The silence of the dressing room was broken by the quiet, hurried movements of the servants as they prepared Nina for the coronation.
Moreen had knocked on her doors almost immediately after Nina woke up. When she had stepped out of the bedroom earlier, Rodrigo was already gone, and she had not seen him since.
Back in her own quarters, the dress chosen by the Matriarch hung on the rack, with the shoes and jewelry laid out beside it. The maids washed her quickly, bathing her in sweet-smelling oils and fragrance, before applying her makeup.
Next came her hair and dress. They had been pinning her hair for almost an hour while Moreen adjusted the back of the gown.
"Hold still, My Lady," Moreen said from behind her, a pin clamped between her teeth.
"I am holding still," Nina replied, holding her breath.
"You moved," Moreen said.
"I didn't. I just breathed."
"Wait a moment, I'm almost done."
Nina pressed her lips together.
