Layah arrived back in her room and the maids awaiting for her quickly rushed up to her to take her sword from her, but she, however, glared at them, causing them to halt, then walked past them towards the rack to keep it.
"Your highness, his majesty demands you make your way to the royal hall." One of the maids with very short hair reported and a low breath fled Layah's nose. She turned around and made her way towards the bathroom, allowing the maids to take her clothes off before stepping into the tub to have a nice warm bath.
They washed her body, and when they were done with bathing her, they helped her out of the tub and covered her body with simple silk, then led her into her dressing room and had her stand in front of the tall mirror that was just her height.
Another four maids came into the room with clothing on their hands and knelt on the floor before her, their heads lowered. "Your highness, his majesty suggests you choose the color of dressing you want," they reported, and Layah's eyes narrowed as she slowly turned her head to look at the dressing in their hand.
The first one was white in colour, with red flowery pattern on it, the second one was milk in color, then the third one was red in color, while the last one was blue with this very unique pattern on it, and with no doubt, she could tell it was the prettiest of them all.
The emperor probably thinks she would pick it. Humph! How pathetic. Who was she dressing up for? It makes no difference to her who the man coming today is.
She didn't agree to this nonsense marriage, so yes, she won't take it seriously either. She scoffed in her heart and picked the white one with red patterns, surprising the maids a bit.
She turned to look at them, and her face darkened on seeing them glancing at each other with confusion in their eyes. "I can see, you all love death, no?" The moment they heard her say such, their bodies trembled, and the one holding the white dress quickly stood up, transferring the clothing to the maids who bathed her.
"Begin." the one who seemed to be the next in command after Lydia ordered, and they nodded, then dropped the rest of the clothing and began to fix her up.
They helped her wear her undergarments and wore her a plain white dress inside. They added yet another one, before finally wearing the white silk dress on top.
They grabbed a small gold buckle and attached the silk to the plain dress she wore, then moved to take care of her hair.
Their faces grimaced on seeing her short, as they had no idea how they would take care of it, but regardless, they still did. Layah wasn't such a fan of long hair. She always preferred it short and, regardless of what her father says, she still goes and cuts it.
It is without a doubt one of the reasons why he hated her. Her stubbornness and disobedience. She just never obeys him like Elva does.
The maids finished combing her hair and grabbed golden jewelry won on her head, which a few parts of it fell over her face and stopped at the forehead. They put it on her hair and helped her apply some red lipstick. Then, with what looked like a pencil with a very sharp brush tip, they drew a fine, perfect line over her eyes, completely turning her into a very beautiful woman.
Layah looked at herself in the mirror and couldn't help but compliment how good the maids were with the makeup. It was perfect. Not too much, just like she wanted.
They helped her wear her shoes and, with a deep breath exiting her nose, she stood up from the stool and turned around. She glanced at the eight maids and grabbed onto her dress, then began to stroll towards the door, ready to make her way to the royal hall.
The maids obediently followed behind her in two lines, their heads lowered, and walked out after the guards standing at the door pulled it open for her.
They ambled down the hallway and Layah turned her head to look at the sky that was getting darker and darker with every passing second. She couldn't help but miss her mother, who had once told her that as long as she was alive, she would never allow anyone to force her into marrying the person she didn't want to marry.
A deep sigh fled her lashes, and before tears could well up in her eyes, she shook her head, immediately pulling herself together and keeping a straight face.
They arrived before the two tall doors, and with an announcement of her arrival being made, the royal guards pushed the door open for. Without any trace of warmth on her face, she stepped in and began to walk towards the stairs that led up to the high throne where the emperor and his concubine sat.
"Your majesty." She bowed her head in respect, but completely displeased with the dress she chose at that moment, the emperor simply nodded at her and waved his hand at her.
She straightened up and began to walk up the stairs to sit on a lower throne beside him. A low breath fled her nose and instantly feeling someone's gaze on her, she turned her head and her eyes locked with none other than Elva, who was seated below them on the right side.
Then, they used to be buddies and did everything together. But as they grew up, Elva began to distance herself from her, even using the favor she acquired from their father to make things difficult for her.
She still doesn't understand how Elva became the person she is. A charming girl before the eyes of people and a snake behind their backs.
She smirked as she thought and averted her gaze. Whether they hate each other or not, it's the least of her worries as Elva does not qualify to stress her brain.
She smiled and patiently waited, with the rest of the officials and guests within the hall, for her future husband to arrive.