Lenora felt like her world was crumbling. She didn't expect that everyone would stoop to this level. They were going to make her drink the brotherhood potion.
Weren't they afraid of her killing them? Clearly, they knew she was capable.
Slowly tears started to spill from her eyes. She felt like there was no place for her in this big palace. How could they not trust her?
Didn't they know that this would hurt her?
[But why would they care?] Her mind wondered.
She scoffed at herself. Why would anyone care about her? She was a murderer. If she became a princess, they would be afraid that she would kill more vampires and abuse her power.
She wanted to kill someone to calm her anger but after a thought she realised she was proving their point. Her mind now hurling from her boiling emotions, she collapsed onto her bed. She didn't know when but sleep eventually overcame her.
When she woke up, she saw that it was evening. She called Celine and asked her to arrange a bath for her. Lenora noticed that her old maids were still working.
"Lady Celine," Lenora called out.
"My Lady," Celine responded.
"It's time for daybreak. Pay the maids handsomely and send them away," Lenora said.
Celine nodded.
"Thanks for your benevolence, My Lady," the maids said before leaving.
"Shall I help you, My Lady?" Celine asked.
"Nope, I want to be alone," Lenora said.
Celine bowed to her before leaving.
Lenora soaked in the hot water for a good time. Her thoughts went back to everything.
She was recrowned as the princess again. And her crowning ceremony was a blatant insult to her. But no one gave a damn about her feelings.
Closing her eyes, she thought for a good long time.
She couldn't kill vampires anymore. Okay… that was fine with her.
They never trusted her. She would never trust them too. This world was filled with venom. And to survive in this world one must be more venomous than everyone.
With the newfound realization and motivation, Lenora stepped out of the tub with the false little hopes she had. Her lips curved into a fake smile, so perfected it looked like a genuine one.
Draping a bathrobe over her body, she stepped out to see Celine already waiting for her. Celine came forward to help her but all of a sudden Celia burst into the room.
"I will help you, My Lady," she panted. Lenora said nothing and let her do her work.
They removed her robe and made her stand nude for a few moments. They helped her into her inner clothing, and then tied her corset around her waist. Lenora gasped as they both yanked the strings so tight she felt suffocated.
"Lady Celine and Lady Celia, make this lose. You will be responsible if my ribcage bursts!" Lenora exclaimed.
Lady Celine just let out a small chuckle while Lady Celia was shocked for a few seconds before recovering.
"My Lady, don't worry. I will guarantee you with my life that your rib cage will be fine." Lady Celine said.
"Yeah… Yeah… you always say that and still always suffocate me to my death," Lenora complained.
Celia never thought Lenora could joke like this. Nevertheless, a smile formed on her lips. If Lenora kept this laid-back attitude, they would have nothing to worry about in her marriage.
Once she was done, Lenora checked herself in the mirror.
"Lady Celia," Lenora called out.
"My Lady," Celia responded.
"I think you should slant the hat a little," Lenora said.
Celia adjusted it and looked at her in the mirror. She nodded in approval.
"But you have to keep your crown, My Lady. The cap is unnecessary," Celia said as she remembered the most important thing.
"Sigh… this dress looks good with the hat only. Whatever… remove it. Don't disturb the hairstyle," she warned before letting them take off her hat.
"Don't," Lenora said when Celine was about to take orange lipstick.
"Go with red," Lenora said.
"But… My Lady, red is for prostitutes," Celine frowned.
"Red has many different shades. We are not going to pick their shade," Lenora said.
"But still…why red? We can go with other colors, My Lady," Celine said with a frown.
"Sigh… even lip color has many rules. Whatever… go with blood red. A kind… it shall look like the mixture of red and black," Lenora said.
Celine mixed the red and black wax together and painted it on Lenora's lips. Giving herself a last look, she glanced outside. "It's time for the moonrise. When will the ball start?" Lenora asked as she stared at the beautiful garden from her window.
"In two hours, My Lady," Celia replied.
"Celia, if you have work you may leave. Or you can help the Queen-mother," Lenora asked.
Lenora couldn't understand why her mother was so suspicious of her. If she wanted to do something, then she could ask her directly. But she sent Celia. For what?
Well… she wasn't going to think about it too much. After two hours, the ball was officially starting.
As the new princess, she was the main role in the show.