Betrothed

Chapter Six: Royal Court

The princess and her Ladies in Waiting climbed the steps of the grand staircase, turned the corner, and entered her bedchambers. Almost immediately after the door shut, the three Ladies in Waiting began the task of stripping and redressing the princess. Audrianna took a deep breath and sighed from the arduous task of having to change outfits every couple of hours. Every new event for the day required a different outfit.

Audrianna was stripped down to her full-length undergarment, and before she realized, Ethlyn rapped a bustier around her front.

"Oh, please no!" Audrianna pleaded. "I was so enjoying the outfit I had on for the sword training. I could breathe without adjusting my clothing every few seconds."

"I'm sorry, Your Highness," Ethlyn regretfully answered. "But Your Highness is going to court next, and she has to dress in her formals.

"Maybe we won't tighten the bustier as tight this time on Your Highness," Rozelle offered. Audrianna's eyes widened as she smiled at Rozelle.

"Really? Oh please! That would be so nice if you did that."

"Just be sure not to move around a lot, Your Highness," Rozelle suggested. "If the court notices that your clothes are not on right, we will be in a lot of trouble and we will never again be able to loosen your clothes."

"Okay," Audrianna promised. I will walk into court, find a seat, and not move during all of court."

"Oh, Your Highness has a seat waiting for her already," Castalia announced.

"What seat?" the princess asked.

"Your Highness is going to court," Castalia answered. "She will be sitting on her throne, next to His Majesty."

"His Majesty the king, or His Majesty the prince?" Audrianna asked for clarification.

"I believe Your Highness will be sitting on one side of His Majesty the king," Rozelle answered. "With three thrones, the king must always be in the center."

The Ladies in Waiting took much of their time loosely tying Audrianna's bustier. It had to be tight enough so it wouldn't slide up and down under her dress, nor could it be loose enough to gap in the front when she sat. When they finally succeeded in securing her undergarments, they quickly slid her dress on, fastened its straps, and tied its sleeves. Then they brushed her long hair out again, braided it in three segments, and wrapped them in a decorative bun. After that, they set her royal tiara around the braids and pinned it in place. Ethlyn took a coarse cloth and vigorously washed Audrianna's face to give the princess a bright pink complexion to her cheeks. Rozelle and Castalia worked at lacing up and tying her formal boots. Next, they applied their own version of mascara, consisting of charcoal and goat bile, to highlight Audrianna's eyes. Finally, they smeared a thin glaze of pig fat over her lips to give an evanescent shine to them. With a spritz of perfume, the princess's companions lifted her to her feet, and guided her to the royal court.

As Audrianna and her Ladies in Waiting approached the royal courtroom, their shoes tapped loudly on the marble floor of the hallway leading to the large double doors of the court. Two large men stood guard in front of the doors, equipped with swords, daggers and various instruments of restraint. As they approached, without anyone saying a word, the two guards snapped to attention, grabbed ahold of the giant door handles, and pulled to double doors open.

Inside, several tables lined the entrance to the room. Scribes sat with paper, ink wells and quills ready to take notes and write reports. Several other mean-looking guards circled the room. Just past the line of tables, stood Rupp. This time Rupp was dressed in a fancy coat, dress pants, and frilly shirt, with a large bow tie. He was still armed with a sword at his side. Audrianna took note that it was strapped to his right side.