Chapter 18

Chapter 18
Sitting on what seems like an ancient vanity mirror setup, Jane felt like a lab rat, allowing scientists to conduct their rigorous experiments on her. But was she going to say anything? No way! Can't you see how scary these people were when it came to cleaning her up?
Before settling on the 'one', they tried three different outfits for her, all of which were too tiring to put on and take off. Many people underestimate how little stretch the clothes of this era have. What's more, some stores made up 6 different items, combining to make one.
Of course, once she wore the many undergarments, it wasn't all too bad changing from cloth to cloth.
The only thing that made her nod in appreciation was how perked her bosoms were to the sky.
Hell! No push-up bra could do what these garments did to her bosoms.
No wonder all women in this era, no matter the bust size, looked like they carried watermelons in their front.
She was at least happy that they didn't let her wear the excessive garments from England which consisted of more headaches and thicker corsets that squeezed the life of their victims.
According to these Scottish ladies, they didn't like the English corsets that restrained their movements.
English garments were excessively thick, big, and voluminous clothing worn in an abundance of layers.
They were tailored to be tight and very heavy.
While dressing her up, some laughed at how English women would faint at parties wearing those heavy and breath-shortening garments all in the name of fashion.
Why create and wear something you can't even breath in all in the name of having a slim waist?
This was the period when corsets were invented by France and made a well-known fashion innovation by the English.
Jane listened in relish, feeling pity for the poor English woman. Already, she felt Scottish garments were heavy. So imagine the many players those English women had to wear?
In the end, the group settled for a beautiful sea-blue garment that tightens her body in all the right places. But the fun isn't over yet.
Like a guinea pig, Jane stared at the bronze mirror, allowing them to move with her hair in any style they seemed fit.
They went through 6 different official hairs before deciding on an elegant style that kept her hair high, exposing her neck, and drawing attention to her bosoms.
Rose petals were rushed with a liquid and rubbed on her lips and cheeks for a rosy finish and a light touch of flour was used as facial powder.
The moment Jane rose and faced the group, everyone felt their breath stuck in their throats.
"My lady... you are breathtaking." One of the women commented, dazed by Jane's beauty.
Her features were smooth and clean like that of a newborn baby. Even in England, there wasn't a person this fair and devoid of tans like Jane.
They didn't know how to properly describe her beauty. Whether it was her eyes, lips, nose, or body, they were all so beautifully crafted, as though the heavens chose a special day to create her.
Like a painting coming to life, her every action was like an art in motion.
"Is she ready?"
Lydia who just returned from talking to their Laird, stepped into the room and blinked severally, wondering how such a good-looking person could exist.
It's not like she didn't notice Jane's beauty earlier. But who would've thought that after Jane would be cleaned up from all the filth on her, she would look so gorgeous?
Claris and Anne nodded in satisfaction, seeing their work bear fruit.
"Alright! Everyone did well. Now clean this place up."
With that, Lydia, Claris, and Anne lead Jane out, leaving the line-up of clan ladies behind. Gwen was already downstairs with her husband, giving a complete report of Jane's health.
The grand hall now had several elders, guards, and several others standing upright, conversing with one another.
The massive windows allowed ample sunlight to illuminate the entire space, showing off the ancient but magnificent chandeliers hanging high.
On the high throne, Alexander sat with a stoic expression, looking at the far stairway from time to time.
He wore his Mackay tartan, allowing his burly legs to be on full display. His chests were swollen like true warriors and his inky hair flew freely in the gentle breeze.
Though Alexander seemed unbothered, there was a wave of unease still clouding his heart.
'What's keeping the lass so long?'
Alexander frowned, wondering if he should send another person to hurry them up. But just then, a silhouette came to view that left him frozen in time. However, he wasn't the only one who froze
Have you ever seen such a lady as beautiful and as fair as snow?
--silence--
Jane felt her every step could be heard from a mile away with how quiet the room had become.
'Breath in... breath out... breath in... breath out...' She cautioned inwardly. 'You can do this, Jane... it's just a little meeting... You can--'
Ah!!!!!!
Jane almost fell to the ground, coming face to face with Alexander.
"You-You-You-You!" Jane’s fingers shakingly pointed at him in disbelief, but Alexander was finding it all too amusing. Her actions were so unexpected that any nervousness he had left vanished.
"How can this be? YOU ARE THE MACKAY LAIRD?!!"
"The one and only." Alexander grinned. "So lass... I'll ask you again as the laird... why are you here?"