It was sunset. The golden light from the fading sun spilled through the tall glass windows of Lydia's chambers, touching her face with warmth. She stood in front of her mirror, the kind of mirror framed with carved flowers and vines, and looked at her reflection like it was a painting she was studying.
Her hair was curled, not softly but in a way that gave it shape and strength. The strands caught the light like silk threads. Resting on her head was a blue diamond tiara, its stones cut so sharply that they sparkled with every small movement she made.
Her makeup was not gentle. It was precise and breathtaking. Her lips held a deep colour, her eyes lined to make them seem endless. She wore a dress of sea blue, and on it were tiny pearls sewn carefully so that they caught the light like drops of water on the ocean. The dress was sleeveless, showing her bare shoulders, and it moved softly when she shifted.
