The Hidden City

Chapter 4

I had barely slept, although I did not feel tired. I sprang from bed and quickly washed myself without Ebony's help, she was probably still asleep. The sun was beginning to show her face from behind the mountain. Perhaps she is up, I thought. I slipped on my robe and began to look for her. I started in the dining room hall and soon found her in the kitchen. I slowly crept up behind her, being sure to not make a sound. When I was behind her, I shouted "Boo!" and shook her shoulders hard. She shrieked and jumped up, swinging at me and springing back at the same time.

I laughed as she struggled to regain composure. "It's just you! You old hag!" She was speaking breathlessly as if she had run leagues upon leagues. I laughed even harder and came towards her, helping her calm down. "Come on, help me dress ." We walked back to my quarters and we sat down on the bed, sighing.

I got back up after a minute and dragged Ebony to my closet. She took out corset and I waited for her to finish lacing it on. I helped her put one on as well and we took in short breaths to adjust to the tight lacing. Okay. "What dress shall I wear, Ebony?" She pondered on this for a while, looking over all my dresses. "Well we should choose one that obviously notes your element, but that doesn't overshadow your personality.

Huh. She's smart.

"I like this one." It was a red dress with gold tracings and a sheer gold layer over it. The straps were wide but not dominating my chest. Ebony gasped. "It's so beautiful; I didn't think anything so beautiful could exist. You'd better wear it, Serafine." I chuckled and took out a pair of gold shoes and a large blue necklace to go with it. Ebony helped me put them on, and when I was done, she was stunned. She did my hair and put on my makeup, working efficiently.

"Time for you, Ebony." "What? No! The king would become very angry if he found out I had worn one of your dresses."

"Oh nonsense, Ebony. You are like a daughter to him. and I will not have you borrowing one of my dresses. You are better than that. I had a seamstress make you a new one." I dug it out of the closet and her shoes and laid it before her on the bed. "It's so beautiful, Serafine. Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me. Her eyes watered with happiness and I smiled. Her dress was a dark blue with lace, just above the knees. I chose blue so it could bring out the blue of her eyes. Her shoes were a silver shiny color. After I had done her makeup and hair, I made her stand up and turn.

I giggled. "What?" "I Feel as though somebody will court you tonight." "Oh, nonsense." She said, teasing me. I laughed and we walked out together.