Visiting The Imperial Palace
“Lia?”
Elora met with her maid halfway and tanker her tightly into her embrace. Both girls held each other like it was the last time and Lia’s sobs filled the silence in the room.
“My…my lady,” she sniffled as they broke their embrace.
“Lia, are you okay? Did you get hurt?” Elora held her servant by the shoulder and examined her from her hair down to her toes. There wasn’t a single injury in sight.
“Fortunately, I was protected. How about you my lady, did you get hurt. Did that monster…” She clamped her mouth shut before she could complete her sentence. Her head cocked to look behind her and it was only then that Elora realised the three women behind Lia.
“Your highness,” they greeted simultaneously with their heads lowered and as they lifted their gazes, Elora took a shuddering breath. Their eyes were a sharp shade of red. They were vampires.
“Wh…where is this?”
The first maid stepped forward, shoved Lia to the side with her shoulder, and stood in her position. “You’re in the mansion of the second prince, your highness. I’m Enor, the head maid.” She looked behind her to the other two maids and commanded in a stern voice. “Step forward and introduce yourselves to the princess.”
They quickly took a step forward.
“I’m Breda, your highness.”
“I’m Hula, your highness.”
Like a practiced move, once they were done introducing themselves, they returned to their position and let the older head maid forward again. “We’re going to be your personal maids from now on. We’ll teach you the etiquette of the royal vampires and how to manage the household.”
“I…”
“You must have your bath and leave for the imperial palace immediately.”
“Imperial palace?”
“Yes, your highness. A new bride must pay homage to the elders the next evening after the wedding. The servants will help you with your bath.” With that, she showed her back to them. “Get the princess ready immediately.” She ordered the two servants before leaving the room.
Once the head maid was gone, Elora watched the two servants relax a bit. “Do come with us, your highness. Your bath is ready.”
Her feet pushed backward. The thought of meeting more and more vampires was unsettling. Before this, she’d never met a single vampire, and being thrust into their world all of a sudden was too foreign to her. Too unfamiliar.
“Your highness, it’s tradition,” Hula said.
“I…I’ll be fine with only my servant.”
But both servants simultaneously dropped to their knees. “Forgive us, my lady. His highness would have our heads if we fail to take care of you.”
And so, the princess had no choice but to let the maids perform their duties. They scrubbed her skin until it tingled, forced her into a tight corset that barely left any space for breathing, brushed her stubborn ginger curls until they were straight. By the time they were done pulling a stunning look on her, she could no longer feel her limbs.
It was her new life and she had no choice but to accept it. At least for the meantime.
All while through the journey to the imperial castle, her gaze was fixed outside the carriage. She couldn’t help but notice every little detail in Elyria.
It was as the rumor. The vampire land was cold, fruitless, and dry. The buildings were tall and strong and their roofs were covered with the pouring snow. Trees were a dark shade of silver instead of green and there wasn’t a single flower in sight. It was a contrast to Yvlies which was full of life. Perhaps it was true what was said about Elyria? That they were cursed many years ago for the sin they’d committed against the holy one?
But in all, Elyria was a pretty sight. It was black, white, and silver, colourless but not dull. To Elora, it was rather intriguing.
After a few hours, the carriage finally came to a stop before the imperial castle. The door opened from the outside and a hand extended forward to help the princess.
As she stepped out, the maids quickly shielded her with an umbrella to protect her from the snow.
“My lady, this way,” Hula directed.
Elora held the thick black cloak closer to her body as she walked. Behind her were five servants. She couldn’t stop herself from admiring the beauty of the castle. The afternoon glow created a cast on the castle, its stone walls painted a dark shade of grey. Servants darted across the corridors, bowing their heads to every noble they came across. At the corners of the corridors, Elora noticed the roses, lilies, and tulips but when she looked even closer, she realized they were fake. Made of silk.
The imperial castle was the most life-filled place she’d seen in Elyria.
“Stop right there!” A commanding voice rang out from behind, halting the princess and her servants at once.
The owner of the voice marched to take a stand before her.
“First princess.” The servants bowed low to the lady. She had countless servants behind her. They kept their heads down, none dared to lift their faces to meet her eyes.
Elora’s mouth fell open as she glanced at the first princess of Elyria. The lady was absolutely stunning. She’d heard of the beauty of the noble vampires before. But the lady standing before her was jaw-dropping. Magical, truly. Dressed in a red ball dress with her long wavy black hair that was adorned with beautiful pins and a tiara, she looked like the princess that she was. Her lips were painted in the same color as her eyes. Red. Sharp. Intimidating.
“You must be punished for this disrespect,” the first princess sharply said. “First, you pretended not to see me and now, you dare look me in the eye.”
With eyes still fixated on the floor, Hula took a bold step forward. The first princess, Lilith was known for her intolerance to disrespect.
“First princess, this…this is Princess Elora, the second prince, his highness’s bride.”
But the first princess didn’t blink an eye. “Being married to brother doesn’t excuse her disrespect. I demand she pay respect and bow to me right here and….”
“I’m not obligated to bow to you,” Elora sharply cut in
The servant’s gasps filled the corridor. They glanced at each other in disbelief. The second prince’s new wife had just interrupted the first princess of Elyria.
“How dare you interrupt me?” Lilith’s voice cracked and her face burned in embarrassment. “Do you not know who I am?”
“My husband is the second prince and…and he’s your older brother. I believe that I hold the same position as you,” she clutched the side of her cloak nervously as she retaliated. Although she was intimidated by the first princess, she couldn’t let it show. Elora was aware of one thing. If she wanted to survive, she needed to be strong.
“What?”
“You’re on my way. Please move?”
But her actions only riled Lilith even further. She stomped her foot on the floor and screamed at her servants.
“Someone slap her!”