"So... what should I do?"
Vanessa felt a little awkward for a moment.
She had accepted Victoria's Investiture because she approved of Victoria, but she had far less approval for the Royal Family and the nobility.
Yet at the thought of entering the Imperial Palace and having an audience with His Majesty, she still grew nervous instinctively.
The Imperial Palace! Just how magnificent and mysterious a place would it be?
And His Majesty the Emperor-what would he be like?
"You need to learn some court etiquette. Don't worry, it won't be too complicated. There's long been an established ceremonial procedure for Investiture."
"Stay here for the next few days. I'll have a court lady come teach you. If you have any questions, you can come to me anytime."
Vanessa looked around, pain showing in her eyes.
Living in the Library without being allowed to read?
That would be hard.
Victoria circled her again, looking Vanessa up and down, and frowned.
"Don't you have any more presentable clothes?"
"These are new!" Vanessa's eyes widened, but as she looked at Victoria's elaborate, exquisite gown, her voice grew quieter.
She was indeed wearing a brand-new hooded robe, but it was still a plain, dark color.
Or rather, dark colors suited her status. As an Esoteric Cult's Cult Leader and the head of a Secret Society, she naturally dressed in a more understated, mysterious fashion.
But compared with Victoria's gorgeous gown, she felt as though she was wearing nothing more than a sack.
"It's fine. I'll get a tailor to make you a few outfits." Victoria waved a hand dismissively.
"Is there enough time? The Investiture is in a few days, isn't it?"
Custom-made clothes generally took weeks at a minimum. At least, that had been the case with Vanessa's school uniform, the only