The Alyta Trilogy: Handmaids, Heroes, and Hierarchy.

�Alyta.  You must be the most talked about princess in the history of the monarchy.  Everyone is wondering where you came from and how you �beat up� this famous bully.�  Sytifa chuckles as she ties up Alyta�s corset.
�She picked on me first, really she did, Sytifa.  She spilled my plate on my dress and then tripped me to the floor.  All I did was self-defense.  If I didn�t know how to handle myself, my bruises would be plentiful right now.�
Sytifa stifles a laugh, knowing that Alyta probably enjoyed it; that would be the highlight of all her royal activities today.

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Jason looks at the royal purple outfit and Alyta�s necklace laid out before him.  He doesn�t understand why he has to go through this pointless charade. 
�Welcome to Corinth, princess, I hope you enjoy your stay.  Feel free to explore the city,� he tells his own reflection in the glass, regally bowing and moving on.  He hates these royal functions.  He could just say that through a loudspeaker.  He knows from seeing these princesses arriving, and splashing him with mud, that they are only putting on faces for a prince.  None of them even see the real him.  All they see is a connection for their kingdom and the good life for themselves.

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Alyta slips into the heavy navy velvet dress, with an aqua and navy flowered border.  She brushes her hair and leaves it down, letting only one lock over her right shoulder.  She carefully places on her tiara and the necklace Jason bought for her; they match as if the same craftsman made them.  She ties up her traveler�s boots under her dress; it�s so heavy and long that no one will notice their contrast to the royal outfit.  She hears the trumpet sounding that the princesses should line up for �inspection� as she calls it.  She looks into the mirror, and sees Sytifa�s reflection smiling back at her. 
�Now there�s a princess,� she says with admiration.
�Oh, Sytifa, you know that you�d rather have me be an Amazon than a princess.  But thank you for your kind words and try to do something exciting for me this afternoon, since I won�t be able to.  Go� I don�t know� go into a pub and �beat up� some big guys.  You know you want to.�
�Alyta, I am the only protection that can handle you.  The guards are wary of you now, I think.  I�m staying right here in this castle.  You never know what excitement will be popping up.�
Alyta rolls her eyes and jogs off downstairs as a second trumpet is heard.

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