Our introduction to Ramioda Telenhart, the Lady of the House, unfolded precisely as I had envisioned. She was, as she ought to have been, visibly disturbed by the sight of a guest dressed in the same garb as the servants. Without delay, she summoned a clothier to procure more appropriate attire. Lady Telenhart was a woman of considerable stature—twice as broad as Princess though not markedly taller. I wished to believe that Lady Lunatora had refrained from offering any of our hostess’s dresses not merely out of some eccentric fantasy—or not solely because of it—but rather to avoid inadvertently offending her.

  Fashion within the Irghuminian courts was noticeably less ornate and demanding compared to other nations. It adhered to a regulated simplicity, with little deviation between the garments worn by nobility, depending on the occasion. This uniformity, dating back two centuries to King Giorvef’s decree promoting solidarity and distinction, made it relatively straightforward to find appropriate attire for a Lady. Although the practice of sharing clothing was rare, arranging for it should not have presented much difficulty. Most dresses fastened at the back from the waist and bore a single string connecting one shoulder blade to the other. While gloves required precise tailoring, the long skirts, cascading to the ankles, offered versatility in accommodating various body types.

  Nonetheless, there were limits to what could reasonably be expected, and Lady Telenhart’s garments could not have fit Princess without being so tightly fastened that they would appear wrinkled, unfashionable, and altogether misshapen. Such a display would have brought embarrassment to both lender and recipient alike.

  Lady Telenhart graciously postponed our meeting until Princess was dressed in a manner that would not bring disgrace upon us. Though I had some familiarity with the intricacies of women’s attire, I deferred to Princess’s judgment in selecting her outfit. An errand boy soon arrived, laden with an impressive assortment of clothes, all bundled together—amounting to more than his own weight—a veritable workhorse, this one. The maids, already well acquainted with Princess’s form after having bathed her, assisted in making her presentable. The surplus garments were promptly removed, and the clothier was duly compensated; it was inconceivable that we would be charged for this service, or that Lady Telenhart would ever mention it. She seemed a woman of graceful tact. We were also wise to overlook the fact that we had left a travel dress at Baron Faringoth’s estate; reverting to older attire would have rendered us ingrates.

  Lady Telenhart, nearly twice the age of both Princess and Lady Lunatora, remained unmarried and personally managed the industries once overseen by her father. She dealt in beauty products such as powders and creams, a fact reflected in her luminous, smooth complexion. I had heard of the Lady on previous occasions and of her father once or twice, yet we had never been formally introduced.

  She possessed a chirpy and jovial demeanor, ever eager to forge new noble connections that might lend credence to their tenuous claim to the Telenhart name. I took care to thank her politely for her hospitality and patronage in these trying times, and she expressed the appropriate level of concern regarding our recent encounter with a magian apostate.

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  The evening prayer took place not in a modest chapel but within a grand church dedicated to Ivinis, in the presence of nearly a thousand souls. The edifice was a cathedral, its architecture both magnificent and tasteful, yet distinctly modern. Lady Telenhart took care to subtly imply that her father had financed its construction. As was customary, the upper echelons of society occupied the front pews, near the Sister of Light presiding over the ceremony. I would surmise that Bernan housed fewer nobles than Highsummit Manor, yet it boasted a greater diversity of wealthy individuals from various industries, all of whom were entitled to seats directly behind us.

  It was a simple matter to let my voice be lost amid the hundreds surrounding us. It was with relief that Princess finished singing for both of us, the agency of her own body returned by the mysterious workings of our conundrum.

  Supper was not prepared within the confines of Lady Telenhart’s home but at an elegant establishment a few city blocks from the church, courtesy of our gracious hostess. I had only heard of such places before, a ‘restaurant’. We were seated at a small table, scarcely large enough for the three of us, surrounded by other diners who sat at their own tables. Each guest was presented with a curious card listing the dishes that could be prepared. While we awaited our meal, we passed the time in conversation, with red wine and bread to occupy us. Despite her earlier vows of having abandoned it, Lady Lunatora partook with relish.

  Princess, during conversation, made a point of repeatedly voicing her unease in town and expressed a desire to depart as soon as possible. Yet, both Ladies accompanying us swiftly dispelled any notion that she had cause for fear. Though this sentiment conflicted with our intentions, we would eventually find our way back home. In the meantime, we were able to negotiate Lady Lunatora being painted by my hand. It was not a matter of money, for we had already perused the finest books Bernan had to offer.

  We enjoyed a pleasant evening, lingering in the establishment long after we had finished dining, sampling the various wines on offer, though I found none to my liking. Kyolhan had been correct; beer was objectively superior.

  The trio of women laughed as though they were old friends, and I could have sworn that Princess momentarily forgot my presence within her body as they discussed rather unseemly topics in my hearing. She exhibited no hesitation in sharing less-than-charitable opinions about the other guests of Highsummit Manor.

  I had never experienced the effects of alcohol before and found myself feeling lightheaded, as though time itself had somehow shifted. Though dizzy, I did not believe that my judgment or capacity for decision-making had been impaired, as it clearly happened to others.

  We stumbled several times on our way to the carriage, giggling at our clumsiness. The three noble Ladies made complete fools of themselves, needing assistance to enter the stagecoach without striking their heads. Their ceaseless chatter continued merrily as we journeyed back to Lady Telenhart’s home. Servants were required to escort the Ladies to their rooms, and it was rather late when they finally retired to bed.

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