The tea Lilith had given her earlier had worked wonders, though Charlotte still felt a bit lightheaded. A maid had arrived shortly after, informing them that Vanessa had requested their presence in her chambers. With a shared sigh, the two girls dragged themselves up the stairs to her room.
Lilith knocked twice on the door.
"Come in!" Vanessa's warm voice called from within.
They stepped inside, instantly greeted by the comforting scent of jasmine that always seemed to linger in Vanessa's room. She stood by her vanity, sorting through a collection of hairpins. When she saw them, her face lit up with delight.
"Lilith, Charlotte," she said, walking over with open arms. "Thank you both for coming."
"We planned to visit you this evening anyway," Lilith replied with a warm smile as they exchanged a brief embrace. "I didn't see much of you at the ball."
