Chapter 6: The Crowning

*PRINCESS SHARMA'S CHAMBER*

She was naked. Her slim feet walked slowly to the clad that her hand maidens had prepared for her. There were two of them in the room; one was by her right hand side holding the red, grand royal robe, made of leather and cotton, with detailed golden embroideries to signify its worth—the other was in front of her holding up the trouser.

She raised her foot, her left first and then followed by her right, taking every guide necessary to put it on. The maid pulled up the black trouser to her waist and belted it. She then proceeded to put on her first layer of shirt made to her fitting. After which she wore on top of it her leather vest and tightened the robe to accentuate her figure.

When the regular dressing was done, the other maiden brought forward the royal robe and pinned it around her shoulders. The robe swept the floor, indicating it was too big for her; but it was for a ceremony anyway. She had preferred to use her father's.

She looked at herself in the mirror before her—her dreaded hair had been neatly packed in a way that fell at her back. She chose this clothing today because she couldn't imagine going into the royal courtroom with a dress on her. She'd preferred to go in as a warrior.

The maiden that had worn her the robe brought in her boots. She put them on and stared at her finished look in the mirror.

The maidens bowed and she gestured for them to leave.

Today was the day she had been pondering about. There was no going back...no going back.

She heard a knock on her door, she wondered if her guards left their posts.

"The Lady Romayo!" One of the guards announced.

Sharma smiled. She had been expecting.

"Let her in!"

The door flew open without a second tick. She looked at her through her mirror, she was dressed in a black slim trouser, a dark blue cotton shirt and dark boots. Her bigger-than-usual quiver was slung over her shoulder with two bold belts that ran horrizontally around her waist and chest, respectively. Her light brown hair was packed up in a ponytail.

"The fog of Metir has been harsh, hasn't it?" Sharma asked.

Romayo walked slowly into the chamber, taking her steps...one...after the other. "The fog of Metir...and the harsh sun of Rudraan... are too tiny a trouble for this adventurous soul and lone wolf." She stopped a few feet from Sharma and they both looked at themselves through the mirror. "You still look the same, princess Sharma."

Sharma smiled and turned to face her, their heights a clear contrast with Romayo being taller. She looked at her studiously and cracked a grin, "A wolf?" She gasped pretentiously. "I thought it was a barking dog...I thought it was too scared to come. Oh! I must have been wrong."

"Ah? Who can reject the dear Lady Sharma of Metabul Aridal?" She asked. "I can tell you that I had a terrible night because of this unhearing."

"I can imagine."

They looked at themselves for a long time before bursting out laughing.

"It's been long Romayo." Sharma said as they hugged.

Romayo patted her back. "It isn't long enough for me. But I am happy to be back in Aridal." She adjusted Sharma's robe. "I am sorry for your loss, my lady."

She laughed. "It's been three weeks, Romayo. I am sure he is resting well with his ancestors."

"Exactly! It's been three weeks! No... I heard it has almost been a month!" She folded her arms. "And I could not help but wonder why the wait..."

Sharma looked at her, maintaining eye contact. She was choosing not to answer this question. "Do you accept my request?"

"Can I reject? Although, you did not send a royal order to me, I would be digging my grave if I said no. I am not that stupid."

Sharma smiled. Romayo was that type of person who could stand up against anybody, both of nobility and of lower class, without cowardice. But some people call that disrespectful and arrogance. "Am I that frightening?"

"Then do you think you are righteous? You seem to have forgetten who you are in these few years I've been away. You are Princess Sharma, the whisperer! Tsk!"

Sharma looked at obvious oblivion before her, "Aren't I?" She asked herself and smiled.

"The Lord Verlock!" One of the guards announced.

She turned to the chamber door, her back against Romayo. "I will need to remind you Romayo that I will no longer be addressed as Princess Sharma—an impudent tongue could get you in trouble. It's not a threat...it's an advice." She faced her again. "Shall we?"

Romayo may be too straightforward and blunt, but she knew she had to show respect to certain people, even when she wanted to pass a point across. "Yes...my lady."

And with that, they walked towards the chamber door, opening to Verlock waiting on them.