Chapter fourteen.

Manøvie.

I sat up lazily, feeling a strong pang suffuse through my whole body. The pain didn't wear off even as I squeezed my tempos that throbbed. This had to be my penance from the previous day's activities; falling on rocks and the ground, climbing steep scapes, sailing on water.

Urgh...every part of me hurt so bad!!

Sliding out of bed, I shuffled to the wash room- the weird dream I had yesterday coming back to me. It felt more like a reveal than a dream and there was more that bothered me.

My creation was not at the hand or precept of any body, however, it was all on its own. I didn't see any phenomenal being catalyzing the process anywhere- nothing!

Just nature being natural and taking its usual course.

Even at the mountain yesterday,there was no Härshänoäh to be seen. Not even a small room to show that perhaps someone was residing there. It was just an enormous volcano filled with nature's gifts.

And of course if the goddess was real,she would have opened the clogged cylinder stone pipe. Or perhaps she thought Tõrontõ and I would have the knowledge to do so.

Oh, I'm so confused and lost!!!

If for heaven's sake Härshänoäh isn't indeed existent, then I was losing the love of my life to an insinuation!!

How would I ever live with that perception? Looking at him everyday and knowing deep down that he was tied to the unknown, an assumption perse.

I quickly splashed water on my face to minimize my over loaded congitations. Not having seen the goddess of the volcano didn't mean that she somewhat didn't exist, maybe not to my eye.

It was terribly difficult to go about my day and not think about my doubts and Sobêiski when every last thing around me reminded me of the ceremony at hand.

The Temple square was almost at its zenith of adornment; there was a large podium being built within the quadrangle,where the finest carpenters sculpted a throne from the wood provided. It would be placed on the great stage and Sobêiski was going to be crowned there.

The few ladies around sat on the grass completing the garnet carpet they were making, weaving the freshly shredded flax plant into the most exquisite patterns. The carpet, I assume would be placed over the stage when it was finished.

All the transportation carts for the Temple were aligned neatly at its front, it's critically polished gold walls glistening with the lights caress. My gaze caught the front of the Temple that had also been plastered with assorted colors and ancient styles.

I was snapped out of my oblivious trance when two men called to be excused. I swiveled on my heel and sidled away from their path, they trekked back into the Temple with the small table they carried.

"Lady Manøvie!!!" someone yelled

I squinted around in scrutiny of who was calling curiously and was about to revert when a royal carriage approached me. I descended the last two steps just in time as the carriage stopped and the valet opened the door.

"Princess Armioné, wha-what are you doing here?" I chuckled in surprise

"A good morning to you as well,my Lady." She hugged me tightly and my skin singed from embarrassment at her formality and manners.

"Well, as you know, the after celebration of Lord Sobêiski's coronation is going to be at the Ashdônite palace," she smiled and led me to her carriage "I wanted you to try on some attires for the night, that's if you don't mind."

I stared at her in obfuscate silence. I didn't know how to perceive her offer however I knew it was authentic and really she did need some female fraternity. Honestly, I needed a distraction from my thoughts so why not!

"Sure, I'd love that." I flashed her a smile which she wholly returned.

We climbed into her carriage and the valet secured it then steered us away from the Temple and I watched it linger into the distance.

"So,are you excited for the celebration?" Armioné inquired with a smirk

I was trying to forget about this event but there was no escaping the topic from each corner. Just thinking about it made me want to see Sobêiski- to hold him and let him hold me back for the last time. I hadn't seen him for days since our last encounter and I was sick of the hovering suspense.

It was part of tradition that the succeeding HP would keep out of sight from everyone until the day of the celebration. We would all see him again at mass that morning. It was like he was getting married... and maybe he was.

That horrifying fact alone made me hysterical- at the eve of losing my solitary mind.

"My lady? My lady!!"

"Oh, yes! I uh...I'm just average. I'm not really a party person."

"How sad, but I'm sure you'll have a good time."

"Yeah, I hope so too."

Our ride to the palace was short lived from what I remember. We made our exodus from the carriage and Armioné led me into her state from a completely divergent area.

There was a cool zephyr that blew against us upon our entry. I realized we hadn't come through the formal threshold like at the celebration of my reveal.

There were several Soloratos roaming the halls, pulling up decorations on the walls. Some engrossed in the kitchen with the royal chefs and servants who handled the various food on the floor.

"Nicely done,okay bring that piece over here slowly...there you go."

Tõrontõ? What was he doing here?

He helped to set up the royal table for the dinner, easily giving instructions and nodding in approval of the results. He was immense and free, not caring about anything else but his responsibility.

Surprisingly his head lifted and our eyes met. I didn't look away like I would have under normal circumstances, I wanted to see his reaction- whether he was still mad at me.

Tõrontõ quickly gave his attention away to the girl who nudged him and pointed at a piece of cloth obviously asking where it should go.

He didn't spare a glance my way again and there, I had my answer. I exhaled as my shoulders slammed and kept following Armioné up the flight of stairs we came to.

"... I'm sure you're going to love them and luckily you're just the right size!"

My mind snapped back to her and I smiled,trying to camouflage my state of oblivion. She led me into a large room designated only for clothes. Her closet was as big as my whole room; from the bathroom and all!!

"Wow!" I huffed in amazement at the lines of clothes and shelves of shoes.

The room gleamed in fragrance lit candles, piercing the clean white wallpaper that covered the walls. The rails of clothing were thick carats of gold and silver hooks for hangers, the shelves upon which the dozens of manifold shoes sat were carved from fresh mahogany dipped lavender paint. They also had metal railing to box in the pairs of foot wear.

"C'mon,the attires we are looking for are this way," Armioné held my hand and led me away from the forest of clothing.

She opened a small door within an alcove and kept it ajar for me. I stood at the doorframe and peeked inside, my stomach instantly churned with adrenaline as I laid eyes on the dresses.

Armioné nudged me in and let the door fall back into place. There was only one column of dresses hanging on the rail attached to the wall,the fresh scent of flax steering to my nose; these adornments had just been tailored for the princess.

"These are still new and since I already chose three for myself, I want you to try a fitting and make your three choices as well,"

I looked back at her then at the visibly revealing dresses. I wasn't sure I wanted to do this anymore but I couldn't just demur and walk away after all,the celebration would still take place and all Armioné wanted was to have me Ashdônite-gala appropriate.

"Alright, let's get this over with."

Armioné grinned and started to avail me out of my current clothes then brought down her first choice. A beige dress that touched the ground with red extensions over the left shoulder and hips. The back-completely open, like I'd be surprised!

I sighed deeply and took the dress then headed for the changing room behind the full mirror. The dress was tight around my bossom and waist, pushing my breast up and giving a wider cleavage.

I dolefully walked out and the princess gasped,cupping her mouth in excitement.

"OmG,you look amazing! Turn around and look at the mirror!"

I did as she asked and winced at the image I saw. There were very many things wrong with this outfit.

First; the shade of red on the dress didn't match my hair at all. It made me look off!

"Ugh, the red's too much." Armioné held my hair aside. "Let's try something else." She suggested with a lavished vibrance.

This was going to be a long day!!

I inwardly rolled my eyes and took the second try on from her hand and reverted to the changing room. I couldn't wait for this coronation and celebration to pass so I'd have some peace and space to cry until I was healed from the forthcoming heart break.

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