This love is like a curse (1)
Act 1. This love is like a curse.
Thalia looked at her reflection in the mirror. A face familiar to her from birth was looking at her. The woman's face disgusted her.
If there was any difference between them, then, perhaps, it was that the girl in the mirror did not shine with an exquisite smile and alluring gaze, her eyes were full of anxiety, and her lips were dry and tense.
Talia, who had previously been displeasedly looking at her reflection, turned to the nanny and asked:
-What do I look like?
“You are like an angel,” she replied, continuing to comb her hair, her eyes curved into crescents. “Your Highness really does look a lot like Madame Seneviere.” When your image is so flawless, you resemble her eighteen-year-old incarnation.
Talia abruptly threw away the plump hand that was playfully tugging at her curls. She was irritated by how carelessly the nanny took the words that she looked like someone else as a compliment.
- Finished combing. Better bring a dress.
The nanny, with the face of an offended puppy, hobbled towards the chest.
Talia followed her with a look full of dissatisfaction. How can you be so slow?
Groaning, the woman began to rummage around in the chest. Finally, she pulled out a scarlet satin dress and stole a glance at Thalia, checking her reaction.
- Look, this is the same dress in which Madame Senevier entered the palace. She must have prepared it especially for you.
Thalia winced.
- Does the nanny really remember what mom was wearing so long ago??
- Certainly! How can you forget that day? Madame Senevier seemed out of this world. Her beauty was so dazzling that tears welled up in my eyes. Even His Majesty could not take his eyes off her,” the nanny sighed dreamily, as if she was reliving that day again.
Thalia barely suppressed a grin. Does this woman really believe that this was some kind of great love?
At that time, the emperor already had a wife, with whom he lived for six years. Moreover, she was expecting a child then. The meeting between Senevier and the Emperor was nothing more than a dirty betrayal - nothing more and nothing less.
Even after the former Empress Bernadette died and Seneviere officially took her place, people did not forget the truth. As long as Talia is alive, no one will forget that shameful sin.
Suppressing the mockery that was about to break out, Talia hastily snatched the dress from the nanny's hands.
- If you have time for empty talk, it’s better to get dressed.
- Of course, I will do everything.
The nanny dressed her in a beautiful velvet blio [1].
Talia straightened her hair and looked in the mirror again. In her mother's dress she began to look even more like her.
Could it be that this sinister, thick aura of sensuality began to sprout in her too? Thalia gazed at the rounded upper chest that rose above the deep, square neckline.
Although it wasn't exactly a dignified sight, no one could deny that it was incredibly attractive.
Talia, out of habit, reached her fingers to her lips, but, afraid of ruining her makeup, she hastily lowered her hand. Today, more than ever, she wanted to look more beautiful than everyone else. If possible, even more beautiful than her mother.
“Let everyone look only at me. So that no one even looks at this Ayla.”
A sharp hunger flared in the dark blue eyes reflected in the mirror. It was not a look befitting a princess of the empire. But rather the look of a street beggar.
Thalia grabbed a candlestick from the table and hit the woman in the mirror with it. A web of cracks crackled across the surface.
The nanny, who was adjusting the hem of her dress, fell to the floor in fright.
Talia threw away the candlestick and said coldly:
- I'm tired of this mirror. Bring something new.
The nanny, turning pale, looked up at her, pressed her lips tightly and stood up. Then, as if nothing had happened, she threw a luxurious cape with fur over her shoulders.
Thalia looked at her reflection in the mirror, which had shattered into dozens of fragments, and turned around sharply.
Leaving the room, she saw in the corridor the knight sent by Senevier. Without deigning to glance at the blushing man, she headed towards the stairs.
A luxurious four-wheeled carriage with gold trim and eight guards were waiting in front of the small palace.
Senevier clearly did not want her eldest daughter to look pathetic.
“You probably hope that I will piss off your enemies.”
She curled her lips mockingly and climbed into the carriage. At this moment, a new guard came to close the doors. He said with fervor, as if spitting out a burning lump:
- Today... You are truly beautiful, your highness.
His voice was full of desire, and it sent a chill through her skin. Thalia shot him a sharp look. She didn't need this man's praise.
- Enough of this empty talk, get moving.
The man, blushing with embarrassment, closed the door.
Soon the carriage started moving. She leaned back in her seat and watched the bloody sunset through the billowing curtains.
How wonderful it would be if today's banquet were painted in the same colors. Let something loud happen that throws everything into chaos.
She unconsciously touched her lips, but noticing the red paint on the tips of her nails, she quickly lowered her hand.
It seemed that her nerves were on edge. But, contrary to her mood, beautiful music and bright lights came from the palace.
Stepping out of the carriage, Thalia looked around at the decorated garden and the wide road leading to the banquet hall and frowned. Hundreds of nobles, dressed in silk, walked up the marble steps into the main hall of the palace.
She ignored the knight who accompanied her and confidently walked towards the entrance. Those who recognized her gave way. It was quite natural. The palace was her home. She had no intention of standing in line like the other guests.
Thalia calmly said to the embarrassed servant:
— I came to congratulate my brother and sister on their birthday.
The servant opened his eyes in surprise.
Thalia added irritably:
“Aren’t you going to announce my arrival?”
Only then, retreating helplessly towards the column, the man shouted loudly:
— Her Highness, the second princess, Thalia Roem Girta, enters!
Suddenly, a tense silence reigned in the majestic hall.
With her head held high, she stepped into the shining golden hall. Hundreds of piercing glances slid over her from head to toe.
Thalia silently enjoyed their amazement, rage, confusion and undisguised admiration, easily stepping forward. People parted before her like a wave that had subsided.
“It’s like I’m the plague,” she whispered to herself with a smile full of malice.
At that moment, someone blocked her path.
- What are you doing here?
She looked closely at the man's face. One of those fools who groveled before her noble half-sister Ayla.
Thalia smiled sweetly on purpose. She had seen her mother charm men like this thousands of times.
-Can't I be here?
The man's face, previously tense, turned red. Confused, he took a step back. But Talia closed the distance even further, raising her chin proudly.
“This is my father’s palace, and this banquet is for my brother and sister.” What's wrong with me being here?
She looked intently into his eyes, and he froze, as if paralyzed.
Talia could see his nostrils flaring; he must have smelled the rose oil that Nanny carefully applied to every strand of her hair.
In her dim eyes, as if from intoxication, a strange satisfaction and deep disgust were mixed. Without saying another word, she walked past the speechless man, heading towards the center of the hall.
Note:
1. Blio (French Bliaud) - medieval outerwear of the 12th–13th centuries. For women: fitted bodice with laces, long cap sleeves, wide floor-length skirt. For men: short version to the hips, loose sleeves, belt.