Knock. Knock.
The sound at the door stirred me in my sleep. I slowly opened my eyes, squinting as a ray of sunlight pierced through the window into my eyes. The space beside me was empty, cold.
"Come in," Kathy said.
I turned to the right corner of the room to find Eve and Katherine seated at the small table. They both wore white satin nightwear, Eve's legs were on the armrest of the chair, while Katherine's legs were on top of her chair. They were munching away on the apples placed in a basket at the center of the table.
The same maid that escorted us to the room stood in front of the door, her eyes twitched at the sight of their sitting posture.
Katherine, seeing me awake, smiled with her mouth full. "Sleeping beauty is finally awake," she said through a mouthful.
I sat up groggily from the bed, rubbing my eyes to chase away the drowsiness creeping in.
I rubbed the back of my neck, yawning.
"When did you guys wake up?" I asked, my voice hoarse.
"A few hours ago," Eve replied, cutting an apple with the small knife she always carries around. Katherine happily chewed the already sliced pieces.
I nodded.
"We couldn't bear to wake you, so we both freshened up and waited for you," Katherine said flatly.
"Mm," I hummed, getting out of the comfortable bed. I glanced at the maid, who bowed respectfully.
"My lady, the Queen, requests your presence." she said softly, her gaze lowered. Is there anything interesting on the floor?
"Sure." I took a step forward--–
"No, my lady, you have to take a bath first. And change your clothes."
I looked down at my clothes. Yeah, I do look like a mess. I took a sniff of my armpit. Yuck, I really do need a bath.
"You don't need to sniff yourself to know you stink right now. We can perceive the stench from here," Kathy teased, her grey eyes gleaming. It wasn't that noticeable, but it was undoubtedly there, a shadow of what it had been before all this mess. My lips curled up on seeing that.
"Do you want me to come closer?" I said, my eyes sparkling with mischief.
Katherine crossed her hands in front of her and shouted. "You better not," she said, picking an apple and placing it in her mouth.
"My lady," the maid called, gesturing with her hand for me to follow her into the inner room which I assumed to be the bathroom. It was big enough to be a self-contained room. There was a lantern hanging at a corner, casting a warm, yellow glow. The scent of lavender was heavy in the air and something else I couldn't name. Steaming water filled a large bucket. Is that supposed to be the bathtub?
I flinched, as the maid tried to help me undress. I shifted, avoiding her hands. "I will bathe by myself," I said awkwardly as I pulled off my clothes.
"Then I will get your dress ready, my lady."
I hummed as the maid quietly left. I slipped into the warm water and hissed as it scalded my bruises. There was a red mark across my stomach, which was probably that damn guy's fault. I picked the small washcloth beside the bucket and carefully scrubbed my body. When I was finally done, I glanced around the bathroom, looking for something to cover myself with since I can't put back my clothes, they were dirty and stained with dried blood.
I spotted a white linen cloth on the table at the corner of the bathroom, with small bottles of oils placed beside it. I got up from the bucket and reached for the cloth. It was soft and thin but not too thin, a string tied at the chest. It was the cloth Katherine and Eve were wearing. My lips curved up in realization, it wasn't only the sitting positions that stunned the maid but also because they were sitting leisurely in their bathrobes. Katherine didn't know, even if she did—she wouldn't care, but Eve might have known and still didn't care. I carefully put it on, and left the bathroom.
The maid was standing beside the bed, her hands neatly folded in front of her. Three beautiful gowns were lying on the bed, the embedded gems on them sparkled under the sunlight. Katherine was hovering around the dresses excitedly— well she had always loved dressing up while Eve simply glanced at the dress, uninterested, spinning her sword on one hand like that was safe.
The maid picked a pale peach colored gown, with ruffles on it and a little bow at the back. It wasn't my style but it was more manageable than the rest. I stripped off the bathrobe with no shame. What was there to hide? The maid exhaled sharply, curiosity flickered in her eyes as she stared at the white butterfly etched on my back, covered in red rose thorns. She raised her head and met my gaze in the mirror. She trembled, lowering her head.
"I'm sorry, my lady," she said.
I didn't say anything.
I allowed the maid to help me wear the weird undergarment, because I honestly don't know what goes on first. Then it came to the hard part—the corset. I held the table tightly, and tried to inhale but I was finding it hard to do. Do you know why? It's because of this fucking stuff around my torso. This maid kept pulling at the strings behind me, desperately trying to kill me. Is this what the women in the Bridgerton series felt?
"Must I wear this?" I managed to say. "I can't breathe."
"Yes, my lady," the maid said, her voice certain.
I could see Katherine stifling a laugh, a smile tugging at Eve's lips. I wondered if they would be laughing when it was their turn. I carefully straightened up as the maid finally tied the knot of the corset. My insides twisted in knots, my breathing became difficult. I tugged at the corset for some relief.
I stood staring at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was tied up, with some left in the front. The gown sculpted my body so well, like it was tailored for me. A white glove covered my arms. I looked like a doll—a Barbie doll, which was uncomfortable.
The maid smiled in satisfaction at my new look.
"You look beautiful Selene," Kathy said sweetly, leaning closer to me. "You definitely look different–in a good way."
"Tell me about it," I said, smoothing down the ruffles in the gown. The person in the reflection stared right back at me. I felt different but strangely it felt familiar. It disturbingly gnawed at my heart, clawing deep within me. Why is that?
An ache bloomed in my head, sharp as a blade.
Sera…you look so beautiful.
I froze. My heart skipped.
It's that girl again.