Ascending

Chapter Four

This is only my second time in Aedifex, but the bedrooms haven't gotten any better. Maybe it's different for the Tilem family but the guest suites leave something to be desired. The attached bathroom is tiny. The bedroom has no attached study, just a desk for the Court to do their work at, and the closet is too small for even a quarter of my wardrobe. I have to wheel in a rack to hang my clothing on.

But at least I get a front view, I get to look at the ocean, the back view of the palace is their expansive sand gardens and a desert. My things have been brought up and some random servant who I do not know is unpacking my possessions.

In Aedifex their uniforms are brown and their masks are red, which gives the visual that their faces are bleeding, which is always pleasant. Aedifex's capital is so unbearably hot this time of year. I feel bad for the servants who have to walk around in those stuffy uniforms all day.

I've already stripped myself of the blazer I was wearing when we got off the carriage. Leaving just my black pants and white undershirt that clings tightly to my skin.

My hair which was parted down the center of my head and beautifully straight has been lost to my messy ponytail. I kicked off my heels at the door and I now lounge in my small sitting area sipping iced water.

All of my clothing is slowly unpacked and neatly hung up on the golden rack outside my bathroom door. Next to it is the vanity, chair, and full-body mirror where I will be for the next five hours.

Grateful I slept in the carriage I take the box of jewelry from the servant and begin unpacking it onto the vanity's surface carefully. The door bangs open and I whip around startled. A man with bone-white hair and an all-denim outfit walks in. He whips off his mirrored sunglasses and takes a deep breath in.

He closes his eyes and holds his hands out at his sides. Exhaling sharply he finally speaks. "Ladies, gentleman, take a good look around you because this is what it looks like on the top."

This cannot be the man Kennedy selected. He then walks over to me, followed by two men and two women. "Princess Emmalyne! I cannot thank you enough for selecting me to be your hairdresser for the next three days!"

I don't bother correcting him. "Well, I only choose the best. So let's see what you can do."

"Right!" This guy is all hands. He gestures them wildly with every word. "These are my assistants. Bea, Conner, Amy, and Derek. I'm Brady Forth. Let's see what we're working with."

I walk over to my clothing rack and pull off the gown I'll be wearing to the banquet tonight. It's a black and white gradient. The dress has a thin sleeve over my right shoulder with jewels on the top, the jewels wrap around my back and peek around at the edges of my left side. The skirt fades from black to white, which sweeps the floor.

Brady gasps and takes the dress in. "Derek, what do you think?"

The man directly to Brady's right, clicks his tongue before speaking. "An updo of sorts to highlight the jewel work on the back, making the dress the star of the show, but the hair still compliments it."

"A curled piece by piece wrap would be best." The woman Bea says. "It will portray the right amount of elegance needed.

Brady snaps his fingers. "Perfect. Conner finds the diamond strands when you get the supplies. Amy, start her on a full blowout wash."

"The Princess does not go anywhere until I see her." Two more people have entered my room.

A woman with multicolored dreadlocks and a black outfit has a finger pointed at Brady. She stands next to a woman who is holding two large makeup bags.