The man dressed as a Server clapped his hands, snapping them out rudely.
"Even is it will be a little troubling to the Princess … We can't delay in presenting her to the King, can we? The maids are ready, please follow me!"
All of them stiffened while Laylin visibly flinched. She couldn't even lift a finger, getting prepared to meet her end was far-fetched.
"B-But the Princess has just arrived…"
The man narrowed his eyes filled with obvious ridicule, "The King is waiting! We can't delay it any longer, I'm afraid."
"The Princess can rest tonight and greet him the first thing the next morning. If only you–"
"The King had summoned his wife in his Bedchamber. So please be thoughtful of your words." The man cut her off.
It looked they were trying to get it over with. Like they were sure of her impending demise and didn't want to waste a second more.
Just imagining it was horrible, Laylin breathed out, as her legs almost gave out.
She bit her lips. The objection that it wasn't her will soared to her throat. She had never wanted to marry this wretched King and she knew he felt the same way. Wasn't it the reason he thought of her a nuisance and wanted to be done with her even before dawn?
Whether he had read her resentful thoughts or not, the man remained icy.
"We have already been much too accommodating, please make haste."
When her Governess parted her lips to utter another argument, she saw two men emerging from behind the big Bolster, and her arguments faded away like sand. Looking down at the Princess's pale, weary face, the man added ruthlessly.
"Even if I wish the circumstances were different, I request your corporation." It was a clear warning. He tilted his body to indicate the men to come forward.
"B-but…she-she, the-the Princess hadn't even gone through the Wedding rituals…." The Governess fretted.
She was about to argue it was not how a Princess was supposed to enter anyone's bedchamber but she never had the chance to have a proper conversation. Before words could be uttered, the man struck them an irritated look as his eyes flashed and she crouched back with a gasp.
She reeled from the immense fear, unable to release a gasp.
"We are short on time or do people in Ehan can't understand how the command of a Monarch works?"
She was about to present another argument when Laylin held her arm halting her protest. She nodded hurriedly and with pressed lips helped the Princess walk behind them.
Laylin understood it was better to not let this escalate any further when their agenda was clear. She looked up at the tall doors immersed in darkness with terror.
When they reached their destination, despite the protest the server didn't let her maid or Governess enter. From there she was doused in fragranced oils and scrubbed. Maybe it the difference in strength but in many occasions their grip hurt her.
The pouring golden hue of lamps pierced her eyes in her painful state. Still, she managed to swallow her tears. Her situation won't improves even if she cried. Instead, it will only make her look more miserable than she already is.
Laylin fisted her trembling hand tightly. She had to keep her head straight. For a woman in Power struggle, she had heard and endured many things in her father's court but this was not just a matter of being ridiculed, how she was being treated was an irrevocable disgrace.
They didn't even make eye contact or tried conversing. It was like they were treating a tribute, a lifeless tribute that should look presentable before their esteemed King.
The dressed her in a see-through vulgar garment that didn't reach past her mid-thigh with a veil covering her face and made her kneel on the fur mat in the middle of the spacious room.
"Wait here, patiently." The maid remarked coldly and left her in the cold room.
It was unforgiveable and if she lived she would never forget this humiliation the King had bestowed on her.
She didn't know how long she sat there. Laylin was hungry and cold, her body shivered from fear and desperation.
As she clasped her face in a dismal, a gloomy voice penetrated her ears.
Her heart thumped down. It was a roar of an animal, from somewhere close.
The door opened with a 'THUD'.
Laylin looked up in fright but what she saw froze the blood in her veins.