Kingdom of Lies

Chapter 3

In case some of you are wondering- Jace is gonna be very OOC in this :3
So he is going to be showing up in this chapter but,once again,not as we know him...Mkay,bye.

LEGGO

I could feel my heart beating so rapidly that it might fall out of my chest. Of course,if it wasn't for the god-forsaken corset currently crushing my petite torso.

"Who in the world invented this death trap?" I gasp as Helen once again pulls on the strings of the corset.I know she's trying to be as gentle as possible,but it's hard to gently cut off someone's air supply. Maia,who's currently arranging my hair perfectly around my shoulders,shrugs timidly. They had become slightly more comfortable around me since the bath, but they were still careful not to overstep their boundaries.

"I heard it's the latest fashion in London." She supplies. I sigh-as much as the death trap lets me.

"Well- women in London have definitely learned how to not breathe." I mutter,wincing at another sharp pull.
Finally,Helen finishes and,along with Maia step back to leave me look at my reflection in a tall gold gilded mirror.

I was no stranger to luxury,having grown up a princess,but the Herondales were obviously much wealthier.
A blood red dress was fitted over my frame,billowing out over my waist into a wide skirt. Black lace lined the sweetheart neckline and was woven in intricate designs into the skirt,along with what looked like real diamonds.
The dress wasn't made for an innocent,sweet princess;it was made for a daring,sexy queen.
Helen and Maia has obviously made me look like one on purpose.

My hair,instead of just a pile of unruly curls,was styled to near perfection and laid delicately over one shoulder,held back by a stark black clip.
They hadn't applied much makeup but lined my emerald eyes in a black eyeliner and applied blood red lipstick to my lips. Black silk gloves covered my hands,hiding their frail appearance.
They had obviously been instructed to make me look older than I was.
Because,even though I was forced into marriage, I still wasn't good enough the way I was.

A wave of bitterness flows through me at the thought and I quickly fight it down. No use for it now,I refuse to turn old an angry, hating everybody for something they never did.
I refused to be Valentine.

I straighten up,smoothing down my skirt even though the material was flawless. I let a small smile grace my face and elegantly turn to face Helen and Maia.

"Thank you so much,I have never felt more beautiful. But I must ask,why all this? Does the king desire me to look like this for a simple meeting?"
Helen and Maia share looks of confusion and look at me slowly. I feel a wave of anxiety wash over me at their stares. "What is it?" I feel my voice rise.

Maia speaks up,"We had assumed you would have already known..." I give her a confused look. "Know what?"

This time Helen speaks up. "You are to be meeting the King on to your way to your engagement party,my lady."

I feel my knees go weak. Engagement party? I had expected a wedding,but in a couple of weeks, after I had already met the king. But an engagement party? Minutes after meeting the man I am to be marrying? I wasn't prepared for this.

Helen steps forward,albeit hesitantly.
"Are you okay,my lady? We apologise for not informing you already, we assumed you already knew." She sounds truly woeful and it knocks me out of my despair. At least one of us should be happy.

"No,Helen,no need to apologise. I was foolish for not guessing as soon as I saw this magnificent gown. Thank you for readying me,I couldn't wish for two better maids." I offer her a real smile and she gratefully accepts with one of her own. I take a little breath and turn back towards the mirror.
I look so different, no longer a girl.
I was a woman. And women are strong.
I let a cool confident look replace my woeful one and a small smirk curls my blood red lips.
This king isn't going to know what hit him.