Then the doors opened.
One of the guards stepped forward and spoke clearly, "Lady Eliora… the Crown's soulmate."
Murmurs echoed in the room, then she walked in.
Eliora kept her head up just like Lyrith had taught her and her steps were poise, even though her heart was beating so fast she could feel it in her chest.
Lily and Maelina followed behind her.
The moment she entered, all eyes turned to her.
Even with the veil covering only part of her face, she stood out immediately. The turquoise gown moved gently as she walked.
Then her hair caught the light, that red colour, bright and rich, almost glowing like nothing they had ever seen.
The whispers grew louder.
"That color…"
"Is that natural?"
"No human has hair like that…"
A few of them looked unsettled already. Others were clearly impressed but tried to hide it and then there were those who didn't even try.
Eliora kept walking until she reached the front, then she stopped and bowed.
