This little problem did not trouble Vanessa for long. Soon, she was happily wandering through the sea of books.
It took a long time to comb Victoria's golden hair into order. She glanced at the gradually brightening sky outside, sighed, and simply decided not to go back to sleep.
Instead, she had the maids serve black tea, sipping it as she gazed thoughtfully at Vanessa among the bookshelves.
She turned slightly onto her side on the recliner. A maid soon appeared beside it, knelt on one knee, and gently lifted her in both hands.
Her long golden hair hung down. Just before it touched the floor, a maid holding a silk cloth appeared beneath it and gently gathered it up.
Several other maids came forward to undo her dress and accessories and put fresh clothes on her.
The maids worked together swiftly and precisely, their movements as light as a dance.
In just a short while, they had removed her nightdress and changed her into everyday clothes.
Her dress was plain black, but its embellishments were anything but simple.
She wore an exquisite hair clip that held her golden hair slightly in order. Below it, her collar and cuffs overlapped in intricate layers, their edges lined with lace.
Though her long dress was black, a closer look revealed subtle embroidered patterns that gleamed faintly in the sunlight.
The maids slipped stockings and leather shoes onto Victoria's smooth feet, then gently bent down to lower her.
Victoria hopped down onto the floor. The maid behind her released the silk cloth, and her smooth, long hair spilled down like a waterfall, resembling a haze of mist in the morning light.
She tapped her heels against the floor in satisfaction. The maids around her all knelt on one knee, their heads lowered.
Victoria