Rule one: Maintain proper hygiene at all times.

Within the confines of Alex's dorm room, the air was saturated with an atmosphere of opulence and refinement. The room, a shared space with Morgan, mirrored a lavish lifestyle marked by the trappings of beauty and sophistication.

A large closet dominated one side of the room, its doors concealing an array of designer dresses. The closet was a treasure trove of luxurious fabrics, colors, and styles, each dress meticulously chosen to complement the image that I was now destined to embody. The garments hung in perfect alignment, a curated collection befitting a future consort.

Adjacent to the closet, a dresser held an assortment of fancy lingerie and multiple corsets. The delicate fabrics and intricate designs spoke of a wardrobe carefully curated to enhance the allure and grace expected of someone on the path to becoming a consort. The dresser was a tableau of intimate elegance, reflecting the meticulous attention given to every detail.

A vanity adorned with an array of beauty products claimed its place within the room. The surface was a canvas for transformation, with makeup, perfumes, and skincare products arranged in a harmonious display. The vanity beckoned, inviting the occupant to indulge in the rituals of self-presentation that would become an integral part of Alex's daily life.

Sharing the room with Morgan, their setups were identical, mirroring each other's spaces with a symphony of beauty and luxury. The shared ambiance spoke of a carefully constructed environment, where every element contributed to the cultivation of an image—one that would be presented to the discerning eyes of potential royalty.

In this haven of elegance and refinement, the dorm room became more than just a living space; it was a stage where the transformation from Alex to the envisioned consort unfolded. The designer dresses, lingerie, corsets, and beauty products were not just possessions but tools that would mold and define the persona that she was meant to become within the gilded halls of Sterling Academy for Young Ladies.

The dorm room, a sanctuary of refinement, held a final touch to complete the ensemble—racks filled with a dazzling array of heels. The shoes, a spectrum of colors, shapes, and styles, transformed the room into a virtual runway. Each pair was a testament to the rule book's decree: heels were to be worn at all times.

The rule, stringent in its directive, left no room for deviation. The heels, ranging from stilettos to wedges, embodied a commitment to an aesthetic that prioritized poise and elegance. The colors of the heels mirrored the diversity of the dresses in the closet, offering endless possibilities for coordination and personal expression within the parameters set by Mistress Sterling and the academy.

As Alex surveyed the collection, the realization dawned that even the choice of footwear was meticulously curated, a vital component of the carefully crafted image she was expected to project. The heels, more than a fashion statement, became a symbol of conformity to the standards set by the academy—a reminder with every step that elegance, as defined by Corlina's elite, was to be upheld at all times.

In the midst of the dorm room adorned with designer dresses, lingerie, corsets, and beauty products, the racks of heels stood as both a literal and symbolic foundation for the transformation Alex had undergone. They weren't just shoes but an extension of the rules and expectations that governed life within the academy—a constant reminder that every aspect of appearance and presentation was subject to scrutiny and adherence to a predetermined standard of beauty and grace.

The allure of elegance extended beyond the wardrobe and accessories, seeping into the very fabric of the living space within the dorm room. The beds, a pinnacle of luxury, were draped in the finest fabrics, creating a visual symphony of opulence. The exquisite linens that cocooned the sleeping quarters transformed the room's ambiance.

Each bed, a sanctuary of comfort and refinement, became a testament to the academy's commitment to cultivating an environment where every detail reflected a standard of beauty and luxury. The linens, carefully chosen for their quality and aesthetics, spoke of a world where even the act of resting became an indulgence in lavishness.

For Morgan and Alex, the beds weren't just places to sleep; they were havens of respite enveloped in a cocoon of sumptuous materials. The touch of the finest fabrics against their skin became a daily affirmation of the privileged life they were meant to embrace within the gilded walls of Sterling Academy for Young Ladies.

As Alex saw the elegantly appointed beds, she couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and displacement. The contrast between the refined surroundings and the tumultuous journey that led her to this point underscored the surreal nature of her new reality. In a world where every detail was meticulously curated, from the dresses to the heels to the beds, Alex grappled with the sense that her existence had become a carefully scripted performance—one in which elegance and luxury masked the underlying complexities of Corlina's societal expectations.

