Page 11 of Elven Oath

Agnis, sensing quickly where the conversation was headed, placed a hand on Dorina’s shoulder, her grip firm, and pulled her away from me.

"Enough, Dorina," she said sternly. "It’s not our place to gossip about such things in front of Lady Vevina. You should know better."

Dorina’s excitement dims under Agnis’s stern gaze, and with a small, guilty nod, she steps back from the tub, quieting herself. But my curiosity had already been stirred, and the vague mention of some ancient pact lingered in my thoughts. Something important? What could it be? And why was it being kept from me?

I glance at Agnis, who was now busily scrubbing my back with more vigor than necessary. The older maid was loyal to my family, always quick to hush any talk that might stir up trouble, but I could sense that there was more she wasn’t saying.

Something was happening and the fact that dragons were involved made it all the more pressing.

But Agnis wasn’t going to tell me anything, not if she could help it. The old woman would never go against an order from my father. And Dorina, though full of gossip, had already been silenced.

Leaning back in the bath, I stare up at the ceiling, frustration swirling in my chest. What was my father hiding? What were those dragons doing here? And why did I feel like this concerned me in ways no one had yet explained?

The water had cooled by the time Agnis finally finished scrubbing away the last traces of dirt from my skin.

I felt a certain kind of detachment, letting the maids work over me while my thoughts spun, trying to piece together the fragments of conversation I’d overheard.

Dragons.

Pacts.

Why hadn’t my father told me anything yet? My frustration simmered beneath the surface, but I knew better than to press the maids any further. Agnis wouldn’t let any more details slip, and Dorina was too eager to please the older maid to risk defying her.

Stepping out, I allow them to wrap me in soft, perfumed towels. The scent of lavender clinging to my skin, doing little to calm the restless anxiety building inside me.

Without a word, they ushered me to the dressing chamber where my gown was already laid out, a shimmering piece of silk and gossamer in the colors of the high elves.

A deep emerald and gold, the colors of nobility. It was beautiful, but something about it felt... off.

“Let’s get you dressed, my lady,” Dorina said with an almost giddy excitement, a lightness in her voice that contrasted sharply with my growing unease.

I allow them to dress me, slipping into the layers of the gown without complaint. Their hands working quickly, tightening the laces at the back, adjusting the flowing sleeves, arranging the intricate embroidery that trailed down the bodice like vines.

It was an elegant dress, one fit for a royal occasion. But why such finery today? No one had mentioned any formal events. No council meeting, no royal visit... nothing to warrant this level of preparation.

As they worked, they chatted in soft tones, this time avoiding any mention of dragons, as though they had been warned not to speak too freely around me.

I remained silent, letting their conversation pass me by as my mind wandered back to the throne room, to the strangers standing before my father. Who were they? And why had they come?

Agnis steps forward with a collection of jewels, and I watch as they fasten the necklace around my throat.

My heart begins to race inside my chest.

Dorina carefully places rings on my fingers, gold and silver bands etched with elven runes, while Agnis threads fresh flowers into my hair, small, pale blossoms that smelled faintly of jasmine.

It wasn’t until they began arranging my hair that I finally spoke. “What is all of this?” I ask, trying to keep my voice even.

Dorina’s hands briefly still as she twists a lock of my hair into an elaborate braid. She exchanges a quick glance with Agnis before offering a weak smile.

“It’s a special day, my lady,” she says, though her words are evasive, as if she’s afraid of the words.

Agnis, as usual, was more direct. “You’ll understand soon enough, my lady. There’s no need to worry.”

Worry? The more they avoided answering me, the more worried I became. Something was happening, something important and it was clear I was being prepared for it. But no one had told me what.

Finally, they finished with my hair, adorning it with delicate silver pins shaped like leaves, before standing back to admire their work.

“You look beautiful, my lady,” Dorina says softly, her voice full of admiration.

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