Queen Maeve had just led Starlight out of the conference room when she stopped outside its door.
Behind her, the dazed Starlight reacted more than a beat too slowly and walked straight into Queen Maeve's back.
"Ah!
Sorry, sorry!
I wasn't paying attention.
I..."
"Enough!"
Queen Maeve did not mind. Instead, she lightly patted Starlight on the shoulder.
"Pull yourself together. You look like a real mess right now."
"Ah! Okay, okay!"
With Queen Maeve's reminder, Starlight finally remembered what she looked like.
She had cried out in utter embarrassment just now. Tears had long since streamed from her eyes, leaving two striking streaks of tears mixed with cheap makeup on her face.
Seeing Starlight lower her head and slowly straighten herself up, Queen Maeve smiled and nodded.
"That's more like it.
I don't know why he chose you, but once he spoke, you were destined to become one of us.
Maybe you've already seen a little of it: The Seven might not be as perfect as you imagined.
But no matter what, you need to maintain the dignity of a member of The Seven!
Even if that dignity is nothing but an appearance, you must preserve it!"
As she finished speaking, Queen Maeve pulled a silk scarf from her waist and tossed it into Starlight's arms.
Holding the scarf, Starlight carefully fixed her makeup using the wall outside the conference room, which reflected a clear image.
Once she no longer looked quite so disheveled, Starlight anxiously asked Queen Maeve.
"Do I look better now?"
Hearing Starlight's question, Queen Maeve smiled as she looked over her face, then gently nodded.
"Much better. You look like a child. You... aren't stunningly beautiful, but you do look genuinely innocent. No wonder he chose you.
Heh, come with me. I'll take you to