In your honor
The maids drew up a hot bath for Miriam by dragging a basin in her room and pouring in hot water. Strong scented oils of roses and lavender were dropped in, one maid helping Miriam out of her nightgown and then carefully undoing the bandages around her arms and head.
Whatever cream that was used to help Miriam's wounds was a good one, as her wounds were now gone, smooth skin left behind. She was still tanner than she once was, but Miriam was grateful she was able to move her limbs with ease.
As she got into the basin, she felt the hot water on her skin, and for a moment, she closed her eyes, her body relaxing. One of the maids scrubbed her skin with a bar of soap and a rag, and then a stone, humming softly, another one scrubbing her hair with both soap and oil that smelled like wildflowers.
"What dress do you feel like wearing, my lady?" one of the maids asked, and Miriam shrugged, not really caring.
The maids seemed to pause as if this was something new that Miriam did, but they soon went back to their tasks.
Once they were done scrubbing her with soap, they rinsed her off and grabbed fresh towels, drying her off. Miriam thought it strange that she didn't even have to lift a finger to do this task, thought she didn't mind it. It made her feel important.
As she was rubbed down with peaches and cream scented lotion, one of the maids came up with a corset.
"Is there anything else that you can offer that will give me modesty and not hurt me?" Miriam asked, the maids looking at one another in confusion.
"My lady, are you quite well? Not only are corsets able to cover you for modesty, but they are also what's in style. Plus, you have over a dozen that you haven't worn yet." one of the maids observed, heat flooding in Miriam's face.
"Right of course-"
"Oh, leave the lady alone. She's suffered from head trauma and some memories aren't there in her mind anymore." the other maid snapped, the girls casting guilty looks at one another.
Miriam kept her mouth shut as they placed the corset on her, almost passing out as they tightened the laces on her back. She struggled to regulate her breathing, slipping on her a cotton dress the color a dust rose with a dark green vest over it. At the shoulders it was puffed up, the sleeves pulled down around her wrists. The dress went down to her ankles, and she looked at herself in the mirror, admiring her appearance.
A second later, they placed on her silver heeled shoes with lace at the ankle. Miriam gritted her teeth together, knowing that at the end of the night, she'd either have a broken ankle or swollen feet.
Once they were done dolling her up, one of them went to her desk drawer where the diary of Miriam was hidden at.
"What are you doing?" Miriam asked sharply, feeling her pulse rate increase.
The maid, startled by Miriam's tone, stopped. "Forgive me, my lady, I was only getting the hairbrush we have stored in here to get your hair done."
"Oh. Yes of course." Miriam cleared her throat, and took a seat at the bench as the other maids took away the basin and the rolling cart, leaving her with the single maid, and more room.
The maid stepped forward, and brushed Miriam's long dark brown tresses, careful not to yank too harshly against the knots.
"I'm sorry my lady. I'm still adjusting...and that's so selfish of me to even think about. You're the one that has to readjust back into the life that was taken from you." the maid explained, braiding Miriam's hair from the crown of her head to the very bottom. "I cannot imagine what it's like to be here right now with no recollection nor memory of my surroundings or the people."
Miriam didn't know what to say to that; she felt like this maid deserved an explanation, but Miriam wasn't the one who could give it to her.
Especially now.
"It's okay. I mean...it will be okay." Miriam replied weekly, accepting the scented oil that the maid rubbed into her skin.
The maid simply gave her a sad smile as she guided Miriam out of her room.
Miriam gave one last longing look at the diary that was hidden in her desk drawer.
Her answers would have to wait.
Kier had dressed for the occasion, his hair smoothed back into a ponytail, skin scrubbed clean. He smelled faintly of the ocean, and clean clothes, wearing his suit with his sword strapped to his hip. He bowed before her, greeting her, and when Miriam almost toppled over because of her heels, he placed his hands on her shoulders to steady her.
Huh...he's quite handsome when he smiles like that, Miriam thought to herself, then shook her head.
"Are you ready for your feast, my lady?" he asked, taking her arm with hers as he guided her.
"Yes. Did my father succeed in obtaining one of the allyships with a different kingdom?" Miriam asked, noticing that Kier was leading her away from the cafeteria.
At her confused look, Kier chuckled.
"My lady, the feast is going to be in the Grand Hall. And this feast is being thrown in your honor. Lord Malcolm wanted to throw it as soon as you arrived home. But when he heard about your condition, he thought it best that you settle first before being thrown back into the limelight." Kier explained, making sure his strides were slow, so Miriam didn't have to worry about running to keep up.
Miriam would forever be grateful to Kier.
"Now, I really wish the feast being thrown was due to gaining allies, or anything else." Miriam replied, feeling sweat build up on the back of her neck.
This Miriam hated having attention on her, the feeling of everyone's eyes upon her as they studied her-or devoured her. And Miriam knew she was at a disadvantage because she hadn't quite figured out the original Miriam's character or mannerism.
"You continue on surprising me my lady. You used to love having feasts or banquets and such being thrown in your honor. Now you look as though you'll keel over if anyone so much as stares at you too long." Kier observed.
"Careful Kier, lest I think you're teasing me." Miriam replied, thought she subtly wiped the sweat from her brow. Kier chuckled.
"I mean no harm, my lady. I swear I am also trying to accustom myself with the new lady before me."
Miriam said nothing to that as the heavy oak double doors opened, revealing the Grand Hall. Music was being played by a string quartet, people laughing and dancing, and eating. A long table with various foods was placed to the side of the room, the walls decorated with lace and sparkle. Plant vines stretched out on the ceiling and the sides of the walls, the delicious smell of food and flowers hitting Miriam's nose.
Miriam was in awe at the sight before her, her hold on Kier loosening until she felt strong arms grab at her shoulders and spin her around in the air.
Shocked, she gasped out for Kier, but it must have been someone they both knew because he made no move to rescue her.
"My darling daughter has arrived! Now the feast can truly begin!" her father said happily, spinning her until her head was dizzy. Cheers erupted, and the music changed to something more cheerful, and easier to dance to.
"My lord, you're drunk." Kier said carefully, helping Miriam back to the ground.
"I am not. I've simply enjoyed some chalices of wine. Kier, my daughter is beautiful, don't you think? I would be happy if you decided to marry her." Malcolm replied, causing Kier to blush, and Miriam to stutter.
"Father!" she reprimanded, turning to face him, seeing his shirt wrinkled, and the strong smell of wine come off him. His clothes that were once neat, and clean, were wrinkled, and looked as if he dropped some wine on the collar of his shirt.
"I'm only teasing, my dear. I know you're twenty, and no longer are in need of suitors, but I still wish you would marry. Kier has been watching over you since you were thirteen, and you are both the same age. Won't you consider having him as your husband?" Malcolm asked her, and Miriam could feel her ears burn at his question.
Before she could reply, someone clearing their throat behind them made stop and turn around.
Kier was the first to react, his muscles tensing, Malcolm letting go of Miriam as he clapped the man's back with his open palm.
"Ah! So glad you could make it to Miriam's feast." Malcolm proclaimed.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'm so glad to see you again, Lady Miriam." the man replied, his voice accented with a different language that Miriam couldn't figure out.
"Please forgive her. My lady has sustained a traumatic blow to the head, so her memories are scattered. Lady Miriam", Kier said, as he looked at her, "this is Lord DeVess."