The noblewomen residing in the palace quickly noticed Queen Mirabelle's favor toward Wei Wei.
After the first summons, although Wei Wei wasn't invited to stay in the palace, she entered the palace every day and was personally received by Mirabelle each time. Other noblewomen didn't even have the chance to meet this mysterious foreign noble, only knowing that she spent long hours in the Queen's chambers every day.
If it weren't for the fact that the King had other arrangements during this period and hadn't visited the Queen's chambers, they would have suspected that Wei Wei had been personally pushed by the Queen to become the King's mistress—after all, such things weren't uncommon.
Of course, this was just the idle speculation of bored noblewomen. A Queen-like Mirabelle would never do anything that would make her unhappy.
Her enthusiasm for Wei Wei was simply because she saw the latter as her stylist.
Initially, Wei Wei thought that after demonstrating the use of cosmetics to Queen Mirabelle, her role would be over. However, the maids proved incompetent, unable to quickly master the new makeup techniques, and the Queen, thoroughly dissatisfied, only wanted Wei Wei to do her makeup.
European royal women traditionally had noblewomen serve them, and they saw nothing wrong with it. It was considered an honor. Although Wei Wei privately disagreed, she had to outwardly accept the task with apparent delight, as if it were a reward.
Queen Mirabelle, having been a princess before becoming Queen, was not only fond of luxury but also extremely picky. Moreover, her aesthetic differed from modern Europeans—she preferred the palest skin and the heaviest makeup possible.
This was unavoidable. In this era, there was no electricity, and lighting relied on torches and candles. Nobles typically attended evening banquets held in candlelit halls. If the makeup wasn't heavy enough, it would be completely invisible under the light.
Thus, even though Wei Wei's makeup looked excellent during the day, the Queen demanded it be even paler and heavier for the evening.
"Make sure I become the center of everyone's attention!"
Thinking of others who applied powder to their faces like Japanese geishas, with cheeks as red as monkey bottoms and lips as crimson as if they'd just sucked blood without wiping, Wei Wei silently adjusted her planned smoky evening makeup to be even paler and more exaggerated, ultimately achieving a stage-like effect.
As long as the person in question was happy, that was all that mattered.
On the day of the birthday banquet, Wei Wei was again invited to the palace early to prepare the Queen. This time, she could bring Felix and his sister along.
The Queen's intention was clear: Wei Wei had to prepare everything for the Queen before the banquet started, and only then could she join Felix.
Of course, since she had invited them to the palace, the male Earl wasn't allowed into the Queen's chambers. He was entertained by servants, touring the palace, and had a designated resting room when tired. Wei Wei and Dolores were led to Mirabelle.
When they arrived, Wei Wei didn't miss the satisfaction in Mirabelle's eyes.
She found it amusing, knowing that the temperamental Queen was uneasy about her previous assurances. Today, besides needing her help, the Queen likely wanted to confirm that Wei Wei hadn't dressed similarly, as she had claimed.
Of course, Wei Wei hadn't lied. As a foreigner in Pradi, she was already conspicuous. Making her first appearance in the capital's high society, it was best to keep a low profile.
Moreover, since she couldn't agree with the mainstream aesthetic of the time, although she had applied makeup before leaving, to others, it looked almost like she was wearing no makeup at all—not pale enough, not vibrant enough, just a young girl who hadn't yet grown up.
At least, that's what the Queen thought.
Look at her: this foreign girl's features weren't sharp enough, and her preference for light makeup meant her foundation was thin, matching her natural skin tone. Her eyebrows were merely groomed and lightly traced, her eyeshadow and blush a soft pink, and her lips, though a bold red, were only thinly coated, lacking fullness. Paired with a simple white gown, she looked like an innocent young girl.
Cute but lacking sensuality, she couldn't compare to the Queen.
Having reached this conclusion, the Queen smiled and let Wei Wei begin her work.
Wei Wei worked until an hour before the banquet was set to begin, then left the Queen's chambers with Dolores to find Felix.
Felix's location was easy to find. Having once been the King's knight, he was familiar with the palace and had little interest in its scenery. After a perfunctory tour, he waited for them in the designated resting room. Thus, as soon as Wei Wei left the Queen's chambers, a servant led them to him.
