Swords of Light and Darkness

Coronation day

Today was the day that I became Queen.

The servants moved in a flurry of color around my room. There was food being placed on the dinning room table in my room, water being drawn from the bath, and hundreds of gowns being brought in by maids and attendants. I watched as chaos ensued around me, excitement coursed through my body.

I tugged my grey silk robe tight around me and knotted it on the side. I flipped over my bed spread and slid out, the spring air already warming the palace. The air smelled strongly of gardenias from the royal gardens.

Today was the perfect day.

As soon as my foot hit the white marble floor, people bombarded me. Questions were being thrown around, dresses were being held up for me, and I could have sworn someone tried to shove a buttered croissant down my throat.

"Back up," I screamed. The hand maids froze, the room quieted, "give me some space please." They went back to their duties save for my lady in waiting Alora.

Alora was my closest, my only, friend, she had grown up in the Royal courts. Her father was a high ranking Duke. She was assigned as my ladies maid when we were both seven. She has doted on me for the past eleven years. After my Mother died and Father was gone on royal duties it was Alora that kept me company on the loneliest nights. Now most days she made sure I was dressed, always on time, and kept me company as we gossiped about the other girls in the court.

"Good Morning, Your Highness." She gave a quick curtsy and then walked behind me to quickly make up the bed that I had just gotten out of. She smelled like lavender, a scent that I was all too familiar with.

"Good morning Alora." I strode into the bathroom filled with maids. The marble counter tops gleaming in the gold light. "Out please," I stated with a wave of my hand. The maids rushed out of the bathroom, shutting the door on their way out. I looked over at the claw-footed tub to see my water already drawn and steaming. I smiled, everything was going just how I imagined it.

I walked over to the sink and grabbed the bath salts sitting on the counter and poured them into the bathtub turning the water rosy. I stripped off my robe and slid into the warm water. There was a short knock on the door.

"Come in." Alora opened the door and quickly shut it behind her. Her tight black curls bobbing in after her.

"Have you given any thought on what you are going to wear today?" She gave no mind to me in the bath tub. We had seen each other in this position so many times it didn't matter anymore. She walked to my closet on the other side of the bathroom, her simple rosy gown swishing across the floor. Her sepia brown skin complimented the color nicely.

"I think a smokey blue grey would be the most advantageous color."

"I agree, I think it would bring out the grey in your eyes very well." A moment later Alora came back from my closet with a gold tiara that had leaves and pearls intertwining with each other, it was my favorite crown and Alora knew that. I smiled at her, she knew better than anyone.

"I'll dismiss all the dresses that aren't in that color." I nodded at her before she opened the door and exited the bathroom.

I slipped under the warm water, letting my light brown hair float around me. When I couldn't hold my breath any longer I broke through the surface of the water. I washed my hair and body with a rose and lavender scented soap. I took my time, preparing myself for the exciting day that was laid before me.

I got out of the bath and put on a white fluffy robe that was folded for me on the counter.

When I opened the bathroom door the number of attendants waiting for me was over whelming. I took a deep breath and walked through my bedroom through the two glass double doors.