As Morgan and Alex settled into their lavishly adorned dorm room, Alex couldn't help but express her awe at the surroundings. Turning to her new friend, she asked with wonder and amazement, "Morgan, have you ever seen such beauty in your life?"

The question lingered in the air, reflecting the surreal environment we now found ourselves in. The room's opulence, from the designer dresses to the racks of heels to the sumptuously draped beds, created a visual tapestry of luxury that seemed almost otherworldly. In the midst of this curated elegance, Alex sought connection and shared reflection with Morgan, a fellow traveler on this unexpected journey into the heart of Sterling Academy for Young Ladies.

Morgan's response carried a mix of awe and recognition, echoing the sentiments that had taken root in Alex's thoughts. "Alex, this level of luxury is something I could have only dreamed of. I believe that we should get used to it. We are destined to be in the presence of royalty. I think we best get our uniforms ready for the morning. I believe meeting the standards of this school will not be easy."

The acknowledgment of our destined path, set amid the opulent surroundings of the academy, underscored the weight of the expectations that loomed ahead. The call to prepare our uniforms became a practical step in aligning with the stringent standards of Sterling Academy for Young Ladies. In the face of an unknown future and the challenges that lay ahead, Morgan and Alex found themselves at the crossroads of conformity and individuality within the gilded halls that concealed the complexities of our newly appointed roles.

Alex sat at the vanity, looking in the mirror. It was the first chance she had to see the changes that had been made to her. Her face had not changed much; it was just more feminine. She could still see her former face in the mirror, though now she was reminded more of Lily when she looked at herself. They made her lips fuller and thinned out her eyebrows. Her hair remained the same, the straight strawberry blonde hair.

The rest of Alex's bodily changes were obvious; she could tell that her hips were more expansive, and she had larger breasts than her mom. Alex was beautiful-looking, and she knew that she was made to be appealing. Morgan looked over her shoulder, "did they change you a lot? I was changed as well. My body was not this curvy before selection."

Alex turned around in the chair, looking at her, "My body was changed a lot, but I still recognized my face. I definitely was not this curvy before the selection. It makes you wonder how much a person can be changed in the selection process. Did you know that this was a job that was assigned before this?"

"No, I figured I would be assigned some job outside the core. This is something else. What girl hasn't dreamed of marrying a royal, but that was just a childhood dream?"

"I have no idea; this is surreal. So, what uniform must we be in for breakfast?" Morgan and Alex grabbed their rule books and laid out the mandated garments.

A grey-skirted silk business suit that was tailored to accentuate their curves and had a deep plunging neckline to show off their cleavage. A waist cincher was to be worn underneath. Black patent pumps with a four-inch heel were to adorn their feet. A long golden necklace with the school pendant will be worn to help draw the eyes down to their breast. Their hair would be in a tight bun, and they would wear light makeup.

One of the rules of being a consort is that they will be in makeup anytime they are in public. They must always be seen with makeup by everyone outside their homes.

Their undergarments were at least their own choice. Not that it was much of a choice. There were a variety of lace panties and bras that barely hid anything from view and did little to cover their assets. They were nothing more than pieces of fabric that teased at hiding anything. Alex was used to briefs as she was growing up, but these panties covered none of her butt. That thin fabric in the back went right up between her cheeks. The bras lifted and squeezed her breasts together, offering no modesty at all. Alex chose a white set since it blended well with her pale skin.

Alex she would have difficulty walking in heels as they were escorted to the dining hall, but they were more comfortable than walking barefoot. That must have been the conditioning. There were eight of them in the program, and each of them walked with grace and confidence.

The eight future consorts caused a bit of commotion once they entered the dining hall. The other women in the school stared at them as they were seated at a private table, and servers came out to give them their plates of food. None of the other women were treated like this, and none were as dressed up as they were. It was blatantly obvious that their presence here was something of an oddity.

