Setia was subjected to numerous beauty treatments, first a bath in perfumed water, then washing her hair and rubbing her skin with fragrant oil. Then a skilled maid pinned her hair so that it formed a beautiful crown on her head and flowed down her back in opulent curls. She did not need dye or other paintings, her skin was dark but smooth and without skin problems, like poor Timor's. For today's ceremony, a beautiful, rich dress in deep red, embroidered with silver and decorated with purple velvet in the corset, was made for her. A dragon amulet rested peacefully on her deep neckline. When the maids finished their work, she sent them away to be left alone.
For a moment she stared at herself in the mirror Tendred had given her. I guess it was in gratitude for the box of money. The young woman who looked at her from the mirror had nothing to do with the old Setia. She has changed, not only physically. Losing an eye, going through the swamps and now marrying a prince. She no longer had the old guard with whom she shared memories of important moments, fighting and serving with her father. She was alone. The sound of a horn brought her out of her thoughts. So the Fenigrid family showed up on time. She took a deep breath, yet felt her heart begin to beat faster. It's strange, but she felt as if she was about to enter a battlefield. Someone knocked softly on the door.
"Come in," she said, turning away from the mirror.
Moros entered the chamber, stood in the threshold, made a full turn around his axis, then bowed low and bared all his teeth in a jovial smile. He was dressed in a black jacket decorated with silver, a red shirt and black trousers. On his finger was a heavy gold ring that she had given him.
"You look good, brother." Setia stood up and smiled. Moros surprised her, and surpassed all her expectations. While she sometimes had considerable doubts about their further actions, Moros was great in his role. His fears disappeared during numerous hunts, shared meals and meetings with city councilors. In this environment he felt like a fish in water. Everyone loved him. This was probably because he wasn't the one making all the decisions, he relied on her, trusted her and took up his role from which he clearly derived some pleasure.
"Sister, you look like a queen, no one can resist you." He bowed elegantly and then approached, extending his hand.
"It's time, I saw a large entourage of Aktis, as well as the famous Brandis at the head of the procession wearing golden armor."
"Is he going to sit in armor at the ceremony?" Setia mocked.
"Who knows? Aristocrats…" Moros sighed and made a studied gesture with his hand to straighten his hair, just like Tendred.
Setia burst out laughing, shook his hand and held her head high.
"Brother, lead the way to the audience hall."
"I'm a little afraid, Tendred and the townspeople are one thing, the queen and the baron are another thing." He whispered towards her.
"Me too, but remember that people believe what they want to believe. We are the Katamirian aristocracy and that's it. A courtly bow, and watch how Tendred behaves. It'll be alright. It has to." She straightened up and looked proudly at her adoptive brother. It's show time."
Without a word, they crossed the corridor and reached the vestibule, then entered the main hall, which Tendred called the audience hall. The room prepared for today's feast was filled with tables arranged in a horseshoe shape. Tendred stood in the middle, accompanied by a slim blonde and a tall man. Tendred smiled at the sight of Setia and Moros and approached them, shaking hands with his future wife.
"And here is the chosen one of my heart, Setia Alena Kazarro from Katamir - Tendred gently led her closer, then turned around and, pointing to Moros, added - and this is Setia's brother, Moros Tanrys Kazarro."
At the sound of the false name, the brother bowed and approached the company, showing his courtly smile. Setia looked at Aktis carefully. The Queen of Fenigrid was older than her, maybe thirty-something years old, she had nice, regular facial features, her curly blonde hair was tied up in a fancy bun and there was a tiara on her head. She was dressed in a white dress with gray and silver trim, Setia knew these were Fenigrid's colors. Her intense red made her look pale. She looked at Setia coldly with her blue eyes, she had a straight, rather long nose and nicely shaped lips. Setia associated it with the statues standing in the corridor. And Brandis reminded her of a teddy bear, a big, strong teddy bear. He wasn't very attractive and now his face was even red, giving him the appearance of a Prenian peasant. Even elegant clothes could not erase this impression.
"Please, I thought that none of the women would catch our Tendred - Aktis decided to start a conversation with a plastered smile - but you managed to do it. Congratulations and I'm happy for you."
Setia sensed the irony in her voice.
"Thank you, you are the only woman I know who calls love a trap. Well, each of us has our own experiences. - Setia sighed and Aktis pursed her lips tighter - I am pleased to welcome you, especially since you took the long way to participate in our celebration."
Saying this, Setia lightly hugged Tendred and looked into his eyes with tenderness.
Tendred returned the studied look with a smile and added
"You are probably tired from the journey, we have prepared rooms for you. The ceremony will take place in the afternoon."
"Good - Brandis had a strong booming voice - rest is always useful, we have a long night ahead of us." He smiled significantly at Tendred.
Timor was already on standby and led the guests to their chambers.
Aktis stood in the middle of the guest room and analyzed the entire meeting again. Setia made a stunning impression on her. That mask on her face, what was it covering? This was not a delicate and shy young girl in love with a handsome prince. She was a young alright but she was also a strong and calculating woman. Moreover, her brother looks nothing like his sister. He seemed more like another friend of Tendred's, a real beauty. This marriage had a purpose. Thanks to her efforts, Tendred never had any money, but now that changed. Setia was rich. She had no influence on his chosen one and her actions yet. Aktis's position in Fenigrid, despite what she liked to tell herself, was weak. A widow without an heir, taking care of little Galdar, along with Brandis, steward of Fenigrid. When Galdar grows up, she will become unnecessary, to say the least. She wanted to solve Galdar's problem later, but now she needed him. She thought that Tendred was nothing more but a history, nerve able to get back and reach for the throne. However now there was another variable she had to be aware of, Setia. Surprise. She sat down and poured herself some wine to strengthen herself, she didn't want to watch this theater when she was sober. The time passed surprisingly quickly, she didn't even notice when the moment of the wedding ceremony had arrived. It was Brandis who knocked on the door and reminded her that it was time to go with the wedding procession.