“You are all too indecisive.” States ?nnywella, already dressed for H?rfende, mask in hand, ready to go. Unfortunately, she is stuck waiting for her ladies-in-waiting and Ilsenila to get ready.

  “You have been wearing the same Morziwayn costume since 1055.” Enlynn side-eyes Gekaryna. “Some of us do not have the luxury of not needing new clothes. The one on the left looks best, ?dy.” She points to the light blue tweed vest in ?denora’s hand.

  ?nnywella huffs, blowing smoke from her nose, and crosses her arms across her chest, fidgeting with the tails of the dark red ribbon around her neck. The outfit was, in fact, not a costume—it was a highly detailed recreation of the traditional outfit of Morziwayn. It had been a gift from her father on her 15th birthday, and every year Morziwayn praises her for it—she believes that this was her father's intention behind the outfit in the first place, in hopes that if something happens, Myrerah does not pick his daughter.

  “Euuu, you think so?” Awenela turns to the mirror and holds the vest in front of her. “You’re right; the darker one wouldn’t be winter enough—but is this too bright for the black riding boots?”

  “It will be fine; I really don’t think that Faerthryne will care either way.” Enlynn had been helping the notoriously indecisive ?denora for the last hour as she tried to put together her Faerthryne-inspired costume. Awenela’s closest, lacking the serious and masculine flair that Faerthryne is known for, one would think it would be easy for her to piece something together because of having so few options; this—as Enlynn learns again every year—is not the case. “I still need to go get in costume myself. Ryna, can you come with me to convince Katel to let me borrow one of the H?rfende maid uniforms?”

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  “You as well?”?nnywella groans. “Do none of you enjoy festivities or dressing up as festive barmaids with hiked skirts and low collars?” The Heren sisters had already scurried off to convince Katel to let them borrow a size-to-small uniform for the gathering at the college.

  “Can you give me a hand with this?” asks Awenela, struggling to button the vest up over her blouse.

  “Some of us hope to pull the eye of a rich noble or his son.” Konstanze says as she presses ?denora’s chest flat so she can button up the vest.

  “And you’re going to do this handing out pretzels and beer?” Retorts ?nnywella. “Why would ?l? dress like that then? she has Didier. You are all simply too lazy to seek the childlike wonder that comes with participation in festivities.”

  “Ooh, alright, I am ready to go.” Awenela takes her mask from the table.

  “Excellent!” says ?nnywella, opening the door to ?denora’s room. She presses the sides of her voluptuously ruffled pants flat and walks through the door.

  Enlynn snorts, watching Gekaryna walking through the door—it never gets old. “What is this childlike wonder? struggling to walk through single doorways because your pants are comically ruffled?” She follows shortly behind, expecting a retort from the queen, but not getting one.

  “Do you want me to talk to Katel for you? hurry up; I wish to spend some time among the vendors in the Entertainment District before we go to the college.” ?nnywella says, without turning around, she gestures with her hand for the two to follow her.