Shall we begin?

-Dawn-

Olga gently washed my scalp with rose soap as I sat quietly, letting her soothing melody wash over me. The lather formed in soft, circular motions, lulling me into a relaxed state. I closed my eyes, taking in the sensation of her hands working through my hair, and I felt my thoughts drift away. 

As the water cooled, Olga rinsed my hair and then scrubbed my body carefully. 

"You're all clean now; come along, my lady," she said, holding a towel. I stepped out of the tub so she could dry me off, and afterward, she guided me back into the bedroom.

"I'm going to apply some oil to your skin before I get you dressed, my lady," Olga said as she rubbed the oil between her palms and gently massaged it onto my body. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced, leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable. The fragrance was sweet and wonderfully intoxicating.

"What scent is this, miss?" I murmured softly as Olga finished applying the oil. 

"It's rose and violet, my lady," she replied, guiding me to the center of the room.

"Have you ever worn a corset before, my lady?" Olga asked while opening the wardrobe. 

"A corset? No, I don't believe I have, miss," I responded, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment.

I had no idea what a corset was until Olga held up a beige piece of fabric with laces at the back. 

"This is a corset, my lady. It's designed to support your breasts and shape your figure," she explained as she draped the fabric over my chest. As she tightened the laces behind me, I found it challenging to stay still.

"Hold still, my lady; this is something you'll need to get used to wearing now," Olga instructed. It's easy for you to say that—you're not the one being dressed up with no say in the matter, I thought to myself. 

Afterward, she dressed me in a satin red dress and guided me into a chair before a vanity desk while carefully brushing my hair. 

I felt utterly overwhelmed. The corset was so tight and uncomfortable that breathing was hard, and I knew I could never get used to it.

"When you step into the great hall, my lady, you and the other ladies will follow the Mistress and form a line in front of the altar, where the King's throne awaits. The Mistress will introduce each of you by name, and when she calls yours, you must kneel and hold still until the King acknowledges your presence," Olga instructed, and I nodded to show my understanding. "But listen closely, my lady," Olga whispered, leaning in so I could hear her clearly. "Stay perfectly still as if your life depends on it, and be wary of his gaze. Follow the instructions carefully, and remember to address him as 'My King.'" My heart raced, and I swallowed hard. "I will, Miss," I replied softly. 

Olga then styled my hair into a long, elegant Dutch braid, and we lapsed into silence until it was time to make our entrance. "It's time, my lady," she announced, and we left the room. We walked down a lengthy corridor and turned the corner, where Donna and the other ladies were waiting. "I will come to fetch you after the presentation, my lady," Olga whispered before hurrying away.

"Ladies, listen closely. Keep your heads down and your eyes on the ground. Don't forget to kneel while I present you and remain in that position. Do not make eye contact with your King until he acknowledges your presence and grants you permission to stand. Speak only when spoken to; always refer to him as your King." Donna examined us with a stern expression. "Yes, Mistress," we replied in unison.

"Excellent. Please form a line behind me, ladies, and follow my lead," Donna instructed. I found myself at the end of the line, right behind Elena, who looked stunning in a dark blue satin dress. The other girls wore dresses in shades of black, brown, and purple.

The grand hall was enormous, and I couldn't resist looking at the beautiful chandeliers and flickering candles that adorned the ceiling. A long, slender black carpet stretched down the aisle to the altar where the throne awaited. Donna had us line up before it.

We stood in silence, anticipating when Donna would begin the presentation. Suddenly, a door creaked open. Footsteps echoed from the left of the altar, coming to a halt before the throne. It had to be the King. My gaze wandered briefly, landing on his polished black boots.

"Shall we begin, Mistress?" His deep voice sent a chill creeping down my spine, and my heart raced with every passing second. "My King, it is my honor to present the five ladies standing before you this evening: Lady Daria, Lady Camelia, Lady Zandra, Lady Elena, and Lady Dawn."

One by one, we knelt before him, awaiting our acknowledgment in his royal presence.