The Dressmaker arrived in a carriage with a wagon pulled behind, filled with chests and trunks, which were carried into the Blue Salon by an army of servants. While that ruckus went on, Arcen and Luca sat Kya upon the table and took turns kissing their pet until her eyes were dazed and cheeks very rosy.
"My lords! Must you do this... now?" Kya pulled away from their grasp to speak.
"There will be no mistaking the regard in which you are held." Luca said smugly. "The Dressmaker is a source of gossip for all in our leg of the Trifecta. What is seen today will be echo throughout all the nobility. Unfortunately, you still carry the scent of Wolf, but we shall try and cover it with our own."
"Is there any chance Lady Munro will find out where I am? Does the Dressmaker serve all nobility?" Kya wondered.
"Absolutely not. Each leg of the Trifecta more or less keeps to itself and their own kind. With our senses, anything a wolf touches smells like wet dog. To them, we smell of decay. Humans, however, can flit freely between us and them, but top tier artisans like our Dressmaker serve only their own kind."
"But I'm not vampire. Will she clothe me?"
Luca explained with that cold smile of his, "If she values her life, yes. None belonging to the Vampire tribe can ignore the royal family's request. You belong to us and are of House Baden. She will do her very best to please us. Have no worry."
Arcen stood and held out a hand to Kya, pulling her from the table. "Come, she should be set up by now."
"Stay behind us until we get her agreement to protect your identity." Luca said low. "To violate an agreement made is to be cursed."
The princes led Kya down a long corridor as they escorted her to the salon, now bedecked in swathes of silks of all weights, plush velvet in rainbow hues, and gossamer sheer linens, an enormous tri-fold mirror with a short pedestal set before it. As the princes entered the sapphire-colored room, the Dressmaker and her assistants bowed low until Luca spoke.
"I appreciate you coming at such a short notice. Before we get started however, I must ask that you pledge to guard the privacy of House Baden and those in their care."
The Dressmaker, a woman looking to be of middling years, bedecked in a pile of dark hair with silver streaks at the temples, a somber black gown with golden embroidery, and a mischievous look in her silver eyes. As the Dressmaker smiled, Kya spotted her fangs as she peered around Luca's back to observe the one who would clothe her.
"It's always a pleasure to serve House Baden in any capacity they request. Should I or any in my employ betray any of House Baden, let their bones be gnawed upon by stinking wolves."
Arcen drew Kya forward. "We need our pet to be adorned properly."
"And something appropriate for the King's masked ball. We'll pay extra, of course, for the inconvenience of our request."
Kya felt the probing eye of the Dressmaker before she was addressed. "Well, come forward and let me see what I have to work with."
Arcen lifted Kya upon the short pedestal in front of the mirror, and for the first time Kya got a good look at herself. Not terribly tall, lanky, large eyes in a heart shaped face, curtained by masses of dark honey blonde curls glinting with red lights.
The princes sat themselves at opposite ends of a couch situated behind the pedestal, able to observe Kya in the mirror and enjoy the view of her posterior.
"For the ball, violet of all shades must be worked into the costume. She will be wearing amethysts."
As the dressmaker assessed Kya, she made remarks to her assistant who stood by to jot down notes.
"Violet eyes, red-gold hair. Fair skin, very rosy cheeks. No visible scarring to hide. Buxom. Pleasant waist to hip ratio. Long legs, long torso. Hmmm... My lords, have you decided your costume theme? How shall I adorn your pet to your preferences?"
With a snap of her fingers, the Dressmaker had assistants measuring Kya's body from all angles.
Luca smiled coldly. "She will be our naughty little puppy. A headband with ears, a muzzle to mask her lower face. Full length neck guard, unadorned to display her necklace. A collar and leash. Functional tail."
"And your costumes, my lord princes?"
"Kings of Ice and Shadow."
"Am I to understand your theme is two kings... and their dog?"
"Dog? No, no, no! Naughty little puppy. Nuance is important. She shall be seated upon our laps like a proper lapdog. Her costume must be functional, adorable, and provocative."
The Dressmaker smirked. "Of course. A proper puppy mustn't lift her tail for any but her masters."
Arcen smiled wide. "I am so glad we're on the same page. Yes, she must have a tail that can lift on command."
"For your costumes, my lord princes, any particular demands, or shall I have artistic license?"
"Do as you like. All I require is that I'm instantly recognizable as the King of Ice." Luca replied. "As for our delightful little puppy, she must be warded from the eyes of others. They may look at her, but not see her, if you know what I mean."
"Do you require a functional muzzle?"
