WARNING-spoiler alert about my novel, Estelle(click on Estelle to buy on Etsy). This short snippet takes place after the finish of the novel. You should read the book first 😉

I sat in front of my vanity brushing out my long silky hair, humming to myself.

I never knew I could be so happy. I had grown up feeling alone and afraid to show the real me. More life-changing events happened in the last few years than in my entire life. It was only hours away before I traveled to Choopa. I no longer felt like the forgotten child; I had gained three sisters, and three brothers, as well as a nieces and nephews. My family had tripled at least. I wasn’t taking many of my own clothes while traveling to Choopa. I was to receive several new items to my wardrobe. Afran tradition dictated that the bride was to leave behind her old clothes and gain new clothes from the family she joined. Prince Ashban and I would have another wedding ceremony shortly after our arrival. It was exciting to have two weddings. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to learn more about another culture first hand. I was grateful I could have people I loved close to me while I made the new transition in my life. Iris and Balla who had come to the palace with Estelle and Lee-ta( now Estelle’s personal maid), were now my ladies-maids. They would travel with me to Choopa and remain their when the others returned to Hal-lah. A loud knock came at my door and I heard Jazeera speak, “Come in, Empress.” I heard her say. Before I could get to the center of my main room, Ali was running to see me. He looked just like her father, Emperor Aled.
“Tia Ishta, Tia Ishta!” He dashed into my legs and hugged them. I picked him up and gave his a big kiss on the cheek.

Estelle was a close distance behind, and apologized for  her son’s enthusiastic hello. Setting him down, I assured her she had no need to apologize. I called for Iris to take him to the wooden toy chest I kept in my chambers specifically for this young visitor. Estelle gave me a hug and I squeezed her back hard. She pulled away and spoke. 

“Are you almost ready? Let me help you finish.” She grabbed my hand before I could protest and walked right to my dressing room.

“Are you sure? You are Empress Estelle, now.” I emphasized her title and hesitated to sit down, but she pushed down on my shoulders forcing me to do sit. 

“I miss doing simple things like this.” She grabbed my brush and separated half my hair and brushed it. We kept talking as she braided my hair and pinned it up on my head. When Estelle has first become my ladies maid, I never would have guessed she would become my closest friend and make my brother smile again.

“There, all finished. We will be leaving soon. The horses are almost ready for us. Walk down with me?” 

“Yes, my pleasure.” I called Iris and Balla to come with me. “We are going now, ladies. Come Ali. Take someone’s hand.”

“I’ll carry him.” said Balla. Ali put up no fight as she picked him up. He rested his head on her shoulder. We all began the walk from my old chambers to the front entrance. I didn’t dare look back at my room. I needed to keep looking forward. I would visit home again. But, I needed to put the old life behind me and embrace the new role I would take with my husband. I don’t remember anything we talked about on the route to the caravan. I tried to take as many mental visions of the palace as we walked. The new palace where I lived was much different from this one. Its walls were light blue concrete, and had long rectangular windows lining the halls. The red Lacey stones and multiple arches, open hallwayas, and large open windows of Hal-lah’s palace, made the Afran palace look more like a fortress. But I chose to look at this as a new adventure that would become a second home with even better memories.