"You look wonderful, Dear."
Clara held a smile as she let Shila fix up her appearance for the coming party. In a way it was nostalgic to see herself being dressed up like this. Why, the last time it even happened was years ago, back when she was still… Still a ward of the royal family…
"Clara?"
She blinked away a sentimental tear that she didn't even know she had. Letting off a smile, she reassured, "I'm fine. I just remembered a few things, that's all…"
"What kind of things?" Shila asked. "Assuming that I'm not overstepping my boundaries."
Clara took in a deep breath before she started speaking. "Being fixed up like this… I'm an orphan, and the last person that did this for me was the Queen Mother…"
Shila's hands stilled in between fixing up her hair. But before Clara could turn around, the older woman had already returned to her task.
"I'm fine, my dear," Shila reassured her, her fingers combing through her hair. "Please continue."
