les and ai

ers, a salvo of sound that pounds an endless crescendo. My body on automatic; I crawl out of the silky embrace of my bed and my feet meets

ed on the ledge, there are four Ionic columns spaced out at wide intervals. The bordered ledge is ornamented with p

. My dwelling, a Regnum, the Regnum of Valwa is crowned at the edge of obsidian mountain, at the crest of

grass to deep forest pools of luxuriant foliage. Settlements of tribes and nomads sprawl across the fertile plain. Tribut

n. Its clamorous passage at the foot rages with white froth at the bottom, stirring a whooshing vortex at th

outwards into the fiery blaze of a morning sky. Soon the entire valley floods wi

ti

s me of a visitor. I don't even bother looking,

with you, " Pinta, my head handmaiden says, and asks

ta knows I loath being called by my full title or by an

evails through the realm. There's a simple yet heavily packed hierarchy. A monarchy

d under every edict that he issues that is overseen by the High Tribunal. A roya

nd regulations are appealed and passed unto to the High Tribunal to be legitimised and made inedible. A court of politics where

province like ministers. Domuses on their own, posses a wealth of lands across provinces an

hority to command, but thei

the Decuria. Being the daughter of a

nta standing in the doorway, s

e my nightgown's trail. "W

ed head. "No, " she squeaks

y stomach, but I pay it no at

e the ledge, with a breath-taking view of the sunrise. Whilst I lather my tawny skin with fine soap, gazing out into the distance. Pinta and two ot

chamber. Once I'm finished, I slide forward to fetch the towel and stand to wipe myself dry.

te is too pious and the last one. Well, it will have to do. Unclothing the mannequin on the left, I pour myself in

beaded on the chest of the dress with a V-shaped neckline and golden fl

ce, the shouts swell and soon it reaches my chambers. Seliah bu

her ankles, one that flatters the earthy undertones of her skin, a rich bronze like the afterglow

ways sa

is true, " s

me like I was looking at my dresses. "I

ime I was summoned is when you convinced me to

was waiting for you." She adds a flair of melodrama to her expre

ren is a loyal companion of mine and second, just bec

es continue to assess me, eyes that are half me and half foreign. "

rtain her qualm.

ground, motioning me to revolve. I roll her my e

t, let me do

n on the verge, slanting my torso to one side. Seliah stand

t when he is with you, his st

sh to give her the impression that she's

ngers weave through my hair. "And no man is imm

, during my daily trips to town and seepages to annual festivals. But not once did I feel anything more than ju

you. I feel no

o a plait, she steps forward to peer into m

of twili

happier I am, the darker the shade, the darker my resign. Seliah has mastered the skill

ith the morning dew. But dependent on my emotions, they can tr

and nods her head with co

will not hurt for y

r, yanking my head back-ripping

your eyes, because the truth

ngers identify the style to be a crown braid. I mumble a thank you and I m

entrance. The Valwa Regnum houses eighty bedchambers, seventy bathrooms, twenty staterooms. With lounges speckled through the west

e same. The interior colour scheme is the same bright royal blue with threads of gold. The centennial, velvety wallpapers are all a l

s?" she asks fr

o be, " I say more t

stairwell connecting all four landings. The protruding galleries all align with

one with a lineage of pedestaled marble busts that line the flanks of the entry. Only the entire front entrance was

s, whereas I continue to pass th

t are lined in unending rows that seem to travel with me. The depth yawns ahead and the ceiling dares to brush the sky.

bliophile with books to fit every preference. Our lineage is renowned for its aged wisdom, the blood of intellects. Over time,

wisdom is s

t a furnished wooden desk in the centre, stacked with gilded tomes. Father stands befor

particular, but onc

blurry flash-my i

e tip of the blade inches from my forehead. My grip tightens on

arp as that dagger, " he says and sli

e me, father?" I drop my arm to my sid

ound and faces me

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