Arcen's eyebrow shot skyward. "You mean a gag?"
"I do."
"No. We prefer her to speak. As you can see, she's very well behaved."
"Understood. Now for undergarments..."
Luca interrupted. "She doesn't need them."
The Dressmaker tried to hide her scandalized expression. "My lord prince, a female human or human halfling will require certain garments at certain times of the month. Surely my lords are aware of Maiden's blood."
"Of course we know of it."
Kya finally spoke up, mortified. "My lords, I would prefer some undergarments. I'm happy to wear whatever you choose for me, but my modesty requires undergarments. Especially for that time of the month!"
Both Luca and Arcen looked surprised by Kya's outburst.
"Well, if my lady feels so strongly about it... then by all means, indulge." Arcen replied.
"If so... then perhaps more fun than functional." Luca added. "Lace and frills."
"Very goods, my lord princes. May I present options I brought that may only require minor tailoring to perfect their fit for your pet?"
Arcen grinned. "Please do."
The Dressmaker's assistants began stripping Kya of her clothing, as others brought forth various clothing offerings for approval of the princes before they were used to clothe Kya's nakedness.
Bodices which barely contained her bosom and displayed an abundance of flesh were the first to be tried for fit.
Kya couldn't help but wonder if nobles dressing well simply meant an abundance of fabric to hide their skin.
Arcen frowned. "Those bodices are..."
Luca finished the thought. "Boring. Not good enough. I like the cut of the ruby red, but the color doesn't work as well for her skin. Makes her look sallow and ill."
"Why are they so plain? Can adequate decoration be added?"
"Of course, my lord Arcen. Do you prefer jewels or embroidery?"
"Both. She's worthy of such decoration."
The Dressmaker's jaw dropped in surprise for a short moment before she gathered her thoughts. "I understand you acquired her but only yesterday..." She wouldn't dare ask such a question, but social norms exist for a reason. One mustn't spoil a pet, lest they get an inflated sense of self-worth. To dress their new toy in exceptionally high regard was not the norm.
Luca's cold smile emerged once again. "Do you doubt our affection for our pet?"
Her silver eyes opened wide. "Never, my lord, never! I was only considering the social norm of jewel-bedecked clothing for pets that spawned. Please forgive my impertinence."
"You're fine. Just fully understand that we hold her in the highest of affection and nothing less will suit her in our eyes. To offer her less is to insult House Baden."
"Understood, my lord Lucarick. If ruby doesn't suit her, what do you think of emerald and sapphire to complement your eyes as well?"
"Oh, I like that idea. Brother, what do you think, green and blue everyday wear while amethyst for events? Let the only thing others see of our puppy be her striking eyes."
"Lady Kya, what do you think?" Lucarick asked instead of answering Arcen's inquiry.
After a brief moment, Kya answered. "I would be honored to wear a regal color like amethyst." Truth was, she'd be happy in any color, provided it wasn't an embarrassing design. As Kya found out the hard way, the adornment a pet typically wears is best described as skimpy. Wisps of fabric covering her bosom and hip-to-knee area, while all other parts on ample display.
"Jewel tones only for her." Arcen decreed. "Nothing drab. Understated is acceptable, but drab? Absolutely not."
"As you wish, my lord prince." The Dressmaker eagerly replied, happy to know that this commission would be easily three times her usual fees. Even if she must pillage from the orders of others, she would offer a bounty of offerings the princes would be pleased to receive. Their shy little pet remained quiet, not voicing an opinion unless asked or provoked, obviously well trained.
"Have you anything in your possession now that is suitable for a lady to receive a dancing master?" Luca asked.
"I... well, not exactly. I mostly brought items for a pet, not a lady."
One of the assistants spoke up with a hesitant smile. "We did bring one trunk of day gowns, Madam; we didn't have time to unpack it before we left the city."
The Dressmaker heaved a silent sigh of relief. "Very good, Unpack and display them all immediately."
It took four people to move the trunk. Its rounded lid opened, revealing a mound of jewel-colored fabrics. From pearl white to jet black, garnet and ruby, sapphire, emerald, topaz, aquamarine and citrine, rose quartz and amethyst, a veritable rainbow shone from the depths of the trunk.
A dozen assistants bustled forth, each lifting out a gown, shaking it out, before holding it up in front of Kya, giving the illusion of wearing it for the princes to rule yay or nay as they watched in the tri-fold mirror.
"Tell me, Lady Kya, do any of them appeal especially to you?" Luca asked. All of them were appropriate for a lady of good breeding.
Kya's eyes glanced at a particular gown of velvet and lace, with a modest bodice and sheer cap sleeves. "I like the golden brown with the hint of pink in it."
