by Hannah Grace » Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:14 pm
Mae remained quiet as she watched the hired servant reach for a hairbrush, gently and carefully brushing through the girl’s dark, shiny, shoulder length hair. Part of her wanted to throw a fit. To pout. To throw herself on the ground. It felt as if the rest of her life had been thrown away. But the other part of her knew that the fighting had to stop. And if it meant she’d marry someone she didn’t know, well, she’d make that sacrifice. Divorces existed for a reason, and it was too terribly easy for another mistress to waltz right in.
Despite the inner turmoil she struggled with, one wouldn’t and couldn’t be able to tell from the outside. Her hazel-brown eyes seemed to blur for a few seconds before she resumed her gaze into the mirror. The countryside, and the city had been hit hard during the war, and they were lucky that the kingdom itself was financially stable. “Your majesty…” Mae's gaze darted towards the servant, and then back to the mirror, then towards the gown she was to wear.
“I can finish myself. You’re free to go.” She spoke softly, quietly. The servant nodded, and promptly left. Mae hated the constricting feeling of a corset within a dress, but there wasn’t much else she could wear. It was a style, a trend. Which is part of the reason why she insisted on dressing herself. From her point of view, her waist was small enough. Squished ribs and discomfort wasn’t necessary. After a few more moments, she had finished. Unfortunately, she knew where she needed to go.
The amount of times the family had met other important families, or other allies in this sort of courtyard was infinite, and Mae hated it. The courtyard itself was stunning. Flowers adorned the Grecian pillars, which stood all in uniform beauty. Light gray stone lined the sidewalk, and blue and purple flowers grew around and about. It was apparent it was well taken care of.
The city itself was almost in ruins. Lack of care, in other words. Most men hadn’t came back yet. Or wouldn’t make it back. The people were desperate for a new start, they’d do anything avoid more warfare. Begging had easily turned into pleading, as lost loved ones still hadn’t seemed to return home. Mae glanced towards her father, the king. He didn’t look at her. Or, he couldn’t, one of the two.
Her mother, sent her a sympathetic expression, one that Mae didn’t appreciate. She could tell their sympathy wasn’t real. All that was simply wanted, was for the war to be over, for everyone to stop dying. Well, maybe she was the solution. One of her father's closest advisers sent her an icy look, which had her stepping backwards. Theo. Theo hadn’t never liked Mae, and she could sense it, although he never openly expressed it when she was around. He was a few years older than the girl, and his intentions weren’t good.
Her father stood in the center of the courtyard, her mother nearby, along with Mae. Mae didn’t know what to do. To look away, to look down, she didn’t know.
“Welcome to the kingdom of Avalon.. You and your soldiers are welcome here.. Please, let us know what we can do to accommodate you and your kind..” King Aranid spoke as he bowed respectfully, any and all sort of hostility gone from his voice. He was as desperate to avoid violence as any of the citizens of his kingdom. Soldiers, more of the security guard, stood nearby, their stances displayed respect as they bowed, politely acknowledging the newcomers.
Mae watched them, almost forgetting for a few seconds to bow, seeming a little out of unison. A light jab in the ribs seemed to jolt her back into reality, and she quickly bowed, or curtsied, showing her respect before eyeing their horses. Huge beasts. Never had she ever seen such a large animal. Avalon raced and bred fjord ponies. Short, stocky little horses with mild temperaments. Their speed, and quick reaction time was precious during battle.
Casually adjusting the necklace around her neck, she adjusted it, allowing it to rest upon hee collarbone before cautiously taking a step backwards. Suddenly, she paused, and her eyes met the man, the man she’d marry. Tonight.
I’m marrying him? There’s no way… I’m not ready.. there-there has to be something else I can do… why me… surely there’s someone else better for this. I’m awkward. I’ll simply scare him off the moment he tries to speak to me…
Quickly looking away, she occupied herself with counting the marble bricks that encased the courtyard, a little too shy to completely look at him.