(Two hours before the coronation, the Green palace)
Since Maria hadn't been seen since noon, Gabrielle had to get ready by herself. This caused her many, many inconveniences, from struggling to tie her hair to barely managing to put on a corset and then getting stuck in it when she realised the lacing was off by one hole.
Now with her hair in a mess and a crooked corset she had to walk out the room and look for a servant to help her, since the rooms in the green palace didn't have call bells. So on top the whole day being a mess and Maria missing she had to go out of her room in such a state, risking to be seen by everyone passing by.
Gabrielle breathed in as much air as she could, the corset was poking her under the ribs so she could not get a proper breath in, wrapped herself in a bathrobe and peaked into the hallway. Surprisingly it was quiet.
At this time, there were two more hours until the banquet was meant to begin, so all the guests in the palace were busy getting ready and all the servants were probably busy with either helping them or preparing the event. Gabrielle peaked one more time, this time poking her head out in the hallway.
No one was there, so she finally came out of her room. In the distance, on the far end of the right side of the hallway, she could hear voices. And right before she started going towards them, she saw a maid quickly come from a corner in front of her and disappear into a room on the left. When she opened the door, the voice could be heard more clearly, especially because the maid didn't close them all the way.
Gabrielle came closer, sneaking around near the wall, hoping they wouldn't close the door before she reached them. She was slow, stopping every few steps to catch a breath. When she finally reached the door, this is what she saw.
Three maids, standing in front of an open box on the table. Constantly looking and touching whatever was in the box. They were whispering amongst each other, so Gabrielle couldn't hear clearly what they were talking about. But the more she stood there, the more she began to understand what was going on. In fact for this moment she had been waiting the entire time. One of the maids finally reached both of her hands in the box and lifted a dress top, a corset in green with flowers and red stones along the middle, the maids looked at each other before continuing to dig through the box. One pulled out the skirt, with several drapes of red and green fabric overlapping each other, another took out the gloves, completely covered in embroidered flowers. Putting all those pieces together, makes a dress.
Now, why would maids so sneakily look at a dress, why would such a dress be in their possession in the first place? Well first of all, it could not belong to one of the guests since these were palace maids, and they don't involve themselves with guest's belongings, it could get them in too much trouble if they got caught. This dress must belong to someone who is a resident of the Imperial palace. And a dress you would be so sneaky and excited to see before it makes a debut on the dance floor could only belong to the empress. There is no woman in the palace besides her who would wear a thing of such a fine craft. It is a Kruger dress, Gabrielle recognised it by the style of the corset. He is the finest dressmaker in the empire.
The maids finally stopped whispering.
A maid holding the skirt said. "Is that true, he bought this for her?"
The one holding the corset answered. "Why would they want us to bring it here if it wasn't for her?"
"You can never be sure about this stuff."
The one that took out a skirt was now folding it so it can go back in the box just like it was before she took it out. "I am just jealous that a man can really pick something so beautiful for a woman. My husband would never buy me something even close to beautiful."
"Well you picked him. Pick better next time." One with the corset followed her lead.
The maid with the gloves was still looking at them, touching the red string that made the embroidery on the green fabric. "Who knows, next time you could be picked. With his choice in women, anybody can become the empress these days."
"Don't speak like that!" Both of the other maids said in sync.
"Speak of what, like it is not true? How long will he be able to hide it, that is what I wonder."
"No one will replace her majesty, no one."
The one with the gloves finally placed them back in the box and closed, even tying the ribbon around it, and just like that it looked like it was never opened. "Our wishes don't matter on that topic."
Gabrielle froze, not sure if she understood what they were talking about correctly. If she did, that would mean one very horrible thing. That she lost, before even getting a chance to play her moves.
No, the dress must be for the empress, and she did not understand the conversation.
Gabrielle knocked on the door, more pushing it open than actually knocking. The maid jumped back, to hide the box on the table and quickly turned around.
"Can I get some help?" She said, looking up and down each one of them.
"Of course my lady." It was the one that talked the most that answered.
Gabrielle smiled, "Follow me then, I want to look my best tonight."
Luckily, she also had a Kruger dress in a similar shade of green.
**
(The Grand Dining Hall)
The soft sound of the violin, a mixture of perfume flowing in the air, yet there is no sound and there is no smell, there are no senses beside sight. The two of them locked eyes across the room.
Beneath the throne there is an arrangement of chairs and sofas, placed with special care for the woman who is meant to sit there tonight.
This time she went to him and he still wears the crown, his usual official attire, showing his status, his power. His attire is green, covered in medals and imperial jewels, but still green.
She stands in front of him, dropping to the floor into a deep bow, her dress spreads around like water when its mass is disturbed. He comes down with each step slower, before he reaches her, with a hand set out calling for her to accept it. She accepts it and her glowed hand slips into his like it is meant to belong there.
The gloves on her hands are not green or embroidered with red roses, her corset is not decorated with flowers and jewels in red, her skirt is not draped with red and green fabric, she is not wearing a single thing that matches him, in any way, shape of colour.
Even when you look at them without clothes, they are opposite, one dead and the other eternally divine.
Gabrielle felt a sharp pain go through her chest. Perhaps it was betrayal, perhaps it was heartbreak. She looks stupid now, in her sage green gown and pearls. The red stone necklace around her neck. He will know for sure. And she finally had something good enough to write to Gurtha.
The Empress's dress wasn't green and the Emperor has a mistress.