章 9: Chapter 9

The next day arrived, and Althea reluctantly roused herself from her newfound soft bed. 

She watched with a mixture of exhaustion and curiosity as Ariana and Fiona were tended to by maids, being dressed and prepped for whatever event lay ahead. 

Dark circles adorned Althea's eyes; the unfamiliar surroundings, coupled with the plush comfort of her bed, had made sleep elusive.

As she got up and ventured towards the bathroom, she could feel the eyes of her roommates on her. 

Their gazes followed her every move, but they remained silent. Althea couldn't help but wonder what all the preparation was for. Ariana had divulged little about the upcoming event, leaving Althea in the dark.

Althea knew she wasn't inherently stuck-up; she simply struggled with social interactions, and this situation, in particular, made her long for solitude. She contemplated the reality that she had been selected as one of the brides, a realization that still felt surreal.