"Did we sleep here?" Luciana, who was woken by the sound of the chirping birds, immediately, stood up from the ground and dusted her robes.
"My Lord, it's morning". Her voice woke him up. In astonishment, he hugged her tightly from the back.
This is the first time he ever slept peacefully without having hard times due to the scary nightmares he does have.
"Why are you acting weird?" She asked Dasya, who wasn't letting go of her. Unlike her, she wants to feel his warmth, and hot breath on her neck.
"Thank you for the story, but I felt bad for sleeping off without finding out how the story ended". He echoed after he broke from the hug.
This is the first time someone will appreciate her. To her; it felt special to have someone to appreciate, and adore whatever you do for them, without caring how little it was.
"It's cold out here, let's go, and take a bath". Dasya suggested, as he took her cold palm into his warm one, and walked through the halls to their chamber.
"Being with you made me feel special". She whispered into his ear before they pathway into their chambers.
Leaving him for a few hours felt like a day for her. She wants to hold hands with him and play with him like every other couple she had heard of.
"My lady, it is the beautification day, and you need to attend the party". Maid Tani informed Luciana, who had just taken off her heavy royal robes.
The word alone sounds strange to her because she has never heard of it, not to talk more of knowing what it means. "What does it mean?" She asked sweetly.
"Each time a king from another kingdom pays visits to Bel-Hir, all the princesses except the crown prince's daughter always decorate the palace". The maid's words amused her.
"Isn't that the work of maids?" She asked, as she felt something suspicious about their culture or way of living in this castle.
To her, if a culture like this did exist, Azirin would have told her.
"Yes it is". Maid Tani echoed with her gaze on the ground.
"Then why are the princesses assigned to do that? Are we slaves or royal servants?" She asked calmly.
"The crown prince gave that order because he did not want the maid to poison the flowers, just as the king was poisoned".
"What did you mean by the king being poisoned? Who poisoned him, and why haven't I heard about it?" She asked without caring if she was going to freeze up.
"Oh, your water is getting cold. Please go take your bath". Her maid bowed her head before she walked out.
Luciana, who was left to her contemplation, walked into the warm water. She allowed the water to touch every part of her body before she washed her hair.
"I have to look good, but I have no dress. All my gowns are dirty, and I have to look good at the event". She scratched her wet hair as she searched for a dress to put on, but found none. She is also tired of disturbing Dasya for little things like dress.
****
"Wow. Princess Taliyah, you look gorgeous". One of the princesses complimented Taliyah who was dressed in a light blue, long floating gown to match with her crown and jewelries.
Her hair styled in a chignon made her look different, and stand out among the royals. Her make – up perfectly suits her skin, just as her long hair waves at each step she takes.
She is the description of a goddess!
"Princess Chila". Her co-wives called out her name in astonishment as they watched her walk up to them.
Each step she took could make one tremble on their spots due to how beautiful she is.
Her almond – shaped eyes are sparkling just as her rainbow-colored hair, which was touching her back, made her charming. Her makeup was much prettier than that of Taliyah just as her dress was more eye-catching. Furthermore, her light-brown gown, which is made from cotton , suited her skin better than the dress of any other princesses.
"Where are the others?" Taliyah's voice finally broke the silence of the busy princesses, comparing her beauty with that of Chila, who looked different from her usual.
"Amira, and Luciana". Aara echoed with her head bowed.
"Guards, go ge—"
She wasn't even allowed to finish up with her statements when they interrupted her. "No need for that". Both Luciana and Amira echoed at the same time.
"Why are you both late? Did your maids not relay the crown prince's order to you both?" She asked after she took a few steps to the middle of Amira, and Luciana.
"That's the reason I'm here! Because I, Amira, will never lay my hand on this damn thing you called flower, all because of a wretched king who is coming to pay a visit to your so-called brother". Amira's response made everyone roll their eyes in amusement, including Luciana.
As for Luciana, she literally gasped at the courage of Amira. She wished she had such courage!
"Di…d…" Taliyah, who was lost for words, managed to stutter.
She just doesn't know what is the strength or source of Amira's confidence. "So you will disobey your husband?" For the first time in her life, she will ask a question without yelling.
"Yes. Tell Dryan that I'm not his servant, and the next time he tries to play with my patience, I swear to the great gods of Sadiah, I will make sure Bel-Hir ceases to exist in his reign. Relay my message to him". Her fearless voice hit everyone's ear as they watched her walk on the arrogant princess.
"Luciana, why are you late?" She ignored Amira and turned to Luciana, who gathered all the courage in her to be able to speak her mind.
"What did you expect from me? Run down here, and start decorating my brains out, right? So funny". She chuckled at the question of Taliyah.
She doesn't care if the princesses made fun of her dress. It is a silk material which she uses to cover her body at night. She had no choice rather than to put them on, since that is how they do dress in their kingdom.
"I guess you are not better than your husband, who is a killer and a liar". Taliyah's words made her roll her eyes in dismay.
"What did you mean?"