"No, I'm still kinda wired."
There was a knock at the door then Portia stuck her head in. "Lady Isabelle, your interviews are here."
Izzy turned to Meryn and jerked her head subtly. "Wanna help me?"
Meryn gave her a puzzled look but stood anyway. "Sure."
"Have fun," both Aiden and Oron called out.
Izzy waved as Meryn, Ryuu, and Pierce followed her out. Once in the hallway, Meryn turned to her. "What are we really up to?"
"If these tailors are who I think they are, revenge."
"Awesome."
Portia was waiting at the end of the hall to escort them to a large waiting room. "Portia, how many interviews do I have?"
"There are five tailors waiting."
"Thank you." When she and Meryn got settled in a loveseat, she leaned in and whispered. "Ignore them if I do." Meryn gave the barest of nods as the first person entered.
Izzy recognized the person from her shopping excursion with Oron. She took out her phone and set a five-minute timer.
"Lady Isabelle, what a privilege it is to meet you."
Izzy stared down at her phone.
"Lady Isabelle?"
Again, she didn't respond.
"Is the poor child deaf?" The woman asked Meryn, who just swung her feet and smiled up at her. For the next five minutes, the woman just stood there. Finally, when her phone beeped, she looked up and said. "You may go."
The woman gave a nervous titter before she quickly left the room.
Meryn frowned. "That was awkward."
"Why were you grinning at her like a serial killer?"
"It's my intimidation technique."
"Not bad, you looked like a psychopath."
"Awesome."
The next four interviews went pretty much the same way. When they were done, Izzy sat back, feeling satisfied. She was about to suggest they go back to their mates when Portia walked in. "Lady Isabelle, I had the five tailors complain to me that you didn't interview them. They are very upset."
"Where are they?" she asked, standing.
"In the salon."
"Show me to them."
"As you wish," Portia guided her and of course nosy Meryn with her squire and squire's flirt in tow.
The second she entered the room they all began talking at once. She held up her arm, showing them the bracelet that the queen had gifted her the day before. They quieted almost immediately. She lowered her arm. "The reason I needed new clothes wasn't because I wanted a new look. I lost all of my belongings in a fire and all I had were the clothes on my back and a few in a shopping bag that reeked of smoke. I was desperate not to embarrass my mate, so he took me clothing shopping yesterday.
You may not recognize me since you all took one look at my mate then either disappeared or became so busy with what you were doing you ignored us. I waited exactly five minutes for you to acknowledge that we were there, but none of you did. Today, I simply took my five minutes back. You're all dismissed," she said, pointing to the door.