The only noises that broke the silence were the crackling of the fire in the fireplace, which faintly illuminated the otherwise dark room, the faint rustle of a feather moving across the paper, and the clink produced by the thin silver chains studded with crystals when Yda took them from the box.

The crystalline noise continued even when the servant finally took them in her hands, now clenched into fists, so hard she was shaking. Yda swallowed several times in an attempt to calm herself, but she almost had the impression that even that small gesture produced a loud noise and almost brought a hand to her throat before she remembered it was occupied. She took a few steps from where the noise of the paper came from and almost felt she missed it when with one foot she bumped into something she could not quite see in the dimness of the room.

The noise was barely audible, but Selenna, from across the room, turned to give her a dirty look. Yda felt her eyes burn with shame, knowing that she had avoided a lecture with flying colors, but only for now. When they were alone Selenna would skin her.

The old maidservant shook her head, her now gray hair pulled back into an impeccably high bun, in disapproval and with a slight wave of her hand invited her to hurry up. Yda nodded and lowered her gaze, both in shame and to scan the floor for any obstacles to avoid.

Distractedly but with sudden pleasure she noticed that the large, soft cream-colored carpet with silver weaves that covered the floor had a few stains soiling what should have been spotless. Even Selenna was not as perfect as she liked to make herself out to be, or, more likely, age was beginning to show. Even by her.

Yda smiled faintly and with a more confident stride tried to hurry across the huge room, in some places not even the fire could illuminate the smooth white stone walls, and the girl cast an intimidated glance at the shadowy areas, feeling a shiver of cold even though the room was well heated.

Selenna looked at her stymied, narrowing her small brown eyes and tightening her thin lips in disappointment; her face, already marked by age, was filled with new wrinkles.

Yda blushed, and the same wave of terror that had seized her when she had opened the small light wood box inlaid with gold, swept over her again. She had to hurry if she didn't want to....

She had to hurry.

A new noise filled the silence of the room: that of the thin silver comb going through long hair.

Yda lengthened her stride, almost tripped over her own feet but quickly regained her balance; she clutched the chain with the crystals tightly between her fingers until her hand hurt, as if to give herself strength.

She came within a few steps of the large mahogany table that stood at the far end of the room and paused for a handful of seconds to catch her breath. Then she knelt at the foot of the large chair, made of mahogany like the table and richly carved with carvings, and offered his cupped hands where the crystals clinked for the last time.

The rustling of the paper stopped, and a white tapering hand reached out to the servant's, taking her chains in a graceful gesture, without touching even a bit of her skin.

On seeing that elegant, manicured hand next to hers, Yda blushed comparing it to her own, flushed from scrubbing cloths and floors, marred by hard daily work.

She had felt uncomfortable since she had set foot in the room, but it was the first time she had really felt inferior. She lowered her head in what she hoped looked like reverence and not the anguish she felt, the hair that had escaped her tight bun, like Selenna's, fell back over her eyes, and when she saw those strands, the proof of her inadequacy, she hated herself.

She kept her head down and so only from the sound could she tell that the chains had passed into the hands of Selenna, who braided them, with the quickness and confidence given by experience, to the coat of fine, shiny black hair; shaping it into a complex high braid.

Yda dared to look up for a moment and saw that black waterfall shining through silver and crystals, she was breathless and then puzzled when she saw Selenna's hand stop. It was only a moment, but the thing was so strange, it was the first time she had witnessed but she knew Selenna did not hesitate, that she looked into her face for answers. Getting her attention, Selenna whispered "the dress," but it was really a brush of lips.

Yda nodded slightly and got up with all the grace she possessed, which was not much when she thought about it, and headed for the massive bed that stood against the north wall of the room. Yda judged that at least six people could sleep there, comfortably, and felt a twinge of jealousy comparing it to her own bed. The bed was covered with a very soft blanket of pure ivory wool woven with silver threads, and even without daring to touch it, she knew it was the most comfortable bed in the realm. Of the entire continent, perhaps.

On the bed had been carefully laid out one of the most beautiful dresses Yda had ever seen, of silk so light it seemed impalpable, snow-white, dirtied on the square neckline and wide sleeves with silver inlays: wide squiggles that seemed to form crescents of the moon.

Yda took it with trembling hands, being terrified of tearing it or, heaven forbid!, staining it, and went to the large silver-framed mirror.

She stood there, still, her fingers damp with sweat clutching that delicate fabric and stared at the floor, waiting.

Moments later feet in delicate slippers stopped in front of her, and Yda hurriedly handed the dress to Selenna, who took it with extraordinary delicacy and began to help her dress.

When they had Yda allowed herself to look directly at her for the first time since she had entered, perhaps since she could remember, because she had never seen her so closely.

Everything about her shone with great beauty, from her perfectly coiffed hair, to her large brown eyes so dark they looked black, to her thin lips poised in a satisfied smile that lit up her face.

She brought her hands to her hips, her hands barely able to get out of the wide sleeves, and did a half-turn, looking at herself in the mirror.

"Perfect work as usual, Selenna," said the Queen with a nod of approval.

Yda's eyes widened in surprise as she saw the elderly servant giggling smugly before taking a deep bow.

"You are new," said the Queen, turning to Yda. It was not a question.

"Yes, Your Highness," whispered Yda in a choked voice as she bowed, embarrassed.

"Your name, maiden," sounded like an order rather than a question.

"Yda, Your Highness."

The Queen nodded slowly, as if carefully weighing her name. Then she smiled at her, a real smile that lit up her eyes. She said nothing more to her, but that was enough for Yda.

That smile would be enough for the rest of her life.

A knock was heard on the door, three sharp knocks preceding a male, authoritative voice.

"The Queen's First Lady, Lady Shenya Freyrdt," announced what must have been a guard on duty at the door.

The Queen slowly approached the nearest window and drew aside the heavy curtain, taking a long look outside. For a moment she seemed to be lost in thought, and Yda feared that Lady Shenya would be offended, considering how long the Queen was keeping her waiting.

"Go ahead," said the Queen finally, bringing herself to the center of the room and facing the door with her arms crossed behind her back.

The door opened immediately and with large, determined steps the Queen's First Lady entered.