The tables had turned on the former concubines. Instead of dressing up the princess, the princess was dressing them up. That morning, Lilia had informed them of a formal ball being held by the royal family that night. It was a yearly affair called...
"The Bachelorette's Ball!" Lilia said excitedly. "All single women of noble or royal blood attend to present themselves as valuable future wives. Their families come too, of course, to meet with potential suitors and strike deals."
"We are not noble nor royal," Greta said. "Janessa's distant relation to the Karagot royal family is not nearly enough for her to be considered anything other than a commoner."
"Noble and royal servants are also allowed to attend, though they must wait their turn until the nobility and royalty are done," Lilia said. She smiled, almost viciously. "Time to make the two of you irresistible!"
That was how Janessa and Greta found themselves standing on the periphery of the ball, watching the nobility and royalty wooing each other. Lilia was in the mix, keeping things moving in her role as Princess. Janessa adjusted her gown.
"Oh, stop, you look splendid," Greta huffed. Janessa's gown was a gentle gray that brought out her eyes and accentuated her figure, particularly her gifted bust. Greta's dress was a pastel yellow, more conservative than Janessa's. But then again, Lilia didn't intend to marry Greta off to anyone. Just Janessa.
"Hello, Greta," purred a voice. Greta turned to smile coquettishly at the man that had approached her, a handsome guard name Leonid. She fluttered her eyes and began to flirt with him.
Janessa rolled her eyes. Wooing a husband as a "proper lady" was surprisingly similar to seducing a man as a concubine. Lilia's voice sounded over the string quartet.
"The servants may now take the floor!" she said. Janessa turned to Greta.
"Did you hear- never mind." Leonid had Greta pressed against the wall, the two groping each other as they made out. "Please do that in private if you must do it at all," Janessa hissed. "This is a formal affair!"
"Fine," Greta said, coming up for air. She led Leonid away. Probably to her room.
Janessa took a deep breath and walked onto the dance floor. She didn't have to wait long for her first approach.
"Hello, beauty," a voice said. Janessa turned and saw...