Frost and Petals

Protestors Shake the World (Ch 5)

Kari and I were to return to my kingdom in the morning, and we were both awoken by a flurry of activity in our respective chambers. The morning sun was thrust upon me as one of the maids yanked open the thick heavy curtains.

"Good morning, Your Majesty. We are under orders from Queen Caitlin to get you ready for your departure back home," greeted the woman who continued to open the curtains in my room; so much for privacy and royalty.

"That sounds nice," I muttered between stretches as I watched a few more maids scurry into my chamber carrying various things. Some had trays of food, and the others were organizing my outfit for the day. The maid who opened all the windows busied herself with emptying my wardrobe.

"What are you doing with all of my clothes?" I asked as I slipped out of bed and tugged on the robe that I had tossed on the chair closest to my bed.

"We heard from Prince Kari you wanted your pockets enchanted to hold more than they're supposed to. So, we are taking them to the baker, Alexandria, who is capable of such magic, and getting your pockets enchanted, Your Grace," explained a maid with bright blue hair who was steaming away the wrinkles in my dress for today. Usually, I got to pick my outfits, but now and then, my outfits got picked for me. Usually, I didn't say I liked it, but Queen Caitlin had prepared for the trip today.

I quickly ate the breakfast that a maid brought me, and then I was ushered into the bathroom. Several of the ladies made to follow me into the toilet but seemed to think better of it.

"If you need any assistance washing your back or anything, please just yell. One of us will come in and assist you however you need," the blue-haired maid offered to me. I nodded and gently shut the bathroom door. I'll be damned if anyone bathed, shaved, and primped me before my wedding day. And I would only tolerate that because tradition stated I must.

A warm bath, full of bubbles and steaming from the heat, already awaited me. The air was full of steam and smelled like cinnamon with a soft hint of mint. They had also learned my favorite smell.

After the bath, in which I took my time relaxing, I got out to find a warm fluffy towel and a silk robe hanging on a hook for me. Back in my room, which was now a flurry of maids cleaning, I found the maid who opened all my curtains waiting by the changing screen.

"Let's get this over with," I huffed out as I stepped behind the screen and dropped the robe. The maid's only response was to chuckle and hand me my underwear. The dress didn't have a built-in corset, nor did it require one, and I sighed in relief. They were pretty, but they were a fucking nightmare to wear.

Once the form-fitting silver dress was on, the maid pushed me over to a vanity. During the time it took her to dress me, it seemed everyone, except the blue-haired maid, cleared out. My room was just as clean as it was a week ago.

"My name is Galexia, and I am Elidi's girlfriend," she introduced herself, and it took all of my self-control not to turn around and look at her, especially when she started drying and brushing my hair.

"That's such a beautiful name," I replied as the feeling of her doing my hair started to relax me. Having someone do my hair was the only part of tradition that I loved. It was otherworldly and relaxing on a different level.

"Thank you," she nearly whispered as a blush crept into her pale cheeks, but her cerulean blue eyes lit up with pride. Usually, the lighter shade of blue in someone's hair would clash with eyes that dark, but it really made her look like a galaxy, as her name suggested.

She braided my hair into a single simple braid down my back and then placed a small box on the vanity in front of me. I was so used to this box shape I knew what it is before I open it. Still, the simple silver crown, shaped like a mountain at the crest, made my breath catch in my throat. It looked exactly like the mountain that the training arena sat nestled into.