Chapter 17- Petty Wetty Flamingo?
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Annalise slept beside me after our conversation because I couldn’t go back to sleep alone and so she had to read me a book before she fell asleep herself. I wondered how she could because Nayaki women were illiterates but she. Maybe the king allowed her because of their relationship.
She woke up and woke me up so early that I would have dished out a grave punishment if a servant ever tried that with me in the Gattar Manor. Such an ungodly hour to be awake in the morning. The sun wasn’t even up yet. The slightly chilly weather did not help at all and I did not want to be separated from the blanket but she forced me up telling me we needed to be at the palace before sunrise. Did we even sleep after our conversation at all? It was still dark and I was very close to throwing tantrums.
The two maidens helped undress me as they prepared a bath for me. They even put more effort than the previous day and the water was warmer with a lot of fresh flowers which smelled heavenly. That compensated for the disturbance of sleep at least. After my bath, they dried my body and applied scented oils on all my pressure points. It’s been a while since I cared for my body in that manner so it was a little.
I almost screamed at the outfit they picked out for me. Where would I wear such revealing clothes too? I thought Annalise said we were going to the palace. Even though the dress was silk, it was a blue sleeveless blouse that would surely reveal a lot of my breast and my chest and only stopped just above my belly buttons; the part of my body that wasn’t meant for the eyes of other men except my husband. And a large skirt that was at least decent and long enough to cover my ankles.
The door opened and Annalise entered with a box of jewelry. She noticed I wasn’t dressed yet and asked for the reason.
” I can’t wear this” I cried and she just smirked.
” Sleeved blouses are strictly for the Queen. I’m sorry but that is how we dress here. I will give you a scarf though” She said pointing to a small scarf lying on the chair. I breathed in relief, at least my chest would be covered but my arms would be exposed.
After putting on the dress, I sat on the chair as they brushed my wild hair. I had a lot of breakages from Patrick pulling my hair the last time he abused me. So my once full hair was thinner without volume. But the maids still managed to comb through and styled it into gentle braids. Annalise fixed two beautiful hairpins on top of the center braids.
Light makeup was applied to my face and my neck to cover up my fading scars. The woman I saw in the mirror after everything shocked me to my bones. I looked so different from what I looked like back in Gattar Manor. I looked just the way I looked on my wedding day before I was whisked away to my prison where I lost all the light in my eyes. But now those lights are back and I smiled at that beautiful woman.
” Aww, you look so beautiful” Annalise cooed spinning me around like a princess. I blushed Scarlett at her compliment. It’s been a while since I felt that beautiful.
Annalise led the way out of the house while slipping a warm fresh pastry into my hands. I immediately took a bite and almost moaned at the deliciousness that invaded my taste buds. The flavours busted in my mouth and I asked with my mouthful what the pastry was. She told me it was fluffy snow, a rich doughnut-like pastry made from flour and cream cheese but filled with honey in the center. She dabbed my lips with a handkerchief. I had finished the tasty goodness before we made our way to the waiting carriage. My heart beats in anticipation as I await the date that lies ahead.
I fell asleep on the way but Annalise woke me up immediately we entered the palace. The carriage stopped in front of a large building, giant even, five times the entire Gattar Manor and it was just one of the many buildings inside the palace. This was the king’s inner palace. In front of the door was a large hornet painting on a purple background. The day has not broken fully so I couldn’t make other designs. Two guards opened the door and Annalise led the way.
I wrapped the scarf tighter around me under the gazes of the guards. They were kind of too many and it made me slightly uncomfortable. We passed through many halls that were decorated in a unique state that got my jaw-dropping anytime I laid my eyes on them. The palace was beautiful beyond words. The guards and every maid we came across greeted Annalise respectfully by bowing their heads while I hid myself under the scarf avoiding gazes.
Annalise stopped in front of the king’s chamber. In front of the door were four eunuchs and six maids guarded by two heavily armed guards. The eunuchs opened the door and announced Annalise’s presence. Annalise said I should follow her and I did with my head and my body still covered.
We stayed in the outer part of the chamber, the King was still in the inner chamber. I stared around in awe at the decorations. The walls were adorned with rich tapestries, depicting the kingdom’s history and achievements. These colorful fabrics hung alongside gilded frames housing portraits of past rulers, creating a visual timeline of the royal lineage. Intricate rugs with patterns of royal motifs covered the marble floors which made it so warm that I could feel it even with my shoes on.
A chandelier made of glittering crystal hung from the ceiling, illuminating the room with a soft, warm light. Its countless facets caught and reflected the light from the well-lit candles, creating a dazzling display that added to the room’s elegance. Nayakis were freaking wealthy and they were not scared to flaunt their wealth.
The king stepped out of his inner chamber, dressed in the traditional black and golden robes of Nayaki kings. Even though the morning was still young, he was fully dressed for the court already. My head was still bowed so I couldn’t see his face but he appeared to be a big and tall man with muscles in the right places. Even with my tall stature, he would dwarf me totally if I stood beside him.
” Your majesty. Allow me to introduce Lady Marilyn Rusè from Ruqgu” Annalise said with a very loud but polite tone while still bowing her head.
” Lady Marilyn? Can you raise your head” The king commanded but his voice was soft and I could sense a little bit of excitement. In his but my ears tingled at the familiarity of the voice. It sounded so much like I had heard it before somewhere but there was something with the way he pronounced my name that sent a shiver down my spine, At his command I raised my head only to widen my eyes in shock at the person in front of me. Petty Wetty flamingo? Is the king of Nayak? Fuck me! Will he recognize me? Does he remember me? My nerves went into full rampant as I held his gaze.
” Your majesty” I managed to croake out with a low tone. I thought he was hallucinating when he called himself the king. Oh dear!