By the time the sun took its place in the sky, they were still busy fussing over me. Around this time, I would normally be eating my morning meal. However, I had no appetite today, and even if I had, no one also offered me food as it would make me not fit into the tiny corset they made me wear.

"We are done, Your Highness," one of the maids said as they all stepped back. For the past few hours, no one among them made idle chatter, and everyone was careful not to make a mistake. Even though they were touching me, it was obvious that they were afraid.

​​

Martha stepped forward. "We are grateful for your assistance. I will do Her Highness's makeup on my own."

The maids looked as if they were pardoned from a crime and quickly left my chamber as soon as I dismissed them. 

Alone with Martha, only then did I look at myself in the mirror. 

Despite how uncomfortable it felt to be wearing it, there was no question that the bridal gown was a beautiful piece of artwork. The main fabric had a bright scarlet color like a living flame, highlighted with the exquisite work of golden threads on it. The outer long-sleeved robe had a deeper red hue, making my slim body appear curvier than it really was. Although the bridal gown was, for the most part red, the laces and ribbons on the sleeves and hemlines were shades of purple, which was something the royal tailor decided to complement the color of my eyes.

In the middle of my chest, there was a golden brooch with a dark blue gemstone engraved with the insignia of the Ilven Royal Family.

 "My lady, I will start on your makeup now." Martha removed my veil with her magic spell so she could begin working on my face. Like always, this old lady started to apply powder on my face gently. That warm and gentle touch made my chest tighten. Every time she put on makeup on me, I could feel the other side of this old woman, the motherly part of her she always suppressed. I kept staring at her as she took her sweet time doing my makeup. 

Once I felt she was almost done, I asked, "You are coming with me, right?"

"Not sure, my lady," she answered, continuing her work.

"You didn't ask—"

"My lady, stop moving your mouth. Let me apply this," she said before applying a red pomade on my pale lips with a soft brush.

Once she finished, I told her in an accusing tone, "You didn't ask His Majesty."

"His Majesty the King had always been very busy. I didn't get a chance, but we can ask today," she assured. After a few more touches, she nodded her face. "You look ready, my lady. "

At this point, my feet that were wearing heels were already starting to ache. While Martha did my makeup, I dared not sit, fearing that I would no longer be able to stand after due to the weight of my clothes. 

She circled me once to check me from head to toe. "Everything is fine," she said and looked me directly in the eyes. "My lady, listen to me carefully."

This sudden change in her puzzled me. Just a moment ago, she was acting like a caring mother preparing her daughter for her wedding, and now she returned to being my strict nanny. 

I stood quietly, waiting for her to talk. 

Martha held my veil in her hand and said, "This veil, you can now remove it on your own whenever it is needed..."

My eyes brightened. Finally, there was something good coming out of this situation, but her next words immediately took away my momentary happiness. 

"...but you must never take this veil away from your face."

Her statement puzzled me. 'I can take it off on my own, but I must not take it off?' 

"Why?" I asked. 

"You can never let anyone see your face. If you do so, you will not just bring disaster to your life but the person who will see your face."

"Then why did you say I can take it off on my own?"

"You can take it off when it's needed, and no one is around you. When you have to get ready like this, and I am not with you, at that time, you can take it off."

"But you see my face always," I countered. 

She sighed as she explained with patience, "I am a woman. You must not let any man see your face." 

'Ahh, this is something new for me.' All these years, she had given me the impression that no one could see my face, but now it turned out that no man should see my face. 

"Will that person die if I show them my face?" I asked. Perhaps I could use this as a life-saving resort if I was in danger.

"No, my lady. It is not like that," Martha replied with a frown. "Remember my warning clearly: once a man sees your face, both your and that person's lives will turn into hell."

It was now my turn to frown. "How? Won't the King of Megaris want to see his wife's face?"

"You should not let him see it. You must stop him. No one but you can take that veil out of your face, so you don't need to be worried about another person removing it, but be careful to have no man around you when you take it off. Do you understand me, my lady?"

I didn't know what to think about it. I thought that when I go to Megaris, I would at least be able to take this veil off, but it seemed like this veil was stuck with me till the day I die.

Martha held me in my arms and shook me as I was not responding to her. "Do you understand what I said?"

I nodded lightly, and Martha put that veil back on my face, covering the lower half of my face. Thinking back, it seemed silly why she even colored my lips red when it would remain covered all along.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and one female servant entered the room. "Your Highness, it's time to leave. Your wedding ceremony will soon begin."

"No need to escort us. We are about to leave," Martha informed the servant, who bowed before leaving. 

"Shall we?" Martha asked as she turned to me. 

"Wait!"

"What happened, my lady?" Martha asked as she looked over me once more. 

"You forgot something," I said.

Martha observed me once again and mumbled, "Gown is fine, all the jewelry is there makeup and hair…."

"My true identity… You forgot to give me my true identity." Martha blinked in confusion, and I pointed at my skin. "Those scales on my body." 

Martha looked at me in disbelief. There was a flash of sadness in her eyes, or perhaps that was my imagination. "You don't need to have those now."

"I want it," I insisted. "This is what I have been living with all these years—the title of being a witch's daughter. This title has become an integral part of my life that I can abandon anything but it."

Martha shook her head. "But my lady…"

"Please, Martha."

There was a conflict of emotions in her eyes. "Are you sure?" 

I nodded. "Hmm! I want you to give me those scales."

Despite her reluctance, Martha swirled her fingers. Soon, blue scales with the golden shine lines on them started to appear on the right side corner of my forehead, the right side of my neck, and the back of my right palm. 

I appreciated my appearance in front of the mirror once more. 

"I am ready now."

=====

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