Gladice woke me up at exactly five. Her grey hair was pulled back into a bun, her eyes stern as she took in my mess for hair. The dinner my parents had arranged would start in an hour, just enough time to make myself presentable. With another look my way, Gladice sauntered into my walk-in closet and quickly came back out with a modest, but beautiful, olive green cocktail dress.The dinner was supposed to be the demarcation of the start of my coming out ceremony. After today, I knew dad would want to postpone the coming out ball, but mom would press for it now more than ever. I was ready to face the world, not as a warrior but as a princess. I had lived in the shadows far too long and claiming my title after years of learning how to handle myself, it almost felt like my prize.Shuffling to the end of my bed, I let my feet dangle over the edge. My hair fell around my face, tangles clear as crystal. Gladice arranged my jewelry and diadem on the dressing table, a brush and
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