I looked at the pile of clothes, then lowered my gaze to my legs wrapped around the hem of my skirt.
As soon as I woke up early in the morning, I was bathed by a nanny, and then a healer put a new bandage on me. I won't show them scars.
I, who was pursing my lips, nodded immediately.
"Take care of yourself."
When my permission was granted, the maids set up a screen in the middle of the room. I stood behind him like a cow being taken to the slaughterhouse. A young maid came up to me, took off my thin robe, and unbuttoned my summer dress one by one. Soon after, the puffy dress that was wrapped around me slipped down.
I noticed that the maid suddenly stopped breathing and reflexively looked at my underskirt. The outline of my twisted legs was faintly reflected on the thin fabric. Feeling my ears burn with contempt, I cried out to the maid.
"Don't stand still, finish it quickly!"
The maid, who had been stiff, hurriedly came with a piece of clothing. I, who couldn't see the clumsy handling, pushed the maid back and dressed in a milky white silk dress myself.
The thin hem of my clothes, with fine wrinkles, flowed down my body like mist. The maid put a gray indigo translucent outer layer on top of it and then wrapped it around my waist, decorated with colorful patterns.
The belt was woven from two layers of silk and was decorated with jade, topaz, and small animals. The maid, tightening it tightly to expose my waistline, draped colorful strings with metal bells and tassels over my pelvis.
The decoration didn't end there. Various jewels sewn into thin gold thread were layered around the neck and cuffs, and large earrings with golden bird patterns hung from the earlobes.
It felt like a jewelry display stand. Is this kind of noisy outfit really the traditional clothing of the East? I frowned suspiciously, but the maid who was dressing me in a royal blue silk coat with wide sleeves let out a sigh.
"You're like the legendary Tiramer."
"Tiramer?"
When I narrowed my frown at the first word I heard, the maid covered her mouth with a bluish face. The suspicious reaction calmed down. Maybe they treated me like a fool.
Maybe she's laughing at me for not knowing anything.
I asked back, as if I were urgent.
"What is that? Why don't you talk?"
"That's what Tyramer..."
"Tyramer is the spirit of the earth that governs the seasons."
The maid of honor, who pulled the front of my silk coat diagonally, said as she fastened the hem of my sloppy robe with a brooch.
"The old Easterners believed that they were descendants of Tyramer. She is considered the most beautiful and virtuous of the spirits of the earth."
I looked at the maid's calm face with suspicious eyes.
"Then you can say yes. Why are you tired of turning blue?"
"Brisa seems to be worried that Your Highness will misunderstand that we believe the legend as true."
The maid, who opened the front of my coat so that it hung down naturally, straightened up and replied.
"The story of Tyramer is just an old oral tale. I hope Your Highness will not doubt our faith."
I stared at the maid's stiff face. There was a faint tension on her elongated face like a horse. I had no way of knowing if she was doing it to deceive me or because she was afraid of being accused of being a pagan.
I turned my head to face the mirror I had been turning away from. On the smooth surface surrounded by dark shade, a face that resembled my mother in a terrifying resemblance was reflected.
However, instead of Senevere's explosive vigor, there was a gloomy gray shadow over my elaborate face. Hungry eyes that seem to be hungry for something, a thin face, and a despicable body that is far behind Senevere's perfectly balanced sensual body...
Suddenly, Gareth's mocking voice echoed in his ears.
'The Face of a Woman on a Monster's Body...'
My face, which seemed to be clumsily imitating my mother, was horribly distorted. It was painful to see myself ruined without being completed.
I turned around roughly.
"When it's all over, get out of the way! How long will you keep fiddling with it?"
When I stroked the hair grooming hand somewhat harshly, the maid standing behind me flinched and stepped back.
The maid let out a small sigh.
"I will put a crown on you. Please bear with me a little longer."
The maid who was waiting immediately came with a gold crown. The maid of honor who put it on my head rolled up my long hair and fixed it with a jade ornament.
When all the decorations were finally over, the maids took a step back and bowed their heads respectfully.
"Now, I will take you to the residence of His Excellency the Grand Duke."
The maid took a step towards the door and said. I looked at her with anxiety in my eyes for a moment, and then followed her.
Dozens of soldiers were waiting in the hallway. As I took a careful step between them, a limping sound echoed.
I tried to walk as naturally as possible, but my stiff legs, as always, betrayed my will.
I held my head up, trying not to show my shame on the outside.
I wondered how much I had teased my feet, and the maid stopped in her tracks.
"This is the room."
She said, pointing to the large door on the other side of the stairs.
Apparently, the Grand Duke's residence was located on the same floor. Relieved that I didn't have to go up and down the stairs, I approached the large mahogany door.
"I have brought Her Highness the Princess."
As the maid spoke in a polite tone, a stern voice came from inside the room.
"Come in."
The maid immediately obeyed the order. When the maids opened the door at the same time from both sides, a large space filled with vassals was revealed.
I stiffened my spine as I faced dozens of pairs of eyes pouring down on me. The men dressed up brightly looked at me with faces that seemed shocked by something.
Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine.
Maybe something is wrong with my appearance. I looked at my clothes. Maybe they made up a mess to make me a laughingstock. It may have been deceived by the lie that it was a traditional Eastern costume and then dressed like a clown.
I glared at the maid's face as if I were about to tear it apart. Then, suddenly, I lowered my eyes again, fearing that my legs might be reflected above the hem of my clothes.
Nothing was visible except the hem of the richly pleated dress. However, the shape of the distorted legs may be reflected in the front.
A cold sweat ran down his spine. I rolled my eyes with a look that wanted to run away immediately.
At that moment, I heard heavy footsteps. I looked up in disdain, and before I knew it, I saw Barcas approaching me, and my eyes widened.
He also wore clothes similar to my own. A black silk tunic with a subtle sheen, a belt with intricate gold embroidery, and a wide coat covered with diagonal lines flowed smoothly along the lines of the solid body.
I glanced over the figure as if enchanted, and lifted my gaze as I felt his warm fingers touch the tip of my chin.
Large earrings with blue gemstones and necklaces with topaz hanging from them shimmered in the sunlight.
In an instant, my heart sank.
It was the first time I had seen him wear so much jewelry. Wasn't he a man who dressed more ascetically than any other priest?
Luxuriously dressed Barcas looked like the ruler of an ancient barbarian tribe, not a knight of the Roem Empire.
"Could it be that your legs hurt?"
Barcas, who was looking at me intently, asked in a heavy tone.
I, who barely came to my senses, shook his hand and took a step back. The sound of my beating heart seemed to reach his ears.
"Oh, it's nothing."
I tried to pretend to be carefree, but my cheeks burned as if they were on fire. Blue eyes fell on my hot face.
Barcas frowned and patted my forehead.
"Do you have a fever again..."
"You said it was okay!"
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