The door opened in front of Ithacles and the attendant dropped into a deep curtsy and poked her head back into the room to see how dressed the Captain was. Vedette wanted to hunch over the nearest chair and try to breath. These laces were tight. She didn't know how humans stood such horrific and barbaric forms of beauty on a day-to-day basis.
"Captain. Prince Ithacles wishes an audience."
"Tell him I need a knife." Vedette said sternly and glanced over her shoulder at the woman trying to suffocate her with silk and heavier cottons.
"What for?" The attendant trying to murder her asked.
"To cut myself free!" Vedette snapped, but quickly stood to gain her composure. She nodded to the attendant at the door. "Let him in, I don't need a knife, I'm just being dramatic." Vedette was sure if she sucked in any further there would be no waist left to her. The attendant finished tying the dress and stepped back to admire her own work. Vedette tried not to topple over and wheeze on the floor. She pressed her hands flat to her stomach and took a few hesitant breaths.