hand over her skirts and straightened her cravat.
The butler entered and welcomed a woman as beautiful as an angel. She nodded at the butler and he left.
Behind the angel, she saw Miss Harlow who gave Mariana an encouraging smile. Coming forward, she introduced them.
"Your Highness, meet Miss Mariana Clifton. She is the best seamstress in our village, and her assistant, Mr. Roberts. Here is Her Highness, Princess Amelia".
Mariana and Mr. Roberts curtsied in the best way they knew.
"Good afternoon, Your Highness".
"Oh, Miss Clifton. I've been waiting for you". Her Highness came forward and grasped her palms and squeezed them.
Mariana blinked nervously. The princess welcomed her as if she were her long-known friend. Mariana couldn't be more overwhelmed.
The princess was tall and beautiful with her bright blue eyes and dark hair which was pinned in an adorable chignon. She wore a pink gown and pearl earrings, no other jewellery and still she looked every bit a royal.
"Forgive my tardiness, Your Highness. There was a small accident on the way", she tried to say in a steady vioce.
"I hope you both are alright", the princess asked with a worried face. How kind was she!
"We are both alright, Your Highness and at your service".
The princess left her hand and smiling, gestured them to have a seat on the sofa. She sat herself on the opposite sofa and Miss Harlow stood behind her.
Mariana too, took her seat on the other sofa around the counter table between them. When she looked for Mr. Roberts, she found him behind her just as Miss Harlow was behind the princess and he gave her his encouraging smile
"You see, Miss Clifton, we have a ball next month and I'm the belle. So I want to wear a gown grand and different. I saw many designs but nothing met my expectations". She gestured at Miss Harlow. "Then I saw Lydia wearing very pretty frills and she suggested to have a look at your collection".
"Oh, I'm really honoured, Your Highness. I brought you some designs". Mariana fetched a bunch of papers from her satchel and placed her best designs over the table. "These are some of my best ones but if you would like some changes or something different, I would try to meet it".
The princess looked at the designs very carefully, even taking some of them in her hands and examining.
Mariana chewed her bottom lip and fidgeted her fingers. Would the princess like it or would she be dissappointed?
"Miss Clifton, these are amazing", the princess looked at her with a smile. "The designs are really different and elegant".
Mariana breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Your Highness".
"Especially this one", she picked up a design of a full sleeve gown with a tight bodice and straight skirts. "In which colour do you make it?"
"I can make it in any colour you want, Your Highness".
"But what did you have in your mind when you drew this?"
Very few people asked Mariana this question. They usually demand a particular colour or asked her to make it in colour suitable to them according to her. Never did they ask about her plan. Asking about her imagination, the princess earned even more respect from her.
"I thought it would look good with golden skirts and emerald bodice, Your Highness".
"That would look lovely", the princess looked at Miss Harlow and she too, nodded her head. "Yes, Your Highness".
"I have some samples of fabrics. If you want you can choose the combinations yourself, Your Highness".
"Oh, I would love to see them".
Mariana gestured Mr. Roberts and he opened one of the trunk and handed her the fabrics one by one, kerchief-sized pieces of clothes in different colours.
She placed them before the princess who examined them by touching them and holding them in the sunlight. She looked really adorable. Mariana would really love to sew something for her.