After a night of unsuccessful sleep I woke to a dozen faces surrounding my bed.
My eyes widened but soon I remembered, today was the Union.
I swallowed and allowed them to work.
And work they did. For what felt like hours I could not move, or speak I could only watch my reflection. I was turning into someone I barely recognized. I no longer looked like my mother, I looked like a mythical creature flown from a fairy tale; with my pale glowing skin and shiny black hair.
I sighed sadly as I ate a meager breakfast.
"How are you feeling, your highness?" Brigitte asked.
I looked up at her, "I am fine."
Today felt unusually cold. The wind that blew into my room sent goosebumps all over my skin.
I shivered and Brigitte wrapped a blanket around my shoulders, "Thank you." I said.
She nodded.
After I finished eating the Union henna was to be applied.
A beautiful pattern of flower vines was drawn onto my forearms and along my forehead and shoulders down to my collarbone. It looked stunning and it truly meant that I was a bride now.
Once the dark, golden brown henna was removed and my skin was now dyed, Clara helped me into the Union gown. Today there was more accessories. First the underdress and undergarments went on, then the special corset was fitted. Overtop of that were three stiff underskirts followed by the dress. The heavy silk fabric weighed down with metal and diamond beads made me stumble as I took my first step.
Clara caught my hand, "Thank you." I said.
Once I was steady the veil was adorned with a silver ringlet to hold it in place. And on my neck was a thick silver necklace made of many chains and jewels.
Looking at my reflection in the mirror I knew this was it. I was no longer Hydrangea of Crescent, no… I'd been forced to leave her behind long ago. Now, I was to be Hydrangea of Cadarama.
~~~~~~~~~
My eyes being edged with kohl and my lips painted with a deep red paint I was led with my long train and precession to where the Union was to begin.
We walked through the queen's chambers, through the Sovereign's chambers and then to a new place. I stopped in front of the large doors as Clara and Brigitte began to fix my hair which was braided into a low bun under the veil.
"All ready then?" He said in his smirking tone, suddenly appearing next to me.
I continued to stare at the doors ahead of me, I had no interest to talk to him. I just wanted this day to be over with. I closed my eyes as I thought of what that meant.
I felt a hand grab mine and looked up to see him resting my elbow in his.
Clara and Brigitte had left and it was just me and the Sovereign, along with the two guards beside the doors.
There were no words passed between us. We simply stood in the grand hallway arm-in-arm waiting.
The doors finally opened and I let out a breath of relief then fixed my posture and tried to keep in step with the Sovereign's large gait.
Alessia had been over the Union Ceremony many times with me. There were five parts to complete and the whole day to complete them.
The first was the Sanction Ceremony. We were to ask the Primals if our Union was pleasing to them.
Me and the Sovereign walked down the long hallway with bright blue carpets edged with a brilliant gold and silver. The colours of the Primals. The hallway was lined with windows and on either side of the windows were carven columns.
It was silent inside but I could hear faint voices that indicated that there were many people outside.
The Sovereign stopped and turned to face a large set of doors, his silence was unnerving.
The doors before us opened of their own free will and a multitude of people were on the opposite side. My face froze and my limbs went rigid at the sight. Never in my life had I seen this many people, and all of them were staring directly at me.
There was no raised voices just hushed whispers but with how many people there were, it sounded like a massive wave come to crush me.
The Sovereign leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Can't handle it can you?" I could hear the smirk in his slimy voice.
My lips thinned in determination then I brightened my face with a smile and me and the Sovereign continued in step.
The people's constant gaze made my heart fluster occasionally as we made our way to the massive temple dedicated to the Primals, but my feet never wavered nor did my expression.
As we began to ascend the steps to the tall, ornate building I questioned the Primals. My mother had always said that they were nothing but folktales, while the widowed lady that lived near our house was always telling me that the Primals will punish my mother and siblings for what we were and had done. I wondered if the Sovereign truly thought they were real and had a say in our Union.
Our Union. The words stuck in my mind.
I began to attempt to see the bright side of things, I would be queen, maybe I could make a difference. I would have wealth and power, but to be honest I had no idea what the power I wielded was able to do. Could I really help people?
I was awakened abruptly from my thoughts from a loud gong at the far end of the temple.
I gasped in shock at the wonder and magnificence of this place. The floor beneath me was a beautiful, glass mosaic mandala. The walls were covered in mirrors and paintings representing the Primals and running along the narrow path leading to the altar were thin streams of clear water.
We separated and walked along our own paths to reach either side of the grand altar. Behind the altar were the three Great Primals. Each holding their emblems and standing solemn faced.
The head priest stepped forward, he wore a robe of blue and silver with a splendid golden necklace that looked exceedingly heavy.
His bald head and bearded face were solemn as he approached the marble altar where me and the Sovereign were standing respectively.
I hadn't looked at the Sovereign directly so I had not noticed the crown on his head. It was simplistic by all standards with crafted gold and black gems inlaid.
The priest bowed his head and muttered something in an unfamiliar language, bowing to each of the Primals.
He turned to the Sovereign and bowed low to him, saying, "My Sovereign, the great Bastian Hiraeth of Cadarama, son of the Beloved Esteban and Alessandra Hiraeth, our twentieth Sovereign." The old priest paused reverently.
I was still looking at a point in space in shock, my face registered nothing but my mind was confused. Bastian? Was that the Sovereign's name? I don't recall ever hearing his name before. When the previous Sovereign died they announced it at the docks that the Sovereign Esteban had died. I'd never known his name before then, I'd never known the current Sovereign's name before now.
Bastian. It was a pleasant name, for a not so pleasant person. It sounded strong.
The priest continued, "Each Sovereign has pledged their lives in devotion to a Primal. Which Primal do you choose?"
I watched as the Sovereign gazed up at the three statues next to us. 'He was going to devote his life to one of the great three?' I thought surprised.
"I would ask that the almighty Lord Samadur accept my pledge of loyalty to him." He said as he looked at the priest with a proud smirk on his face.
I shook my head lightly, Samadur was The Great Primal, he supposedly created all life and reigned over the world. The priest now turned to me.
"Our Queen who is yet to be named, Hydrangea of Cadarama, our twenty-third queen." He paused and I waited for him to continue.
"Do you wish to pledge your life in devotion to one of our great Primals?"
I looked around, holding my head high and observed each of the totems surrounding me in the grand marble room. I was about to reply that I wouldn't, I knew that I had the choice to say no, when my eyes turned to look at one of the great three.
I then announced in a strong voice, "I ask that the great Lord Ratri-kar accept my allegiance to him."