Chapter 44 How is your mate?
By evening, the maids walked in with a tray filled with jewelry, and then another walked in carrying a tray with my dress neatly placed on it.
They dropped the food on the table beside the bed and the rest on the bed.
"The Luna ordered we come help you take your bath," Nora, the one who usually bullied me, said, her face tightly squeezed. I'll enjoy giving her a dose of her own medicine. I'll make sure I make her go through everything she made me go through times two.
"Sure..." I replied, tossing my hair behind my ears.
"I'll go prepare the bath then." She turned to walk into the bathroom, but then I stopped her.
"I know you, Nora. I know what you're capable of doing. And I also know you don't like me. But I'll advise you to let go of whatever plans you have in your head because I sure wouldn't take it easy on you if you try to play smart with me. Remember, I'm no longer the Lyra you used to trample on. You'll see something different if you dare try to mess with me," I warned.
She hesitated for a while, then finally muttered a "yes, my princess." The earlier she learns to behave right, the better for her.
They went ahead to help me take my bath. They did crazy stuff to me, like helping me shave my private areas. At first, I didn't want them to do it, but then I realized this is what it takes to be a princess. I knew I had to let them do it if I truly wanted them to treat me like a princess.
Soon they were through. They helped me apply oil on my body, applied deodorant on me, then went ahead to help me get dressed. They helped me pack my hair in a messy bun and then placed hairpins in it.
By the time they finished with me, I was looking completely transformed. I almost didn't recognize myself when I stared at the mirror.
Then they left one of the others behind. The door opened, revealing my mom, who was already dressed as well. I had only just realized that they also got dressed for dinner, unlike the poor commoners.
"You look gorgeous... I never knew you were this pretty. Oh, my baby girl," my mom complimented. How would she know I'm this pretty when she didn't bother making me look pretty? I guess she was busy making me do what would favor her.
"Thanks, Mom..." I smiled.
She walked close to me and adjusted the tip of my dress.
"You know the last time wasn't that good... I hope you do everything possible to make sure you don't misbehave this time around. Remember what I told you earlier," she told me.
"I promise, Mom, I won't let you down..." I replied. The last time was hectic; even though we didn't play rough in front of the alpha, it was way tougher after we left the dining, and I know how I suffered because of that.
"It's okay... you don't have to be scared. Besides, Seraphina is not here anymore. No one would leave you. You just have to try your best to stay miles away from Kael, and trust me, every other thing will sit in..." she told me.
Somehow, I felt something was going to go wrong. Not Seraphina, not the alpha prince, but maybe someone other than them. I just feel like someone is using this whole situation to get me into something bigger than what I can imagine. I just pray I'm only imagining things.
"Trust me, Mom, I'll do just that."
I walked side by side with Mom to the dining hall, as two maids worked closely behind us. Getting to the dining hall, I was surprised to see almost all the men in council seated around the big table. I knew I was right; this was more than just a simple dinner; probably it might turn out sour compared to the first one.
Then my eyes met with the elder, the same one that had insisted the alpha reward me. Somehow, I felt something off about him, even when he acted like he was just being protective. I know for sure he has other motives; I just can't put my hands on it.
Our eyes met, and he smiled at me. Then I muttered a greeting before resuming my walk to my seat.
Shortly after, the alpha came in, and we all stood up to acknowledge his presence, after which he ordered us to sit.
"You are welcome to this grand dinner. It's an honor to have you all here," the alpha smiled.
Then they all carried on with their discussion while we ate.
All of a sudden, the old guy turned to me.
"Lyra, I've been meaning to ask you..." he paused, and my heart began racing, more like I knew what he wanted to say before he even said it. Then he continued, "How is it going with your mate?" The question threw me off guard, and the spoon I was holding fell from my grip.