Disguised in black and gold

• Loereli •

As I enter my over sized bedroom my beautiful maid greets me with her usual bubbly smile. I couldn't really remember my maid before Tula. I was twelve years old when the head maids bought in Tula. She was the same age as me and she was beaming like the sun for being able to work with the Princess. Tula has been my only friend for seven years, she was there for my coronation, for my first public event and when my mother shut me out after my father passed away.

"Good morning Loreli, come you are behind schedule already." Tula stood behind the plush chair at my dressing table. The dressing table was taller than me with its beautiful gold edging and white surface I was always in awe of it. Tula sat me down and started brushing my hair, looking in the mirror we had opposite appearances. I was small figured but still looked like a giant next to her, she was possibly be the smallest person which did not match her attitude.

"Tula, how was you evening?" I knew Tula had her first date with the guard she has been pinning over since he arrived three years ago.  A blush crept over her thin cheeks indicating things went well for her. 

"Loreli it was amazing, he was so kind and wonderful. I just had the best time," As Tula spoke about what events went on with her date she applied the black dye to my hair which had to be done once a month. One drop and from the roots of my hair black started to take over, with in minuets my hair was completely hidden under a black curtin. "We then ended the night on the roof of the palace Loreli! Oh I'm not allowed to be up there and Daniel isn't allowed to take me, please don't tell" Tulas giddy face was quickly exchanged for a look of worry.

"I live my life through you Tula, I would not tell for a few reasons one being your my friend and the second being I need excitement and your life is full of it." Her smile jumped back on her face as she thought of her evening with Daniel.  My top draw opened and my golden contacts were placed into my orange eyes, the colors of the room altered before returning back to normal. I have had the contacts put in since the day I was born, they used to burn and frustrate my eyes but now I wear them more than I show my normal eye color so they have become natural. I couldn't be more happy for Tula, after her horrible start to life she deserved eternal happiness and I hope Daniel would help her with this.

"Loreli please go get changed I have your recruitment ceremony dress on the manikin waiting for you, your shoes I have placed next to the dress and when you return I will complete your hair and makeup before running through today's schedule. Now go hurry" Tula sent me off with the flick of her hand before rummaging through the dressing table draws for hair accessories. I slipped through the dressing room door before Tula growled at me again. My eyes instantly looked to where the dress was displayed on the manikin. The dress look to intimidating for who I was, the rich black bodice and centered gold buttons were nothing compared to the plunging V line. My hands slightly shook as I did up the front buttons from understanding all the expectations this dress held. I felt anxious to turn around and view myself in the mirror, I had to pause and breathe to push the anxiety out of my stomach before u could do it, as I turned the girl staring back at me did not look like the girl i felt I was. The girl in the mirror was the spitting image of the kingdom's King and Queen's daughter the only quality betraying me was the emotionless facial features, mine showed my anxiety for the days ahead of me.

I jumped as Tula appeared behind me in the mirror. She gave me a sympathetic smile before placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder, she didn't have to say anything for me to understand the encouragement she was giving me.

"Lets go finish off your hair before breakfast." Tula walked me back to the dressing table before pulling my hair up and lacing gold beads into a few equal strands. "You look beautiful Loreli." Tula walked me to my bedroom door  while running through who will be at the breakfast.  "Loreli you are going to do great today. I wont see you until dinner this evening. Don't forget to smile you look aggressive without one." I couldn't help but laugh as she said that. "See much better. Now go!" Tula shoved me out my bedroom door into the over sized hall way. Leaving a soft echo as I walked over to look out the glass french window pains with golden lace curtains that caused a lightness to the hard room. Staring out over the palace gardens to the kingdom made me feel inferior even though everything I could see belonged to me.