Chapter 185: The Dragon Mountain
Loraline finished arranging Melania’s long, curly hair into a loose braid, securing short rogue strands with small pins adorned with tiny porcelain flowers. Stepping back, she admired her handiwork, then smiled at the princess’ reflection and proudly declared,
"All done, Your Highness! You are now ready to go."
The princess slowly tilted her head from side to side, examining her attendant’s work, and nodded.
"Thank you, Loraline. It looks refreshing."
Curious about Melania’s choice, Loraline asked,
"What prompted you to wear your hair down today? Now that it’s getting warmer as spring progresses, more and more ladies in the Capital prefer to wear their hair up to reveal their necks and shoulders."
Melania twisted her youthful face into a disapproving grimace and retorted arrogantly,
"This is precisely why I do not wish to follow these ridiculous trends. After meeting with that young artist, I feel like... I look at him and see nothing but Lafad. He managed to preserve that unique air about him even though he was born and raised in Geraldion, and I want to do the same. I was the princess of Lafad before I became the princess of Geraldion. And since this marriage is supposed to unite two kingdoms, I see nothing wrong with me remaining the person I was born to be—a person from Lafad."
The princess’ words tugged at Loraline’s heartstrings, and she, too, felt that subtle melancholic longing for the most prominent part of her soul; she, too, aspired to remain who she was and carry it onward instead of merging with something foreign, carrying her legacy until the very end.
Lafadians were very proud people, and she was glad that the princess’ heart refused to forget that.
Taking a seat on a plush ottoman next to her lady, the woman joined her hands on her knees and continued,