Chapter 5

The red satin dress that my master procured for us was a mix of modest and frivolous. They were long sleeved, dipping dangerously below the neckline, stopping just a bit above the top of the breast like a tease. The belly part of the dress was exposed and thin satin clothes covered our legs. We also had red veils covering our noses and mouths. It had a golden lining on the top rim and gold dust sprinkled on it like the rest of our attire.

"I look like a bloody vomit."

Amelia was exaggerating. She looked fine, her thin brown pupils looking more beautiful in her veil. She had a beauty spot that rested just above the top of her veil. Her eyes betrayed her discomfort as she was fighting to stay still. It was amusing to watch.

"You look fine."

"No, you look fine. I don't even want this. Can't I serve like the others?"

"You're one of our best, according to the mistress. If she let you serve, the king's entourage might just be displeased."

"Why are you so calm about this?!" she grumbled.

"It's because I'm trying to catch a big fish. Do I look exquisite, Amelia?"

Her eyes widened, her mouth hanging in the air.

"You're serious?"

"Of course I am."

"No wonder you're so... active today."

"It is only expected. Come on, let's not keep the mistress waiting."

Linking her hands in mine, we walked towards where my master was waiting for us. The ballroom of the house was renovated into a makeshift theatre by us. There was a set stage, big enough to contain about 7 of us, draped in curtains made from satin.

Not too far from the stage, a seating arrangement was made up with expensive leather chairs and a makeshift velvet throne. Andrella spent a lot on this, hoping to impress the king. The relationship between them was a bit strange as there were too many rumors to confirm the truth.

Smoke curled from her lips, the tobacco pipe pinched between the pads of her thumb and index fingers. Her second hand firmly grabbed the sash wrapping around her just below her shoulder. Her knuckles were white and her normally calm green eyes were stormy.

"You're late." Her expression betrayed her annoyance despite her calm tone.

"It took a while to fit in," I replied. Amelia stayed just one step behind me, unwilling to get into the tense situation between the both of us.

"I don't think I need to warn you not to do anything foolish out there. If you do, I'll gladly watch as your head is lobbed off."

"I can only hope that is not the case mistress."

She responded by putting the pipe back in her mouth and inhaling deeply.

"We will begin soon. Perform well, both of you."

Amelia looked like she wanted to shrink into the floor when Andrella's gaze landed on her. She was only meek towards the mistress; everyone was scared of Andrella.

"Yes mistress."

She walked to the entrance of the mansion, all of us following behind. Amelia held on to my sleeve, her hands trembling. Mine were too so I held on to her as she held on to me.

We heard it before we saw it; trumpets, the rumbling of the earth due to the procession that arrived with the king. They kicked up dust and I was thankful that we wore a veil. We only had to cover our eyes for a while.

"His Majesty, King Mival Lithonius of Casella has arrived."

The dust cleared and petals danced in the air. Fair clothed maidens threw them in the air, footmen dressed in gold carrying a velvet carpet to an extravagant carriage pulled by four healthy stallions. They rolled the carpet past where we stood, leading to the entrance of the house. The remaining footmen opened the carriage door.

It was like all our hearts were synced in one beat as we saw a foot extend to the velvet carpet. Another foot dropped and the king came into view. Long golden hair held in place by a glittering gold crown adorned with priceless jewels, intimidating grey eyes whose ferocity didn't diminish even with the smile he gave, a tall imposing figure draped in a blue ceremonial vest.

He was everything and nothing like I remembered.

"Lady Andrella, it's been so long."

"Your majesty," she said as she curtsied. We follow her lead. She doesn't rise until the king asks her to.

"No need for such formalities between us."

"His majesty is the representative of the gods on earth. I cannot afford any disrespect."

"I didn't know you were so traditional. You may rise."

Our legs were already aching from staying in that position for so long. While we were bowing, the prince had already descended from the carriage. He looked a lot like his father and in his hand, he held a child.

I never knew he had a child or he was married. I looked at Amelia but she shrugged. Even Andrella's eyes widened as she saw the child. She regained herself smoothly and led the king into the house. They stayed a short distance apart, Andrella giving curt replies as the king spoke familiarly with her. So, they did know each other.

I looked at Prince Kron once more. He balanced the sleeping child on his left forearm, holding what seemed to be a child's toy on the other. His eyes were filled with impatience as he swept through the crowd of veiled girls in satin dresses. I couldn't imagine he was looking for me.

No, I hoped he wasn't. With a child like that, having him as a patron just became more complicated.

Getting into the house, Andrella hurried us to take our places. On the side of the stage, there were instruments arranged already. Amelia whispered 'Goodluck' to me, going to man the harp. She was the most talented at it. We waited till the King and his entourage were seated before we started our welcome reception.

A hush fell over the previously bustling ballroom. The soft stringing of a harp filled the hall soon accompanied by other instruments. The huge curtains that separated us from our audience rose.

"In the valleys of the east, an army rose..."

Just like Amelia was the best at playing the harp, I possessed the best singing voice in the house. It was better than Andrella's in her prime which was why she never let me show my face when performing before my debut. There were about 7 girls on stage wearing the same thing so no one would be able to tell who was singing.

The song she picked was one that gained popularity after the current king ascended the throne. He used to be a general, winning almost every battle he stepped into. Even as a King his victories were ever flowing. He looked pleased, engrossed in the performance, occasionally whispering to Andrella.

The tempo of the music changed. It became even fiercer and the gentle flowing dance we did slowly transformed into a complicated dance where our bodies distorted to give an impression of the disorientation of war. Following the tempo change, I began to sing faster and faster until I ran out of breath. Taking one deep breath, I closed my eyes and spinned with the others. When I opened my eyes, I was standing in front, staring directly at the king, at a distance in which if I threw a weapon, I would kill him before anyone could do anything.

In fact, there was a small blade hidden in my sleeve. I clenched it tighter and danced away. There was no way the king was that easy to kill.

My verse ended so it was time for someone else to take over the song. We slowly brought the performance to an end and bowed in front of our audience, receiving thunderous applause.