I sat light-headed while reading articles that contained the details pertaining to how the Emperor managed to unite the kingdoms under his rule. Apparently, the lands were a mess a few decades back and war was a common thing then. The West, once known as Cedesia, would take over outer towns that belonged to the Northwest, once Sarnia—they'd raid and build military bases on the towns, even if these places had another kind of flower as a life force. Kingdoms would ally and fight against each other. Emperor Andor was so busy conquering kingdoms that his wife had only given birth once peace was achieved—and that was when their hairs had already started becoming white.
Amidst all this, Kairos and Asiana, the reapers of dark aether, just stood by and ignored the Flos and their conflicts. Almost as if they had their own little world. It was said that the Flos and Ventus had only been just acknowledging each other's existence, not wanting anything to do with each other. It sounded like— 'You light people, stay there and us dark people, stay here. All of us feel comfy? Mmm'kay, good riddance, y'all. Let's not talk with each other for a couple hundred years.'
I laughed at the thought. My inner ramblings were put to a stop by the sudden opening of the bedroom door. I was shaken up from my seat as I turned to the faces of panicking maids who were huffing and puffing.
"What's wrong?" I asked as I stepped closer to them.
"Y-young lady," Vivian said in between breathes while clutching her chest, "The daughter of the Southwestern region is here."
My eyes widened in shock.
"B-b-but I only sent her the letter this morning! Wh-why so fast…" I couldn't help but stutter.
How urgent does she want to meet me for coming here the moment she receives my letter?
"That's not important now, young lady!" Sera wiped the drops of sweat that covered her freckled cheeks. "What matters most is that you must not meet her in that state."
"Uhh… this is quite alright though?" I gestured to my newly-bought white dress of frills and glittery laces.
"You look far from alright young lady." Said Aira—the one with the wavy black hair with brown eyes.
The other maids followed.
"Your hair is a mess."
"Your face is so pale and bare."
"Your skin does not look smooth right now."
"Your eyes are swollen."
Each sentence struck like an arrow. I felt so dazed that I could only allow them to drag me and guided me to sit in front of the dresser.
They've eventually started with their work, touching me here and there.
"Is it alright to keep the guest waiting, though?"
"Do not worry young lady. Anette is serving that girl the best tea we have in the estate." Vivian said while tugging on my white locks. "That sneaky brat, coming here without any notice, such a thing should not be allowed!"
It touches me how these maids are very concerned with my appearance, although I still think that a light powder on the face should be enough.
"By the goddess, young lady, why are your eyes so puffy?" Sera clicked her tongue while applying a rather sticky light powder. "You didn't cry yourself to sleep, did you?"
"Is the young lady finally having boy problems?"
"Could it be young master Sein?"
"No way, young master Lavi suits her more."
What? When did Lavi get into this conversation? Remembering his words last night, the sides of my eyes started to heat up.
I shook my head once as I lied. "Everyone, stop that nonsense. I only slept late last night because I buried myself into reading books."
"Right, the young lady is too good for those cute little boys." Vivian laughed. "She deserves a prince."
Hearing her, the other maids broke out into giggles. Seeing them made me roll my eyes.
Aira squealed. "Prince Erion is the hot trend right now among the nobles."
"Stop that, the boy is fifteen for Khloris' sake." Another maid shushed her.
"Oh? So you'd prefer that cold and expressionless first prince then because he's older?"
"Handsome but… still quite young though."
Suddenly, this wasn't about me anymore.
I gave out a mild laugh before speaking. "Seriously everyone, that's enough"
"Don't worry young lady, these girls' delusions only lasts for a while." Vivian said.
"You're only saying that because you're already getting married." Aria teased.
Vivian's cheeks flushed, and the jokes went on.
Despite the maids' bickering, it only took them a few minutes to finish prepping me up. True enough, I looked better as my face glowed—the bags under my eyes were concealed while my cheeks attained a pinkish tint. My hair was swept up in a clean braid—a light blue ribbon was twisted with the strands.
I thanked the maids before rushing down the stairs. They told me that young lady Althea was waiting for me in the guest room next to the library.
Opening the door to the room, my heart drummed louder and louder. There, by the window that overlooked the courtyard filled with roses. A twinkling marble fountain stood at the center. The girl was gracefully sipping tea while observing the scenery in silence.
"Young lady Althea," I called to the girl who was just the same age as the present me. "It is an honor to meet you." I dipped into a rather fine curtsy as I stopped a few inches from the table.
"The pleasure's all mine." She said in a dry tone without turning to look at me.
She seems uninterested. What made her come in haste anyway?
I sat on the vacant seat in front of her. Looking closely, her voluminous hair is a vibrant sheen of red. I was quite impressed of Vivian's hair but Althea's was redder than red. In my mind, it made Vivian's into a more faded red. As if imitating the color of her hair, her cheeks flushed the same shade, her lips full and lined with a rosy color. The young lady's eyes were the luscious green of a forest.
Finally, she set down the cup and faced me. Her thin eyebrows perked up as soon as she took in my appearance—a rather sour expression. "Hmm," Althea crossed her arms. "You're quite plainer that I'd imagined you to be."
I flinched. Then she spoke once more.
"Anyway, I am here for only one thing."
"Whatever could the young lady of the Southwest want from me?" I asked casually, showing her that I was not fazed by her earlier remark.
"I want you to answer my question." She lifted one brow. "What is your relationship with Alistair?"
I was stunned. I did not expect that kind of question at all. And she called the Crown Prince by first name only… could it be?
"What do you mean?"
"You know damn well what I mean. Someone saw the both of you being… rather intimate by the palace halls."