-Laelia-
“Ah, my beautiful niece!”
The doors to the expansive garden opened, held by two northern men, as I entered. My uncle was seated at the end of a large table set up on the grassy expanse. I remembered sitting here when I had first arrived in the South.
To his right were Carina and King Kegon. I walked slowly around to sit on his left. I had been confined to a room all day, until darkness fell. A few servants had bathed and dressed me.
I was now wearing a light green and golden stola, adorned with small rings at the ends of the sleeves and around my middle fingers to keep the fabric stretched. I wore golden sandals, and my hair was braided, with white strands left to frame my face.
I took my place beside my uncle, who greeted me with his unsettling smile. He looked as if he ha
