𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄 𝐀𝐌𝐄 | 𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬

02. corsets and shoes

BELLE ÂME

vol.1

02. corsets and shoes

[ Montpellier, France, December 18th, 1831 ]

________________________

   UPON HEADING INTO HER ROOM,  she was bombarded with questions regarding what hairstyle she would like to wear if the dress is breathtaking enough if she wanted to wear the red or the white shoes, as the maids all gathered around her and started fussing over what she looked like and how the could get her ready in one hour. Nonetheless, they sat her down and began working on her makeup.

   While they were fussing over the details of her appearance, Annette looked out of her window and began admiring the combination of hues in the sky, how the purple, blue, orange, and pink of the sunset melted together to create a beautiful sunset and introduce the winters night. Just as she went to turn away she noticed that snow had softly begun falling, something that always excited her, as she remembers vividly how she would play into the snow with her parents and her brothers back in their house in Paris when she was young. Of course, this memory also made her heart sink to the bottom of her chest as she remembered that she would never relive that again, not with her parents at least.

   Brushing those though away she looked back at the mirror and started noticing how slowly, but surely her appearance began changing to represent pure elegance and class.

   Just then, her aunt came back into the room holding a beautiful dress, the one that had been mentioned before, the red dress was shining in the light of the chandelier that was located in Annette's bedroom and it was covered in tiny details that brought it to life the bodice of the dress left her shoulders exposed and was a silky material.

   "Alright Madam Chantal, we have already finished your niece's makeup and hair, shall we get her into the corset and dress?" asked one of the maids softly while slightly bowing to Aunt Chantal. "Oh no please, not the corset, I can barely breathe with how tight you always tie it for balls, and after all, a girl has got to eat" begged the brunette, if there was anything she hated more than French high-class society, it was the expectations they had for a young woman.

   "This is what you give us to work with?" sang one of the maids "well honey I've seen worse, we're going to turn this young girl, into a woman"

   "We've had you, washed and dried, primped and polished, now you'll glow with pride" sang one of the maids as she took Annette's hand and made her stand up "Trust our recipe for instant bride, you'll bring honor to us all"

   Annette's face instantly formed a grimace as her stomach stirred at the mention of the word bride, she has been avoiding a proposal at these balls ever since she turned 17 and she was not about to be married away now.

   "Wait and see, when we're through"

"Boys will gladly go to war for you"

   "With good fortune" sang Aunt Chantal as she grabbed the corset

"And a great hairdo"

   "You'll bring honor to us all"

   As they began putting on the corset and getting the shoes polished and the dress ready, Annette's mind began to formulate a plan in case any man attempted to talk to her this evening, she came to the worthy conclusion that she would stay near the table filled with food the entire evening, and in the worse occasion, she could just pretend to faint, after all, it won't be that hard if she is wearing a corset since the minute you drink a glass of champagne your breathing space starts closing up.

   She was brought back to reality when the maids started tightening her corset and she once again paid attention to the words that the women were singing to her.

   "Men want girls with good taste"

"Calm"

  "Obedient." 

   This word cause Annette's stomach to once again stir as she thought of how positively duller her life would become once she married.

"Who work fast-paced"

"With good breading"

  "And a tiny waist" the brunette gasped as one of the maids tightened her corset to the point where she could see stars "You'll bring honor to us all"

The maids brought the red dress over to Annette and as she softly touched it with her fingers she could feel the silk underneath her fingertips and she could only imagine how much work it must have been to make this dress. Although she would never admit it, she was actually quite excited to try on this dress, after all, she had been getting ready for one hour and a half now, so surely she deserves to feel beautiful.

As she brought the dress over her head, Annette had to admit that she felt like a proper princess, well as long as she did not speak of her ideas, everyone else would view her that way as well.

"Oh Annette, you look absolutely beautiful," cried Aunt Chantal as she held on to her niece's shoulders and looked at her through the mirror, she then picked up a small diamond necklace and put it around her niece's neck. "For good fortune," she said "And even you can't blow it"

   As they all exited the room Annette was left there by herself with the few precious moments she had left by herself.

  "God on high, hear my prayer," she sang softly "help me not to make a fool of me, and to not be forced to marry now, but keep my family standing tall" with that she walked out of her room and into the well-lit hallway of the mansion, her heels clicking against the floorboards and she finally reached the staircase that led into the ballroom, out of nervousness, she clutched the necklace that was safely placed around the neck and prayed once again that everything would work out. Then Annette straightened her back and proudly walked down the stairs leading to the ball, where many of French society were standing, talking, and dancing.

_________________________