Three months before the Debutante.
At the Imperial Castle's guesthouse, young noble maidens gathered for an overnight etiquette retreat—one final polish before their formal debut.
"Today's lesson examples appear here in the textbook," the instructor said. "Please read them carefully. These pages also contain similar cases you may find helpful."
Lady Pearl Spica traced her graceful fingers along the well-worn pages of a pristine yet thoroughly studied textbook.
"I see... or rather, Pearl, how did you even know where that was?" said Her Highness Princess Altera, half impressed, half exasperated. "I must've read it several times but completely missed it."
"Isn't that so?" chimed Lady Patricia, Duke Govane's daughter, smiling faintly. "Govane said the same—that Lady Nefera seems even more passionate when teaching you than when she prepared me for my Debutante."
"Oh, that's because there's a rumor," added Lady Sharylya, daughter of the Margrave. "They say this is Lady Nefera's final year directing the debut training. She's quite elderly, after all. And the Second Princess won't have her Debutante for another five years at least."
The girls exchanged knowing looks. The Second Princess, after all, was only five.
"Shasha-neesama, where did you hear that?" Yuna, Count Yunaria's daughter, asked in surprise, her mouth full of cookie crumbs.
"Yuna!" scolded Lady Sia gently. "Eating sweets right before bed will ruin your skin. Remember how upset you were after that sleepover at the Emmental Residence when you got a pimple? Try fruit or tea instead."
"Ugh, you're so mean, Sia-neesama! But Pearl-neesama's chocolates are so good... and the Imperial Castle sweets too! I can't stop myself!"
"They were delicious," admitted Sharylya with a smile. "But moderation is key, desuwa."
"Even you, Shasha-neesama!" Yuna groaned. "Elder Sister Ana, Pearl-neesama, don't you think they're being unfair?"
Princess Ana—Her Highness Altera's cousin—laughed softly.
"I understand being hungry while growing up, but self-control is part of noble duty. Still, I'll tell the kitchen staff you praised their sweets. I'll have a few wrapped up as souvenirs for everyone tomorrow."
"Thank you, Ana-sama," said Pearl, bowing lightly. "And Yuna-sama, please do be careful. Chocolate in small amounts is good for beauty, but too much affects your figure and your skin. And we're all in the final stages of our Debutante dresses, aren't we?"
"That's right!" Yuna exclaimed. "My tailor told me not to gain even a millimeter!"
"Didn't you brag earlier that you never gain weight?" Sia teased. "Still, I'm under strict orders to maintain my figure too."
"I was told the same," said Sharylya. "But I grew taller since the fitting, and now the design doesn't sit quite right. We're trying to adjust without redoing the embroidery—it's too late for that."
"That sounds awful!" Yuna said. "What kind of dress is it? Maybe we can help with ideas."
"I'm taller and thinner than most young ladies, so fluffy styles don't suit me," Sharylya explained. "My Debutante dress follows my body line, with slender contours and embroidery along the hem. Here—like this."
She showed them a neat sketch.
Everyone leaned in.
"It's lovely," said Altera. "Your designer truly understands how to highlight your elegance."
"How short is it exactly? And what fabric?" asked Patricia, practical as always.
"About ten centimeters too short," Sharylya admitted. "It was meant to hover slightly above the floor for dancing. I didn't expect to grow taller! The fabric's silk taffeta, desuwa."
"Then why not add silk tulle or chiffon as an extension?" Pearl suggested. "There's been a wave of new lace imports from overseas lately—surely you'll find something that suits your style."
"That sounds wonderful!" Yuna brightened. "When I visited Pearl-neesama's mansion, I saw her swatches—so many kinds! If extending the hem is too tricky, you could use a long underskirt with tulle or organza layers instead!"
"Yuna," Ana warned gently, "this Debutante is hosted by my family. We must honor tradition. Too unconventional, and the senior ladies will scold us."
"Oh... right, desuwa. I just thought it might look interesting..."
"Your idea has merit," Pearl said. "It depends on whether both the designer and Lady Nefera approve."
"How about wrapping the whole skirt in a light veil?" suggested Patricia. "My elder brother mentioned seeing something similar at a southern Debutante. It shouldn't break etiquette if done tastefully."
Lady Spica's fingers glided across a fresh sheet of paper. She sketched three versions—one with fabric only at the hem, another covering the skirt, and a third using a long underskirt.
"My, thank you all so much!" said Sharysha. "You know how it is in the frontier. We think more in terms of practicality than fashion, and new trends take ages to reach us. I never imagined there was such a clever fix. I was prepared to start over entirely."
The Margrave's territory, sitting as a buffer along the nation's border, had always been a military zone. It was annexed only after the founding of the Empire, lying just outside the great barrier. Constant border tension made it a somber, spartan place. Few merchants visited, and houses there prized endurance and integrity over elegance. The Mar family's lands, tucked against the northern mountains, reflected that austerity.
