The 18th century, April 15, 1709, kingdom Harmonia
Gracia lied to herself all the time. She never for once like being dressed up like a doll, she never loved the flowers nor does she love the peaceful air that surround her everyday. She hated crocheting, she hated wearing ball gowns, she hated being acknowledged as a queen, she hated her whole world but then, she couldn't find the courage to end the pain herself.
Like every morning, her maid, Ginerva came knocking on her door. Ginerva had had other maids make her bath, her own job was to wake Gracia up and bring her to the bath then after bathing, she would proceed on doing the next things.
"Good morning your highness" Ginerva said matching into the room with a bright smile worn on her lips. Ginerva was the only person in the whole palace Gracia could be herself with. Since the six months before she had gotten married to king Dreco, nicknamed 'the drunken king', she had always found peace speaking to Ginerva.
"Morning Ginerva, I hope you had a good night rest" Gracia said while she gets up from her bed.
"Just fantasizing about somebody getting laid got me laid out on the bed all night, thanks to you Milady" Ginerva said with a playful smile on her face.
"Stop it Ginerva, I could have your head on a platter for daring to play a deadly joke on the queen"
"I'm sorry your highness, my mouth cut too loose" Ginerva said with her head bowed.
"Relax Lady Ginerva, you can see I make deadlier jokes" Gracia said and chuckles.
"Unless yours could actually get me killed" Ginerva said. She goes into Gracia's dressing room to bring out a plain white gown, It was what Ginerva always had Gracia wear before going to the bathhouse.
"Let's stop about the 'killings'" Gracia said and stretched her arms out for Ginerva to get her out of the night wear she was wearing.
"And talk about this night" Ginerva said with a mischievous smile on. She took off Gracia's cloth and helps her into the white gown she got in the dressing room.
"Oh goodness gracious Ginerva, stop, really" Gracia said, knowing Gracia will try to force her into having obscene talks about the king.
"You know you shouldn't be like this your highness, every young woman fantasize about the king whom you never once fantasize about" Ginerva stopped and stands at the front of Gracia.
"I just want you to be happy your highness, how about you try embracing this life, I'm sure you will love it as long as you think positively" Ginerva added. Gracia's lashes batted as she recalls the reason she was in the kingdom in the first place. Suddenly, she begins to get upset.
"Let's go" she said and led the way outside of her room. The guards guarding her room greeted her while she passes by them. Ginerva mouthed a good morning to James, one of the guards she had eyes on. The smile Ginerva had on quickly fade when she recalled she had upsetted the queen. Though she knew she wouldn't be punished but she doesn't want to take it for granted and it looked like to her that she had yet did again.
The palace was vast with crowds. The maid's population is the largest and it's them that filled the pouch Gracia was passing by. The greeted her as she passes by them and almost immediately she left their side, they would make a quick gossip about her.
Gracia knew the critics was mostly because her kingdom gave her away so easily, fearing to be defeated by the heard and great 'drunken Lord'. They didn't try to make a fight instead, they proposed to have their daughter marry the young king that was just coronized. She couldn't say anything as usual, she knew even if she didn't end up in her husband's kingdom, her father would have thought to give her away to his savage general whom he cherished.
Gracia made an halt at the front of the bathhouse. She waited for the guards to open wide the door for her to go in. She goes into the room which on a first sight will be thought to be small but when she goes in further to what lays behind the white clothes hanged to hid the scene out of entries look, the pool was almost vast as a lake. Two maids were in the water filled with petals of flowers, awaiting the queen's presence. They were completely naked as usual as their job was to cleanse the queen everyday.
"Good morning your highness" Anna and Sarah, the bathhouse maids chorused.
"Morning" Gracia simply said. Ginerva sighed knowing it was her fault Gracia was behaving that way. Gracia stretched her arms, awaiting Ginerva to help her out of the white dress. Ginerva did and Gracia took slow steps into the water. Anna and Sarah moved closer to her, Anna begins to rub the soap on her body while Sarah rubs her body thoroughly. Ginerva had gone to the outside of the white clothes used to cover the sight of the bathhouse. She held the cloth Gracia took off in her hand as she awaits them to get done.
