NOT THE ONLY ONES

35. MY PALACE!

Warm light floods into my new bedroom.

Wait, Sunlight? Here in Hell? Apollo comes with his chariot here?

I face away from the light as my mind continues thinking about this possibility.

I'm faced with bright light again.

I think I forgot that my room has huge windows from floor to ceiling.

I groan as I sit up on my bed. I immediately join my hands in prayer. Old habits die hard you know. 

Mom would be very happy to see me following her values.

Mom...

Wonder what they must be feeling right now. I don't know what they might be thinking of me, I ran away like a coward. I didn't wait to tell them.

OMG! What did I do? I ran from home! My parents must be so worried! God knows what Robert must have told them?!?!

I jump off my bed and as soon as I do that, Arianne, Lorraine and Carriane surround me.

They place fur slippers under my feet and I stumble.

So am I not allowed to walk barefoot?

"Girls, let me go. I need to speak to Hades"

"Not now Your Highness, you need to dress up first" Lorraine says.

"But it's important!"

"This is important too! Lord Hades wants you to get ready. The architects will be here today" Carriane says breathing heavily.

"But- "

"Your Highness, please. We'll help you get ready then you can speak to Lord Hades" Arianne says.

"Okay"

I rush into the bathroom and the three of them follow me like my shadow.

I sigh.

I brush my teeth with my strawberry toothpaste, Hades was considerate enough to get me toiletries of my liking apart from the already existing expensive ones.

I strip down of my gown, the same one I wore last night. I didn't know I could sleep so well in it, it was really comfortable, just like the girls said.

I get into the shower and let the warm water cascade down my body. I wash my hair and it takes us twenty minutes, us means me and the three girls together, I couldn't even dream about washing my hair all on my own.

I carefully step out of the shower and Arianne rolls my damp hair together.

We walk into the closet together and the girls start throwing gowns while searching for the perfect one.

Carriane comes up with a royal deep blue gown, studded with sapphires. I sigh as I shake my head. Lorraine suggests a red one with rubies and I shake my head again.

Arriane hands me a beautiful and sheen off-white gown with full sleeves and a deep neckline.

The dress is adorned with crystals that give out rainbow when sunlight strikes them.

"Are they diamonds?" I find myself asking while taking in the breathtaking beauty of the gown.

"Yes" they say together.

"I'm wearing this" I announce. 

Arianne helps me into the dress, Carriane does my hair and simultaneously Lorraine works on my makeup. She doesn't overdo it, it's just the way I like it. Make-up that doesn't look made up.