To Wei Wei's surprise, Felix wasn't alone in the resting room. Besides him, there were two others.
They were two boys, both with red hair and green eyes. Their similar features marked them as brothers. The older one, likely amid a growth spurt, stood a little over 1.7 meters tall but was as thin as a rail. The younger one, about Dolores's age, was half a head taller than the girl and still carried some baby fat on his cheeks.
Judging by their attire and Felix's respectful demeanor, Wei Wei quickly guessed that these two were the King of Pradi's only sons: sixteen-year-old Crown Prince Edward Pradi and twelve-year-old Prince Andrew Pradi.
Indeed, after Felix introduced them, Wei Wei and Dolores curtsied.
Seeing their arrival, the Crown Prince stood up. "Then we'll see you tonight, Teacher Felix."
Prince Andrew followed his elder brother's lead.
After the princes left, the palace servants also withdrew, leaving only their people in the resting room. Wei Wei then curiously asked Felix, "Why did Crown Prince Edward call you 'teacher'?"
"I once served as the swordsmanship instructor for both princes," Felix explained. "But I only taught them for less than a year. Calling me 'teacher' is just their way of being polite."
Felix didn't place much importance on having taught the princes. His selection hadn't been solely due to his swordsmanship being the best among the knights—though that was the main reason—but also because he had some royal blood. Compared to knights of lower birth, this distant relation was a bonus.
However, being related also meant he was technically a generation below the princes. Strictly speaking, he should address them as "uncle."
But since most nobles could trace some familial connection, they didn't fuss over such details. Felix's previous status hadn't been high enough to warrant such a formal address, and now that his status had risen, no one would insist on it. Otherwise, he'd have to call the King "granduncle"—though, of course, there was no such term here. Whether it was a grandfather's or grandmother's brother, they were all simply called "granduncles."
Wei Wei whispered to Felix, "Their health doesn't look good."
Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking. Although she hadn't taken their pulses, both princes' complexions and lip colors indicated poor health, clearly suggesting they were frail and sickly. The Crown Prince's condition seemed worse than Prince Andrew's.
Felix's eyes showed a flicker of concern as he replied in a similarly low voice, "The late Queen's health was never good. After marrying the King, it took several years before she had Crown Prince Edward. Then, when she gave birth to Prince Andrew, she had a difficult delivery and spent years recuperating without fully recovering."
In this era, children born with weak constitutions could only grow up safely with extensive care.
Just like Caroline.
Everyone knew the prince's health was fragile, but they believed that since the Crown Prince had made it this far, he would likely reach adulthood without issue.
The presence of the two princes was a guarantee for the throne. Not only the King but also the stepmother Queen paid close attention to their health. Having never conceived after her marriage, the Queen had resigned herself to being infertile. According to European inheritance laws, only legitimate sons and the eldest could inherit the throne. If anything happened to the princes, to ensure his child would ascend the throne, the King would undoubtedly divorce Queen Mirabelle immediately.
Thus, to secure her position, Queen Mirabelle always displayed maternal affection toward the princes. Unfortunately, the Crown Prince, not much younger than her and aware of her role in his mother's death, wasn't fooled. Prince Andrew, following his brother's lead, also harbored hostility toward Queen Mirabelle.
Felix had a fondness for the princes he had taught. After explaining their situation, he quietly asked Wei Wei, "Is the Queen truly unable to conceive?"
He knew Wei Wei's medical skills were exceptional, especially her pulse diagnosis. While others could only tell if a patient had a fever, she could discern various ailments. As for the principles behind it, after hearing her explain once and understanding nothing, Felix decided it was best not to delve deeper.
"Most likely not," Wei Wei replied. "But if a highly skilled doctor treated her, she could recover."
Having spent so much time around Queen Mirabelle recently, Wei Wei had secretly taken her pulse out of curiosity. She knew the Queen's health had significant issues. Judging from her pulse, the Queen's condition might not have been severe initially, but toxic cosmetics and poor lifestyle habits had taken a toll. Wei Wei was certain that unless the Queen went to China for treatment or a highly skilled doctor came from there, no one in Europe could cure her infertility.
