Prophecies and Lies

chapter 22

Ariana pov

I peel the blankets off my body, shuddering when I get hit by the cold morning air as I climb out of bed to get dressed for the coronation.

I look out the window, frowning at the rising sun. I was supposed to have woken up an hour earlier to prepare for the coronation, but I hadn't since no one had come to give me my morning call.

I huff in frustration while getting my morning bath ready, the water slightly cold.

My movements halt at hearing a loud knock resonating through my chambers. I look up, my eyebrows scrunched, wondering who it could be.

Shoving the doors open, seeing two maids staring towards me as they nervously shuffle on their feet, eyes looking downwards in a sign of respect, with a rack of color full of dresses standing behind them.

My heart sank at seeing their nervousness. The shorter one of the two seemed to have been trembling.

"Hello, is there something I can help you with?" I ask, my voice gentle and airy, trying to help them with their nerves.

The oldest of the two, who had blonde hair lined with white, looked up, surprise written across her face as she regarded me with wary eyes before giving me a friendly smile and saying, "My lady, The King asked us to help prepare you for the coronation."

"Prepare...me?" I asked, baffled, not understanding, as Will hadn't told me anything about the coronation or my role in it.

"Yes, my lady, the King told us to prepare you for it. We even bought the dresses the King had requested you to wear, " the older maid says as I lead them inside.

The two work together, helping me bathe, messaging my skin with the warm water, a small sigh leaving my lips as they get rid of the knotted muscles across my shoulder blades, as I sink further into the bath.

I usually hated being bathed by maids as they would laugh and snicker at my emaciated figure, sometimes even verbally calling out my flaws to see my cheeks redden with shame and my eyes swell with tears. But this was different. Not once did I hear a rude comment from them or see them give each other pointed eye contact to highlight my faults.

If I could, I would say that they were probably the kindest maids that I have ever met. I would stay here forever with the water just right and my muscles loose and relaxed. It was serein, reminding me to thank the maids for their work and kindness.

After washing the soap off my body, Ada, the oldest of the two helped me into a silken chemise before applying small amounts of fragranced oils and powders onto my face and body.

I look at them with confusion when I notice them moving away from the vanity table to the rack of dresses. Looking into the mirror, I can't help but belittle myself at what I see. They hadn't put nearly enough powders on my face as the other maids usually did.

"Ada, Harmony, are you sure this is enough powder?" I ask, looking at the two.

They both look at me and then at each other, causing me to hold my breath as I await their rude remark, but it never comes. Instead, I get something that almost leaves me speechless.

"M'lady, what are you talking about? More powder will only tarnish your beauty. I want to remove it, seeing that you look more beautiful without it than with it." Harmony, the younger maid says.

"What?" I ask baffled, "Surely you must be joking,"

"No, my lady, we couldn't possibly muse after you. It will go against our duty. If it makes m'lady happy, we will gladly apply more powder on her," Ada says, her eyes kind as she approaches me near the vanity table again. I look at her and then at Harmony with weary eyes before deciding to get dressed instead.