After almost an hour, Anna notified Ginerva they were done. She went back in and dress Gracia back into the white dress. They descended back to the queen's quarter then.
"I am deeply sorry for what I said your highness, i deserve to be beheaded" Ginerva apologized.
"You said nothing wrong Ginerva" Gracia said and went into the dressing room. Ginerva tagged behind her, looking pitifully.
"Oh yes I did, I'm sorry your highness" Ginerva apologized again. Gracia went to take a seat on her dressing chair.
"It's all right Ginerva, pick my dress" Gracia said with a smile. Ginerva smiled back and rushed towards where Gracia's clothes were. She knew exactly the one she wanted Gracia to wear for the day so it took her no time in getting it out along with her underwears.
"Oh no Ginerva, I am not going to wear that" Gracia said knowing Ginerva is taking another step to getting her all dressed up for the king whom she does not care If he found her attractive, she thought moreover, he had never come to check on her except when they meet for breakfast and dinner, he would even not appear for dinner sometimes.
"But it's beautiful, the color will suit you perfectly" Ginerva said with a look of pity, she knew it usually works on Gracia. Gracia sighs and stands up. She stretches her arm, waiting for Ginerva to do her job.
Seeing that Gracia had give in, Ginerva excitedly go to her and begin undressing her. After then, she begin to drive Gracia in her underwear then follows after his the peach dress she had chosen for her. Like Ginerva had said, the dress suits Gracia well. The best part Ginerva loved about the dress which Gracia doesn't was because it exposes too much of her bosoms.
"You look venust your highness, I'm sure the king will like it on you" Ginerva said and instantly regrets it with the glare Gracia passed her.
"Like he ever acknowledges me, I dress to make myself feel good not for him Ginerva" Gracia said and adjusted the side of the gown which tightens her. Gracia walked over to the standing mirror, she stood in front of it as she looked at the dress. She also couldn't deny how good she looked even though she looked like that all day. Her gold hair was yet to be done but it looked more beautiful with how it just flowed from her head to her back. She goes away from the mirror and goes to take a seat. Ginerva went over to start making her hair. She did it in the big hair that was in vogue and added a peach bow to the back. Afterwards, Ginerva added the white powder to her face, making her face white. She added red powder to both of Gracia's cheeks and then she added carmine to her thin lips.
Ginerva complimented further after she was done. Gracia ignored her and heads to the dinning with Ginerva walking behind her and James. Before Gracia could enter, the guard at the front of the room had to make an announcement first, it was the tradition.
As soon as the door opens, Gracia's eyes falls on the blue eyed devil sitted at the very end of the long table. The devil's name is Delerius and he was the king and her so-called husband.
He wasn't alone, Gracia saw his mistress sitting not far away from him. Gracia wasn't surprised to see her there because she knew how ruthless the king was. No other person was allowed to have a meal with the king and queen except their family member but the king cared less about it nor do the queen. As she entered into the room alone, Beatrice, the mistress stands up immediately and bowed to her.
"Good morning your highness" Beatrice greeted. She doesn't like Gracia but she couldn't dare not acknowledge her presence because of the tyrant sitting at the edge of the table busying eating like a starved man. Gracia sometimes wonder how such an handsome face could have such qualities her husband had. He was born with a silver spoon but never acted like one, nor does he act like how a king should.
"Morning Beatrice" Gracia simply replied, she doesn't care enough to ask her how her night went when she wasn't a bit interested in knowing.
"Your highness" Gracia greeted with a bow and Deleruis only acknowledged her with a wave of his hand without looking up from his meal.
Gracia takes a seat opposite Beatrice, she looks down at the meal served on her side of the table. The cloth was tighter than usual which made her hesitate to eat but she had to. After she was done, she waited for Delerius to leave, ignoring the glances Beatrice was giving her. Delerius left with Beatrice soon enough which was to her relief. Gracia stands up and heads out of the room as well. Suddenly, she felt sick. She could hardly breath but she was only aiming to get to her room.
"Your highness, Are you okay?" Ginerva asked while looking worriedly at her.
"I'm fine" Gracia said but what happens next proved her words wrong. She found herself collapsing on the floor and her vision gradually blacking out. She knew she wasn't fine, she never was.