“Stronger!” said Olga through her teeth as Katia was lacing up her Mistress’s corset.<br/>I’m sorry my Lady but if I do what you expect from me, you will barely breathe!” she protested.<br/>Olga sighed releasing her grip from the post of her bed.<br/>“You’re right” she said stepping in her petticoats.<br/>“You naturally have a trim waist, I don’t see the reason why you want to make your waistline thinner!” added Katia fastening the petticoats “Good Lord, This new shape suits you perfectly, how is it called?”<br/>“I don’t know for sure…something like tail of lobster… every woman in Paris wears it. Crinoline is old fashioned now” She answered smiling at the thought that that was exactly what Princess…well, what Alexei’s fiancée was still wearing. “You will see the effect with the dress on it!”<br/>Katia passed the heavy skirt carefully over her Mistress’s head, fastened it and stepped back.<br/>“It’s gorgeous” she said admiring the hanging of the garnet-red watered silk. The front of the skirt was flat, almost revealing the shape of the legs and the fabric was nicely tucked up behind creating a harmonious cascade finishing with a train.<br/>Olga held out her arms for Katia could sleep on the bodice made of the same fabric. It was audacious, revealing her bare shoulders.<br/>“You will turn many heads tonight!” Katia said again, lacing the bodice.<br/>Olga laughed out loud “I hope so!” she said mischievously “Let’s say it will remain some persons that they’d rather stay out of my way!”<br/>Katia pinned up a spray of diamonds in her Mistress’s hair and stepped back again.<br/>“You’re gorgeous!” she said picking up a pair of long gloves made of black silk.<br/>Olga smiled at the compliment, leaving her lady in waiting buttoning her gloves with a small buttonhook.<br/>“I will wear my diamonds” she said<br/>Katia picked up one of the numerous that were on the dressing table and opened it.<br/>A beautiful collar made of diamonds cut in drops was nested in it. She slept it around her Mistress’s neck.<br/>Olga jumped lightly at the feeling of the cold stones on her bare skin. She ran her fingertips gently on the stones while Katia was fastening the assorted hearings. She took a last look in the mirror and smiled.<br/>“You’re more than perfect my Lady” said Katia, holding out her fan.<br/>Olga smiled radiantly at her taking the fan from her hands, took a deep breath and walked at the door.<br/>It was time to throw herself in the lions’ den.