Proper

                                    

                                          
"We have to make you look good in front of the others." Adler snapped his fingers and a group of people holding shoes, dresses, and jewelry walked into Monroe's room. "This feast and party will be the perfect way to introduce you to the council members." He explained. 
"I will help you. If we show a friendly relationship, then it should help our case." Regina added. "And I'll teach you everything I know about how to be proper, but not to lose yourself." 
"Thank you." Monroe smiled. "Where do we start?" She asked. 
"With the perfect outfit." Regina waved to the man holding a pile of dresses. 
She pulled off the dress from the top of the pile. 
"I like this little red number, but it might be too revealing." Regina said. "Or there is this purple one." She pulled off the next dress and handed it to Monroe. "Purple is a royal color though, so it is controversial if you wear it out of wedlock. You can save it for another day." She handed the dress to Tullia who hung it in Monroe's wardrobe. 
Regina looked through the rest of the dresses. "So, this gray one is nice, but a little too fancy for a fun party. There is this green one that I like, or a blue one." She handed Monroe the pile. "Try them all on and show me. We'll work with it." 
Adler sat on Monroe's bed and rested his hand on his chin. This was much too boring for him, but he stayed to show his support. 
Monroe walked out from behind the room divider in the gray dress. 
Regina tapped her finger on the side of her face. She motioned for Monroe to spin and she did so. 
"Hmm...I like it on you, but I was right. Too formal. Not suitable for this event. Keep it though, for later." Regina smiled. 
Monroe tried on the blue dress next. 
"I think that one is nice. Can we move on to more important things?" Adler said. 
"This is just as important as anything else. What a woman looks like makes a huge first impression on a man in this society." Regina argued. "I like this one too, but it is definitely more of a casual dress. Not fancy enough. You can wear it on any random day." Regina explained. "Try the green one next." 
Tullia helped Monroe hang the other two dresses and slip into the green dress. 
Monroe walked out and spun around with a smile on her face. "I love this one." 
"It looks very nice with your complexion and hair color." Regina said. "It will be good for the occasion." She added. "I think we have a winner." 
Adler opened his eyes. "Great, let's move on." He smiled. 
"Hold on, we need jewels and shoes first." Regina laughed. "You could try to hide your distain better." 
Adler grumbled and stood up. "I'll be back later. My part of this is to talk her up, so that's what I'm going to go do." He left the room. 
Regina turned back to Monroe. "I'm thinking silver jewels." She smiled. 
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Adler walked to the main courtroom. The doors were open as always. 
"His highness, Prince Adler." He was announced as he walked in. 
The members of court and nobles stopped in their conversation to bow to him. Adler observed the crowd and found his friend Tristan. 
He made his way to him and put his arm around his shoulders. "Tristan, I need a favor." He pulled his friend away from the woman he was speaking with. 
"This better be good, those ladies were very pretty. Did you see the blonde?" Tristan chuckled. 
"Tristan, I am working towards getting a divorce." Adler said. 
"I am sorry to hear that." He replied. 
"I'm not." Adler smiled. "Regina and I both want and need this." He pulled his friend into the corner of the room. "It will come down to a council vote, my father told me. I need that vote to go in my favor. Ask around and listen in tonight, see what people think of Monroe and my decision. I need to know if I need to pull some strings to get this to work." Adler explained. 
"I can do that." Tristan nodded. 
"If anyone asks your opinion, you say only good things about Monroe or it will be your head." Adler wanted and walked out of the room. 
Tristan chuckled. "I'm not worry, because I know you are just joking." He said and then took a deep nervous breath before heading back to his lady friends. 
__________________________
                          
"Now that we have the look, we need you to act the part." Regina said. "There is an art to socialization that I learned from my mother. She called it 'The Be The Person They Want To See' routine. There is a way to be the person that they want to see without completely losing yourself." She explained. 
The door to Monroe's chamber opened and they were interrupted by Adler. 
"What were you doing?" Monroe asked. 
"I was getting too bored in her, I just went for a walk." He walked over to Monroe and kissed her cheek. "I'm back now. What are you two working on?" He asked. 
"Etiquette." Regina answered. "This is the part I dreaded when I was younger, but it is easier than you think." She glanced at Adler. "You can help with this. We will need a plate, all the different forks and spoon, and all the different glasses." Regina smiled. "Then we'll move onto basic conversation tips, then manners, and finally dancing." She explained. 
Monroe took a deep breath. "We only have today to get through all of this." 
"About four and a half hours to be exact. I'll summarize everything. It will be fine. We'll hit everything hard later. The more lessons the better." Regina said. 
"I need to thank you, Regina." Monroe smiled. 
"What for?" She asked. 
"Being so kind and understanding. I was not expecting this at all." Monroe said. "Adler said you wouldn't like me." 
"I don't." Regina answered. 
"What?" 
"I need this to work. I want this to work. And for that, we need to get along. I don't care that you are taking my husband, I care that he made a bad choice." Regina explained. 
"Regina!" Adler frowned. 
"Don't take it seriously. I'll help her get better, you'll see." Regina winked. 
Monroe slumped back into her chair and sighed. 
"Sit up straight!" Regina shouted. "That is always rule number one. A lady doesn't slouch in public. It is very..."
Adler whispered into Monroe's ear as Regina continued. "Welcome to hell."