Hi, everyone!
I am so happy that you love this story! It really moves me! Oh, my god, I'm actually crying. And just a few days ago, I got 391 views! Hopefully, soon I'll get 2000 views!
Sorry that I couldn't post earlier. There was a lot for me to do and it took a while to write this chapter as well. This is probably the longest chapter I've written. Anyway, I have a real surprise waiting for you in this chapter. People ask what's going to happy next… Well, all I can say is that you should read and find out!
Chapter 6
At around nine, the guard knocked on the door as it creaked open. He cleared his throat yet again.
"Um... These lovely ladies require you at this very moment..." He murmured, glancing at a group of giggling maids uncomfortably. I raised my eyebrows at him. He sighed. "They say they're here on orders of King Maven."
"Ah, yes. Of course." I said. Maven had told me before that I would be visited by a few women. "Well, fine. They can come in." They came in and grabbed me, pulling me out of the small cell.
"Wait, what are you doi-?" I gasped in surprise. The royal baths! They just stripped me down and threw me in the bathtub, filling it with water, adding all sorts of oils. They started scrubbing my whole body, shaving as well. It was a boring experience. I noticed two young girls sitting at the end, doing my legs, giggling and whispering the whole way through. I cocked my head questioningly. They just giggled again, nearly falling over.
When they finished shaving me, I was left to soak in for a while. It was the first time I relaxed since I had arrived. I shut my eyes, sinking into the water. Someone coughed delicately. I opened one eye. It was one of the giggling girls. I sat up properly, covering my body.
"Yes?" I asked.
"Well... You have to get out of the bathtub now, please, ma'am. We still haven't finished." She whispered. I groaned and sunk back in. But eventually, I got out, wrapping myself with a towel self-consciously. The maids got out different bits of paper, all different shades of brown. I was confused at first, but when they produced a tube of gel, I gasped in horror, backing away.
"No, no no no no NO!" I cried. They grabbed me and held me down, smearing it all over my hair. I sat back up angrily, grabbing for a mirror. I took one glance and cried out. All of my hair was covered in a thick layer of dye, especially the ends. I threw the mirror back down.
Half an hour of silence, only broken by the whispers of the two girls and giggles. They kept looking in my direction. I rolled my eyes and sighed. When the minutes finally finished, they put me back in the tub, scrubbing me down again, with even more oils. I kept my arms stuck to my sides, not making a single sound. A maid smiled at me, I pulled a face. She turned away, hurt all over her face. I felt bad, beginning to blush. She was only being nice. I touched her hand softly, mouthing sorry. She looked at me in surprise. I smiled.
When they had finished the second round, I pulled myself out of the bathtub, looking at the new me. My jaw dropped open. My hair was glossy, a chocolatey shade of brown. After they towel-dried it, my hair looked exactly like flowing melted chocolate. I pulled it around my collar, running my fingers through it. A finger tapped me on the shoulder, but I didn't notice. They changed me. I was nothing like myself now, instead someone completely different. It disgusted me but also a small part of me felt happy. Happy. I hadn't felt that it what seemed like ages. I looked different, which meant that I was not the girl everyone died because of. Not the one who gave false hope. I smiled at my reflection, the new me.
I turned around, facing them. One timid girl opened a silver door, producing a walk-in wardrobe. As I was entering, I noticed the group of girls shuffling behind me. I put my hands up in protest.
"No, it's fine. I'll pick two girls, the rest of you, go enjoy your free time." I exclaimed. The girls looked at each other, puzzled. They then stood in a straight line as one of them said, "Please, miss, who are you to pick?"
I turned slowly, evaluating each one. In the end, I picked the giggling couple, as the others looked like they needed a break from me. The girls squealed in delight, before quickly recovering, and curtsying. It was strange, I had never met maids who were so loud and bold. Usually, my maids were quiet, barely even breathing. The others sighed quietly and left the rooms.
The young girls jumped into the room, looking at the dresses, picking some and throwing them over their shoulders. I just sat and watched on the sofas. They then laid them out beside me, as it was my turn to stand. Taking my place, they burst into peals of laughter, nudging each other. I just threw them a look over my shoulder as I pulled back a curtain, entering a dressing room. I took off my bathrobe, staring at my naked reflection. There was not a single hair on my body, but my head was full of it. My skin hung loosely on my bones, showing what little fat or muscle I had. I had changed so much in just a few days. My face was chalky pale, not a trace of colour on it. My cheeks were sunken in, my eyes popping out of my head.
The first dress was red and green, covered in mistletoe, with tinsel. I pulled back the curtain and the stopped and stared at me. Suddenly, we burst into laughter.
"Maybe a touch too festive," I said between laughs. Curious, I asked them their names. They just stared at me, whispering to each other. Later during their conversation, I saw a small game of rock-paper-scissors. I stifled a laugh.
"My name's Charollette, miss." Said the girl on the right shyly. She nudged the other maid hard.
"Ow! Ok, fine! My name is Amaris." The girl said, rubbing her side. It was clear to me what their personalities were like when they had declared their names.
"I guess you already now my name," I said, grinning. But then the grin faded. I couldn't be so happy when thousands had died because of me. It terrified me how easily I got over each death. I wished that I was able to mourn them properly in private.
"Um... Here is your next dress." Charollette whispered, passing me a new dress. I snapped out of my daze and thanked her, throwing it over my shoulder. It was a revealing blue and silver dress, embroidered with purple lace. The dress ended underneath my stomach, beginning just above my breasts.
In the end, a red and gold dress with silver thread swirling in small rose patterns was chosen. They guided me to his rooms, growing quieter as we neared. I couldn't blame them. I was sweating already, nervous and trying to figure out what he was planning.
When we finally reached the entrance, we stopped.
The door creaked open slowly and there stood Maven, the smirk wiped off his face as he saw me.
"Hello, Mare." He stuttered.