The moment the wheels began to clatter against the cobblestones, Naya grabbed a jar of heavy makeup remover and a cloth, throwing herself at Heena's face. "Sit still! We have exactly ten minutes before we hit the main palace gates! Your parents' carriage is already approaching from the western thoroughfare!"
What followed was an absolute disaster. Naya might have been a lethal military operative, but her hands were built for swords, not cosmetics. She aggressively slathered foundation and powders over Heena's face, trying to erase the tanned street-boy look.
Heena squinted into the small, polished bronze mirror mounted on the carriage wall and gasped. "If you want me to look like a literal pig, just say it! Why are you trying so hard to ruin my face?"
Naya looked at her hands, her stoic military face cracking with defensive panic. "I don't know anything about makeup, my lady! I'm trying my absolute best here!"
