Selene's eyes welled with tears as she was escorted back to her chambers. Sameer, ever the stoic guardian, ignored the silent plea in her expression.
As she reached her door, she cast him a final look of disappointment, but he merely bowed curtly and waited for her to enter. Once she did, he released a sigh of relief. The strain of denying her was immense. Selene had always had a way of making him feel powerless, but today, his resolve to refuse her was stronger.
The thought of resigning as her personal guard, rather than following her to the northern territories post-marriage, kept him firm. He couldn't leave Arcadia, not yet. There was still much for him to do here.
He brushed his deep purple cape aside and adjusted his silver armor as he navigated the grand corridors, heading to the king.
Inside her room, Selene was immediately enveloped in a tight embrace by her sister, Iris.
"Oh my goodness, Selene! Where have you been?! I came wanting to take one of your dresses because I have nothing to wear!" Iris exclaimed, her voice a mix of relief and excitement.
Iris was wearing a knee-length white robe tied at the waist, her reddish-copper hair tumbling over her shoulders. Slim and lithe, she was a picture of youthful grace.
Unlike Selene, her breasts were still growing, but she had just enough hips and bum to complement her figure.
Her fair skin was as flawless as Selene's, almost ethereal in its smoothness. Selene always admired her sister, especially her striking blue eyes that sparkled with a mischievous light, even though they often appeared sleepy.
Selene wore a tight smile and rolled her eyes, gently removing Iris's arms and fingers grasping onto her, all the while ignoring the heavy pout on her face.
"Iris, for the love of Hera, get off of me!" Selene said, exasperation lacing her tone.
"No, you promised if I helped you arrange your library, you'd let me wear your clothes."
"No, I said arrange my library because you scattered everything!"
"Oh, please, you're just too organized for your own good. It's not normal," Iris retorted.
Selene managed to extricate herself and moved towards her silent maids, who stood with their heads bowed. She appreciated their discretion, as she often found their gazes unsettling.
"And you are too disorganized to be a lady," Selene replied sharply.
Iris ignored the comment, continuing to plead, "Oh, please, please, Selene, I won't bother you again. I really want to wear your lilac dress, the one Father got from Mu that has gold pieces on it."
Selene's eyes widened as she abruptly turned to Iris, raising her voice, "What the hell, Iris? That's one of my favorite dresses! It shows my figure well. No."
"Selene, pleaseeee. I swear I won't even breathe wrong while wearing that dress. I swear on the throne of Hera," Iris begged.
"Oh, shut up. Why do you want the dress so badly anyway?" Selene asked as her maids removed the last piece of fabric from her body. She stood naked, unashamed, among her three maidens, accustomed to this routine.
"I heard the prince has a very handsome friend accompanying him, and I was hoping to make an impression," Iris admitted with a sly smile.
Selene shook her head, fighting the smile creeping onto her lips. She sauntered to her bath, with her maids in tow. "Just take it and leave me alone, Iris."
Iris jumped and squealed in glee and rushed to hug Selene despite her naked state. Selene immediately pushed her off. "Alright, alright, that's enough. Go and get ready yourself."
Iris bounded out of the room, dress in hand with excitement. She watched her skip out of the room leaving Selene to her thoughts. The maids began to wash her, the warm water soothing her tense muscles.
As the steam rose around her, Selene's mind wandered back to Andreas. She couldn't shake the image of his face—his tousled black hair and those hooded green eyes that would be filled with hurt when he learned of her engagement. She longed to explain everything to him, to make him understand that she had no choice in the matter.
"Damn you, Sameer! I could have told him goodbye at least. Fuck!" she screamed within her mind, her irritation evident on her usually serene face. Her brow furrowed, and her lips pressed together tightly, quivering with the effort to hold back tears. Her bright blue eyes, usually so clear and lively, were now shadowed with anger and grief.
