CHAPTER 19 - The Royal Dressmaker
The Queen's chamber was busier than usual that morning. Several maids moved in and out of the room carrying rolls of fabric, jewelry boxes, and ribbons of silk.
Daniel stood near the window with a puzzled expression.
"I didn't know a royal celebration required this much preparation."
Keira sat in a chair near the large mirror, reading a book when the door opened again.
A woman stepped inside with quick yet elegant steps.
Her dress was simple compared to those of the nobles, but its tailoring was impeccable. Her hair was arranged in a high bun, and her eyes were sharp—like someone accustomed to noticing every small detail.
The moment she saw Keira, the woman bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty."
Daniel glanced at Keira. "Who's she?"
Keira shrugged. "I have no idea."
The woman slowly raised her head.
For a moment, her expression changed.
Surprise. Sadness.
Almost like someone seeing a person she once knew… but not quite the same.
"Your Majesty… truly does not recognize me?"
Keira looked at her calmly. "yes…."
Daniel whispered quietly, "The amnesia card."
The woman took a slow breath before answering. "I am Madam Geeni."
She bowed her head once more. "The royal dressmaker."
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Oh." He glanced at the fabrics the maids were carrying. "Well, that explains everything."
Madam Geeni stepped closer, her gaze carefully studying Keira.
"For many years, I have designed nearly all of Your Majesty's gowns, even before you became Queen"
Keira closed her book. "Then I suppose we'll be working together again."
But Madam Geeni did not respond immediately. Instead, she leaned slightly closer to examine Keira's face.
Too close.
As if trying to find something that had been lost. Finally, she spoke softly.
"Your Majesty… truly is different."
Keira simply raised an eyebrow. "Everyone keeps saying that."
Madam Geeni gave a faint smile. But the smile was not entirely happy.
"Your Majesty used to become nervous before attending royal celebrations."
She paused for a moment. "But now Your Majesty looks… very calm."
Keira crossed her legs casually.
"Maybe I changed."
Madam Geeni watched her for several seconds.
Then she let out a small sigh. "What matters is that Your Majesty is still here."
Her voice softened. Almost like someone trying to reassure herself.
Keira observed her. This woman clearly cared deeply about Aelirra.
Madam Geeni finally clapped her hands lightly. "Well then."
"The royal celebration is in two days."
She pointed at the rolls of fabric brought by the maids.
"We do not have much time."
Daniel grinned.
"I have a feeling this is going to take a while."
Madam Geeni ignored him. She picked up a piece of silver silk from the table.
"This gown must show one thing."
Keira looked at her. "And what is that?"
Madam Geeni smiled faintly. "That the Queen of Valtherion has returned."
A brief silence fell over the room. Yet in Madam Geeni's heart, one question remained.
The woman standing before her looked like Aelirra.
But the gaze in those eyes… no longer belonged to the queen she once knew.
And then..
Not long after, a knock sounded at the Queen's chamber door.
A maid opened it and bowed.
"Lord Sylvaris."
Lucien Armand Sylvaris entered with his usual calm composure. His cloak rested neatly over his shoulders, and in his hands he carried a small wooden box engraved with gold.
Madam Geeni turned immediately.
"Prime Minister."
Lucien returned a polite nod.
"Madam Geeni."
His gaze then shifted to Keira.
"Your Majesty."
Keira remained seated near the mirror.
"What brings you here, Lucien?"
Lucien lifted the wooden box slightly.
"A delivery."
Daniel instantly looked interested.
"If that's food, I would greatly appreciate it."
Lucien ignored the comment.
He walked toward the small table in front of Keira and carefully placed the box on it.
Madam Geeni was already standing beside him before the lid was fully opened.
"Is that…?"
Lucien slowly lifted the lid.
Inside lay a necklace.
A large blue gem at its center reflected the light like a fragment of the night sky. The golden frame holding it was decorated with small diamonds that shimmered softly.
The room fell silent for several seconds.
Daniel let out a low whistle.
"Well. That is definitely not an ordinary accessory."
Madam Geeni stared at it with shining eyes.
"This…"
She could hardly believe it.
"The Astra Valtherion Necklace."
Lucien nodded slightly.
"The most precious jewel in the kingdom."
Madam Geeni let out a breath of admiration.
"This necklace is only worn by the Queen of Valtherion during the greatest royal ceremonies."
Daniel glanced at Keira.
"No pressure."
Keira looked at the necklace for a few seconds.
The brilliance of the blue gem was impossible to ignore.
"Is this part of the celebration preparations?"
Lucien answered calmly.
"The King has ordered that Your Majesty wear this necklace on the night of the celebration."
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"A direct gift from the king."
Lucien looked at Keira.
"This necklace is also a symbol."
Keira tilted her head slightly. "A symbol of what?"
Lucien answered with a more serious tone. "That the Queen of Valtherion stands beside the throne."
Madam Geeni was already imagining the gown that would match the necklace.
"This gem will look perfect with the silver gown I am preparing."
Daniel leaned against the wall. "I don't know much about jewelry…"
He pointed at the necklace. "…but even I can tell that thing could start a war."
Lucien closed the box again. "That is why the necklace never leaves the royal treasury."
His gaze returned to Keira. "At least… until now."
Keira continued looking at the box calmly.
A gift from the king. A symbol of the kingdom.
And a celebration that would gather all the nobles of Valtherion.
She gave a small shrug. "Then make sure the dress matches."
Madam Geeni smiled with satisfaction. "Oh, Your Majesty, of course."