The Act of Duplicity [General Kirigan]

six

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Nataliya knocked three times on the closed door of the room. She heard someone talking inside and then footsteps echoing through it. Her serious expression soon turned into an excited smile as a familiar redhead appeared on the other side of the door once those were opened. Genya smiled as well and without any other words needed the two sisters embraced in very high spirits of finally seeing each other again.

''It's good to have you back in Little Palace,'' Genya whispered into Nataliya's shoulder.

''You too.'' The older sister whispered back.

Once the two released Genya invited her into the room and for the first time, Nataliya took a good look. She never was in this suite before and now she completely understood why Alina would be the one to get the luxury to live in it. It was probably one of the biggest rooms in Little Palace and it was so light in colour, whereas Nataliya's was dark and golden. Nataliya then turned to the small vanity where Alina was sitting dressed in a very nice looking First Army uniform. Alina's eyes flickered from one redhead to the other quickly.

''Alina, have you met my sister Nataliya?'' Genya walked to stand back behind Alina's chair.

Alina showed a small smile. ''Sisters? U-uh yes, yes she was at the military camp.'' Alina explained and then smiled at and waved at Nataliya.

A sudden realisation dawned upon her and she stood from the chair and walked to the closet. She picked out a red kefta and carried it to Nataliya with an apologetic expression. Nataliya smiled at her and accepted her kefta back. Once Alina turned around she quickly checked the inside on the right of the clasps and sighed in relief when he fingers felt the familiarity of the inside pocket and whatever was inside. The kefta was dirty and worn, gladly Nataliya predicted something like it and wore another one, which meant she will patiently have to wait for her usual one to be washed.

When Genya handed Alina the cap with a veil she had to wear she turned to Nataliya with raised eyebrows. Her eyes flickered over her face, hair and outfit tilting her head and getting the judging look like Nataliya liked to call it. Genya already reached forward and wanted to fix Nataliya's hair.

''Stop it.'' Nataliya grabbed her hands and pushed them away while giving her a pointed look.

''But your hair –'' Genya protested.

''Is fine.'' Nataliya butted in.

''And your face. This is not good enough for the King and Queen.'' Genya continued with a gasp and reached forward again.

Nataliya stepped back and crossed her arms. Genya tried on multiple occasions to fix Nataliya, to make the wrinkles go away, to make the dark circles under her eyes go away, to make her hair even redder and her waves even prettier. Nataliya didn't allow her to, she didn't understand how Genya became accustomed to doing that for her whole life but it made her incredibly pretty with all the fixes. Nataliya turned her head and looked in the mirror. Yes, she looked tired beyond belief but she was always like that and her hair was fine, she did the hairstyle herself.