After Hanan's inarguable coup, Bathala formally asked Hanan to join his team. Notwithstanding the fact that Hanan's participation in the test was already a clear attestation that she accepted, she was given time to think it over. At least, before the Council could even issue their edict on her first project as a governor general.
Delighted at the ensuing good tidings, Hanan wrote a letter to her parents right after she arrived at the Palace. She informed them about the schedule of her inauguration, which was four days from now. Her encounter with Bathala, the Alpha's first son, including his invitation, that topped the good things that had happened to her since she moved over. And though Hanan knew her mother would not be a fan of the opportunity given to her, since she had always been wary of things that could hurt her, it was the only way she knew she could make up for her decision to be away from them. Thus, she indulged them the benefit of knowing her current situation, to assure them.
Hanan, afterwards, took the other two from the drawer of her wooden wardrobe, to put them together on her table to make sure she'd remember to ask one of her servants to personally deliver them tomorrow. It was the last thing she did, before she bathed herself in the hot spring, calling it a day.
But the following days did not go as smoothly as her first week in the Palace. Four days before her actual inauguration, Hanan had to undergo a briefing, supervised by the other governor general who had been in their position for a century. Oriented about her duties and responsibilities. Including the range of her power and authority. Hanan was given a chamber of her own, on the Governor General's base. They shared her the records of the five groups' for the last five decades, together with the pending requests of the group she was assigned to; the Warrior Assembly. Hanan also had to meet the instructors of the five groups, and the representative of each of the noble families in an assembly a day before her inauguration.
Hanan was so pre-occupied in the past few days that she had forgotten to memorize her oath. Thus, she had to sacrifice her sleep the night before her actual inauguration, to perfectly execute her part in the aforementioned event.
Now, sitting in a wooden chair, in front of a mirror, Hanan's eyes descended on her reflection. Wearing their Kingdom's traditional dress, with her hair tied in a clean bun, she was almost ready. But since she had visible molar wounds, Santan, who was the servant assigned to assist her today, had to take another couple of minutes of her time to conceal it.
Hustling for four days straight with barely enough rest, and not sleeping for an entire twenty-four hours sure took a toll on Hanan. It was no wonder her eyes felt swollen from the time she finished memorizing her lines for this important day. Fortunately, cosmetics exist. It was only then that Hanan realized its convenience, though she had never understood its job before.
"Did you not sleep last night, My lady?" Santan, who was carefully holding Hanan's chin as she concealed her dark spots in a thorough manner, asked.
Santan was one of the five servants assigned to her by the Alpha's Luna. She was also the one who personally delivered her letters to her parents, the same day she was called for a briefing. Santan was kind and courteous. At least, for the past few days she had been serving her, that was what Hanan noticed. And among the five of them, Santan was the most hands-on. She was thorough and diligent. Santan would often ask what she'd like to eat or drink. She would insist on scrubbing her back whenever she bathed. Never once did she fail to ask what she wanted to wear. Furthermore, she had such an amiable personality. Assuming it was because Santan wanted to have a good relationship with her, Hanan did not refuse the kind servant. In time, as she was also deprived of familiarity, Hanan found herself comfortable with Santan.
"Is it that bad?" Hanan, with a weary tone, asked. "You don't need to push yourself, Santan. Concealing it a little is fine."
"No, My Lady." Santan's finger softly brushed her skin. "But you've been yawning this whole time, so I figured you might have deprived yourself of sleep."
"I had to memorize my oath, Santan. It's my inauguration, I can't commit mistakes." Lifting her brows, Hanan threw her cerulean eyes at Santan. "Will you be there?"
Smiling, Santan shifted her gaze from Hanan's undereyes, to her eyes, for a swift moment. "Only if you bring me with you, My Lady."
"Good." Hanan let out a sigh of relief. "I'll be attending the celebration after the ceremony. Your presence will be a big help."
Yesterday, Hanan attended a social gathering to meet the important wolves in the Kingdom. Nobles whose lineage were elite and powerful, prominent figures who were rich, including those who had positions in the five groups. Hanan was experienced, alright. Being the only daughter of the Urduja family, she had been to a lot of social gatherings before. But being in the limelight was a different thing. Not only were they expecting something from her, but they were also trying to build a connection for personal gain.
"I don't see how I will be able to help…" Santan said, before moving away from Hanan's face to get a better look. "But servants would most likely be banned from going inside."
Indeed. It was a celebration meant for people with good standing, so it was only natural for servants, guards, and low-ranked wolves to be banned. However, guests were allowed to bring their friends, or relatives, since for some aristocrats, social gathering was a way to build connections.
"I didn't say I'd take you as my servant."
Santan's brows creased. "Pardon, My Lady?"
"Dress up. You'll be coming as my cousin, Santan."
"What…."
It had been decided, before Santan could even make a decision. Not that she can decline or go against Hanan, who was a governor general. Basically, Hanan was as powerful as mages who could do things as they pleased with a snap of a finger. On that account, Hanan assured Santan she would take accountability for whatever bad that might happen if their deception was found.
After an hour of preparation, Hanan went out of her room to have a walk in the parapet. Clad in a green victorian dress that hugged her tiny waist, Hanan held the sides of her hemline to lessen its heaviness. Now, if she were to trip, that'd be because her vision was starting to get giddy.
The downside of too much work, she was sure. Hanan did not know if it was her body's way of telling that being a Governor general was not the work cut out for her, since she had trained her stamina twice as they were required to back when she was still in the Warrior Assembly, or she had really just pushed herself to her limit the past days.
Releasing her grip from the side of her dress to hold her head, Hanan stopped for a moment. The way her head was slowly spinning in a circular motion, creating an optical illusion, seemed like a direct painless punch. Hanan could not help but shut her eyes tight. Regretting stepping outside instead of conditioning herself, Hanan's hands searched for support.
"What's wrong, Hanan?"