I wanted to check up on the princess, but I needed to get dressed first. Not only did I need to make certain she was all right, but my goal of getting my body back had just acquired a deadline. I really, really hoped this was reversible.
A knock sounded on my door. “I’m here to help you get dressed for the princess’s coronation,” Aracelli called.
“Help me?” I stared blankly.
“Most nobles have someone to assist them.”
I yanked up my covers again. “I’m fine, thank you!”
“It’s not as though I want to,” Araceli said in a bored voice.
I got up and opened the walk-in closet, ignoring the mirror with a sheet draped over it. As much as I despised the duchess, I had to admitshe had a lot of pretty dresses. Even if she was a tad overenthusiastic about plastering all of them with metal and jewels. I stared at the rows upon rows of dresses. What would be appropriate for a coronation? I had no idea. I only knew I’d be humiliated if I picked wrong. “Um, what did the duchess plan to wear to the coronation?”
“She’d been considering a couple options. May I come in and show you?”
“Yes, please.” I supposed Araceli had seen me in my nightgown last night, and on a regular basis as the duchess’s maid, but I still wrapped a sheet around myself.
Araceli bustled into the room. She gestured at a rack hanging in the back. “Duchess Hedri had set aside these dresses as possibilities for the coronation.”
A whole rack? The gems gleamed to the point where they dazzled my eyes. I gaped until Araceli took pity on me. “What color do you like?”
“Red is my favorite color,” I said.
“A good pick for your complexion, too—or rather your new complexion.” Araceli selected a bright red dress covered in small rubies. “What do you think?”
“Gosh, it’s pretty.” I stepped forward and took the dress. “Err, can you turn around?”
With a roll of her eyes, Araceli obeyed.
Lacing covered the back, and it took me ages to loosen it before I was able to pull the dress on. But I couldn’t figure out how to retie it. I couldn’t even reach. Eventually, I whispered, “Help.”
“Turn around and lift up your hair,” she said in a polite but firm way.
Mortified, I obeyed. I’d have liked to cover myself up, but there was too much exposed skin everywhere. I felt awkward as her hands moved over my back, lacing me up. She’d tried to kill me last night, which was part of my discomfort. Also, she was very pretty and smelled nice, like lavender.
“Shouldn’t we give the princess time to recover before trotting her out in front of a crowd?” I asked.
Her voice softened. “I spoke to her, she’s doing well. Countess Donya believes we’re at risk of more challengers to the throne if we don’t move fast.”
“Well, I can’t argue with Donya.” I gasped as she tightened up the laces.
“I told Countess Donya that I’d uncovered your secret and about my promise to protect you, but not the part where I might end up killing you.” Turning me around, Araceli adjusted the bows on my front.
“Uh-huh. We don’t want to stress her out.” I nodded.
“I thought you might tell her later, but I barely even talked my way out of a dungeon cell before reaching that part. If you tell her, make sure you explain that you took a life-oath to help me. Not just a regular oath, one that will kill you if you break it.”
“Oh, you think I should tell her the truth?”
“Why are you asking me?” Araceli glared. “I’m not your friend. We’re barely allies.”
“I’m sorry.” I looked down and shuffled my feet.
Araceli exhaled loudly. “I’m sorry for snapping. Now sit down so I can do your hair.”
“Thank you so much!” I beamed.
Araceli stared at me. “You’resupposed to pretend to be the Blood Duchess?”