After her bath, Selene was dressed in a simple gown as her maids arranged her hair in intricate braids. She stood in front of her full-length mirror with golden rims, watching as her maidens dressed her in luxurious white and purple silk.
The dress featured hip-high slits on both sides, showing off her straight legs as she moved, inspecting her reflection. The golden floral-designed belt clutched her small waist, accentuating her curves and the way her hips flared out, while her bum was noticeable, even beneath the fabric. Her full breasts were evident despite being fully covered, along with her arms and shoulders.
She had to admit, the dress was beautiful. The white satin flowed smoothly from the top, but from her hips downward, it gradually transitioned into a deep, rich purple until it reached the floor. The lower it went, the darker the purple became, and to her pleasant surprise, sparkling golden crystals were scattered across the fabric like stars in the night sky.
Her maids slipped golden leather shoes onto her feet and adorned her with gold earrings and bracelets, but no necklace. Her hair was styled up with braids, purposefully leaving some strands to dangle around her oval face.
Her makeup took just as long as her hair. Her lips were dabbed with pigments from red rose and hibiscus, her cheeks and eyelids lightly touched with the same pigment before a dusting of chalk powder was applied all over her face, carefully avoiding the white fabric covering her neck.
Perfumes were sprayed onto hair and around her dress.
As she gazed at her reflection, Selene's thoughts lingered on Andreas. She knew he would be devastated by the news, and the frustration of not being able to explain everything gnawed at her. Her expression softened momentarily, but the sadness in her eyes remained. She was trapped in a web of duty and expectations, unable to follow her heart.
She sat by the window with a book in hand, looking out at the bustling palace grounds. The beauty of the night sky wasn't enough to pull her in because the arrival of the Prince of Mu was causing quite a stir. She could see the preparations from her window: guards lining up, servants rushing about, and courtiers gossiping excitedly.
A knock on the door pulled her from her reverie. "Enter," she called softly.
The door opened to reveal one of her father's advisors, a stern man with a perpetual scowl. "Princess Selene, His Majesty requests your presence in the throne room. The Prince of Mu has arrived."
Selene took a deep breath and nodded. "Thank you. I will be there shortly."
As she made her way to the throne room, her heart pounded in her chest. She knew that this meeting would be the beginning of a new chapter in her life, one filled with uncertainty and obligation. She couldn't help but feel a sense of dread as she approached the grand doors.
She could hear through the doors, the throne room was abuzz with activity. She knew what would come next as she stood behind the closed doors waiting for her presence to be announced.
Her face was a mask of serene grace, her posture deliberately poised and dignified. She adjusted her stance, throwing her shoulders back and lifting her chin high. This was the image she was expected to present, one of a goddess-like figure embodying both strength and elegance.
The announcer's voice cut through her thoughts, dragging her back to the present. "We welcome the first daughter of the mighty King Lycaon of the House of Were, of the Kingdom of Arcadia—Princess Selene!" The sound of trumpets blared, signaling the grand opening of the double doors.
As the doors swung open, Selene began her descent down the steps. Maidens lined both sides of the grand staircase, each holding a brightly lit candle lamp.
The warm light illuminated her face as she moved making her appear ethereal–dreamlike. Her steps fluid and effortless, like water flowing downhill. Her eyes remained fixed straight ahead, consciously avoiding the gaze of the assembled nobility. The weight of their scrutiny was familiar to her, and she had mastered the art of blocking it out.
Reaching the end of the steps, she was greeted by Sameer, who stood at the base in his silver armor and deep purple cape. He took her hand with the same practiced grace they had demonstrated on numerous occasions, guiding her slowly and steadily toward the throne.
King Lycaon, seated in his imposing throne with the royal family by him, regarded her with a proud, approving gaze. "My beautiful daughter Selene, meet Prince Kang Dae of the northern kingdom of Mu, your soon-to-be husband."
For a fleeting moment, Selene's composure wavered as she lifted her gaze to meet Prince Kang Dae for the first time. The prince was not what she expected him to be.
At all.