(Completed) Seraphina [The Lost Queen Series: Book #1]

Chapter 35

"Goodbye Quincy, All hale Queen Seraphina!!!"
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"Ahh!!!" Tears filled my eyes at the pain. "It's too much! Please spare me!" Jackal only chuckled as he gripped my side tighter. "Jackal this isn't funny!!! It hurts!" I could feel my stomach tightened as a tingly feeling gripped me. This was the same feeling I felt with Caspian except more pain filled...

"If you would loosen up it wouldn't hurt as much... Just take a deep breath. I'm almost done... Damn those bastards! How dare they cover you in bruises!" The herbs Jackal covered me in burned my bruises and cuts. It didn't help that he was also wrapping all my wounds tightly... Though my broken ribs need the most attention, it still hurts to treat them... "How can you even move with so many untreated wounds!?"

"I'm not sure... I've always ignored my pain regardless of how much it hurts. Papa told me that showing one's pain is a sign of weakness..."

"...He may be right but..." Jackal tightened the cloth around my chest enough for me to lose my balance. "You should be able to depend on some to care for you!" I leaned against him as he tied the cloth. Finally I could let out a sigh of relief. "As much as I would like you to rest, there is much to do. Now you must get dressed for your crowning ceremony."

"So I must become Queen of Theron? Isn't that too high of a role for a mundane half-blood?" I may have royal blood but I was raised as a peasant farmer...

"You have royal and noble blood regardless of your upcoming. Now put this on." A golden dress laid on the bed. It was elegant yet beautiful just as the other had been. At least I have undergarments on my lower body... It was embarrassing enough to have him wrap my chest and add the herb mixture...

"You will need to assist me. With your rough movements my body is far too sore to move properly." I motioned to him after grabbing the dress. "I'd hate to ruin this by accident." He shook his head then showed me how to properly put it on.

"When you put a dress on it should feel effortless. First you start with the dress. If it laces up in the back then you step into it." Jackal kneeled down and set the dress so it rested halfway up my legs. As I stepped in he pulled it up and onto my wrapped breast. I slipped my arms into the sleeve easily and awaited his instructions. "Hold it like this while I lace up the back." I pressed my hands against my chest as he quickly walked around me. "Let me know if it feels too tight." He began to pull the strings until it was snug against me without feeling uncomfortable.

"That feels perfect. Now what?" I glanced over my shoulder to see his face staring at me. He looked confused for a moment before smiling.

"Now I do your hair. Though it looks amazing as it is. The braid is still intact and so are the pearls and other hair accessories. It's a messy yet extravagant look." I felt his hand brush against my shoulder as he lifted my hair to examine it. After a moment he rested it over my shoulder so it would rest on my chest. "Now a few flowers would bring it together."

"Flowers? Wait, I must know something. The guard who told me about your dealings also said that I have a mark on my back. He said it was like his yet more elegant..." I tried to look him in the eyes but he moved away. "What is it?"

"I will explain it later... Come. It's time for us to go." Why does it feel like a large hole has appeared between us? Reluctant, I followed him as we left the tailor's room. The throne room isn't far from here, only a few short corridors away. "Seraphina... I would like to apologize for what's to come..."

"What do you mean by that?"

"...Remember to breathe. It will be hard to withstand at first but you must endure." What is this? Endure? Endure what??? Voices echoed as we drew closer to large dark doors.