Greyse and Tsina chuckled lightly at Moira, while Jalla led her to the mirror. Motioning for the two to start their duties, she starts undressing Moira while Tsina picked out her clothes. Greyse starts managing the bed and cleaning the room.
"Hey now, don't laugh girls. Its a shame the King didn't tell her sooner." Jalla said sternly, her head shook.
"Tell me what?" Moira demanded, her voice getting pitchy in annoyance.
"Moi-Fish, you have to have already known, but the night of your wedding night is something that will permeate with you forever. Whether that be good or bad, it will stick with you and you have to be ready for-"
Moira scoffs slyly, "Pfft- I knew that Jall, what I don't get is the fact that, isnt the Representative already supposed to be there?"
Jalla shook her head again, "No, Moi, the representative is the head of the house in every family, the leader, the coordinator, your uncle is the King of the Domes and the representative of the domes. Since your mother and father are gone," Jalla pauses momentarily in respect. "-only your uncle and the representative will be present during the coupling ceremony."
Moira's stomach rose to her throat at the thought of the coupling ceremony, she'd forgotten about it completely. Tsina laid out a plain chiton, a floor length sleeveless tunic as soft as silk, traditional attire for those of the Domes, but it out dates many of the traditions the rest of the world has.
Tsina paired the chiton with a lavender wrap, a himation, embroidered with leaves and pink flowers at the ends, pleating the ends slightly and pinning the two ends to Moiras shoulder. The Domes were usually clear in the daytime, but since unknown persons and wedding guests are here, the King did not dare trust the glass to protect his foreign guests and remained opaque.
It took almost three hours to brush out Moiras hair and straighten it with an iron and braid it. The sun now at it highest point, she was thankfull the Dome was indeed closed, she couldn't bare to walk around with the sun beaming on her sun-sensative skin. Looking in the mirror once again she sees her reflection, it was the same reflection as her mother's, it was a comforting sight to see her mother's memory alive, but it haunted her knowing she'll never be able to physically see her. Moira swiftly looks away, Tsina groans loudly at Moira shuffling around and ruining her work.
"Sorry-" Moira said immediately, knowing Tsina will be disgruntled no matter what.
She answered back with a sass filled,
"Mmhmm. Well, we're finished anyhow."
Jalla smiled at her masterpiece, patting Moiras cheeks with a puff and then grabbing the pink rose lip smear, brushing it along the edges of her lips then painting on the rest. With a dramatic sob, Jalla wipes away a tear as Greyse finishes her work, crossing her arms.
"Ah yes, there is a woman in front of me now, not some girl."
Tsina shook her hand at Greyse, with a dreamy, far off voice, "Shut up you, shes beautiful, already looking like a true lady."
Moira gave Tsina a sideways glance, Jalla shook her head, and papped Greyse's arm disapprovingly. "Dont listen to her, shes a helpless romantic."
"-a brainless romantic." Greyse added, Tsina furrowed her eyebrows at her and mouthed something Moira couldn't make out. She gathered it was something threatening by Greyse's scared reaction.
"Just remember, its only a dinner with the Representative and a few others. You'll be meeting your new handmaid and of course, I will be with you when you leave. We still have a few days to get ready."
Jalla always knew how to help Moira. Even though Moira was a public figure she was still not used to being in the view of the public. It was only six years ago on her eleventh birthday that she debuted as a Lady of the Domes and heir to the Throne, a title she never expected to receive.
Slipping on her sandals, Moira makes for the door when Jalla turns her around.
"Wait- One last thing..." Jalla reaches in her pocket and pulls out a ring, grabbing Moira's right hand and slipping it on her index finger.
It was very gaudy and quite heavy as it was with black iron, embedded in the center was a drop of resin that moved like water as she rotated the ring, and in the center of the resin looked like a piece of flame.
"It was your fathers, he-" said Tsina
"-gave it to your Mother at their Wedding." finished Greyse.
Jalla holds Moira's hands, saying, "I thought you'd want something to remind you of home when we leave."
Staring at the ring, Moira became mesmerized by it, the fire blazed brightly, shining yellow light on her face as she held it near. Placing her hands back by her sides, she gave a shakey exhale, hearing the clanking of the Dome Guard escort coming down the corridor she knew it was time.
Full of anxiety, she gave Jalla a half-hearted smile, Jalla smiled back.
"Are you ready?"
"I have to be."