Eudora's maids have been busy all morning getting her ready for the royal court. Women in Tatum traditionally wore a dress called "tiyam" which hugs the upper body and is loose with many layers from the waist down. The sleeves are off the shoulder and puffy. The shoulders are decorated with a choker that has many jewels hanging from it and draping over the shoulders. However, it can be long enough to reach their waists. It depends on the social class. The Tiyam itself is adorned with intricate embroidery and expensive jewels.
Due to the already immense number of jewels on the Tiyam, common women don't wear any additional jewelry. They usually just tie their hair up in a clean bun and add a simple hair clip.
But Eudora's maids who were assigned to her in Tatum chose to give her a face chain made of numerous small diamonds to partially cover her face and added two butterfly wing hair clips into her bun. For the finishing touch, they brought out a diamond crown.
" Greetings your Highness!" the maids said in unison as they knelt on the cold ground.
Eudora turned around to see Arthur by the door.
He was wearing his crown prince uniform which showed off his countless military medals. His jet-black hair was neatly combed back.
Arthur stepped closer to Eudora.
He towered over her.
Women of Tatum were usually over 5'9 whereas Xylem women were short usually standing at 5'5 but Eudora was short even for their standards. She was barely 5'2 whereas Arthur was 6'3.
Eudora's face was flushed.
Arthur reached for the crown. He gently placed it on Eudora's head. He leaned it and whispered.
" Is a kiss on the forehead ok with you?"
Eudora shyly nodded.
He smiled and gave her a gentle forehead kiss.
Arthur didn't want people to spread rumors about him and his wife. The palace was a breeding ground for such ridiculous rumors. He didn't want Eudora to be in an awkward position.
" Shall we go?"
" Yes. "
The pair left hand in hand and headed into the royal court. They went in following the King and Queen. Behind them followed the King's two noble consorts.
The King of Tatum was allowed to have four wives.
His first wife, the Queen Consort, Merle Seibert hailed from the most prestigious noble family of Tatum. She is referred to as Her Majesty or simply Queen Consort. The consorts all followed her orders and she was allowed to make decisions and offer the King advice openly about current affairs. She is the mother of Arthur, the king's only legitimate heir.
His two other wives were Aiesha Macklin and Cersei Everson. They were given titles of Noble Consorts.
Aiesha's mother, who was her father's mistress, was from Xyelm and she was raised there. Her father had brought her back to marry her off to the then 29-year-old King when she was just 20 years old. She had given birth to Nefeli just after a year in the harem. However, she faced complications during birth and has been deemed sterile.
Cercei comes from one of the richest families in Tatum. She is the legitimate child of Duke and Duchess Everson. She had given birth to two sons, Erix and Helios and secured her position as the most prized mistress of the King. Helios recently turned four years old whereas Erix was just two years younger than Arthur who is 26. He was allowed to attend and watch the royal court but didn't have an official position.
Erix's eyes glowed with envy as he saw Eudora for the first time as he had left early on the wedding day.
Although he couldn't properly see her face, he had heard that she was absolutely breathtaking.
What did he do to deserve her?
She should have been mine.
When the marriage negotiations were going on, he had begged his father to let him marry Eudora but would Xylem agree to marry off their only princess to an illegitimate child with no claim to the throne?
Short answer, no.
They believed it was only fair if Eudora became the Queen of Tatum just like Nefeli became the Queen of Xylem.