*TADA?*

Her eyes felt heavy and swollen as she sat on the large bed she was previously laying on.

She couldn't remember how she got here.

All she could remember was getting into the carriage with Edmond and now she was here.

Had he helped her here? Was she already in the palace?.

Her head throbbed and she winced when she saw her reflection on the mirror mounted beside the bed.

She looked hideous. Just as she guessed, her eyes were swollen and red, her lips looked charped, her her was a bird's nest and she looked nothing short of a mess.

She wasn't actually to blame, it was all his fault.

Aria quickly shook her head inorder to not think of him. Nothing was going to make her listen to him ever again.

He had already made it clear, she had but one goal.

"I have to take the throne." Her eyes hardened as she stared at nothing in particular.

She will make him pay and everyone else that had made her life a living hell.

"Excuse me."

A knock interrupted her thoughts and her head instinctively turned to face the door. She didn't know what to do. Was she meant to answer or-

"Prince Edmond had requested of me to accompany you to the dining were you will be introduced to the king and queen."

Aria cleared her throat a little"Come in."

The door creaked open and a small woman in maid attire walked in, only to stand frozen on seeing Aria but she quickly composed herself.

"I will help you get ready."

Aria nodded her head, thankful for the help and stood from the bed.

The small woman took her to the large bathroom and Aria didn't even have time to absorb her new setting before she felt her clothes being stripped away from her body.

"What the hell!?." She tried to cover her body with her hands and the woman could only roll her eyes.

"Here in the palace, the elites don't bathe themselves, we are in charge of that." The woman's tone was flat and an expression of disbelief registered on Aria's face for many reasons.

One, she was a frieking adult! And two, who the hell was she calling an elite!?.

"Please milady, I may be fired if we don't arrive there early." The woman pleaded with her and she reluctantly walked towards the large tub and submerged herself in it.

Immediately, the woman started her work, scrubbing Aria's body thoroughly.

Aria stayed quiet and observed the woman who seemed to be quite professional in her work as it didn't look like she was doing this for the first time.

Different types of lotions were poured into the bathe and somehow, aria actually enjoyed their soothing scents.

In a few minutes, she was out of the bath and was being dressed by the woman. She didn't bother to comment as the woman dressed her up, it didn't look like she would allow her to dress herself.

They later settled with a bright blue satin gown that flowed down to her feets, her long blonde her was tied in a bun and decorated with shiny pins. The woman wanted to add some necklaces but she instantly refused.

This was just a dinner she was going to, did she have to dress like this?.

She rolled it off with a pair of white flat shoes before adding some make-up on her face.

"I had hidden your eye bags a little, it wouldn't be too noticeable milady." The woman nodded at get work and Aria bowed at her.

"Thank you."

The woman's face flushed"No please, really, you don't have to thank me."

Aria really couldn't be more thankful. She stared at get reflection in the mirror and knew that she was beautiful.

"Let's go."

The woman opened the door for her and she followed the woman, walking into a straight passage that seemed endless. Doors lined up on both sides and Aria felt a little pressured the more steps she took.

This was it. She was finally going to meet the king.

The man she was meant to kill.

"We're here." The woman stopped at two large doors.

Aria felt her heart hasten as she stood in front of it"Thank you again." She bowed and held the handle.

"Wait milady, I know I'm in no position to say this but don't bow down to anyone else ever." The woman smiled and turned around, quickly leaving aria who was confused by her statement.

The doors opened on their own and aria stumbled forward as she was leaning on them unknowingly and almost fell down but caught herself in time.

Everywhere was quiet and Aria who was looking down slowly looked up to see a bunch of surprised faces.

"Tada?"