Days rolled into weeks, weeks rolled into months.
And every day was either spent beautifying or learning.
Adhira would occasionally be replaced with another concubine because she was "needed."
'Ugh, this Sovereign makes me sick.'
One day we woke up and Stephanie was gone. We sat down to breakfast and she still hadn't appeared. After finishing for the day, and were all in our room we questioned it.
"Do you think she ran away?"
"I don't think so, she liked it here."
"Was she kidnapped?"
They kept asking questions and I stayed quiet. Pondering my thoughts till I finally spoke up.
"Was she brought to the Sovereign?" I queried.
The girls all silenced and looked at me.
Lauren gasped, "You mean?"
I nodded, "They said that they would choose one day, what if that was last night?"
The girls started nodding slowly.
"So, we'll never see her again?" Mary asked. She had been close to Stephanie.
"Not unless you're picked, I assume." I answered. My heart squeezed in pain, Stephanie had been a sweet girl, she'd truly wanted to become queen but was nervous about being chosen. I closed my eyes, 'And she was the first.'
This man was truly horrible.
The days passed and girls continued to disappear. My hatred of this man continued to build.
A rumour began to spread saying that the Sovereign was an incredibly handsome man.
I scoffed, 'I'll believe it when I see it. How could such a pig be thought attractive?'
Soon, it was only me and Bethany sharing our room. She still asked to be sung to sleep so after she'd drifted off I walked to my bed and tried to fall asleep. But my blood was boiling with hatred.
He still hadn't chosen a queen! Out of the hundreds of girls that he'd already "sampled," none of them pleased him? Soon they would take Bethany, the poor girl.
I was still attempting to sleep when I heard the door silently open and saw a faint torch light. So they have come to take her.
A female attendant tapped my shoulder and said, "Come."
My blood, which had just been boiling, chilled. I laid there frozen. 'No, no, no, no this couldn't be happening!'
The lady walked out and came back with a eunuch who lifted me off of my bed and carried me out into the hall. It looked like he planned to carry me all the way to our destination.
I squirmed, and said in a hushed voice, "I can walk." I would at least walk to my doom with dignity.
He let me down and followed at a distance. The attendant which I now recognized as Hannah, whom I had become rather attached to, was holding a lantern high to light the way in the dark passage.
She led through to a new room. I thought that I had seen most of this place, but apparently I was wrong.
It was a small room, at least compared to the other chambers, and was lit with dozens of lanterns.
'They needed good light to pretty me up for my disgrace.' I thought bitterly.
I stood still as Hannah did the same next to me.
"Aren't I supposed to be dressed?" I asked her confused.
"You may choose your apparel." She said, bowing her head.
I looked at the wardrobes in front of me. 'I get to choose.' I thought surprised.
'I could have fun with that.' I thought slyly.
I had been taught that the Sovereign's favourite colours were red and green. So I chose a simple, light blue scarf with white embellishments. Hannah wrapped it around my bust securely. I chose four thin white, silvery scarves to wrap around my arms and neck.
I then chose a scarf of the same light blue for my skirt. It still revealed quite a bit of skin, but what could I do.
I grabbed three other scarves of a light, thin, shiny material to go over my skirt and Hannah clasped it all in place with a thick, silver, metal belt that covered my naval.
Hannah then began to apply a little bit of embellishments to my face. She painted my lips bright red and darkened my eyelashes and brows. She drew around my eyes as well. She then dabbed some fragrance behind my ears, along my chest and on my wrists.
She asked how I wanted my hair, I told her and she did as I asked. She put my hair in a half up style the top half being braided with a white ribbon.
She then said for me to choose my jewelry. I walked over to the tables that were covered with ornaments of every kind.
I ran my fingers along until I found one that caught my eye.
A long, silver necklace with a small sapphire pendant. I told Hannah I wanted that one and she looked at me, confusion written in her blue eyes.
She clasped it around my neck nonetheless. After having done that she put a transparent, blue tinted veil over my face.
I walked to the mirror and looked at myself.
The light blue colour of the scarves made my black hair stand out and the silver and white complimented my grey eyes.
I tried not to think of the fact that I looked so much like my mother and focused on the fact that maybe the simplicity of my outfit wouldn't please the Sovereign.
I gathered my courage and turned to Hannah saying that I was done.
What she did next shocked me. She grabbed both of my hands and said, "It has been an pleasure serving you, Hydie." I could see tears in her eyes.
'What was going to happen to me?' I asked appalled.
"Thank you." I choked out, "I am grateful for your care." Her last words to me touched me deeply.
Her eyes smiled and she wiped them. Then she nodded her head, "Go through those doors, and Hydie, I truly wish that you're chosen."
I smiled gratefully and turned through the doors. My stomach clenched at the thought of what I would have to go through to be chosen, and what I would have to go through if I was chosen.
The doors led to a hallway and I saw Adhira waiting impatiently for me.
I stood, waiting for her to speak.
She observed my dress with an arrogant smirk.
"That's what you're wearing? Oh darling!" She laughed.
I just stood in silence, not affected by her words. I wasn't trying to catch attention.
"Well, come on then." She said in an aloof tone.
I followed doing my best not to trip on my skirt.
"Remember you do not question, you do not complain, you do not speak unless spoken to, you do not make eye contact, always keep your head low, you do not ask for anything from the Sovereign." Adhira said, listing them on her fingers.
'So that's why she was here.'
"When you enter his chamber you will wait for him on the red stool. When he enters he will ask for your talent. You will present your talent and then he will take you to bed."
My eyebrows shot up at her boldness.
"Do you understand?" She asked.
I swallowed to try and rid the dryness of my throat and nodded, "Yes."
After all, I had been drilled on these facts for the past few months.
She stopped by the doors at the end of the hallway and pulled out a key, "I wish you all the best of luck." She said with an overly honeyed voice.
I walked through the doors, ignoring her.
The doors shut with a loud bang behind me. I jumped and turned to look behind me.
"Follow me." I turned back when I heard Hadok's deep voice.
I swallowed again and followed him.