Katherine stirred at the gentle touch on her shoulder before the light knock at the door fully roused her. Still half-asleep, she blinked against the pale morning light that filtered through tall, leaded windows. One moment, she was lost in a dreamless doze; the next, she heard Rose's voice floating through the silent chambers.

"Wake up, Katherine!" Rose's tone was bright with excitement. "We have no time to waste."

As soon as Katherine sat up, Rose bustled into the room. Behind her followed a small procession of maids bearing armfuls of silks, velvets, and slender wooden chests. At the head of this group trailed two footmen, each balancing a lacquered trunk emblazoned with the Prince's sigil. The sight was almost overwhelming, a kaleidoscope of color and texture.

Katherine pressed a hand to her temple, trying to rouse herself from the lingering haze of sleep. She felt numb—unable to share in her friend's excitement. After everything that had happened, she wasn't sure what to feel anymore. A new day had dawned, and in it lay the promise—or the threat—of a journey with the Prince.

Rose paused by the foot of the bed and flashed Katherine an eager grin. "Look at all this!" she exclaimed, sweeping an arm at the dresses and ornaments. "His Grace sent them last night. They're meant for you."

A number of maids set their burdens on a nearby table, carefully unfolding each magnificent garment for inspection. A hush settled over the room as, one by one, the dresses were revealed: shimmering satins, heavy brocades embroidered with gold thread, and delicate gossamers dyed in jewel tones. In one chest lay rows of jewelry that sparkled even in the gentle morning light—pearls and rubies nestled on dark velvet, filigree combs and brooches glinting with promise.

"It's far too much," Katherine murmured, sweeping her gaze over the bounty. She could hardly believe the Prince would send such lavish gifts. A pang of apprehension twisted in her stomach, though she fought to keep it from showing on her face.

"Oh, not at all," Rose said lightly, though her eyes gleamed in fascination. "For the future lady of Poenari Castle, perhaps nothing is too grand."

At those words, Katherine's heart gave an uneasy flutter. She caught herself with a small breath, steadying the tumult of emotions swirling inside her. She wasn't sure she wanted any of this—yet she had no choice.

"Shall we begin?" Rose asked. Before Katherine could reply, the maids hastened forward, each with her appointed task. Two of them plucked up a gown of creamy ivory silk, lined with deep red so rich it reminded Katherine of winter roses. Another maid drew from a trunk a length of pearly beads and matching earrings, each shimmering faintly with every shift of light.

Rose held out a hand, beckoning Katherine to stand. "Come, we're to dress you for the journey. The Prince wants you to look...well, spectacular."

Katherine rose on unsteady legs. She let the linen shift fall from her shoulders, and at once, the maids began their work. One brushed out her hair in long, patient strokes, disentangling every knot. Another approached with fragrant rosewater, dabbing gently at her neck and wrists, as though preparing her for a court ball rather than a journey through the cold winter mountains.

The ivory silk gown was brought forward and carefully lowered over Katherine's head, the soft rustle a testament to the fine weave. The inner lining of sumptuous red set off her skin, and she almost flinched at its beauty—she felt like a doll being prepared for display. As the maids adjusted the fit, smoothing out every wrinkle, she noticed the embroidery along the sleeves: delicate vines stitched in gold thread that twisted and swirled toward her shoulders.

"Look at these pearls!" another maid exclaimed, holding up a slender girdle strung with perfectly round beads. The Prince's crest was engraved on a tiny clasp at its center, subtle but unmistakable. A second maid guided a matching necklace around Katherine's throat, fastening it at the nape with nimble fingers.

Rose, meanwhile, stood back to survey the transformation with unabashed delight. "He's spared no expense," she said, her voice hushed with awe. "Katherine, just look at you."

Katherine caught her reflection in the tall, bronze mirror propped against the wall. She could scarcely recognize herself. Her pale face, framed by neatly brushed locks, emerged from folds of ivory and crimson silk, her neckline glowing with pearls. The woman staring back wore a regal air that felt entirely foreign. Inside, she remained hollow and uncertain, the memory of terror and heartbreak too fresh to vanish under all this splendor.

Still, the maids fussed over every detail—arranging her hair in a simple yet elegant style, securing the braids with two pearl-tipped pins from the Prince's jewel chest. Another draped a short velvet cloak over her shoulders for warmth, in a deep burgundy that harmonized with the gown's lining.

Rose clasped her hands together in satisfaction. "It's perfect," she breathed, turning Katherine gently so she could see the final effect in the mirror from all angles. "You look every inch the royal lady."

Katherine offered a wan smile, too numb to muster the enthusiasm Rose exuded. The presence of so many glittering trinkets and lustrous fabrics felt dissonant after all the pain and fear she had endured. She could sense the invisible weight of obligation, and it pressed down on her shoulders more heavily than any crown of pearls.

In that moment, the chamber door swung open. Lady Udriste and Maria stepped inside, their expressions pinched with thinly veiled dislike. Maria's gaze swept over Katherine's attire, and a flash of envy lit her eyes before she schooled her features into a sneer.

Maria's voice came out tight with contempt. "His Grace is mounting up. You are to meet him in the courtyard at once."

Lady Udriste's lips curled, though her tone remained composed. "He won't tolerate waiting, my dear." She paused, letting her gaze rake over Katherine's gown and finery. "I trust you haven't wasted too much time admiring yourself."

Katherine bowed her head, the pearls at her throat shifting. "I'm ready, my lady."

Maria cast her a final glare, the tension in the air unmistakable. Katherine felt Rose's supportive touch on her arm and forced her shoulders back, determined not to wilt under their scorn.

Lady Udriste gestured to the door, impatience evident in every line of her posture. "Then hurry."

Without another word, she turned on her heel. Maria followed, though not before one last searing glance at Katherine, hostility blazing behind her eyes. Katherine inhaled slowly, then stepped forward, trailing behind them as Rose whispered encouragement in her ear.

Thus dressed in the Prince's lavish gifts, Katherine walked out of the room—and into a future still shadowed by uncertainty, her heart as cold and silent as the winter wind that swept through Sighișoara's ancient halls.