CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER NINE

Noblewomen and predators.

SOLANA

I waited for him.

Lily helped me with my bath, sheer dress, and pinned my hair up. I used the sweetest soap in the chamber until my skin smelled soft and expensive. Then I sat on the edge of the bed with my hands folded tightly in my lap, a stomach full of dread, and waited. 

But he never came.

Midnight passed, and the dread slowly loosened, only to fill me with confusion. I was relieved that I had one more night, but some traitorous part of me was disappointed because I had expected his rough hands on my body.

He didn’t come tonight, which meant he would come tomorrow. I had to get the contraception ready.

I counted the hours until morning, impatiently pacing my room. In Shadowridge, my room had been the smallest in the house, a shoe closet turned into a makeshift room, and now, I had all this space with nothing to do with it. I wouldn’t get comfortable. I wasn’t staying here for long. First, I would make the contraceptive. Then, I would find my way out of this vast Capital.

Morning found me still waiting, and I rushed out to the door, only to bump into Lily, Sebastian, and a woman. 

“Good morning, my lady.” Lily smiled at me. She wasn’t wearing the dirty dress anymore. She had a uniform on. She looked almost formal.

“Lily.” I nodded tensely and frowned at the woman. Who was she?

“This is Ms Calliope. She is the best seamstress in the Capital. The Lord Commander arranged a fitting.” She informed me before I could ask.

I stared at the woman and clenched my jaw. Why was everything against me? “I don’t need a seamstress.” 

“Oh, but you do, my lady. The Lord Commander signed off on it. Brunch is in a few hours, barely enough time to get you a perfect dress. As the King’s woman, you need to have a full wardrobe befitting your position.” Lily explained, and my stomach turned. 

“I’m not the King’s woman,” I mumbled, cheeks heating. 

“I will be quick, my lady,” Calliope assured me, but I knew she wouldn’t. She was a seamstress. She couldn’t be quick. 

And there went my garden trip. I couldn’t escape this without raising attention. 

“Of course.” I returned to the room, and they followed me in. 

“As the King’s woman, you need to be a perfect representation of him.” Calliope began as she measured me. 

“You have caused quite a stir, and I want you to make a statement at this brunch. It is a high society brunch. You’ll dazzle in one of my ready-made pieces.” She seemed pleased with herself as she measured my bust. “I will begin a full wardrobe immediately: day dresses, evening gowns and intimate wear. The Lord Commander told me not to spare the cost, so I will have you transformed. In fact, while I get your dress ready, why don’t I call a friend to work on your hair?” 

“My hair?” I frowned, touching it.

“It is beautiful, but we can always define the waves and make it bring out your cheekbones.” Her eyes sparkled with excitement. 

I didn’t consider myself a good judge of character, but she seemed to mean well, which might be because she saw me as a vessel, a means to an end, to show the noblewomen her work. I wasn’t offended. Whatever got me out of here the fastest. 

“You should get it done, my lady.” Lily smiled at me. “And, when you go to brunch, do not bow your head as you did to Lady Tatiana yesterday. You’re not a servant or below her. You need to keep your back straight, and look in her eyes when you speak to her, or they will try to take advantage of your naivety.” 

“Whether they call you breeder or not, none of it matters. You belong to the King, and that buys you respect. So, walk in as you belong.” Calliope agreed with a nod.

I stared at them, considering their words. I wanted to remain unnoticed, a wallflower, so when I snuck away eventually, no one would notice, but I feared the ship had sailed.

Calliope and Lily hijacked my morning. More women joined as the hours went by, helping me with my hair, setting up my wardrobe. Before I knew it, I was in the prettiest dress I had ever seen, with my hair cascading down my back in waves. My cheeks were rosy, and my eyes were bright. I looked more beautiful than I thought was possible. 

Satisfied, Calliope beamed. “Whenever the King visits you again, he will find it hard to leave. He will be blown away by how beautiful you look.” 

I couldn’t respond. I was blown away by how I looked. 

“Remember, straighten your spine, and walk as you belong.” She told me before leaving. 

“Thank you, Calliope.” My heart tightened softly. I knew I shouldn’t mistake this for friendship, but I couldn’t help it. I had gone my entire life without being shown kindness, and now I didn’t know how to handle it. 

Less than an hour after they left, Lily and I walked out, ready for brunch. 

Sebastian did a double take when he saw me, and I smiled. “Something wrong?” 

He shook his head and walked ahead. Two extra guards were with him. I didn’t question it. Silas probably put them on because I was leaving the castle for the square. I had never been there before. 

When we stepped out, Sebastian opened an umbrella, shielding me from the sun. Lily stuck close to me. Heat filled my cheeks as we walked to the square. Everyone was staring at me. 

“Solana, look at you.” Tatiana stared at me in amazement as I stepped into the private dining chamber. 

“Hi, Tatiana.” I kept my back straight, looking her in the eyes as I had been told to. 

“You look like a magnolia in May.” She linked our arms and pulled me in. “Let me introduce you to everyone. We are all eager to get to know you. You really must tell us how you survived the King.” 

She drew me into the circle of four other noblewomen. Their smiles were polished, and their eyes were sharp. I felt like prey in the midst of predators.