Henna Ceremony

Sunlight speared through the gauzy curtains, painting dancing patterns across Naiari's face. A gentle chirp from a nearby bird was her alarm, usually she was reluctant to get out of bed and face the day. Today, however, was different. Today, a sliver of hope had pierced the thick cloud of neglect that shrouded Naiari's life.

Yvette had extended an invitation to her! Not just any invitation, but an invitation to participate in all of the grand preparations for her upcoming royal wedding. The words still echoed in Naiari's mind and made her grin and hug herself happily.

"She came and invited me by herself." She said animatedly as she rifled through her new wardrobe then stopped and turned to her nanny.

"Naiari," Naiari said, her voice imitating Yvette's haughty and prim voice. "I need your help with my wedding preparations. You have such a keen eye for detail, and I trust your taste."

"She really said that about me!" Naiari jumped about but Celia looked unimpressed.

"She did ei? I would not trust that girl if I were you, sly as a fox. She must have some ulterior motive."

Naiari had been handed over to Celia immediately she had been brought to the palace as an infant so she had been witness to a lot of the things that Naiari had gone through and she was protective of her, Yvette did not have one kind bone in her body, she must have something evil plan concocted.

However Naiari who was used to being invisible was too excited to be suspicious. She wondered if this was the olive branch she had dreamed of for so long, was Yvette at last accepting her as a sister? Was this an escape from the shadows she had inhabited for so long on the corridors of this lonely palace?

Shoving Celia's warnings to the back of her mind as paranoia she looked forward to the activities of the day. The prospect of participating in the wedding, even in the tiniest way, was too alluring to resist. It offered a glimpse into a world she had only ever dreamt of, a world where she was not just the unwanted stepdaughter, but someone with an ability, someone valued.

There would be princesses, daughters of lords and other dignitaries there, there would be lots of rich food and drink. She even heard that they had hired some musicians to entertain. Ari was so giddy she was impatient with Celia for being so slow in helping her find something to wear.

*knock knock*

Celia opened the door to a maid standing outside. "Princess Yvette has sent this for Princess Naiari to wear this evening." She said with a curtsy before leaving.

Celia came back into the room with a green velvet dress draped over her arm and Ari's eyes glowed with excitement as she clutched the dress and held it against her body.

"See, I told you. She probably wants to mend our relationship since she will be gone soon." She said while Celia scoffed but helped her get into the dress and dressed her long mane of fine hair into an updo.

"You look so beautiful." Celia sighed despite her misgivings.

The dress was made in the current fashion and sculpted Ari's slender but curvy features, pushing her pert bosom up thanks to the boning on the bodice. she looked like the true princess she was. They walked the distance from the building Ari inhabited to the main palace where the party was holding.

The air inside the palace was thick with the scent of lilies and anticipation. Bustling servants scurried about, their hurried whispers hinting at the grand preparations already underway. Naiari, ever the observer, took it all in, from the towering floral arrangements to the intricate embroidery on the silken drapes.

Yvette, adorned in a gown the colour of a summer sky which greatly complimented her hair awaited her in a sunlit drawing-room along with a few other ladies. A bright smile played on her lips at the sight of Ari, a stark contrast to her usual imperious expression.

"There you are, Naiari," she said, her voice softer than usual. "Come, I have so much to show you."

Naiari followed, her steps tentative and feeling a little overwhelmed as eyes followed her movements across the room. Yet, as Yvette pulled her down to sit beside her at the place of honor before ordering maids to bring her some wine, a sliver of genuine warmth seemed to emanate from the princess. Naiari had dreamed about this for so long, her big sister showing her affection. It was almost too good to believe it.

The girls spent the evening poring over fabric swatches, discussing flower arrangements, and brainstorming ideas for the wedding invitations. For the first time in her life, Naiari's voice was heard, her opinions valued. A never before seen confidence bloomed within her, nurtured by the unexpected attention.

As the sky began to darken, going from casting long shadows across the room to forcing candles to be lit the ladies gradually started to take their leave one after the other until it was just Yvette and Naiari.

When Naiari made to stand up to leave Yvette placed a hand on her forearm, her eyes meeting Naiari's with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.

"Don't go yet Ari, the best part is coming." she said, her voice low. "Thank you for honoring my invitation despite all that has happened between us in the past, you have no idea how much this means to me."

Naiari, caught off guard by the raw emotion in her stepsister's voice, simply smiled. In that moment, a fragile bridge seemed to form between them, a bridge built on shared dreams and a tentative trust.

"Of course." Naiari agreed with a happy smiled and settled back on the seat.

Just then Yvette's maid came in and bowed. "Your highness, the henna artist has arrived."

"Show her in." Yvette directed to the maid then turned to Naiari, holding her hands she said excitedly with a glint in her eyes. "This will be so much fun."

Excitement, a foreign visitor in Naiari's heart, did a nervous jig. Henna? She felt so distinguished to be the one helping Yvette with her wedding henna, usually it was an activity done with the bride's very best friends and now Yvette had bestowed that honor on none other than her. It was a dream come true.

"Good evening your highness." A croaky voice said.

Naiari turned to look at the newcomer and flinched. The henna artist was a wizened old lady with straggly hair and a malevolent air. Yvette however seemed unfazed by the woman's appearance.

"You may begin." Yvette ordered with a wave of her fingers.

The woman set down the wooden box she carried on the ground and opened it before carefully bringing out several vials which she placed on the ground before pulling out what looked like needles. When she was done she sat on a cushion and beckoned to Naiari who looked back uncertainly at Yvette who encouraged her with a nudge.

"Go on, I want to see how her work is like, when you are done then I will have mine done."

Naiari did not feel comfortable for some reason, she did not want the dirty looking old woman to touch her but she could not protest in fear that Yvette would be upset and go back to bullying her so she gingerly sat before the woman.

"Give me your arm." The old lady croaked.

Again Naiari glanced back at her sister who was looking a little anxious but quickly smiled and smiled encouragingly at her. Having no other choice Naiari did as the woman asked and presented her arm. She held the arm steady before dipping the needle in one of the opened vials and drawing on her skin.

Naiari flinched from the pain and tried to pull away but the old woman was surprisingly strong and she held Naiari still.

"I don't want to do this again, Yvette please tell her to let me go." Naiari winced as the needle points seemed to burn her skin in a fiery pain.

"Oh shut up. Did you really think that i would take your opinion on anything? What good taste? Aren't you gullible and stupid to think i would take advice from you?" Yvette taunted.

"I told you that she is so gullible that she would fall for it." Elara said coming into the room.

"Why will my precious daughter, the jewel of this kingdom be married off to that savage beast when you exist?" She taunted.

"I wish that I did not have to be left with her horrid body, I am sure that my darling would be disgusted." Yvette pouted even though secretly she had always been jealous of Naiari's fair and fragile beauty.

As she writhed and tried to escape, Naiari wondered what Yvette meant but she heard the sound of footsteps before a couple of maids came in and held her down. The heat from the point of the needle spread to her whole body and she felt the world swimming before her eyes.

Her head felt heavy and she felt herself drifting into nothingness then everything went entirely blank.