I awake to the feeling of my lady’s maid, Coral, shaking me awake. “My lady, you must awaken for your presentation, so you can get ready.” I sigh, and sit up to let her know I am awake. “If I must, Coral.” She grabs my hand and begins to lead me to my dressing station. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Callista standing by the door, most likely to escort me once I am ready.

Coral begins to take off my clothes from yesterday, stripping me down to my undergarments, as I try to remember what I am supposed to say at today's presentation. I realize that I have forgotten to ask Callista to turn around, only to look and see her already facing the wall. I appreciate her greatly. As I look back towards Coral, I see her shoving two necklaces in my face. A silver necklace with rich red rubies encrusted into it and a gold necklace with beautiful blue jewels that I can’t remember the names of right now. I look at Coral expectantly. “You know me, Coral. You know that I don’t wear gold jewelry. You know that red is my favorite color. Which do you think I am to pick?” She smacks my arm and giggles at me. “I was just messing with you, Elara. Now, come with me to pick out a dress.” I roll my eyes as she drags me towards my enormous closet.

There are dozens of dresses to pick from, but Coral always makes it easy for me. “Okay, darling, I want you to pick between these three. They will compliment your necklace beautifully.” I look at the three dresses she has laid out for me. There is a red one with silver threading that looks beautiful. However, it is a glittery fabric, and I hate the feeling of glitter against my skin. The second one is a beautiful gold dress make with silk, which I love the feeling of, but I fear the gold of the dress and the silver of the necklace would clash. The third and final dress is perfect. It is a beautiful, rich dark maroon with silver floral embroidery. It is not too puffy or big, and compliments my body perfectly. Of course, Coral can tell this is the one from the look on my face. “Alright, dearest. Let’s get you in the bath and get you all cleaned up.”

After one of the quickest baths I’ve ever taken, I sit down in front of my mirror so that Coral can do my makeup. She picks a beautiful burgundy eyeshadow, and makes my eyes look smokey enough that I love them, without them being too smokey for my mom. She’s always been great at that. She applies the perfect amount of blush to my cheeks, and adds a beautiful red lipstick. She then begins to style my hair. While brushing it, she hums along to the tune that she knows always calms me down before events like this. Sometimes, I wish she was my mother, but I would never tell a soul that. I am taken out of my head once again by her asking me which hair piece I want. They are both beautiful, but the one that stands out to me is a beautiful hair comb adorned with silver flowers that have red gems in the middle of each of them. I pick this one, and Coral smiles at me because she always knows which of everything I am going to pick before I pick it.

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She places it in my hair, and as I look into the mirror, I am in awe of Coral’s abilities. My hair is tied up in a way that looks beautifully effortless. The hair piece is the star of the show, tying up my hair beautifully. Combined with my makeup, she has made me look like a true princess, and I hardly ever do. Before I have time to truly express my gratitude, she pulls me away to put my dress on. After I am fully dressed, I look into the mirror at myself. The girl looking back at me is almost a completely different person. I turn to look at Coral. “Thank you so much. You did amazing.” She smiles at me with that same wise smile before saying, “Of course, sweetheart. Now, go darling. Your people are expecting you.”

I look over towards the door to see Callista, except she is now in a suit instead of her usual gear. I guess I was right about her escorting me. The suit is a beautiful maroon that perfectly pairs with my dress. Her hair is sitting wavy on her shoulders, where it would usually be tied up. Her beautiful green eyes are accented by the smokeyness around them. She looks so perfectly beautiful that I can’t help but feel underdressed next to her. As I approach her, I can feel myself blushing and I pray to Thalian that it just looks like my makeup. “Shall we?” I raise my arm. “We shall.” She raises her arm and I link our arms together. As I look at her considerably taller stature, I see a slight blush encroaching on her cheeks as well.

We start to walk towards the coronation room, where there will most likely be hundreds of reporters and Revalians alike. “So, how are you feeling?” I’m trying to make small talk so I'll feel a little less embarrassed. “I’m feeling fine. Are you nervous at all after your fight with your mom yesterday?” I flinch at the mention of it. “It’ll be fine, I'm sure. She wouldn’t bring it up in front of all of these people. She’s too calculated for that. Always thinking 3 steps ahead.” Callista tilts her head to look down at me, worried. “I know you’re acting okay, but you should know that I’m here for you, okay? If you need to vent about any of that stuff. I can see how it gets to you. How her little comments chip at your confidence. If you ever need anything, I’m here.” I pause for a second then. Nobody has ever said those words to me before. I’ve never been allowed to be upset at anything she does. No one has offered me someone to talk to, or a shoulder to cry on, and I’m taken completely by surprise. Callista looks over at me once again. “My lady, are you okay?” I immediately regain my composure. I hope she doesn’t see how much her saying that truly meant. “Of course, Callista. Apologies.” I keep walking, and hope she doesn’t bring it up again. Luckily, she doesn’t. She does, however, keep sneaking glances at me with a worried look in her beautiful green eyes. As we reach the coronation room, I plaster a smile on my features and begin to walk into the room with a million flashing lights in my face.