The young ladies smiled, glad they could help.
* * *
"Um," Yuna piped up, her tone shy but eager, "this might be selfish of me, but could neesamas tell me what kind of dresses you'll be wearing? I really want to know!"
Even the normally reserved Sharysha's eyes sparkled. "Yes, please! I'd love to hear too!"
And so, their little gathering turned into a preview of their Debutante dresses.
* * *
"I'm wearing an off-shoulder chiffon sleeve," said Princess Ana, showing a composed smile. "The neckline's modest, but the back is cut lower. It's a bell-line silhouette made from jacquard fabric gifted by His Highness the Crown Prince. The fabric is stiff, so it holds shape beautifully—but embroidery's tricky. My accessories will be Imperial jewels—gold and diamonds, shaped like dahlias. It's the national flower of his country, you know."
Her Highness displayed the official sketch the court designer had drawn up.
* * *
"How elegant! It suits you perfectly, Ana-sama."
"The Crown Prince gave you the fabric himself?" Yuna gasped. "He must care for you deeply, Ana-neesama!"
"And judging from your bright smile," added Sharysha, teasing gently, "your relationship with His Highness seems to be going quite well, desuwa."
"They say your earrings match his eyes," Sia added mischievously. "Citrine, shaped like dahlias—at least, that's the rumor."
"Oh? And didn't you, Sia, receive a jewel from your elder brother?" Pearl countered. "What will you make with it?"
"I'm turning it into a necklace," Sia replied with a soft laugh. "It's our family's emerald, and I'll pair it with Govane's silver hair—his color suits it beautifully."
* * *
"Is your dress a princess line or A-line?" asked Patricia.
"Neither," Sia said proudly. "It's an empire silhouette in shantung, with staggered frilled layers. I trimmed the seams with satin lace ribbon, using the same fabric on the shoulders. Even though it's an empire design, the shape's quite full. The embroidery's on the bodice."
"Then everyone's dress will be unique, desuwa," Pearl observed. "Mine's A-line with frills at the chest, and a rose emblem at the waist. It uses three fabrics, with my family crest embroidered on the front and a kelpie motif on the chest. The accessories—naturally, pearls."
* * *
"I can't wait to see them all," Yuna said. "Mine's not as mature as yours, though—it's frilly and fluffy, very full. I have large ribbons under the bust and at the waist, so it might look childish..."
"Oh, nonsense," said Ana warmly. "It'll bring out your charm. The Canalzan family's jewel is pink tourmaline, isn't it? It's perfect for you."
"Agreed," added Sia. "Such a design will suit you beautifully. Is the embroidery on the chest?"
"No," Yuna said quickly, blushing. "They said the chest might need adjusting, so we put it on the waist ribbon instead..."
All eyes turned to her.
The youngest of the group, Lady Yunaria still stood out—her chest was fuller than any of the others'. In her soft nightgown, without corset or stays, that fact was impossible to overlook.
Notes:
• Altera - First Princess appearing at the etiquette retreat three months before the Debutante. She joins discussions on etiquette and dresses under Lady Nefera’s instruction. The retreat trains nobles by Imperial command. She bonds with Pearl and others. Known for wit and candid speech.
• Duke Govane - Noble mentioned by his daughter Patricia during the etiquette retreat before the Debutante. He trained her previously under Lady Nefera. Supports the Imperial debut system. Father to Patricia and related to Sia by mention. No active role. Influential Duke.
• Nefera - Nefertiti the Chief Lady-in-Waiting.
• Patricia - Duke Mitzberg’s daughter; joins pre-Debutante meeting; supports Ana’s friendly circle (direct: lesson prep; underlying: peer bonding); childhood friend of Ana; allied with Spica; bold yet kind, loves cute things.
• Sharylya - Margrave Mar’s daughter; meets Spica at briefing; gains etiquette training under Nefera (direct: debut prep; underlying: social refinement); peer to Ana and Spica; shy and gentle.
• Yuna - Count Yunaria’s daughter, youngest at the retreat before the Debutante. She overeats sweets and discusses dresses with peers. The training is led by Lady Nefera. She admires her older peers. No romantic links. Cheerful, gluttonous, youthful charm.
• Yunaria - Viscoun Canalzant’s daughter; joins debut group; learns etiquette with others (direct: debut lessons; underlying: noble education); admires Spica as elder sister; soft-spoken and affectionate.
• Ana - Altera’s cousin, at the retreat before the Debutante. She shows her jacquard gown gifted by the Crown Prince, symbolizing alliance. The Imperial family hosts the event. She mentors younger nobles and shares affection with the Crown Prince. Elegant and composed.