The closest experience Phera relate to the current time was like being dazzled when lighting strikes close.<br/>Sound seems distant, and senses muted. Fear of not knowing what direction a new social attack may come from<br/>made Phera seem more like a scared rabbit than a elf that braves woods. Too shocked and stunned to really appreciate the statements the horseman offered Phera simply blinked at statement the the gracious man gave.<br/><br/>Trying to form an apology to the princess failed dismally, whatever words her failing mind tried seemed caught in her throat.<br/><br/>Mention of the dress maker gave some hope to the herbalist to focus on. Phera nodded silently and keeped close to the lady as if her life dependad on it.Immediately she was off with her towards where the lady prompted ... to find herself in a glade where partial models of figures displayed a swathe of dresses.<br/><br/>The escape from humilation was a welcome one...<br/><br/><strong>"Never mind those preistesses Lady Phera, if it wasnt you it would be something else they have issues with, they are so used to controlling things the idea that not everything is under their thumb they find issues with"</strong><br/><br/>... finally Phera's voice returned.<br/><br/><strong>"I dont understand what I did so wrong"</strong><br/><strong><br/>"Nothing dear ... your a herbalist, you are what you are and they should know that, that  is what the priestesses own overprotectedness overlooked. Very strange though, usually they are much more civil, I do wonder what had them all so worked up. I think it has been too long since herbalists have been in the palace. You all really do spend a lot of time in the woods dont you. You as yourself have been welcomed, this hall and lottery is for all the elves not just those priestesses want there. If the princess or prince wanted the behavior of a priestess they would have chosen one to accompany them- they didnt ... Know the queens priestesses are highly protective of her daughter, while they are about anything that isnt the most perfect respect to their standards is an insult beyond measure. Its been a while since a herbalist has been in the palace and frankly it is over due, over time those preistress have little by little gotso many of us to try and behave like they do so subtly we dont notice until its opposite appears. But really whats the use of praising gods despite the life they given us I say"</strong><br/><br/>The woman obviously was a master and comforting those she was dressing.<br/><br/><strong>"Do you not like priestesses ?"</strong><br/><strong><br/>"Oh heavens I adore them most of the priestesses are very nice, but some are not, those two are ones to the queen and sometimes it gets to their head when she is not about. Fear not, royalty has means to set things right <br/>without being public about it"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"They will not be hurt I hope?"</strong><br/><strong><br/>"Hurt ? huh ! Unlikely anythign so barbaric ... remember Phera those are used to a lot of luxuries. Taking away their privilages for a minute would be like torcher to them ! Taking away their title would be worse ! But Just enough for them to remember what they have and that they can be replaced for ones less vocal may be enough<br/>for them to remember their words while not busy attending the queen ! Huh chances are the queen was annoyed with one of them and sent them away so she could have some peace and they were just looking for something to vent their frustration on.  I am sure what others have in mind is appropriate, but I hae no idea what that may be that one glance at the prince you saw spoke enough to me to"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Please do not underestimate your important among those here, all have sharp minds and the idea of others being closer to royalty than themselves can cause jealousy quickly. All desire to be favourites to the family, for they really are all a remarkable and highly loveable lot. We really are blessed, you cant blame them for being jealous can you?"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Im more stupid than the others here arn't I?"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Oh heavens bells Phera !What a remarkably strange thing to say. Your mind you use to refine your understanding of plants. Some here to scheme."</strong><strong>"Now I want you to think of something, remember all the royalty constantly have officials vying for their attention to make certain decisions which would further all sorts of causes - the army wants more weapons made or more horses trained for combat... the priestesses want more temples.. it is always something they are trying to seek in in an underhanded way and the royalty are so used to it they can smell undercurrent intentions a mile away. Your nature is like a breath of fresh air from such well meaning scheming those used the the palace manage all too well"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"They can see straight through me can't they,everyone can I embarrassed the royal family"</strong><br/><br/>The dress maker walked Phera to several of her dresses until one took Phera's breath way<br/><br/>http://ny-image1.etsy.com//il_430xN.38884985.jpg (http://ny-image1.etsy.com//il_430xN.38884985.jpg)<br/><br/><strong>"Oh wow!"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Lovely isnt it?"<br/></strong><br/><strong>"Heavens yes ! but isn't it a wedding dress?"<br/></strong><br/><strong>"No hon wedding dresses are far more elaborate."<br/></strong><br/>While seeing to it being positioned correctly on Phera the dress maker inquired<br/><br/>"<strong>Phera your worried about behaving as you did about the princess and offending the prince arnt you"<br/></strong><br/><strong>"Yes I should have given him my attention but when I met Evelyna I couldnt tear my eyes of her"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"The royal bloodline are all beauties and we know what herbalists are like, the prince is a hard man to offend,<br/>only two things do it. If any insult those he invites as a guest of honor or if any insult his family his jesting nature<br/>sees to it ending very quickly. He tolerates a lot but not insults to those he likes. The priestesses were busy looking elsewhere when he walked in with you they didnt realize you were his guest of honor. Their mistake. Secondly the acted like the princess could not manage the situation. She is highly refined she can easily and socially gracefully manage all sorts of situation while making all feel welcome and the priestesses' outburst did not let her. Now hon enough about those two ... What lightens my heart is the smiles on the princess and princes face when they met you. I do hope they keep you. It is tradition they should keep some like you for personal reasons - doing so ensures they are of unfrustrated states - but they have not taken one of such for so long. WHen that tradition is ignored royalty becomes too serious and nothing stops them working too hard. Of late they have of yes hon your very suitable indeed. This gown represents a candidate for such a role. "</strong><br/><br/><strong>"You mean the dress says I wish for them to choose me as a bedwarmer for them both ? Oh please say its so !" </strong>Phera's eyes widened in hope of such a dream.<br/><br/><strong>"Concubine is a term I prefer however only to those that look very closely at the fabric weave and only royalty is allowed to inspect one so closely, to those far away it is simply a dress. I know this was your intention ... But it is up to them if they choose you for it later - so stress not. Those smiles were not false, those smiles when you met them were indeed genuine. Now ... there do a twirl for me Lady Phera"<br/></strong><br/><strong>"Do you think they may choose me? I so wish they do. I would adore that as my role ! More than anything more than riches !"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"I certainly hope so, especially in our princesses case. But such choices are theirs not ours dear. Regardless you have a ball to enjoy !"</strong><br/><br/>The dress indeed suited her curves perfectly.<br/><br/><strong>"Now to the dance my gorgeous ! One thing one should not do is leave royalty waiting !"</strong><br/><br/>Delighted in her new dress Phera beamed and skipped lightly back into the hall, ecstatically her feet barely touching the ground<br/>