Treasures of Andalia Chronicles: Ring of Flames

Chapter Eight: Keep your Friends Close, your Enemies Closer

AMARIS

I was standing near the window, staring at the setting sun. Shades of gold and red splashed the entire sky with its breathtaking color. The pain I felt faded away along with it. The moon was about to rise into the darkness of the night, which reminded me that I was supposed to attend the banquet tonight. So I went to the dresser room beside my bed. The dresses were hung on the rack according to their colors. The ornaments and jewels were vastly arrayed on a three-tier jewelry box made of glass. I was debating with myself on what to wear, and for the first time in my life, I didn't know what to wear. I didn't know what Aleiah's preferences in her clothes were, and I might make a mistake if I choose something that would boldly contradict what she used to like.

As if an answer to my problem, the door suddenly flung open with Katya carrying a dress in her arms. A few other servants came in and brought the boxes sent to me as gifts. She was surprisingly delighted as she walked towards me to show the dress she brought.

"Your Highness, this was sent by Prince Rihaan. He wanted you to wear this tonight," she said with pure excitement in her eyes.

She laid down the ruby red dress made of silk, shimmering at the touch of light, with gems and diamonds embroidered on the bodice of the dress. The skirt has a long slit in the middle, which shows the gold, loose trousers that came with the dress. The dress was extravagant, and I didn't feel worthy of wearing it. And it seemed like Katya knew what I was exactly thinking of. So she went near me and patted my shoulders.

"Princess, I know what you're thinking. But believe me, you are beautiful. You should be more confident with yourself," she told me gently.

I took a breath and glanced at the dress again. "All right, please help me wear this."

"That would be my honor."

She immediately took the dress in her hand, and the other women followed her. They all have the eyes for this kind of thing. There were no delays. They all knew what needs to be done. If it weren't for them, I'd be in a huge dilemma.

When I was finally done, they proceeded to apply some cosmetics on my face. While the others do their designated work, Katya was combing my hair, thinking of what hairstyle would suit me best.

"I don't want it to be over the top. Just a simple hairstyle would suffice," I told her.

She gasped in delight, "you're absolutely right, Your Highness. You should look as innocent as possible so that the Prince will be in awe when he sees how modest you are."

"That's not what I meant but sure, I'll leave it all to you," I mumbled to myself.

She rolled clumps of hair at both ends, just above my ear, and tied it in a loose braid, and finally turned it into a bun in the middle. She pulled a few strands of my hair on both sides, and she was done.

I looked at the mirror in front of me, and the result was beautiful. It was simple but elegant enough to show that I was a royal princess of a kingdom. "Wow, is that me?"

They all nodded and giggled. Katya waved her hand, and the other maids bowed their heads slightly and left the room. I was about to stand up when Katya stopped me. "Wait, I forgot to put the hair accessory."

She opened the lowest compartment of the drawer and took a wooden box with Aleiah's name engraved on it. "This was given to you by your mother, the late queen. Do you remember?"

I took the pin on my hand and observed it. It was made of gold, and the most eye-catching part of it was the large swan embracing a smaller swan at the edge.