Arcen smiled. "I liked that one too. Works very well with your hair color. Well, then, try it on for size, my dear."
A flurry of linen and silk covered Kya as a chemise was brought forth, topped with a corset which nipped her waist to create a dramatic flair of hips. The gown slid over her frame with a hiss before the assistants began to tighten the laces and make adjustments.
"Looks like it just needs the hem altered."
"You look stunning, Lady Kya." Arcen spoke with a reverent tone.
"Have you other fabrics in this very shade? It's perfect for her, bringing out the blushing roses in her cheeks, the cream of her skin, and the golden red lights in her hair. Utter perfection."
The praise heaped upon Kya by the princes embarrassed her, especially since the whole event of trying on various gowns and choosing swathes of fabrics was the very thing she had hoped for mere days ago when she had thought that Lady Munro would keep her word. The memory left a bitter taste in Kya's mouth.
"I have several silks and damasks in this shade, my lord princes. Would you like a variety of gowns made to compliment the lady?"
"Indeed. Some trimmed in black, some trimmed in deep blue."
"A ball gown in this shade as well?"
Luca met Kya's gaze in the mirror before sweeping down and admiring her in the topaz gown. "Yes. Something utterly decadent. My lady didn't have a debut ball, and we must make up for it. If I may ask a brazen favor, when the gown is delivered, please have a jeweler accompany, with a selection of topaz, amethyst, and diamond bits and bobs fit for both a pet and a lady of breeding."
The Dressmaker smothered her greedy grin at the commission she would earn for this job. "Absolutely, my lord prince. Shall I send a cobbler as well?"
Arcen answered. "Please do, and as soon as possible."
"Can you tack up the hem of the gown as she's wearing it? I think this gown will do well for today." Luca asked with an appreciative gleam in his eyes.
All it took was a snap of the Dressmaker's fingers for one assistant to bust out a small box holding threads of all shades, various sized needles, and small snips. Yet another assistant bustled forth, pulling out the appropriate color spool of silken thread and a needle, threading it expertly. Finally, another assistant plucked the threaded needle and began folding the hem inward and stitching it with a fine line, imperceptible to an untrained eye. In a matter of minutes, the dress's length perfected for Kya's height.
"Does this suit you, my lord princes?" The Dressmaker flourished her hands in Kya's direction.
"Turn around, Lady Kya. Let us bask in your sun-like glory."
Arcen's words brought a fresh flushing blush to Kya's cheeks. "Really, my lord Arcen, I cannot liken myself to the sun."
"Why not?" Luca asked, unmindful of the others in the room. "You are oh so warm, didn't you know?"
"Lord Luca!" Kya said scandalized yet smiling. It was easy to enjoy their teasing. But then chimes sounded throughout the castle.
"Ah, looks like we must draw to a stop for now. When can we expect the first deliveries?"
"Tomorrow, my lord prince. I shall focus on getting things sized correctly for the premade items and start drafting a pattern for your pet's costume. All of your order shall be delivered within the month, as it will be our number one priority."
Luca smiled, not so coldly this time. "Excellent. Lady Kya, have you any requests?"
Kya knew her fate depended upon the goodwill of her masters. "I do. I'd like a gown in the colors of my lords Luca and Arcen. Red and black."
The Dressmaker smiled. "Any particular desires for the gown besides color?"
"Red silk with black lace on top. A dramatic neckline. Sheer sleeves giving glimpses of bared skin."
"Tell the jeweler to bring items with jet and garnet as well. We shall find her the perfect accompaniment for her ensemble."
"As you wish, my lord prince. It is always an honor to serve House Baden."
With a regal nod, Luca stood up, put his hands around Kya's waist and lifted her from the pedestal. "Ah, no one can bring out the polish in a gem quite like you, Madam Jothgar."
"I'd like to request that the underpinnings for the red and black gown match it well."
The Dressmaker smirked. "As if there was any other option, my lord prince! She shall be swathed in your colors from the skin outwards and leave no doubt in any mind the regard you hold for her."
That put a small frown on Luca's face. "None but us shall see what's under her gown, Madam."
"Ah, my apologies for the slip of my tongue. She shall be perfection. I bet my reputation on it."
Reynard entered the Blue Salon and bowed low. "The Dancing Master has arrived for Lady Kya."
Arcen smirked. "Well, we thank you, Madam Jothgar, for your services. Now we must whisk our little pet to her first lessons. Come, Lady Kya. I shall sit and supervise while my dear brother must go off and work. Ah, the drudgery that comes with status!"