Chapter 33

The person in front of me looked like my mate in every way and shape, but it wasn’t my mate. I could just tell. He seemed too odd to be my mate. His eyes didn’t seem right, they didn’t glow like they always did. His tanned skin looked too tan and at the same time, not so tanned at the same time.

“Who the fuck are you?” She looked at me giving a sigh and then came around me and you he’d my hands. It was then that the same vision of some days again hit me. This time, it was more vivid and clearer.

The repeated vision…

Useless?! Did you just call the pageant's right useless!!!” she screeched. I could only imagine the look of horror that crossed her face as she dramatically yelled.

“Need I remind you the importance of this pageant?” I could see her slowly approaching through the curtain and I buried myself deeper in the make-do pool of foamy water.

“Haven’t you heard of privacy!” I yelled as she dragged the curtain to the side not even seeming bothered by my appearance.

“this could be your chance!” she started with a dreamy look in her eyes, not even bothered by what I said earlier. “You could you find the man of your dreams!! And what’s more, he might be a prince from a strong kingdom!!” she said, the dreamy look still present in her eyes.

I rolled my eyes, deciding to be quiet. There was no use arguing with her. It was obvious. No way a noble would want anything to do with me. I mean come on! I was an overweight ugly girl. What’s more? I was neither the first nor second daughter of my father. I might as well be seen as a commoner because once my sister, Anna, took the throne, Lilly would be next. Even Joan had some hope if by the heavens the two of them were to die or renounced the throne which, was highly impossible. She would be named the next ruler of Aditya.

“Can I please be allowed to take a bath in peace!” I tried as much as possible to sound as calm as possible while in the tub.

“By the heavens! Cynthia! Why is she still sitting here.” And just like that, things spiraled out of control. She was ordering everyone to do things that would make others see my ugly self. Doing things that I had no control over.

The servants on demand took the wash cloth from my hands even though I protested, it’s not like they or I had a choice. She was higher in authority than I was, thereby making my demands to be left alone futile.

“Can I at least have a moment to scrub myself by myself?” I pleaded even though I knew it was pointless.

“No, let the servants do it.” She said in a Stern but soft voice. I knew she meant no harm, but that did not make it any better. Especially when they were using the clothes to wash the folds at my back.

Just when I thought the worst was over…

“The king brings his greetings!!” was heard with a loud bang.

“The king brings his greetings!!” again was heard when no one made a move towards the door.

“What are you waiting for! Go open the damned door!!” Joan groaned out at one of the servants closest to the door to which she scurried to open.

“The king brings his greetings” the person who was revealed at the Royal seamstress said although this time, in a lower voice.

“I did not know father was around, did you?” my sister said looking at me while asking the question to which I shook my head no.

“he requested that Lady Dorothy should have this.” She said placing the wrapped piece of clothing on the stool close to the bed. “I would be here need there be for any adjustments” she folded her hands on front of her in form of respect and bowed her head.

'great, just fucking great' I thought to myself, almost yelling out in annoyance. I did not even want to go for the pointless pageant and now I am stuck with people telling me what to wear and how to be dressed. What’s more, they were in my personal space and it was starting to be infuriating.

I walked towards the piece of clothing and unfolded it with a piece of paper falling out from her cloth.

It belonged to your mother, and I know it would suit you perfectly

just like it did her.

Signed

I looked at the small note that had been hand written by my father. I placed the note on my bed, as carefully as I could. The ink was yet to completely dry, in fact, judging from how ink was smeared across the paper, I would say he wrote it in a bit of a hurry. Picking up he clothing, I lifted it up

“The mirror” I said out loud looking at the dress. I remember once, when I was much younger, she talked about wearing a green dress that that brought out her eyes and father could not resist. I also remember saying how very much she loved the dress.

“Oh my goodness!!” Joan yelled looking at the dress and then looking at me. “This was mother’s favourite dress. I remember he would not let anyone near this dress when she died. I can’t believe that you get to have it. I must say, I am jealous” she said giving me a dramatic sigh.

Maybe I was meant to be excited, my dad was giving me a gift all my six sisters wanted but to me, I saw it as a pity party. He did not want me to feel bad about being the ugliest. That’s why he did this.

“The dress looks gorgeous my Lady” she said bowing my head with a small smile. Maybe I was being paranoid. Maybe her smile was genuine but all I saw was her mocking me with that smile.

I bit back my lips. ' don’t make a big deal out of this ' I said to myself. “Get her ready” my sister said looking like an excited kid. The servants got around again to dressing me up.

I could feel the corset bringing out my internal organs from how tight it was. “Could I please+” I was cut of by another person wrapping and filling up my chest region. “I don’t feel comfortable in these things” I looked to my sister pleadingly. I had had enough of it. I just wanted to hide and never be found again.

“A little more dear sister, pain and discomfort is just a little sacrifice we must bear to make sure we are perfect”

…

I looked at the person that looked like Eric.

“It was you wasn’t it? Why do you keep showing me these visions? What are they?” I am sorry, but they are memories.

I am sharing the. With you they would guide you.

“Why would I believe you? This might be a trick for all I know”

“Because I’m just like you”