The Imprisoned Princess

Chapter 4

I sat there for a bit, picking at my plate. I had already been dreading tonight. Both my parents had felt the need to warn me about my behavior. They would be watching me like a hawk. If I so much as stumbled, I was going to pay dearly. I sighed. This was my life. The constant threat of punishment if I wasn't perfect. I didn't eat anymore. The ham dish no longer appealed to me. I stood from my seat and Melina joined me as we made our way back to my room. 

 When we reached my room, all I wanted was to lay down. I was already exhausted. I knew tonight was going to be awful. I was expected to dance and smile. To be stylish and elegant and graceful. I was none of these things. My tiny figure made it hard to appear elegant. I was too clumsy to be graceful. I would have to pretend. To plaster on my perfect princess smile and do my best to make my parents happy. 

"We need to start." Melina said, distracting me from my thoughts. I nodded. It would take hours to get ready and being late would be unforgivable. Melina led me to the bathing suite. A steaming hot bath was waiting for me. Melina added some scented oils. Rose and jasmine were my preferred scents. The servants came over and removed my clothes and I walked to the large, built in tub and walked down the stairs and sat. Melina was stripped and joined me. 

 Bathing together was a normal thing here. We had bath houses for the common people and slaves. The nobility had private bath houses. The royals and richest among us had private bath houses in their homes, for family use. In the case of the palace, the royal apartments each had their own bathing chamber. Then there was a common bath house, one for the women and for the men. This was where the visiting nobles or guests would bathe (visiting royals would be given a royal guest chamber with their own bath). Lastly there was a bathing chamber for the servants. 

 Bathing was a time to clean and socialize. We liked our favored servants to bathe with us. It allowed them to adopt our scent which helped indicate they were ours. I had heard husbands liked to bathe with their wives for this reason as well but I had no way of knowing if that was true. 

 I sighed and laid my head back as a servant started to rinse and wash my hair. I would be scrubbed from head to toe for tonight. My hair was washed, rinsed, and washed again. Then I stood as my body was thoroughly scrubbed and washed. I hated having the servants do this part. It felt so intrusive but I just bit my tongue and let them get it over with. After, my body was covered in a paste that would remove any unwanted hair. Another ridiculous part of the bath. My Mother had decided it was the fashion to be hairless. All royal and noble ladies were expected to have all body hair removed. No one saw my body so I didn't see why this was necessary. Being so hairless always made me feel so….exposed. After they removed the paste, my body was rinsed and I was washed again. Then I was led out of the tub. My hair was patted dry and wrapped in a towel and I was led to a massage table. I had to admit, I liked this part. My body would be massaged with oils in my scent. This part was relaxing. I groaned as the masseuse started rubbing my shoulders. It felt so good. After a few moments, I was so relaxed I felt like I may fall asleep. It was over too soon. I was dressed in a silk robe robe and led to a styling chair. My long pale hair was brushed with oils and dried. Then they started the long arduous task of styling my hair into an intricate updo. While they worked, another servant started on my face. My face was washed and primed. Then make-up was applied. By the time they finished, I barely recognized myself. I nodded and stood as the servants started to dress me. I was shocked to see a midnight blue, floor length gown. This dress was elegant and sexy. Nothing like how I was normally dressed. The dress was entirely lace and slightly sheer. It had a deep V-neck with sheer lace sleeves. It was fitted and mermaid style, flaring out just below my knees It hugged all my curves perfectly. When I was finished dressing I just stared for a second. My Mother usually dressed me in pastels but I had never liked them. They made me look even paler and washed out. But this darker dress was doing wonders for my skin. It made my skin look like porcelain. It was the perfect contrast to my light coloring. It brought out the pink in my cheeks and the silver in my hair. The make-up only added to the look. I stared at myself in absolute disbelief of the sexy and sophisticated woman staring back at me. 

"Princess, is everything okay?" A servant asked, bringing me back to reality. 

"Sorry, yes." I said, nodding. Melina came over with silver, elbow length gloves and put them on me. Then they started adding jewelry. Everything was silver with sapphires. My necklace had a large sapphire surrounded by diamonds that dipped low into my cleavage. My earring matched as did my tiara. I was shocked by my appearance. Tonight I looked every inch the princess I was. 

 I nodded when the servants finished with my jewelry. At last I was ready. Melina led me out of my room and down to a secret entry near the ballroom. My Father was waiting for me there. I smiled when I saw him. I actually felt pretty for once and I hoped he would approve. For a moment he looked surprised when he saw me. 

"That color suits you Neoma." He said. I blushed with the compliment. My Father rarely ever said anything complimentary about me, especially pertaining to my appearance. "I hope you can act as nice as you look." He finished, dragging me back down into reality. I may be a princess but this was no fairy tale. My Father held his arm out and I took it, having to reach up since my Father was so tall. We went to the double doors. These doors were the entrance for the royal family. The rest of my family had already been announced and had joined the ball. Since I was the guest of honor, I was being presented last. My Father was escorting me, which was considered an honor. 

 The doors swung open and the trumpets blared. 

"All hail King Lycidas and Princess Neoma!" The Majordomo announced in his booming voice as we entered the ball.