Page 70 of Scars and Burns

Where would I even begin? How do I tell my sister, who has been nothing but open and honest with me for the last four years, that I think our Mother’s death was the blood that was shed, exposing her Goddess mark? How do I tell her I suspected her Father, the King, of killing our Mother, and I threatened his life when I found her. On top of all of that, how do I tell her I’ve met Prince Aeron before. Three times to be exact. Twice after our Mother died and we got way too close for what would have been deemed appropriate. Oh and he told me his name was Aemond. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Clearing my throat, “No, nothing you should know. I’m not sure of Prince Aeron’s intentions but King Elio and I have discussed blood for blood before. So it was more of a curious look between each other. Mutual confusion toward Prince Aeron.”

She doesn’t believe me.

“You sure there’s nothing else? Because I’m of age now. I can handleit.”

If only being of age also meant wisdom and understanding. But Saphrina is still young, even though she is old enough to marry. She has yet to see or experience the world. Still having spent most of her time on the castle grounds. She’s naive and innocent. And as someone whose innocence was stripped away from them at a young age, I do not want to be the one to strip it from her now.

Clearing my throat, “Never mind that now. We need to start getting ready for the Welcome Masquerade Ball. All eyes will be on you. It’s imperative you shine brighter tonight than any other.”

She smiles and nods. “We must find a mask for you as well. I have tons to spare.”

I laugh, of course she does.

We start with our hair. I fashion her hair into an elegant half-up, half-down. Her hair has a natural curl to it. Perfect ringlets framing her soft features. Adding a star headpiece in the middle for a little extra flare.

“I think I just want to leave it in a braid.” I say to Saphrina.

“Nonsense! This is the first formal event you will be attending. You can’t wear the same hairstyle as you always do.”

I let my hair down. Giving my head a small shake. My hair flows all the way down my back falling past my ass. It’s long and thick and perhaps my favorite thing about myself.

Saphrina walks over to me. “Ugh, what are we going to do with all this? I have a lot of volume but not near this much length.”

I shrug my shoulders, “You’re the one who said I needed to do something different.”

She brings her pointer finger to her chin. Hooking her other hand in the crook of her elbow. Thinking on the dilemma that is my hair. “Ah! I’ve got it. We’ll put it up. You’ve never worn it up before. And with the high collar of your dress it’ll be perfect to show off yourskinny neck!”

I know nothing about this stuff. Never giving it much thought. It wouldn’t make much of a difference for me anyway. I don’t need to put effort into myself. I have no nobles or lords I need to impress.

Well… I guess now I do.

I smile and nod. Letting her do whatever her heart contents.

She finishes my hair. It’s pinned up into a low bun with a few curled pieces hanging down to frame my face. It’s odd to see it pull back like this.

“What’s next?” I ask her.

“Makeup!” Saphrina squeals.

“Saphrina, that’s very kind but I don’t think any of your things will match me.” I counter

“Oh, no of course not. But we aren’t worried about skin. What we want to focus on are your eyes.”

My brows furrow, “My eyes?”

“Yes, I know you don’t like them but they are beautiful. They make you stand out but in the best way.”

I smile and take her hands in mine, “Thank you.” She gives me the biggest grin I have ever seen.

She doesn’t add much. Just some black kohl to my water lines and embellishes my eyelashes, adding a gloss shinier than the stars to my lips. She leaves and heads into her closet. Instructing me not to look in the mirror until she says so.

Returning a few moments later with something in her hands. “This one will look incredible,”

I glance down to her hands. It’s a mask. She hands it to me. It might be the nicest thing I’ve ever held. It’s a Venetian style mask with elegant swirls and cut outs.

“It’s white gold,” She says.

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