?


    Lulu examined the outfit. ''Moonlight white is fine. There''s a subtle shade of blue thatplements your skin tone. What about essories? Should we add a strand of red coral?"


    "No red," Carissa replied. "Keep it simple, not too grand."


    She selected a white pearl hairpin and paired it with two moonlight white silk ribbons.


    "That''s still quite in,'' Lulu observed.


    *in or not, we''ll know once it''s on," Carissa said.


    She went behind a partition screen to change into the outfit. When she emerged, she had styled her hair into a simple bun, secured with the silk ribbons and adorned with the white pearl pin.


    She twirled, asking her maids, "How do I look?"


    The girls were mesmerized. Even without makeup, Carissa resembled an ethereal fairy. The two silk ribbons in her hair added a significant touch of elegance to her moonlight white dress.


    Lulu quickly turned to Pearl. "Lip balm, earrings, perfumes, and pearl pendants-hurry!"


    "Got it!" Pearl immediately got to work, gathering various essories.


    Lulu seated Carissa at the dressing table, then applied lip balm for her and redrew her eyebrows. When she was done, she draped a long ne of pearls around Carissa''s neck, and added a butterfly pendant to the sash around her waist. A soft, sheer outer garmentpleted the look, adding an extra touch of ethereal charm. Lulu thought for a moment, then decided to tie the sleeves back, giving the outfit a yful and youthful edge. The lip balm''s subtle red made Carissa''splexion appear even more wless, and her natural blush, without the need for rouge, was a testament to the effectiveness of Sebastian''s blood-regting medicine.


    Lulu beamed with pride.


    The fabric of the outfit was exquisite, with the pleated skirt made of soft satin that flowed like water with every movement. The light, flowing gauze ovey and the silk ribbons in her hair made Carissa look like a celestial being.


    Carissa gazed at her reflection in the copper mirror.


    Was she truly beautiful?


    Back at Meadow Ridge, no one ever praised her looks. Everyone only ever called her a monkey.


    When she returned from Meadow Ridge, ready for courtship, her mother had dressed her up meticulously and she had spent time avoiding the sun, which made her skin as smooth as silk. Everyone who saw her couldn''t help but remark on her beauty.


    She remembered Barrett''s first visit, how he had been unable to take his eyes off her and had spoken with a changed tone, his formalities in disarray. She recalled his dazed expression and thought at the time that he must be a fool.


    It turned out he wasn''t a fool, just a heartless man.


    Carissa turned around and gazed at herself in the mirror, then asked Lulu, "Do I really look good?"


    Lulu stood beside her, leaning close to her cheek as they both looked into the mirror together. "Well, do you think you look good?"


    Lulu was attractive herself. Although her features were not perfect, they came together in a very pleasing way. Seeing herself alongside Lulu in the mirror made Carissa realize, "Oh, I guess I really do look quite good."


    Lulu pouted. "Mydy, you shouldn''t say such things in front of others. Being unaware of one''s beauty cane


    across as an attempt at provocation. I also feel like pping you for saying that."


    Carissa tapped Lulu''s forehead with her finger. "You''re beautiful too. We all have two eyes, a nose, and a mouth. I just happen to look a bit fairer."Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Lulu sighed and turned to Pearl, who was covering her mouth andughing behind them.


    "Isn''t it annoying? We live infort every day, with nothing much to do, while Lady Sinir goes to the Southern Frontier, braving harsh winds and sandstorms. Yet, less than a month after returning, she''s already looking more radiant than us," said Lulu.


    Joyughed. "Lady Sinir is naturally beautiful. Even if she was tanned, she would quickly regain her fairplexion."


    "It doesn''t matter if we look rougher. What matters is that Lady Sinir is truly beautiful," Pearl added her praise, agreeing wholeheartedly.


    Carissa examined each of them closely.


    In truth, they were all charming and attractive, not the sort of in faces one might easily overlook on the street.