Then I started applying makeup.
She moved very quietly.
I chose the lightest foundation and applied it lightly, making my already fair skin look even smoother.
She didn't apply heavy eyeshadow to Bai You, just a light pink one.
A light touch was swept across the outer corner of the eye, like the natural blush that rises when one is shy.
Bai You's eyelashes were very long, and Varesa gently brushed some on them for her.
Her eyelashes look curlier, and she looks even cuter when she blinks.
Finally, the lips.
She chose a light, peach-like color, applied only a small dot to her Bai You lips, and then pursed her lips.
The color was very light, yet it made her lips appear pink and moist, as if she had really taken a bite of a juicy peach.
The entire makeup was so light it was almost invisible, yet it exuded exquisite detail in every aspect.
It makes the already soft and docile appearance of the Bai You even more adorable.
Like a doll displayed in a shop window, but no one dares to touch it.
Varesa put down her things, looked at herself in the mirror, and smiled with satisfaction.
"Okay," she said, "Take a look yourself."
Bai You nervously looked up at the mirror.
Then, she froze.
The girl in the mirror has long, white hair and soft braids.
Her eyes were big and bright, with a faint pink tinge at the corners, and her lips were rosy.
It's her, yet it doesn't quite seem like her.
It looks much better than usual...
"So cute..." Columbina's voice came from the sofa next to us; she had moved closer at some point.
Leaning against the dressing table, her eyes sparkling, she exclaimed, " Bai You, your makeup is so beautiful! You look like a fairy!"
Bai You's face flushed red instantly.
She instinctively tried to cover her face, but Varesa gently pulled her hand back.
"Don't cover it up," Varesa said, her voice full of laughter.
"If it's made up, it's meant to be seen."
She leaned down, looked at Bai You in the mirror, and said softly:
"Our Little Bai You is already very beautiful."
Bai You felt her face was burning hot, almost like it was steaming.
She dared not look in the mirror anymore, and could only lower her head, her long eyelashes trembling incessantly.
Just then--
There was a knock at the door, and then a staff member poked their head in:
"Miss Odette, Miss Varesa, the show will begin in ten minutes. Please get ready."
"I understand," Odette replied.
She had already changed into her performance outfit and was standing by the clothes rack, adjusting her cuffs.
She wore a light blue dress, and her hair was loosely tied up.
Her slender neck was exposed, and small earrings dangled from her ears, making her look more elegant and aloof than usual.
Her makeup was light, with only a slight upturn at the corners of her eyes, making her features appear more refined.
Varesa also stood up and walked to the clothes rack.
Her performance outfit was a light blue long dress.
The color is very light, and the skirt is made of tulle, layered upon layered, so it might gently flutter when you walk.
The dress has a simple design with few decorations, featuring only delicate white embroidery on the waist and cuffs.
But instead, it appears very clean and gentle.
She changed her clothes, loosely tied half of her long, light blue hair up, leaving the rest hanging down her back.
The light fell on her, and the sheer skirt shimmered softly.
She stood there, looking as if she had stepped out of a painting.
Bai You sat in front of the dressing table, staring at her, completely mesmerized.
Varesa noticed her gaze, turned her head, and smiled at her.
"We went backstage," she said. "You and Columbina... we've reserved seats for you in the first row."
Columbina nodded immediately.
"Okay, then Bai You and I are off."
Varesa nodded. "Okay."
She glanced at Bai You again, her gaze lingering on the light makeup on her face, and the smile in her eyes deepened.
"Remember to watch the show carefully," she said.
Then, she and Odette walked out of the dressing room together.
The door closed gently.
The room suddenly became much quieter.
Bai You was still sitting in front of the dressing table, able to hear her own heartbeat.
"Come on, come on, let's go too!" Columbina grabbed her hand and pulled her up from the chair.
Bai You was pulled along by her and followed her out of the dressing room.
The corridor was almost empty; everyone had gone to the edge of the stage.
In the distance, one could faintly hear the clamor of the crowd coming from the front hall, as well as the musicians tuning their instruments for the last few notes.
Columbina led Bai You through a maze of turns until they reached a small entrance on the side of the stage.
A deep red curtain hung to the side, and through the gaps in the curtain, one could see the audience below.
The lights were still on, and the room was packed with people, talking in hushed tones, their voices mingling together like a surging tide.
After much hard work, the two of them sat down on the benches in front of the stage.
Only Columbina's face allowed her to squeeze in; that's the advantage of Harbinger.
Although Bai You is also an acquaintance, her identity has not yet been announced by the Empress, and she has no public recognition whatsoever.
As Bai You sat down in front of the stage, her heart started beating a little fast for no apparent reason.
She didn't know what she was nervous about; it wasn't like she was going on stage.
But the thought of Varesa and Odette standing in that light, in front of so many people, made her nervous.
"Don't be nervous," Columbina whispered in her ear.
Bai You nodded slightly.
Just then--
The lights in the front hall suddenly went out one by one.
The noisy conversation gradually subsided.
The entire hall gradually quieted down.