4

"The palace is so quiet," I marveled, as a maid led me through. It was well appointed and even more beautiful than the outside. The walls were covered in a smooth maroon velvet and were also adorned with portraits of Aridia's past monarchs.   

"Most of the Ladies are preparing for dinner with the royal family," The maid replied, leading me up a grand spiraling staircase. 

"Dinner?!" I exclaimed, almost choking on my own saliva. 

"Yes, my lady," She nodded. "Today the Ladies dine with the royal family. It's a Choice tradition." 

I had expected to meet the royal family at some point, but I wasn't expecting it to be so soon. I had hardly gotten used to the new setting. Plus, I needed time to collect myself before parading in front of the most important people in the country. 

"And where will I be residing?" I asked, trying my best to sound 'lady-like'. 

"The Ladies reside in individual rooms. But, all the ladies share a salon," The maid explaining, turning onto another long hallway, this one even quieter than the previous one. 

I was definitely satisfied that I didn't have to share a bedroom with any of the obnoxious Ladies. I had suffered more than enough sleepless nights at Finishing School, thanks to the girls' giggling and whispering. 

 I followed the maid, the silence between us growing into an uncomfortable void. 

"So, do you see the prince a lot?" I asked, desperately trying to fill the awkward silence. 

"Prince Carlos likes to keep to himself," The maid said, like it was something she explained on a daily basis. 

"So he has no friends, at all?" I raised an eyebrow. I wasn't one to talk, though I found it strange that a Prince would be all alone. 

"No," The maid laughed, quickly catching herself and resuming her placid expression. "Lord Amancio is the prince's closest friend. He also resides in the castle." 

I had never heard of a Lord Amancio but I never was one to listen to the gossip about the prince that circulated on a daily basis. I wondered what Lord Amancio was like. If he spent time with the prince then surely he must act like him as well. 

"What's this Lord Amancio like?" I asked.  

I noticed that the a dreamy expression clouded her eyes and a small smile tugged at her lips. "Lord Amancio is ever the gentleman. He's so handsome." 

I restrained from rolling my eyes. "I thought the prince was the 'fairest in the land'." 

"I shouldn't be talking like this, Lady Madeline," The maid blushed. 

"You can just call me Madeline," I said. "Besides, I won't tell anyone, will I?" 

"Someone could hear us," She whispered nervously. 

"Really?" I practically shouted, gaining a giggle from her. 

"You're not like the other ladies," The maid noticed, staring at me like I was some sort of distant creature. 

I shrugged, "I try not to be an air-headed brat most of the time." 

She stopped at a hallway. The buzz of feminine laughter and chatter could not be ignored. I guessed we had reached the Ladies' wing. 

"This is your room," the maid showed me to a door. 

I pushed open the door to reveal the most beautiful room I'd ever laid eyes on. It was blue-themed with cobalt-coloured curtains and a cerulean bedspread. It was much larger than my bedroom back at the manor and I wanted nothing more than to jump on the bed. 

"Your Ladies' maids will be here shortly. They will be in charge of preparing you for events- and everything you will need," The maid nodded. 

"Thank You," I gave her a quick curtsy before she shut the door behind her. When she was gone, I couldn't resist it. I practically ran to the bed before jumping up and down on it, giggling uncontrollably at the thought of what my mother would say if she saw me. 

My 'exercise' was interrupted by a knock on my door. Panting heavily, I leaped off the bed and opened the door. 

2 girls dressed in maids' uniforms stood outside the door, staring at me like I was from another planet. 

"Lady Madeline," They both bowed in unison. 

"Please, call me Madeline. You must be my Ladies' Maids," I breathed, pushing a stray strand of hair out of my face. I opened the door wider and stepped aside. They both seemed around the same age, just a little younger than me. One of them had very high cheekbones and hooded monolid that seemed to hold more than they let on, while the other had a baby face framed by dark braided hair. 

"I'm Imogen and this is Lucy," The one with the monolid eyes introduced. 

"We'll be helping you get ready for the dinner tonight," Lucy explained, eyeing my hair which I assumed must have had an uncanny resemblance to a bird's nest. 

"Thanks, because I'll need all the help I can get," I sighed, staring at the cluster of trunks and suitcases I'd brought. 

*** 

Almost 10 minutes later, Lucy and Imogen were arguing on what dress I should wear. Imogen wanted me to wear a fuchsia coloured dinner dress while Lucy preferred an emerald coloured dress. In my opinion, pink looked horrible on me so I would rather wear Lucy's option. 

"I think Lady Madeline should decide!" Imogen turned to me and my eyes widened in fear. They held up the dresses, determination clouding their features. I was almost scared. Almost.  

"Imogen, the fuchsia dress is extremely pretty but I think the emerald dress goes better with my hair," I explained. I really couldn't care less if I looked 'pretty' or not, but I wasn't about to wander the palace looking hideous. 

Imogen's face fell and a smug smile tugged at Lucy's lips. They dressed me in the emerald dress. As per usual, there was a bit of space at the top, due to my lack of bust, but they quickly fixed it, altering the dress here and there to make it look like I was 'well-proportioned'. 

Imogen sat me down at the dressing table and got to work on my hair. She raised an eyebrow at the state it was in. I couldn't explain to her than my bun had unraveled due to the fact that I was jumping on the bed. Instead I smiled nervously. 

"Lucy, can you pass me a hairbush? And a comb?" Imogen asked and once she'd gotten them, she proceeded to comb my hair violently, in an attempt to loosen the knots that had magically appeared. 

"Ouch," I groaned. It felt like someone was tearing my hair out. 

"I'm sorry, Lady Madeline. There's just...so...many...knots," Imogen said, pulling with every word. 

I was utterly relieved when my hair was done. Imogen had done an amazing job, making my previously limp hair look like it had more volume. Her bun was definitely better than my mother's and I could admit that there was a slight improvement in my appearance. A very slight one. 

Lucy got on to dabbing at my lips with a red substance which I suspected was some sort of strawberry concoction. It didn't do much to make me look beautiful but it certainly tasted good. 

"Lady Madeline," Imogen laughed. "You're not meant to lick it." 

"It tastes like strawberries," I protested. My mother barely let us have strawberries back at the manor. She said they went to your hips, which wouldn't do me any harm. 

"Actually, it's lip balm. It's made of strawberries, yes, along with jojoba oil, beeswax, and coconut oil," Lucy explained, dabbing at my lips. 

When Lucy and Imogen were done in their attempts at making me look presentable, they stepped back, allowing me to 'admire' myself in the mirror. I certainly looked different. I still wasn't as attractive as Caroline or any of the other girls, but my mother would not be disappointed if she saw me. 

"Thank you, ladies," I gave them a small smile through the mirror before the bell rang, signifying that it was 7pm, my stomach squeezing in angst.

"It's time," Imogen said, with an excited squeal.