Sirene woke slowly, wrapped in softness she had never known before.
Her hands moved across the smooth sheets beneath her, fingertips tracing the cool silk as if she were afraid it might disappear. She lifted the pillow to her face and inhaled deeply. Even the scent of it felt luxurious—clean, delicate, unfamiliar.
A smile curved across her lips.
For a moment she wondered if she was still dreaming.
"Consort Sirene, wake up."
The voice startled her awake.
Sirene's eyes flew open and she sat upright instantly. Her gaze swept across the room, and the sight before her stole her breath.
The chamber was magnificent.
Morning light spilled through tall windows, illuminating bouquets of fresh flowers arranged carefully on a small table beside the wall. The table itself was surrounded by four carved chairs. A large wooden cabinet stood nearby, its surface sculpted with elegant waves that flowed across the wood like rippling water.
Above the bed hung a chandelier of gold, layered with white candles shaped like delicate flowers.
Sirene slowly turned, taking it all in.
Even the bed itself was grand—large and curved with the same flowing wooden designs as the cabinet. It looked less like furniture and more like a piece of art.
"I thought I was dreaming," she murmured.
A young woman stood beside the bed, watching her patiently.
"Consort Sirene, my name is Maya," the woman said with a polite bow. "I have been assigned as your lady-in-waiting."
Sirene blinked at her. "Lady-in-waiting?" she repeated. "What exactly do you do?"
"I manage your schedule, your meals, and your overall presentation," Maya explained calmly. "But most importantly, I follow your orders. If you need something done, you tell me. I remain with you at all times."
Sirene frowned slightly. "At all times?"
"Yes, my lady. Even at night."
Sirene tilted her head, "Don't you sleep?"
"I do," Maya said with a small smile. "My room is next to yours. It is very small and easy to miss."
"Oh."
The idea of someone being constantly assigned to her still felt strange.
"Now," Maya continued briskly, "we must prepare you for today's agenda."
Sirene raised her eyebrows. "I already have plans?"
"You do. Today you will meet the main women of the royal family."
Sirene groaned softly. "But I met them yesterday."
"That was only a general greeting," Maya replied. "Today's meetings are official and formal."
Sirene sighed and pushed the blankets aside, climbing out of the enormous bed.
Maya continued listing the day's schedule.
"You will begin with Her Majesty the Queen. After that, you will greet Lady Gema, who is also your future mother-in-law. Then you will meet Lady Erini, the king's first concubine. Finally, you will greet Princess Arasinta."
Sirene rubbed her face. "That's a lot of important people for one morning."
"It is," Maya agreed calmly. "Which is why your presentation must be perfect."
Sirene waved a hand dismissively. "I'm sure any dress here will be beautiful."
Maya's polite expression did not change, "That is where you are mistaken, my lady. Colors symbolize status within the palace."
Sirene paused, "What?"
Maya walked toward the wardrobe.
"The Queen's wardrobe is green in all its shades," she explained. "Lady Erini, the first concubine, wears blue. Lady Gema, the second concubine, wears pink."
Sirene folded her arms, already sensing that palace life was about to become very complicated., "And the princess?" She asked.
"Princess Arasinta may wear any color she wishes," Maya said. "Except green."
Sirene looked confused, "That doesn't sound too bad."
"It becomes an issue if you wear the same color she chooses that day." Maya continued.
Sirene stared. "That actually happens?"
Maya nodded. "That is why the ladies-in-waiting for the consorts and concubines are constantly communicating with the princess's ladies-in-waiting. We must know what color she is wearing in advance so we can avoid it."
Sirene laughed in disbelief. "That's intense."
"It is palace protocol."
"But what if she chooses blue or pink?" Sirene asked. "Those are the concubines' colors."
"They simply wear a different shade," Maya replied. "If the princess wears a darker shade of blue, Lady Erini must wear a lighter one."
Sirene shook her head slowly. "I can't imagine living like that."
Maya closed the wardrobe doors gently. "Well," she said, "you must imagine it. You live in the palace now."
Sirene sighed. "So, Maya," she said after a moment, "what am I wearing today?"
Maya stepped to the wardrobe and opened it.
Inside hung a collection of dresses.
All yellow.
Each one was a different shade—from pale gold to bright sunflower.
"Today you wear yellow, my lady."
Sirene studied them thoughtfully. "Very well." Then she glanced back at Maya. "Question."
"Yes, my lady?"
"Is the princess scary?"
Maya hesitated. "Why do you ask?"
Sirene scoffed softly, "Because of everything you just told me. It sounds like everyone is terrified of her."
She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Has she ever worn the same color as someone else?"
Maya's expression remained calm, but something in her eyes changed. "Yes."
Sirene leaned forward eagerly. "What happened?"
Maya answered evenly. "She personally tore the consort's dress."
Sirene froze.
"Not in a decent way either," Maya continued. "She ripped it apart while the woman was still wearing it."
Sirene's mouth slowly opened.
"And then," Maya said, "she ordered the guard to hammer nails into the eyes of the lady-in-waiting."
Sirene stared at her.
"She said there was no point in having two eyes if one could not recognize shades properly."
The room suddenly felt colder.
"What?" Sirene whispered. "Which consort was that?"
"Her brother's wife," Maya replied. "Consort Leona."
Sirene stood very still.
Maya smiled gently. "But other than that, the princess is admirable."
Sirene blinked.
"Right."
She turned slowly back toward the wardrobe.
The yellow dresses suddenly looked far less comforting than they had a moment before.
And for the first time since waking in the palace, Sirene wondered whether becoming a royal consort had truly been a blessing—or the beginning of a very dangerous life.
***