Even Wei Wei couldn't do it now. The lack of appropriate medicine was the biggest hurdle. Unless she spent years studying Western herbs to find substitutes, she was powerless.
Hearing that the Queen truly couldn't conceive, Felix looked relieved. This meant she was unlikely to harm the princes.
They sat in the resting room for nearly half an hour before a servant knocked on the door to inform them that the banquet was about to begin.
The Queen's birthday banquet started at dinner time, and the order of entry was highly ceremonial. Lower-ranking nobles entered before higher-ranking ones, with the royal family making a grand entrance last.
Of course, not all royal members followed this protocol. Today was the Queen's birthday, and to show his regard for her, the King had arranged for the two princes to greet guests at the banquet hall entrance—a first.
Although Felix was an Earl, as a border Earl, even with his recent rise, he was considered lower in status compared to capital nobles of the same rank. Being young, his entry time was scheduled early, preceded only by a few barons of notable status and family influence, as well as several Earls from weaker families.
As the herald announced their names, Wei Wei, led by Felix, entered the banquet hall. Dolores, nervous, followed behind. After greeting the two princes, they took their assigned seats, waiting for the other guests to arrive.
From then on, Wei Wei could feel the unabashed gazes of others. She maintained a polite smile, pretending not to notice, though her thoughts had already wandered far away.
Guests needed to welcome the King and Queen, so after entering the banquet hall, they were arranged to stand on either side of the entrance. The lower the status, the farther out they stood. Thus, every subsequent guest passed by Wei Wei, each turning to scrutinize her as they did.
Although Queen Mirabelle believed Wei Wei's looks couldn't compare to hers, that was only because the Queen herself was exceptionally beautiful. In reality, men and women often had different aesthetic standards. Wei Wei's appearance not only didn't provoke jealousy among women but also easily won the favor of men. For everyone, seeing such an exotic Eastern beauty for the first time was both novel and stunning.
Moreover, her demeanor was impeccable. Even the strictest etiquette instructor couldn't find fault. Those who had initially doubted her noble status now believed it.
However, their curiosity about Wei Wei didn't last long, for the King and Queen made their entrance.
It was well known that the King of Pradi had a penchant for beauty, especially voluptuous, stunning women. His mistresses all fit this mold, and between his two Queens, Mirabelle, who matched his aesthetic, was far more favored than her predecessor.
Of course, that was in earlier years. Recently, everyone knew the King had grown increasingly distant from the Queen, even to the point of openly allowing his favorite mistress to reside in the palace and attend several private banquets. On those occasions, Queen Mirabelle's face had turned as dark as a pot.
But the Queen wasn't one to be trifled with. With her own country as backing and a ruthless streak, it wasn't long before the palace-residing mistress suffered an "accident" that left her disfigured and abandoned by the King.
Though the King never publicly acknowledged the truth, his subsequent coldness toward his wife made it clear to all who were behind it.
Privately, some even bet on when they would divorce.
But today was different. The once icy relationship between the King and Queen of Pradi seemed to have thawed. The couple entered arm in arm, the Queen looking sweet and alluring as she gazed at the King, who returned her gaze with fiery desire as if he wanted to whisk her back to his chambers immediately.
Yet no one paid attention to his lustful stare. All eyes were on Queen Mirabelle—the men admiring her beauty and figure, the women scrutinizing her makeup and dress.
The red and gold gown, after alterations, fit Mirabelle perfectly. The wide skirt accentuated her slender waist, and though the bodice revealed nothing, the fullness hinted at ample curves beneath. As she entered, fan in hand, her every movement exuded allure, her body's lines drawing discreet swallows from many male guests.
Her makeup was equally striking. Unlike the trend of barely-there eyebrows, her darkened brows suited her face perfectly, especially paired with heavy smoky eye makeup that made her eyes deep and bright, her gaze full of seduction. Her nose appeared more defined, her features sharper, and her lips, a plump cherry red looked ripe for tasting.
Up close, her lashes were longer and denser than usual, curling upward, and her nails, painted red with gold glitter, added to her allure.
As she passed by, a trail of fragrance followed—not the essential oil scent everyone loved lately, but something more intense and enticing.
What a seductress! No wonder the King was behaving this way.
Watching the King, who rarely showed such courtesy, pull out a chair for the Queen, no one found it strange. In their place, they too would gladly serve such a beauty.
His Majesty truly had a way with women.
While the men were captivated, the noblewomen were eager to learn who was behind the Queen's stunning transformation.
The well-informed nobles knew what the Queen's originally planned birthday gown looked like. When she commissioned it, the tailor would discreetly leak some details—a common practice to avoid anyone wearing the same outfit at the banquet.
But the gown the Queen wore today was not the jewel-encrusted dress she had prepared. Yet, with just simple patching and clever design, it was damn gorgeous. Every lady wanted to know how the wide, voluminous skirt was achieved. To get that effect, they would need to wear countless underskirts, but the Queen hadn't. Her wide skirt didn't hinder her movements, and when she sat, it spread like a blooming flower, maintaining its shape perfectly.
And when she half-covered her face with her fan, revealing only her eyes as she thanked the King, his breathing noticeably quickened.
The women grew even more desperate to uncover the Queen's secret!
And the answer was quite obvious.
The only person who had recently had private, uninterrupted access to the Queen was none other than Wei Wei.
Moreover, it was rumored that among the gifts she had sent were a large number of cosmetics.
As this news spread among the ladies, the gazes that had been fixed on the Queen soon returned to Wei Wei.
Wei Wei's seat naturally followed Felix's. Dolores, being young, was seated with other children her age, separate from the adults. Prince Andrew, as the young host, was in charge of entertaining them. When she left, Dolores gave her brother and sister-in-law a pitiful look, hoping they would let her stay.
But the heartless adults only offered a reassuring smile.
Although they had entered early, Felix and Wei Wei's seats were surprisingly close to the front, offering a clear view of the King and Queen's every move. The surrounding and opposite seats were occupied by esteemed royal family members, a clear indication of the King's favor. This placement signaled the royal family's acknowledgment of Felix's royal bloodline, showing both closeness and an attempt to win him over.
The dining table was a long one, formed by several smaller tables pushed together. Shortly after Wei Wei took her seat, she noticed the surrounding gazes shifting back to her.
This time, most of the looks came from women, their eyes sharp and eager, unabashedly staring. Even Wei Wei, who considered herself experienced in handling attention, couldn't help but feel uneasy.
The seat next to Wei Wei should have been occupied by a male noble, but his wife had unceremoniously ousted him. After introducing herself, the Countess of Nelson directly asked if Wei Wei had helped the Queen with her appearance that day.
The Countess, one of the noblewomen serving the Queen in the palace, had royal blood through her husband and came from a prominent family. Her attitude toward Wei Wei carried the typical noble arrogance but wasn't overly condescending, so Wei Wei didn't dislike her. When asked, she nodded openly.
Yet the Countess herself seemed skeptical, scrutinizing Wei Wei with a hint of doubt. "Then why aren't you dressed like that?"
Wei Wei smiled without answering, merely glancing toward the Queen at the head table before looking back.
The hint was unmistakable.
The Countess immediately caught on. "The Queen forbade you from doing so, didn't she?"
Without waiting for a response, the Countess, in her thirties and decent-looking—though her heavy powder made one wonder if it would flake off—rolled her eyes in a very unladylike manner, clearly holding a grudge against the Queen.
"She's always been like that. Anyone who steals her spotlight gets ridiculed. She's as petty as they come."
Then she examined Wei Wei more closely, noticing that despite her light makeup being almost invisible under the candlelight, there were subtle similarities to the Queen's look.
For instance, the eyebrows and eye makeup. The trend among Pradi nobles was for eyebrows resembling the willow-leaf brows of ancient China, thin and light, almost invisible from a distance. This was a stark contrast to the modern, thicker brows Wei Wei had given the Queen.
Europeans of this era still associated eye makeup with the exaggerated styles of ancient Egypt, meant to protect against eye diseases and sunlight. European noblewomen preferred the opposite—no eye makeup at all, with only foundation, blush, and lip color applied.
Though Wei Wei's makeup was subdued under the candlelight, her eyebrows were still visible. Up close, one could see pale pink traces on her eyelids, clearly resembling the Queen's eye makeup techniques.