"These are the colours I would like".
The princess held an off- white and a pale pink fabric together. "Do you like it, Miss Clifton?"
"The colour combination is good, Your Highness but quite common to be for the belle of the ball".
The princess sighed. "Actually pink is my favourite colour", she shrugged adorably, smiling. "I cannot think beyond it sometimes".
"Oh, I have various shades of pinks", Mariana handled a chart, which she had made herself by sewing small fabric strands of various pinks on it.
"You can choose whichever pink you like, Your Highness".
"Oh, this is so pretty", the princess eyed the chart carefully with her light blue eyes.
Immediately, Mariana thought about another pair of blue eyes she had met today. But got rid of that thought. After all, she was working.
Someone else entered the parlour.
"Here you are, Amy. I was looking for you". Mariana stood up.
The woman who entered looked just like the princess, with the same blue eyes and dark hair, but more graceful. More elegant. An elder sister perhaps? But as far as she knew, the king had only one sister.
"Mother".
Mariana's eyes widened. She and Mr. Roberts curtsied immediately.
She was Queen Amanda Ambrose!
Just as aunt Penny had said, she was magnificient. She didn't look at all like the mother of such big kids.
Dark hair with not one silver strand and skin so fine with hardly any wrinkles. She wore a dark green gown, just as simple as it was extravagent.
The queen walked ahead gracefully, nodded at them and gestured for them to sit.
Mariana took her seat and swallowed. She was in the same room with the queen and the princess of the kingdom. God help her.
"Don't tell me, you are again going for a pink one", Queen Amanda said to her daughter after looking at the chart in her hand. She took a seat beside the princess and started looking at the fabrics too.
"Would you make them in silk, miss..?"
"Miss Clifton. Miss Mariana Clifton". She introduced herself in not so steady voice. "Yes, Your Majesty, I make them in silk".
The queen nodded. "The designs are really good. But can you show us something more striking. It's my daughter's birthday and she must look like a diamond". The queen and the princess exchanged a warm smile.
So it was a birthday ball.
"I have some samples of the gown".
She looked at Mr. Roberts and he opened the other trunk and retrieved two heaviest and grandest gown she had made until now. A silver one, very large and flowy and a purple one with a cape. Mr. Roberts held one in each hand with a hanger and the gowns stood beautifully.
"What do you say, Amy?" The queen asked.
"I like the purple one mother". The princess said probably imagining herself in the purple.
"I honestly would prefer anything other than pink so I will say yes" the queen chuckled.
The princess frowned and shook her head. "I am actually confused, mother".
Mariana couldn't miss the opportunity to make the princess a beautiful gown that would suit her. She chewed her lip and decided to voice her thoughts.
"If I may say something, Your Majesty, Your Highness".
"Please do", the queen nodded. "It's your job, Miss Clifton. Do not hesitate".
The words boosted Mariana's confidence. "Her Highness got a beautiful pair of eyes. I think a shade of blue will look perfect for her".
She took out a blue chart and chose the colour. She pointed at it. "This is the dark royal blue. It will compliment your skin,too, Your Highness"
The queen took the chart and placed it near her daughter's face. "It's perfect, Miss Clifton". She looked at Mariana. "Very Good choice".
"Thank you, Your Majesty. And I will make it with glittering white stones. You will resemble a midnight winter sky filled with stars, Your Highness".
"Oh, beautiful!" Both mother and daughter gave her accepting smiles.
"The colour is fixed, then". The princess clapped her hands. "Come to my chamber, Miss Clifton. I'll show you the skirt pattern I would like to have. She looked at the queen. "Mother?"
"You girls go ahead. I have to work on the dinner menu for the ball".
Mariana curtsied and she with the princess and Miss Harlow left the room.
They climbed the staircase of the palace built in a beautiful circular fashion with intricate balustrades.
They walked through the corridors of the first-story, whose one side had chambers and the other side was filled with huge celing windows, the same transparent ones she saw in the parlor.
The person who had this idea was genius. They provided more light and ventillation.
Mariana also noticed that candelabras and lantern stands were built after every short distance. That proved that even in the night, the corridor was beautifully lit.
The entered the chamber which, Mariana guessed, was the princess's chamber. It was all done in whites, yellows and pinks. It consisted of armchairs, wardrobes, tea table, gorgeous vases, but no bed.
Then, she saw the door at the last wall and realised that must be the bed chamber.
The princess took a gown from her wardrobe and showed it to her. The skirts were lavish, with a middle cut on the outer layer.
"I want you to make me a sample of the skirts similar to this one, Miss Clifton. Or even a sketch would do. And if I like it, you can then proceed with it. Can you come with it tomorrow?"
"Sure, Your Highness". Mariana already decided the skirts she would make for the princess. Oh, the princess would look like a fairy in it.
They came back to the parlor where Mr. Roberts had packed their trunks back but himself was missing.
A maid came in the room. "Your Highness, the assistant of Miss Clifton is near their carriage. The coachman had needed him to fix a problem".
"Hmm", the princess nodded and dismissed the maid.
"The carriage wheel must have come loose again. It did before on the way", Mariana informed the princess who nodded.
She curtsied. "It was an honour to meet you, Your Highness. I'll be back tomorrow with the designs. Allow me". The princess nodded and Mariana bent to pick up the trunks.
The princess raised a palm. "You don't need to carry them. I'll send a servant".
"It's no matter, Your Highness. I can manage".
"They must be heavy. Wait here".
The princess turned to Miss Harlow. "Lydia, send for a servant here. I'll be in mother's chamber". The princess smiled at Mariana and left the room.
Miss Harlow rushed towards Mariana. "Congratulations, Miss Mariana. You did very well today".
Mariana squeezed her hands. "I'm so grateful to you, Miss Harlow. It all happened because of you".
She waved her hand. "Oh, no need to
thank me. And please call me Lydia. Wait here, I'll send for a servant. And be on time tomorrow", saying this she too, left.
Mariana sat on the sofa. She was so proud of herself. She really did very well. And partly the credits went also to the princess and the queen. They were both kind and supportive to let her be at ease.
Mariana sighed with satisfaction.
She looked at the door for the servant. How long would it take?
Then she heard the footsteps.
Guessing it would be the servant, Mariana stood up, ready to leave.
A man entered the room wearing white shirt and black trousers. His hands in his trouser pockets and he walked with a very casual stride, whistling.
Good God.
He was her blue-eyed man!