All eyes then shifted to the girl now laying on the ground.
A queen had fallen. No rather she was pushed.
"Your highness!" Hiriah clasped her hands over her mouth as the maidens hurdled over their fallen queen immediately, trying to get her up. But Roriana was frozen there unwilling to respond or take any help
Tears welled in Roriana's eyes as she looked up to meet the cold gazes of the audience. Everything seemed to be moving in circles. Ignoring the pain in her elbow, her confident demeanor cracked under the scrutinizing pressure. Unknowingly tears began to pour out as the humiliation slowly seeped into her veins.
It took so much courage to walk before the nobles. They were laughing. Laughing at her. Who pushed her? It reminded her of the rich girls in highschool who laughed at her for wearing ugly clothes. She was the ugly clothes now.
So much for an entrance. She discreetly glanced in the direction of the pink haired woman who was talking to maidens who appeared to be begging.
Why would she do that? Rori thought.
Much more in front of the nobles. Was it because she was low Qira.
She had never gotten the strength to look someone in the eye before, how could she summon the courage to even get up from the mockery that she was. She didn't belong here, what was she doing? Did she really think that she would save her people? Not a hopeless person like her.
The maidens surrounded Roriana, as Hiriah bent her knees trying to comfort Roriana, while urging her to get up. There was still hope.
But Roriana couldn't hear it. She had given up.
Tears dropped. She was the stupid one to think she could fit in here.
"Dust your dress and wear your crown, queen. Get up," a voice said to her. A soft yet powerful voice.
It belonged to a woman dressed in yellow. She had light brown skin and deep brown doe eyes that twinkled like fire. Her luscious black hair was decorated with golden fire ornaments. Unlike Valyha, who was covered in jewelry from head to toe, including a nose ring, this one kept it simple with a single earring on each ear, along with flower designs on her palm. She wore a long skirt that shimmered gold and a short gold top that revealed a very slender waist and wide hips. She had the most beautiful eyebrows and lips. This woman looked like an actual goddess, with a golden jewelry on her forehead and thick long lashes.
Roriana nearly forgot her predicament, gawking.
"The way you look at me, is almost as if you want to marry me. Do you?"
Roriana blushed. "Oh-oh um..." Roriana muttered as she recognized the woman. She was also a queen bride.
Queen Salvyiti laughed. "I was only teasing. Get up, the Emperor may arrive anytime soon. You do not want your future husband to see you on the floor do you?"
Roriana nodded as Salvyiti stretched a hand to help her up.
"Come with me," Salvyiti held her hand as she lead her through the crowd of watching people. It gave Rori a bit of confidence.
"This is your quarter. Next time do not stray too far from your maidens."
Rori looked back at her Hiriah who nodded in approval.
"Thank you. I am in your debt —"
"Nonsense, what kind of woman would I be if I let a woman like her get her way," Salvyiti glanced towards Valyha's side. "She didn't even bother to help you back up."
Roriana was too scared to even look in Valyha's direction. She was too intimidating.
Salvyiti gave Rori a reassuring smile. "You can rest easy. Prepare before the Emperor arrives."
Roriana curtsied and went to join her maidens. While Salvyiti took a different route.