29 Getting Ready

**Annabel’s POV**

Leah grew quiet as she spoke about her father, and tears filled her eyes. My heart ached for her, and I did my best to console her, offering quiet words of comfort and understanding.

Eventually, a knock at the door interrupted our moment. Tabitha entered, her icy demeanor as sharp as ever. She carried an armful of items that instantly drew our attention. 

In her hands was a gown—a breathtaking creation in jewelled peach. The fabric shimmered as it caught the light, and its design was both elegant and daring. 

It was backless with a halter neck, perfectly tailored to hide my scar and the brand on my skin.

“This is for you,” Tabitha said curtly, placing the gown on the bed.

I reached out hesitantly, running my fingers over the luxurious material. It felt impossibly soft, far too fine for someone of my status. 

Alongside the dress, she placed a box of jewelry, a delicate purse, and a pair of beautifully crafted slippers. Each item was more exquisite than the last, and I could barely believe they were meant for me.

Leah let out a low whistle. “Well, if you’re going to accompany the King, you might as well look like royalty. This is stunning, Annabel.”

I nodded numbly, still overwhelmed. “It’s beautiful,” I murmured, though my voice wavered with uncertainty.

For all its beauty, the outfit was a stark reminder of my position. I didn’t deserve this—not in Black Gate, where I was a slave, a possession. But tonight, I had no choice. 

The King wanted me to wear it, and if I was to accompany him, I had to play the part. No matter how foreign it felt, I would have to become someone else—someone who belonged at his side.

“Wow, none of the dresses given to me were this exquisite,” Leah admitted, her eyes filled with awe as she admired the gown draped across my bed. 

Her confession made my chest tighten—was this truly meant for me?

Tabitha, standing with her arms crossed, let out a rare laugh. “Darius chose this himself. He has great taste,” she said simply, as if that explained everything.

Her words gave me pause. The idea that Darius had personally selected the gown sent a mix of emotions swirling through me. 

I should have felt honored, but instead, I felt a cautious weight settle over my thoughts. Why would he go out of his way to pick this? What did it mean?

From that moment, I was swept up in a whirlwind of preparation. The maids pampered me with treatments fit for royalty. 

They started with a luxurious milk bath, the silky warmth easing every knot of tension from my body.

Scent treatments followed, subtle fragrances designed to linger delicately on my skin. Then came the waxing—painful, but leaving my skin bare, soft, and impossibly smooth. 

By the time they started on my hair and makeup, I barely recognized myself.

The hairstylist worked magic, taming my locks into an elegant style that framed my face perfectly. 

My makeup was light, almost understated, but it enhanced my features in a way that felt natural yet striking. I looked radiant, glowing in a way I hadn’t thought possible.

When it was time to put on the gown, it slid over my body like a second skin, as if it had been made just for me. 

The fabric hugged my curves, accentuating my hourglass figure, my full breasts, and the subtle flare of my hips. 

The backless design dipped daringly low, adding a sensual allure that made the ensemble feel even more breathtaking. I couldn’t stop staring at my reflection in the mirror. The woman looking back at me didn’t feel like me—she was confident, stunning, and captivating.

“You are gorgeous, Annabel,” Tabitha said softly, a rare warmth in her voice as she stood behind me. Her gaze held genuine admiration, and for a moment, I felt the same.

Leah’s eyes glistened with tears as she looked at me, her lips curving into a smile. “All eyes will be on you tonight,” she said, her voice full of emotion. “You’ll be the envy of everyone there.”

Tabitha’s attention shifted to Leah, her expression becoming businesslike once again. “You’d better go get dressed. You’ll be joining Gamma Declan as his date.”

Leah blinked, startled. “What?”

“The King just informed me through the mind link,” Tabitha explained, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she looked back at me. 

“I suppose he doesn’t want you to be lonely at the banquet,” she added, her tone implying more than her words.

Leah’s presence at the banquet soothed some of my nerves. Knowing I wouldn’t be entirely alone in such an overwhelming setting was a relief.

As I stood there, dressed and ready, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope. Maybe tonight would be something beautiful—a reprieve, however fleeting, from the darkness that often shrouded my life. 

Or maybe it would bring new challenges. Either way, I knew I had to face it with my head held high.