Princess Eleanor had just swung her legs from beneath the heavy sapphire velvet bed coverlet when a gentle tap preceded the door's opening , and Liora peeked in, her face already bright with a purposeful energy.
"Your Highness! Good morning."
"Liora." Princess Eleanor called out, stretching her arms as she got up from the bed into a sitting position . "You're here so early. What time is it?".
"Did you forget? . You have your first official meeting with the King today for breakfast!.Of course, I had to come early to get you dressed before Matilda and her battalion arrive making you uncomfortable ." Liora explained as she set up the linen towel.
"Ah!".
A jolt of anxiety shot through Princess Eleanor and she immediately hurried to her feet.
"I almost forgot, thank heavens you're here in time." She said hurrying up and then paused, peering past Liora into the silent and empty corridor. "Wait, you came here all alone?. Through this maze of a castle".
"Of course ". Liora said with a confident smile as she raised her shoulders proudly. "Did you forget I have a photographic memory?. Once shown a path, I'll remember it clearly."
"I truly envy this your ability". Princess Eleanor sighed, moving toward the bathing chamber. "I wish I had such a gift. I fear I shall be lost in this maze of a castle each time I step out."
"What need is there to worry?". Liora replied as she laid out a white chemise on the bed. "I will always be here by your side. I shall be your eyes and your guide."
"You really are the best". Princess Eleanor said, her smile genuine but tight with apprehension as she asked. "What time is it?".
"No rush. We still have a good hour or so, you can take a moment to calm your spirit so you won't be so nervous when you see the King later ".
*******
Just as Liora was helping her mistress into her chemise, there was a knock at the door.
"I'll get the door". Liora said, smoothing her own simple woolen dress before opening the door.
Matilda stood before the door in the corridor, her silver white hair coiled into a chignon and as usual she was flanked by her quartet of vampire attendants, all clad in identical, high-necked gowns of charcoal grey.
"Good morning, Your Highness". They all chorused bowing in perfect unison.
Princess Eleanor nodded from where she was standing in the room, gesturing with a slight shake of her hand. "Good morning. Please, rise."
Matilda's nodded and rise and so did her attendants and almost immediately she noticed that the Princess was already in her foundational layers with Liora standing beside her.
"Your Highness, you…". Matilda began, a thread of disapproval in her impeccably controlled tone and the Princess noticed it immediately.
"Liora had already helped me bathe and was about to help me get dressed. It is a minor thing, it is nothing she cannot handle, you need not all trouble yourselves."
"Your Highness, I know you are accustomed to your personal maid". Matilda replied quite sternly. "But not here, there is a protocol and every protocol must be throughly observed. You are both new and do not yet know the intricacies of our customs yet. How can I allow her to handle such a major preparation alone?. Anything concerning you is a matter of state and should be personally seen to by me myself, what if you are underdressed or overdressed for the occasion. I would not have you wear something that might inadvertently offend His Majesty and cost us all our lives".
The Princess frowned unconsciously, she hadn't indeed put those under consideration and didn't even know that the consequences would be severe, it was so unlike her kingdom back home where there was just few to no rules to abide by.
"I understand now ". She conceded.
Matilda nodded in acknowledgement and soon got into action , her hands coarse and cold a she tightened the laces of the stay with practiced ease and as soon as she was done , she stepped back and fetched a large, oval mirror with a handle of polished ebony, holding it up for the Princess to see.
"This is so beautiful". Princess Eleanor smiled at her reflection in the mirror. She was donning a black velvet , the hem embroidered with a cascade of silver bullion thread that mimickeddewdrops.
Tiny, iridescent pearls were scattered amongst the silver like frozen dewdrops, the neckline was square and modest, edged with silver filigree and the sleeves were fashionably slashed from shoulder to wrist.
The gown fell in heavy , luxurious folds, pooling slightly at the back into a modest train.
The deep shade of black made her skin appear like porcelain and her hazel eyes seemed even larger.
"It is because you are beautiful, Your Highness". Matilda said, though a flicker of professional pride shone in her cool gaze.
"Thank you for this". Princess Eleanor smiled, turning from the mirror to address the head maid.
Immediately, Matilda and all four attendants dropped into deep curtsies, their heads bowed so low it stunned both the Princess and Liora into silence.
Did I say something wrong again?.
Princess Eleanor exchanged curious glances with Liora who shook her head and she immediately stepped forward, touching Matilda's arms. "What happened? Stand up, please!".
"Your Highness, you need not thank us. This is our lifelong duty, to tend to you. Your satisfaction is our purpose so your gratitude is unnecessary, if the others heard Your Highness thanking us, the consequences will be unimaginable ".
There's even a consequence for telling them "thank you " ?.
"Uh… okay". She mumbled in understanding.
"Your Highness ". Matilda bowed, her business-like tone returning. "Now, let us proceed to the dining hall. We must not keep His Majesty waiting."
The nervousness she had managed to cool off earlier returned in a suffocating wave at the mention of him as she followed them out.
Liora discreetly squeezed her arms as she walked beside her and she smiled at her actions.
After several twists and turns through the vast, tapestry-lined corridors, they finally arrived at a set of towering double doors of dark, carved oak.
Just as they approached, the doors swung open from within and the King himself stepped through, he however seemed to have sense their presence and immediately turned to face them and the moment he did, Princess Eleanor's breath caught in her throat.
He was devastatingly handsome donning a doublet of deep crimson damask that was tailored perfectly to his broad shoulders.
His dark, curly hair was brushed back from his face but it was his smile that left her utterly stunned.
He had a beautiful, warm smile that softened the sharp planes of his cheeks and reached his brilliant blue eyes, crinkling the corners and for a moment, she was lost in them and didn't even notice when he approached her until she heard her entourage greetings.
"Your Majesty". She immediately curtsied politely.
"My Lady". He smiled as she reached for her hand, his fingers strong and surprisingly warm as they enclosed her's.
He bowed his head and pressed a soft lingering kiss to her knuckles. He then straightened up and as his eyes met her's , she couldn't help feeling like he wasn't staring at her even though he was.
It was as if he was looking right through her , deep into her soul as he stared at her with a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes.