"Follow your prophecy, choose your decisions wisely."
Today, like everyday, is annual. Life is clockwork. We are born, and each year we stupidly celebrate that we are one year closer to death than before. I don't understand this tradition but I do not question it. I don't want my question to seem rude to my mother. My mother, who is beaming with joy at the sight of me wearing a sacred dress for my 15th birthday party, where I am getting prepared to meet eligible bachelors who will be suitable for the role of my husband. I stand on a wooden pedestal in my bedroom infront of a big mirror. I am overwhelmed with just how beautifully my dress suits me.
Two maids stand beside me and adjust my dress accordingly. They tighten the straps around my waist. I don't know the maids' names. Every maid in the palace looks the same. They are sirens. They do not have names. They rarely speak, but whenever they do, it is meaningful.
"Thank you." I say to them as they curtesy and leave my bedroom straightly after.
"Prepare your hair. I will meet you downstairs, my sweet daughter." My mother tells me.
Clotine sits at my bed, finishing her young daughters braid. The little princess sits patiently in her mothers lap and smiles at me brightly. Teony is a sensible and gentle child. A lot like my sister was at her youngest daughters age.
My sister speaks, "Come. I will do your hair." I oblige and sit upright on a stool. "Pick carefully tonight." She says.
My little niece messes with the ruffles on my intricate, teal dress. I do not know how to describe it further. No words can express just how gorgeous this dress is. It almost seems like it was designed especially for me. I am honoured. Teony's small fingers intertwine with the delicate fabric and I gently move them away. I do not want her to damage the dress.
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"You mustn't pick anybody from the Everglade kingdom. I have heard that they isolate their wives away from their families. I do not wish for that to happen to you, Merle." Clotine states.
"What more should I know?"
"The twin princes from Elysiuma are travelling to see you. Malachi, the younger bachelor, will be competing for your heart. The other prince is already married due to the fact that he's the heir of the royal throne. He will be bringing his wife. Personally, I'm rather fond of her."
"Interesting." I hum.
My sister continues, "If I must say so myself, Malachi is a very attractive young man. But I do not think you should be keen to approach him either. I sense that there is something off with him. With their entire family, generally."
"What?"
"Do not question it. I do not know myself."
"Okay."
"I can't imagine that you are thrilled for tonight."
"What gave it away?"
"Your lack of expression. Your failed attempt to sit at an upright posture. Your body is shaking slightly and one of your eyebrows has furrowed ever so gently." Clotine can read me like an open book. If this ability to read me so easily would have been in the wrong hands, I can't imagine that it would be safe. But I trust my sister. Wholeheartedly, I believe she can do no wrong. All my life i've looked up to her.
