Because this is a party

Standing in the carriage's doorway you look out of the courtyard of the Royal Palace to see a gathering of mostly women in very flashy dresses and gowns. Several turn to look at you and you feel immediately judged by your choice of clothing, should have grabbed the toga. You consider going back inside the carriage and waiting this out when feel a hand on your back.

You look at Delilah to see her eyes glued to the crowd, her aura hued with fear. It quiets and Eve says, "Delilah is having a panic attack, so I'll be your plus one." She pushes you with enough **** to eject you out of the carriage. Your stumbling attracts more attention and that judging feeling increases.

"And plus one." The woman who announced you says as Eve steps down from the carriage. Her red clothing changed. Her tight top and pants were no longer there, now she wore a red dress with a plunging neckline and skirt that trialed behind her with a window cut just below her legs to give the flowing fabric something of cape effect, and showing off her very high heels, something you hadn't seen in this world before.

"Nice to be dressed up." She said looking very regal as she takes your arm. "Shall we my dear?" She smiled sweetly and walked you towards the crowd. The people who had been judging you were suddenly not as Eve took the attention. She seemed to be enjoying it far more than you were, frankly you thought Delilah had the right idea.

There were maybe two dozen people outside the palace mostly paying attention to Eve. You didn't recognise anyone and they all looked markedly older than you, their auras looked more tense than happy at being at the Royal Palace. If this actually an execution you will be really worried for this kingdom. Edin once more entered your mind and you gulped nervously.

"Don't worry." Eve whispered into your ear. "A noble's a noble, just ignore everyone and they'll think you're important." She was really enjoying, who was she before she became a wraith? Given her attitude you'd assumed nobility of whatever form existed back then but her comments about how a proper ruler should display power suggested a bit more than just nobility. Was she a Queen or Queen to be?

Eve carried you though the front door without you noticing as you mused about her. She was doing well, handling two people have two different types of panic attacks.

"Christopher?" Anastasia's voice made you look over to see her wearing a toga in her typical colours, red at the neck fading to a deep blue at her hem. It was little longer than the last one you saw her in, even covering both her breasts. You tired not to be visibly disappointed in that fact. "Who is this?"

"Delilah, your Highness." Eve said bowing deeply. "Christopher brought me with him."

Anastasia gave her an odd look clearly not encouraged by that fact. "Well I need my fiancé to come with me." Anastasia said taking your free arm.

You could feel Delilah resurface for a moment as she glowered at Anastasia taking you from her but Eve covered it well. "Of course, but I'm sure Christopher would like me to come with him."

You nodded and whispered into Anastasia's ear. "Trust me you want her with us." Anastasia glared at you then looked away when someone greeted her, she greeted back and bowed.

When the person walked away Anastasia started walking. "Fine just come on, couldn't you have worn your toga." She mumbled under her breath.

"I didn't know this was happening, all I was told is that your mother wanted to see me." You mumbled back. Anastasia flinched and shifted a bit as she carried you away from the crowd.

"We had a fight." She said once you were no longer in the party properly. Her aura roiled with emotion too fast for you identify but she was not happy.

"What happened?" You asked her as she came to a stop and opened a door. Inside was a walk in wardrobe similar to the one in the academy's estate. She tried to push you in forgetting Eve was still holding your other side. She glared at Eve and smiled at her walking inside at her own pace taking you with her. Anastasia glowered at her then slammed the door shut behind her.

"WHO IS THIS!" She demanded pointing at Eve.

"Delilah." Eve answered glowering back. You had no idea why Eve was being so confrontational but had a feeling it was at Delilah's behest, big difference between saying you are cool with other partners, totally different to have one standing in front of you.

Anastasia looked at you her aura's nebulous feelings coalescing into annoyance at Eve. "Christopher." She demanded.

"Where is Clare?" You asked, there is no way to explain this cleanly without her being present. You hadn't tired it before but you focused on your aura. Clare had been able to communicate with you through your auras before and you really needed her.

"What? Christopher who is she?" Anastasia's annoyance was becoming anger. "Fuck it who cares, Black, White!" She shouted and the two appeared from a side door. "Get him presentable." She waved a hand and the two started pulling cloth from cabinets.

"At least we know your measurements this time." White said with a smile as she tried to undress you, stopped by Eve still holding your side. Eve looked at the two for a moment before stepping back.

You were stripped in a flash and Black glared at your stomach where Delilah had stained you with pig belly. She look up at you and grabbed another piece of cloth wiping at your skin. Eve smirked at you and mouthed a sorry on Delilah's behalf.

"Anastasia what is going on here?" You asked as Black and White start wrapping a toga around you. The same colour as Anastasia's which made Eve raise an eyebrow.

Anastasia was glaring at Delilah as you were dressed and you saw her aura anger crack into desperation. "This is my engagement party."