A Forgotten Realm

Chapter 4 - A New Dawn

My eyes shuddered open slowly as a yawn fell from my lips and I stretched out standing up to see it was already light outside. My pain was gone, now that I think of it I walked to this chair pretty easily last night and I don’t remember there being pain, maybe I’m in shock. A light tapping came upon my door followed by a shy voice

“My Queen, I’ve come to help you get ready for the day may I enter?”

Help me get ready? I can manage that on my own I’m sure I just need a dress and to toss my hair up. Well actually I don’t have any clothes with me since I fled.

“Come in.” I said trying to sound pleasant instead of a groggy mess. As I looked to the door I saw something on the table; my satchel and the hilt of my dagger ever so slightly poking from under the edge and a smile pressed ever so lightly across my lips.

“Good morning my Queen my name is Olivia and I will be your handmaiden when you are here.” The girl was bowing her head and I could t help but raise a brow. “Please call me Alea, and you don’t need to bow. Now what’s all this about helping me get ready?”

The look of shock that washed over her was borderline hilarious and it took all I had not to burst into a fit of laughter as she choked out her next words.

“It is custom to bow to our Queen, if you bid me to call you by your name then I will do so My Q- Alea. I’m here to help you wash, dress, and do your hair for when you cross the veil.”

“Wash me?” What in the world that seems so awkward, I felt my face flushing with embarrassment and Olivia quickly noticed.

“Oh! I just run the bath for you and wash your hair for you so that it isn’t a tangled mess when you step out of the bathing chambers. I won’t touch anywhere else I promise!” She stammered clearly nervous she had upset me.

I suppose I’ll just have to allow it so I don’t step on toes or give the poor girl an anxiety attack.

“Well alright I guess we’d better get started, I presume today will be long.”

Olivia giggled at my clearly unenthusiastic response to the days events and hurried to the bathroom to turn the water on all while telling me how sure she was today would be “oh so wonderful.”

I’m sure it’ll be.. fan-tastic…

As I entered the bathroom Olivia brushed my hair gently untangling the matted mess from running through the rain, the ceremony, and sleeping all without taking a brush to it then turned away to give me privacy to undress and sink my mud covered body into the warm water. I had t realized it but I was quite filthy after all that and I’m sure I wasn’t anything pleasant to look at. When I was settled in Olivia sat on the tub side and washed my hair as I washed my body rambling about how excited she was to be here for this and for me but all I could think was “why me? How? Is this some mistake?” But the gods don’t make mistakes so I’m sure there’s some reason.. Anyways she was nice and clearly easy to get along with.

After my bath Olivia laid me a warm towel out and left for me to dry myself and put on my undergarments she had prepared for the day including a dress slip which let me know I was indeed about to be ushered into a heave gown.

Walking out from the bathroom it was the first thing I saw. A golden dress with jade accents, beautiful to say the least but man did it look uncomfortable.

“I’m wearing that? It’s beautiful but that skirt looks so very heavy.” I stated trying not to sound ungrateful for the time she put into preparing an outfit for me.

Olivia smiled softly and nodded. “Yes, it is quite heavy but this dress was made for the Queen and Exchiel had it altered to fit you. He’s very good with knowing clothing measurements just by eye and was worried it would be a little too big. Come on let’s get you dressed”

After what seemed like a century I was dressed, corseted, my hair was done, and my face powdered. I got up from the chair I had been sitting in for Olivia to do my hair and she guided me to the mirror to inspect her masterpiece. I didn’t even recognize the girl I saw she was brilliant, glowing in fact. I was in awe at how well she had done but none the less… the dress sucked.

“Well Mrs. Star Stylist what do you say we get this show on the road before a mob comes to hunt me down and drag me to the veil”

A laugh erupted from her that was so joyful I couldn’t help but smile.

“Yes let’s go!” Olivia squealed and next thing I know she’s arm in arm with me dragging me to the door in excitement.

In the corridor leading to the main hall of the temple many were gathered and an eruption of applause and cheering filled the entire building the moment I stepped into view. Olivia squeezed my arm tightly reassuring me she was there and we continued to the doors nobody but I could cross.

So today’s the day I meet my fated husband, The King himself.