Hey, we all had vices. I wasn’t giving up java because of my illness.
“Congratulations,” Delmare said as she handed me a saucer. “You’re going to be queen.”
I took a sip of the delicious coffee and sighed. “Looks like it.”
“Oh, Emma, aren’t youexcited?” Odette gushed. "Soon, you'll be the most powerful woman in Malovia!”
My stomach tumbled at the thought. “Yeah. It's pretty exciting, isn't it?"
"Do you have any reservations?" Kiara asked. Her eyebrows were knitted together, like she was worried about me.
She didn't need to worry. I had this handled.
"To be honest? Not really," I said. "I know this is for the best, for myself and Malovia. I just wish I wasn't so nervous. I'm so worried I'm going to screw it up."
"You're not going to screw it up," Delmare insisted. "You're going to be the best queen this country has ever had. I know you have it in you."
I gave a grim smile. I wished the rest of the nation believed in me just as much as my friends did. I knew I had to prove myself to the people. All that started today. I was so worried about making a big mistake, even though I knew that no queen's reign was perfect. At some point along the line, I was going to screw up.
I just hope I didn't fuck it up so badly that I sent this country spiraling into the ground.
"We want you to know that all of us are behind you," Kiara said. “The girls and I have decided that we’re going to finish our education alongside you here at the palace. We’re no longer going to attend Arcanea University. We wish to be your ladies-in-waiting."
My heart twisted and broke at their admission. "You girls can't stop going to college. Not for my sake."
"You're going to need us here," Delmare said. “Not only for the Crystals of Harmony, but just for companionship. A queen needs to have her ladies by her side, and what better ladies could you have than your friends? The boys have all agreed to become Ethan's advisors, at least for the time being, until the war is over. When Gabby is defeated and the Crystals are united, maybe we'll decide on other things. But for right now, this is where we need to be."
My eyes watered with tears at the affection of my friends. They really did want to stand beside Ethan and I. We didn't deserve them. “Thank you guys so much," I said. "I don't know how I would do this without you."
"You wouldn't," Delmare said frankly. "And that's why we're here."
"We also brought you pretty things!" Odette exclaimed. She opened one of the bags and brought out a beautiful purple dress. "You can wear it before your ceremony!"
"And we broughtthisfor your coronation," Kiara said. She unzipped the bag and revealed a gorgeous navy ball gown, one that was stitched with diamonds. It was huge, with a full skirt and a bodice that glittered like starlight. The dress had off-the-shoulder sleeves made of organza, and applique roses at the bottom. It was the grandest dress I've ever seen, even grander than the one I'd worn at the King’s Ball.
"Wow.” I gave a breathless gasp. "That sure is going to impress the nobles when I waltz out in that big thing."
“And that's exactly why we bought it," Delmare said proudly. “You're going to make the statement of the century that you belong on that throne."
“It’ll certainly be a statement for the papers.” I put my hands on my hips. “What do I need to do for tonight?”
“We have orders from Ethan that you are to rest until the big event. It’s going to be a long evening,” Kiara said. “You’ll need to keep your energy up.”
“I guess.” I didn’t want to talk to people, anyway. It was nice Ethan was handling most of the logistics.
After coffee, a servant delivered us breakfast. I had barely finished eating my poached eggs before I was given a facial, a massage, and a blowout for my hair. A couple of handmaidens did my nails, giving them a French polish. The prep work took most of the afternoon.
“I don’t see why this is necessary,” I said as a servant got done waxing my eyebrows. “It’s a bit over the top.”
“Putting on a beautiful appearance is one of the best strategies you can use against Gabby,” Kiara told me wisely. “We want the people to fall in love with you.”
“But they already hate me,” I protested.
“Because they have a preconceived notion of you,” Kiara replied. “Now that you’re in power, you can attempt to change their minds. And the first step to doing that is to make sure you lookhot.”
I scowled. Ethan didn’t have to do all this crap. He just had to look presentable.
The spa day went on into the afternoon. All this pampering was wonderful and all, but I needed some space to breathe. I wanted some alone time to contemplate what I was about to do, and since Ethan and I had passed our Trial, and I hadn’t had any time to myself. I just wanted a few seconds to breathe.
