3 Lady Wei (2/2)

”Lady Wei. Lady Wei Li Lian.” Le-anne spoke through gritted teeth. She was Princess Le-anne, not some lowly Lady Wei.

Nevoria was a great nation, and so its customs and culture were so intertwined and hard to grasp. Slaves did not belong to a clan, so they were only permitted a one syllable name whilst the lowborn and middle class was only allowed two syllable names, leaving the nobles and royalty to afford three.

Everything was about status in Nevoria.

”You need to better that accent of yours,” Mistress Kei sighed with annoyance. ”I think this is it for the day.” She threw the stick on the floor.

The maids waiting on the princess ran to her aid. They each stood by her side, and she rested her hands on them for balance as she stood up. She could still feel Mistress Kei scrutinizing each move she made.

Although she was only eighteen summers old, she couldn't stand up by herself because, after all, she had to be some pampered and spoilt Lady Wei who could not do things for herself like the rest of the lavished Nevorian women. Besides their impossible clothing, she had learned to walk, eat, and even breathe like them.

Nevorian women wore flamboyant dresses that consisted of wide sleeves, and sometimes, a robe to show off wealth, not forgetting the silks they wore underneath. Mistress Kei had made it a priority for her to start dressing like a Nevorian woman while Nameless had not cared for such things.

”The sooner the better,” she had said when the princess threw a fit about it. Her country Huticah was a vast desert in which women specialized in wearing loose trousers and upper garments with a veil to cover their hair from the sandy winds; dresses were only for special occasions.

Princess Le-anne walked into her room, which was dim, as half of the many candles were lit. It was the way she liked it to be. The lavender scent greeted her nostrils, and she breathed it in to relax. However, she could tell something was out of order.

'Think with your senses,' Mistress Kei had once taught her, not overlooking that she spent two moons blindfolded to sharpen her senses.

”I shall tend to myself. You may leave.” She dismissed her maids.

”But—” Ai, one of the maids tried to protest, but the princess raised her hand to silence her.

Reluctantly, they took their leave.

”They have left. Reveal yourself,” she commanded. Her heart was beating so fast, unsure if sending away her maids had been the right thing to do.

From behind the huge copper mirror, a familiar figure slowly emerged.

S.V