Vanessa had actually spent quite a long time with Victoria and was already quite familiar with her.
Victoria had always looked serious, at least in front of Vanessa.
But Vanessa could tell that the corners of her eyes were slightly curved just then. Clearly, something good had happened, and she was happy.
But her happiness soon came to a halt.
Victoria stared at Vanessa, her eyes wide.
Vanessa's face was coated in a thick layer of lead powder, making it whiter than the Library's walls.
Her hair had also been meticulously styled, with a staggering amount of hair oil holding it in an elaborate shape.
As for her clothes, she wore a formal gown. Since it was for an investiture, it was not overly lavish, and the decorations were relatively restrained, but Vanessa still felt as though she was wearing half an accessories shop.
Victoria looked her up and down for a long while before speaking with some uncertainty. "...Vanessa?"
Vanessa could barely breathe with the corset squeezing her. At that, she rolled her eyes at Victoria. "Do I have to dress like this for the investiture? Aren't I supposed to be a knight?"
"Knight is just a title. Were you planning to lead a horse there, too?"
Victoria found it rather amusing. Looking at Vanessa's listless appearance, she shook her head.
"Never mind. Give her a man's outfit. Dressed like this, I'm worried she'll die inside the Imperial Palace."
Vanessa's eyes immediately widened.
The female official beside them was startled. "B-but that isn't proper etiquette!"
"It's fine. If others can wear it, why can't someone of mine? Actually, I once wore men's clothes to the Imperial Palace myself..."
"You did? What happened afterward?" Vanessa interrupted.
Victoria planted her hands on her hips and glared fiercely at her. "Children shouldn't