“Lucia,” Her mother called for her as Lucia, dressed in the simple white shirt and black pants prepared for her exit out of her familial home. Everything was ready for her to leave and within hours she would be assaulted by crowds, possible future fans, fellow selection girls and more.
She smiled as her mother took her face into her hands, rubbing her cheeks, pinching them slightly before she responded. “Yes, mother?”
“You will succeed, I know you will. A blessing from the heavens themselves.” Lucia smiled at her mothers response as her cheeks began to grow red. “Look at you, so beautiful.” Lucia fought to keep from wincing as her mother clutched her face. “Oh my precious daughter,” letting go of her face, Lucia’s mother pulls her into a hug. “You already know what to do. Behave well, don’t embarrass me.” The final whispers into Lucia’s hair by her mother held encouragement and warning.
Her father was nowhere to be found, perhaps celebrating with others. Either way, he had already offered his own congratulations, however indifferent. Her mother, after all, was the only one concerned as deeply with the selection in their family. Her father found it to be a scam, convinced they had already pre-selected the winner and the rest was a farce.
Foolish, as their own Queen was among the lowest ranked castes and still married into royalty.
Arriving at the palace, the crowds were suffocating. Lucia wanted to choke, and she almost did on all the screams, excitement and adoration. As people filled in from every side, yet she was well protected and the interaction was optional. Her mothers words bounced around her head as she smiled and waved slightly at the crowd. She wasn’t quite sure what else to do, and that alone elicited some more excitement. It would have to be enough.
“We’ll tie back hair to reveal this beautiful bone structure and highlight it with some light makeup.” The makeup and hair stylist dragged her brush against Lucia’s cheekbones to demonstrate her point. Lucia nodded, alright with the simple change. She didn’t usually wear her hair up, but she was excited to try a new style.
“That sounds good to me.” She responded strongly, hoping her voice sounded firmer than she was. Her artist got to work, the quiet sound of bottles opening and cameras flashing to record the process the only sound in the room.
Walking by racks of dresses reminded Lucia of the luxury and money that was available, I mean what could one expect but the best of the best for the selection? Her hands fall on a light dress with several peachy colors, the dress extending down to her feet. The stylist offered her a pair of shoes that Lucia was enamoured and with her hair done, adorned with beautiful earrings, Lucia felt extremely beautiful.
A whirlwind of pictures and an interview later Lucia was taken around the castle. She was thoroughly impressed, it was beautiful and the architecture was divine. While it could not be compared to her love of history, Lucia had admiration for the design and build of the castle. She was more intrigued by the history behind the paintings and what the style era of each of the rooms she was walked through told her about the structures.
When she reached her room she met her maids, all 3 of them lovely enough to be among the selected. Elaria who gave the impression of a innocent lamb, Katie who seemed as if she was the caregiver of the three and Daria who seemed as she ran things in strict order. They exchanged niceties and they brought her an early dinner to eat in her room. She was slightly unnerved by them, she wasn’t quite sure what to talk to them about without feeling self-absorbed or trivial. Instead she looked at her plate quietly, the girls doing their own buisness and informing her about what she should do and be careful with.
When she finally finished eating, Lucia wandered around the palace. She had passed through a room filled with books and it seemed quite cozy. She wondered if she could find it again, although it felt silly. Her mother would advise her to make friends and companions instead.
APPROACHABLE
Maid of Rosemary Edith Dolloway 