The future consorts had yet to speak to each other since they left the dorms. We were warned not to discuss who we were or what class we were part of. This secret life here reminded Alex of being back with her family, just an outcast. Well-dressed outcasts but outcasts nonetheless.

The food that was set in front of them was minimal at best. Alex was lucky that she was used to living off such little food. The other girls wondered why they had such small portions, but none voiced this while at the table. It was strongly suggested that they refrain from asking any questions while they were given the other students at the academy.

Their first class would answer more of our questions. Once we were all seated, their instructor walked into the room. "Ladies, welcome to your first consort training class. I am your instructor, Mistress Ambledean."

"Let me tell you a little about why you are all here. We have ten royals that are of age this year. You are being trained to be their first wives. This course is only held when we have a royal come of age."

"Why are you made to be their first wives? Simply put, royals do not have the luxury of courting a spouse. Your jobs as first wives will be to control any future marriages and offer support and advice to whichever royal you are matched with. Any other marriages they have will be done to gather political or financial favor. Yours is to offer them an unbiased look at things."

"Do you have a choice? Yes and No. No, you can not give up being a consort, but you have some choice in which royal you are matched with. At the end of your training, in six months, we will hold a gala where you will all be introduced to the new royals. The royals will give tokens to those who please them. If you have multiple tokens at the night's end, you will get to work it out between the girls who get who. But all royals will be matched."

"This is important for every consort to know: we do not compete or have conflicts against each other. Consorts are go-betweens between all royals, and we respect each other's positions. Conflicts between royals do not affect how we work with each other. Laws have been established to protect consorts from any reprisal or harm. While royals will not hurt consorts, you will be heavily guarded because of your access to the royals."

"Another aspect of being a consort is how we can influence business. One offhand comment about a product can make or break a business. People will be watching what you wear, what you use, and even what you eat. Consorts have been influencing social trends for several generations. Which is why you must always look and act perfectly in public."

"Now, I will have breakfast brought in for you. I know you just had a bite to eat in the dining hall, but that was just for show. In public, you are to only eat a small portion of food to maintain appearance. Remember not to overdo it privately; we must keep our figures perfect."

"That brings us to today's lesson: personal hygiene and daily beauty regiments." Mistress Ambledean explained to us while they ate food to satisfy our hunger. The waist cincher limited the amount of food they could consume.

"Ladies, if you would strip out of your clothes and grab one of the robes hanging here on the wall." Most of them were hesitant about the request. "You need to get used to casual nudity and showing off your body; it's part of the life of a consort. In this case, though, we will go to the open bath here to demonstrate proper bathing so that you always smell fresh. We use special oils and soaps when we bathe to keep our skin healthy and smooth."

There was no need to worry about modesty; they were all gorgeous women. Mistress Ambledean had stripped off her clothing already and walked over to grab her robe.

The bath was so warm; Alex had never had a warm bath before. She watched as Mistress Ambledean measured out the oils to be put in the tub. She carefully remembered the amounts to put in the bath so it would not be overpowering. It was a heavenly feeling as they soaked in the water.

They used a loofa to scrape away any dead, dry skin on their bodies. The hair was the most tedious to take care of, first washing the dirt from their hair and then combing in oils to give their hair a lustrous sheen.

They did not wash their faces in the tubs but in a sink along the wall. Then came the lotions for their bodies that kept them smooth and young-looking. They had different types of creams and oils for their faces to put on before they started with makeup.

Drying their hair was a little complicated since they had to style it as they dried it. Keeping all the stray hairs in the proper place took so much extra time. In all, it took us two hours just to clean our bodies.

Mistress Ambledean told the class as we completed our regiment, "This is a routine that you must follow daily for your body and every three days for your hair. You need to make sure you plan this into your days. These same techniques may be used when you are with your royals."

Alex understood the meaning behind that. They would be expected to bathe whomever they marry. They were expected to perform all sorts of acts with Their royals, but there was no other option. This was their lot in life. Alex didn't know if she should be happy or sad about this. She gets to live in luxury, and she would be respected. The other side is that now that Alex is a woman, she would be expected to have a child, and she has little choice in who she will be with.