Hera held back tears as the gown was slid over her head. The black and red fabric clung tightly to her, and the high funnell that lined the back of her neck itched a bit. The dress itself felt wrong on her; just the fact that she was wearing it made her skin crawl. Her maids tightened the strings on her corset, causing a sudden and sharp intake of breath. She slipped on her black heels and shifted around uncomfortable in them. They felt too big, even though she knew they were just her size.
Half an hour later Hera and her three sisters were standing in the town square, packed with all the people of their kingdom. The crowd didn't even have to guess what was about to happen; just by looking at the dresses they could tell.
"Welcome to the Crowning Ceremony!" the king boomed, starting off the performance. "I will cut straight to announcing the inheritance of each of the princesses. I will start with the Queen of Hearts. Princess Hera, would you please step forward." She took a deep breath and forced a smile. "You inherit the Kingdom of Hearts, and are now the Queen of Hearts." He stepped forward with the crown, which he held up for the people to see. They "ooh"ed and "ahh"ed. Hera's father leaned over and whispered in her ear "Would you like me to do it?" She shook her head violently and hissed a "no". Ripping the crown from his hands, she swallowed harshly and looked at it hesitantly. She knew that once it was placed on her head, she would be the Queen of Hearts, and her mother would be officially gone. She breathed out forcefully, and with one strong motion, buried the crown in her hair. The people of her kingdom cheered, and she did the best she could not to scream and cry. Wearing the dress, the shoes, the crown, nothing had ever felt so wrong in her life.
"Adrienne, please step forward." Hera's sister stepped forward, and acknowledged the crowd with a smile and a nod. "You will become the Queen of Diamonds." Her smile widened as the tiara was placed on her head, her silver dress sparkling in the shining sun. "Marielle." Marielle stepped forward, but kept a straight face and her hands on her hips. "You will become the Queen of Spades." The tiara was placed on her head quickly, and she nearly tripped over her green gown in her hurry to be finished with the process. When it was Eleanora's turn, she stepped forward and gave a blinding smile, accompanied with a winning wave. "You will be the Queen of Clubs." The golden tiara matched her gold dress perfectly.
When she got back in her chamber Hera ripped the dress to shreds.