"Dress her."
Those were the last words Princess Scarlett spoke before leaving Zuha in the care of her personal dressers. They quickly began selecting various gowns for her.
Zuha felt confused. What's happening? she thought.
"Why are we dressing a commoner? The princess must have lost her mind," one of the dressers finally complained. They couldn't fathom why they were dressing a lowly commoner.
"Helda! Shut it!"
Most of them came from wealthy families, and dressing others was their specialty.
"I'm merely speaking the truth." Helda insisted.
Zuha bowed her head and kept it lowered. She had no idea why the princess was doing this. She was just as confused as the dressers.
After that, they didn't utter another word. They quietly did their job, then stormed out after finishing.
Zuha sighed. "What am I supposed to do now?"
Just as she said that, Princess Scarlett entered the room.
She stared at Zuha for a few seconds, then looked away and cleared her throat. "Follow me."
Zuha felt a flicker of disappointment. Deep down, she had been hoping for a different reaction from the princess. She wore a red, sparkly gown—the first elegant dress she had ever worn.
She followed Scarlett until they reached the carriage. Even that screamed royalty.
Zuha hesitated. She was a commoner, and she knew her place.
"What are you doing?" Scarlett asked, irritation in her voice. She was already seated inside.
"I... I can't ride with you, Your Highness."
"Must I carry you in, or will you get in on your own?"
Zuha gasped slightly, not realizing she was blushing. "I'll get in!" she said quickly and climbed in.
Scarlett chuckled silently to herself. Complimenting Zuha's beauty was already difficult—but now she looked strikingly adorable.
A few minutes later, they arrived at the function. The ride had only taken five minutes.
As they entered, all eyes turned to Scarlett and Zuha.
Scarlett wore loose white sleeves and black pants—everyone knew this was her preferred style.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Who's the lady beside the Princess?!"
"Is the Princess finally taken?! Nooo. She's mine."
"Girl, you don't stand a chance. Just look at the one beside her."
Zuha heard everything and wished the floor would swallow her whole. They were speaking as if... as if the Princess and she shared something deeper than the bond between a royal and a servant.
Scarlett noticed Zuha falling behind and grabbed her by the waist. She leaned in close and whispered,
"Stand beside me. Tonight, you're my date."
***