Charisma 100: My Academy Life As A Heartbreaking Commoner-Chapter 209: Dressing for War
"Too modest."
Aegis turned in front of the mirror, examining the dark blue gown she’d just put on. It was elegant, sure, with silver embroidery along the neckline and a flowing skirt that reached the floor. Perfectly appropriate for a noble salon.
"It’s not that modest," she said.
"It covers your entire chest. That’s modest." Serilla was sprawled across Aegis’s bed like she owned it, one arm tucked behind her head and her pink hair fanning out across the pillows. "Next."
Aegis sighed and reached for the next dress in the pile.
This one was red, with a plunging neckline and a slit up the side that went almost to the hip. She held it up against herself and raised an eyebrow at Serilla’s reflection in the mirror.
"Too gaudy," Serilla said immediately.
"You just told me the other one was too modest!"
"And this one is too gaudy. There’s a difference between showing off and looking like you’re trying too hard." Serilla sat up slightly, her eyes roaming over Aegis’s body with open appreciation. "You want something that says ’I’m confident and powerful,’ not ’I’m desperate for attention.’"
"Since when are you an expert on noble fashion?"
"Since always. My mother used to drag me to these things when I was a kid. I learned what works and what doesn’t." Serilla grinned. "Mostly by watching lesser women crash and burn."
Aegis tossed the red dress aside and grabbed the next one.
This one was black, fitted through the bodice with a sweetheart neckline that showed off her cleavage without being excessive. The skirt was elegant but not overly dramatic, and there was gold embroidery along the hem that added just enough visual interest.
She held it up.
Serilla’s grin widened.
"Ooh. That one makes your tits look amazing."
"Is that your professional assessment?"
"It’s my honest assessment. Put it on."
Aegis slipped into the dress, adjusting the bodice until everything sat properly. She turned to face the mirror and had to admit, Serilla was right. The dress hugged her figure in all the right places, and the black fabric made her skin look luminous by comparison.
"Perfect," Serilla said. "You look like someone who’s about to ruin several people’s evenings."
"That’s exactly what I’m going for."
A knock at the door interrupted them. Aegis called out for whoever it was to enter, and Evelyn stepped inside, holding a folder.
"My lady. I have information about the salon."
"Good news or bad news?"
"Neither. Just news." Evelyn glanced at Serilla, then back at Aegis. "Should I come back later?"
"She can hear whatever you have to say. What did you find?"
Evelyn opened the folder and began laying out papers on the nearby desk.
"The salon is being hosted by Duchess Marelle, but it’s being held at Duchess Evangeline’s estate. The guest list includes seventeen nobles, all of whom are either direct allies of House Stone or houses that have publicly opposed House Starcaller’s legitimacy."
[Seventeen hostile nobles in one room? That’s not a trap, that’s a party.]
"So Evangeline’s stacking the deck."
"Heavily. Every person in that room will have been primed to dismiss you, belittle you, or provoke you into an embarrassing outburst." Evelyn closed the folder. "My recommendation would be to decline the invitation. There’s very little to gain and a great deal to lose."
Aegis considered this for about half a second.
Declining would make her look weak, like she was afraid to face opposition. And besides, where was the fun in avoiding a challenge?
"I’m going," Aegis said.
Evelyn’s expression didn’t change, but Aegis could tell she’d expected that answer.
"Then I strongly suggest you bring allies."
"Already planned." Aegis turned to Serilla, who was now sitting up properly on the bed, watching the exchange with interest. "Feel like attending a salon with me?"
Serilla’s smile turned sharp.
"You want me to walk into a room full of people who hate you and help you charm them?"
"I want you to walk into a room full of people who hate me and watch me charm them. Your job is to stand there looking gorgeous and intimidating."
"I can do both of those things." Serilla swung her legs off the bed and stood. "But I’m going to need a dress. Something that matches yours but doesn’t overshadow it."
"I have options."
"Of course you do."
Another knock at the door. This time it was one of the manor’s servants, looking slightly flustered.
"My lady, there’s a visitor. Lady Roseheart is here to see you."
Aegis and Evelyn exchanged glances.
"Send her up."
A few minutes later, Lady Roseheart swept into the bedroom, still dressed for travel with her coat on and her hair slightly windswept.
"Lady Starcaller. I hope I’m not interrupting."
"Not at all. What brings you here?"
Lady Roseheart’s eyes flickered to the dress Aegis was wearing, then to Serilla standing nearby, then back to Aegis.
"I heard about the salon at Duchess Evangeline’s estate. Word travels fast in certain circles." She folded her hands in front of her. "I wanted to offer my assistance."
"Your assistance?"
"I know what Evangeline is planning. She’s done this before, to other houses that threatened her interests. She fills a room with her allies and lets them tear the target apart piece by piece." Lady Roseheart’s expression hardened slightly. "I thought perhaps you could use a friendly face in that crowd."
Aegis felt a genuine smile spreading across her face.
Lady Roseheart had always been kind to her, ever since that night at the gala when Aegis had accidentally interrupted an assassination attempt on her life. But this was more than kindness. This was political backup, offered publicly.
"You’d attend with me? Even knowing it might put you at odds with Duchess Evangeline?"
"I’ve been at odds with Evangeline Stone for twenty years, dear. One more evening won’t make much difference." Lady Roseheart’s smile returned. "Besides, I owe you a debt. You saved my life. The least I can do is help you navigate a room full of snobs."
Aegis looked at Evelyn, who gave a small nod.
"Then I’d be honored to have you join us." Aegis gestured toward Serilla. "You know Lady Frost, I assume?"
"By reputation." Lady Roseheart inclined her head toward Serilla. "It’s a pleasure to meet you properly."
"Likewise," Serilla said, her tone surprisingly polite. "I’ve heard good things about House Roseheart."
"And I’ve heard interesting things about House Frost." Lady Roseheart’s eyes sparkled with amusement. "This should be quite the evening."
---
The carriage ride to Duchess Evangeline’s estate took about an hour.
Aegis spent most of it reviewing what she knew about the nobles who’d be attending, running through names and faces and potential weaknesses in her head. Serilla sat beside her, occasionally offering commentary on specific houses, while Lady Roseheart provided context on old grudges and alliances that the game had never bothered to mention.
By the time they arrived, Aegis felt ready.
The estate was impressive, she had to admit. Sprawling gardens surrounded a manor that was at least three times the size of her own, with white stone walls and tall windows that glowed with warm light. Carriages were lined up along the drive, and servants in House Stone’s colors stood ready to assist arriving guests.
Their carriage rolled to a stop, and a footman opened the door.
Aegis stepped out first, followed by Serilla and Lady Roseheart. The evening air was cool against her skin, and she took a moment to adjust her dress before looking around.
Familiar faces everywhere.
She spotted Lord Pemberton near the entrance, talking with a woman she didn’t recognize. Duke Cindergrave was standing by the garden path, surrounded by his usual cluster of sycophants. And there, near the fountain, was Darius Goldspire, looking annoyingly handsome in a dark formal coat.
He met her eyes across the courtyard. His expression was unreadable, which probably meant he was trying to figure out what angle she was playing.
[Alright. Time to charm the pants off these assholes.]
"Shall we?" Lady Roseheart asked, offering her arm.
Aegis took it with a smile.
"Let’s."
