Freeing Azalea

Chapter 5

I know, I know, "Killian, what with these slow updates? Get on with the book already!" 

Honest? I haven't felt like myself lately, but I think I can bang out enough to placate my few readers for a few more months ;) 

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"Belle, is the really necessary?" I asked slowly while attempting to back away. "I really don't think the queen needs to see me my face covered in goop...or any goop-like substances."

Belle isn't going to let me out of this one...maybe caving in this once will save me some trouble later.

I walked to the vanity and sat down staring at my freshly washed face. Had I always had those freckles, and...was I really so dark? A lifetime of working on the land had given my skin a deep brown color tinged with a recent sunburn. It wasn't exotic or unique, just a ruddy red clay color to contrast with my dark hair. If old stories of the Capital were any inclination, a lady would never let the sun kiss her in such a way. 

But I'm no lady. Hell, I'll be a castle worker what do I need to act like a lady for? I could sing gypsy tunes and wear my bloomers on my head for all the difference it would make.

I sighed and gave myself a last look before turning to Belle. "Alright, do your worst."

"Don't worry, Mari! I've done this enough to know what I'm doing,' She started mixing all sorts of creams on her brush, 'I'm pretty sure this isn't my apothecary set, at least!" 

I didn't respond. Hearing Mari's name on her tongue made my stomach drop to my toes.

What have I gotten myself in to?

 I simply clamped my eyes shut and prayed to the gods she didn't turn me into a newt or turn my skin purple or something of that nature.

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After what feels like hours of Belle telling me the "fascinating" history of each facial cosmetic, I finally felt her hands still on my face. I felt around the vanity too scared to open my eyes. I was about to ask when Belle interrupted me.

        "You can open your eyes now, prickle-puss! This definitely wasn't my apothecary set,' She fluffed my curls that felt like bricks after she sprayed me with some sort of setting mist and let out a long whistle. 'Oh, yeah. Definitely not my apothecary set." 

Being the lady that I was, I snorted at her remark, but I hesitantly opened my eyes. 

 I couldn't believe it. My black messy mop of tangles had been transformed into a head of shiny bouncing ringlets almost identical to Belle's. She had also managed to tone down the redness in my skin tone making my tan skin almost glow. My eyes were lined in some sort of black gel that made the green in them stand out, and my lids were slightly dusted with an iridescent powder that shimmered ever so slightly. My lips were left nude, but covered in a gloss that made them look plump like two halves of a strawberry. I had never seen this face before. This wasn't me. I could never have dreamt even the idea of this face. This was Mari; this was the person I'd have to become.

"Belle,' I said in a low voice ' how did you manage to do this?"

Belle simply smiled at me and made a motion of sealing her lips. "Come on, come on! We aren't even finished yet! Where's the dress Liss gave you?"

I pointed to the heavy and simple amber dress that I had seen most of the girls wearing earlier. 

"Please tell me she was joking. You can't see the queen in that dress for goodness sakes! Here,' She started pulling dresses out of what I assumed to be her armoire until she found a lavender frock, 'wear this. It's too long for me and I don't want a face like yours to be masked by that terrible thing." She handed me the dress and pushed me behind the partition. 

"I'm going to get Tal and Liss. I'll be back in a few minutes! Change, and we'll be ready to see her highness after a little de-briefing."

I raised my hand to wave goodbye, but the door had already slammed shut behind her. 

Man, for a little woman she sure is strong...and pushy. Still, everyone's being so nice around here, I guess I shouldn't complain. 

I let go of my now cold towel and slipped on the dress. While the work dress was heavy and dark, this dress was light and soft to the touch. I laced the back up after a few failed attempts, and walked around to look at myself. I looked like...well, I looked like a lady.  I sighed, imagining the Azalea I was fading away, just another unmarked body counted as lost in the fire.  

 Belle poked her head in the door waving me out as I was assessing this new persona. I nodded at my reflection knowing that Mari would be the best damned lady I could muster.

"Ready or not Elyria, here I come."

I could hear Tali grumbling from the other side of the door."Oi! Hurry up, you. We haven't got all day you know! Some of us have jobs to do like defending the castle and being a dashing hero if need be. Speaking of hero, I was thinki- ow! Belle, come on cut it ou- ow!"

I stifled a laugh and made my way out to my new friends.

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OOoooooOOooooOOO Sorry about the cliffhangers! So she's all dolled up! I know right now it's slightly kitsch-y and cliche, but it gets way more interesting in a few more chapters. Until then, have some fluffy exposition shenanigans! I'll update tomorrow!

xoxo

K