Queen of Exile

The Chosen

Every day went by the same. We wake up, go through bathing, eat, exercise, eat, then bed. I started to get lots of friends. Including the Kings eunuch, Hegai, (the person who eliminates the not-as-pretty-girls). After the first day, I, and many others, were moved to the best place in the harem. We were each assigned seven maids from the kings palace, and had to endure beauty treatments for twelve months (six months of oil of myrrh, and six with perfumes and cosmetics). Anything I wanted would be brought to me without question (as long as I stayed pretty).

Each day went by quickly, walking through the gardens in my free time, and bringing out my duties of (maybe) future queen. Yes you heard my right. You see, each girl would be brought before the king, and the one that pleases him most would become the new queen.

Whenever I opened my mouth, I made sure to be careful. I didn't want to be kicked out because of my nationality, so I pretended to be a poor peasant living on the country side (which wasn't that far from the truth). Before I had been taken, Mordecai had whispered in my ear, "Don't tell them your nationality." At first I was confused, but later I understood why. If they found out, they could beat me for coming into, and being with people from Persia. Finally, the day came for us to step in front of the king and one of us will be queen. We went down tto the baths for a final treatment. They oiled my skin, put perfumes in my hair, and beautified me. I put on a robe, and Hegai came in.

"Here." he said, handing me a dress, "You are allowed to were what you choose, but I suggest this."

I looked at it, it was beautiful, I felt the soft silk beneath my fingertips. I have never held something so lovely in my life. It was a forest green with long sleeves that opened up at the wrist. The droopy part hung for about two of my hands. A golden sash would tie around the waist, and the edges were lined with gold as well. The front dipped down, not too low, but just right, to give it an elegant look. The skirt part, spread out gorgeously at the bottom (the bottom wasn't lined with gold though).

"I also suggest a braided crown, intertwined with gold; but you may choose how to do your hair." He added before walking out of the room.

I slipped into the dress, the curves matched the curves in my body. I looked into a mirror, I looked beautiful, I was glad for Hegai for suggesting this. I told them to do my hair how he suggested too. And the next time I looked into the mirror, it took a second to realize I was looking at myself. The sides of my raven hair was braided into a crown. Gold strings interlaced along with my hair, and fell off it down the sides, and down my back (not going any longer than my long hair though).

I walked outside. I saw most other girls were finishing up too. One thing I noticed though, is that no one had their hair in such a simple style as mine. There was one girl, she wore a sky blue dress and her hair was in many braids, that wee braided together down her back. Her dress was adorned with pearls, and there were more in her hair. I stepped into a carriage that would take me, and some other exited girls to the palace.

* * *

I stood in the marvelous throne room. Grand pillars lined the walls, and tapestries hung from in between them. A red carpet was spread across the floor, leading up to the kings throne. Hegai started to call off names from a list. I was vaegly aware of Hegai, until he said my name.

"Esther!" He called, bringing me out of my worried state. I stepped forward and dropped into the best, politest cutsiy I could. Still in position, I said,

"Your Magisty." Then stood back up in line.

When Hegai was finished calling names, he led us out of the throne room. I stood there, rubbing my clammy hands together, waiting to hear who the next queen would be. I waited... And waited... I know it was a little amount of time, never-the-less, it felt like hours. Finally, one of the king's servants came out and called a name, the name that the king requested, he called,

"Esther!"