Strings Attached ✨

32. A Perfected Skill

The packets that I had seen were clothes, jewels, kohl, rose petals, and various types of perfumes.

She stopped in front of the lady with all the clothes laid out in golden packets in front of her. She silently started to examine all of them as I stood behind her silently. After looking at all the choices for a good while she suddenly turned and started looking at me intensely. The suddenness of the act surprised me and my eyes grew a little larger in alarm. Notwithstanding, she examined me carefully from head to toe. I was doubtful if anyone has ever examined me like that.

I stood silently nevertheless. After she was done, she nodded to herself and spoke;

" The peacock green and blue one."

As soon as she said that, the lady instantly picked up a beautiful green and blue lehenga with excellent embroidery. The choli was blue and the neckline had golden embroidery all over. The skirt was green and the ends were embroidered like the feathers of a peacock.

The lady put the skirt lightly over my shoulder and smiled.

" This makes your skin glow and suits you perfectly. Our queen has an excellent choice."

I looked at the mirror and it was indeed so. I could clearly see how it complimented my skin tone and the embroidery also sat perfectly with my body.

Now, I was actually experiencing the skill that Agastya told me about her. She was indeed talented and had an amazing eye.

" go change into it." she said. I nodded at her and went inside the attached chamber that the lady showed me. I changed into the attire quickly and came out again.

I heard the ladies gasp and murmur " she's really pretty" . But, I anticipated only one person's approval and she was silent.

This time however, I saw the queen's brows lift a bit almost as if she was surprised by how I looked. I smiled unconsciously.

Next, she walked towards the women with the jewellery and didn't take any time to pick up the pieces. She picked up specific pieces that matched the attire and put them on plates which were held by the ladies. She picked a gorgeous necklace which had blue crystals attached and earrings with it. Next, she went on to a headpiece, a nose ring, a waistband, anklets, bangles, rings.

When she was done, the maids surrounded me and began putting them on me. By the time they were done, the queen had already moved to the flowers and picked a few yellow roses. She looked at me, particularly my hair and then spoke;

"The roses should go on a bun. Leave a few strands of hair astray in the front. "

The maids nodded and did as told, and adorned the bun with the roses in the end. Their fragrance was mesmerizing and I felt lightened instantly when I smelled them.

By now, I felt almost like a doll and had heard multiple gasps by the ladies. Now, however, when the ladies gasped, the queen just smirked, as if proud of her art.

The last part were the facial adornments. This time, the queen came close to me and looked at my face for a good five minutes.

" It's natural. There's no need for heavy adornments. Kohl in her eyes, crushed rose petals to color the lips, it should be light red, and finish it with a bindi.  " ...she instructed the beauticians.

They started their work on me and in no time, moved away and stood at one side. Everyone moved to one side, allowing the queen to examine me.

She looked at me sternly for a moment, and then broke out into a satisfied smirk.

" perfect." ...she said smugly.

Now I know where Agastya got his smugness from. She was unapologetically proud of her work at every step and carried a smug air around her. It was similar to that of Agastya's and the smirk, it was an exact copy. The resemblance was uncanny.

However, when the maids held the mirror to my face at last, I couldn't believe what I saw.

Nothing in my face had changed, my features were the same, but now I had a soft and supple glow which was enhanced by the color of the attire and the jewellery. I truly understood what Agastya meant when he said his mother was skilled.

I had never felt myself this beautiful, I looked like art. Each and everyone of the colors went perfectly with my tone. Even the light red color of my lips wouldn't have made me this beautiful if it was just a shade lighter or darker. Everything was simply perfect.

Suddenly, the queen clapped two times. As I looked around, everyone started exiting the room until we were left alone. She looked at me, but didn't smile or smirk this time. She carried a serious expression.

We were headed for a talk, I could feel it in the air.

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