8
When the king's order and his new law became public, many young women were gathered into the city of Susa under the care of Hegai. Esther was also taken to Hegai, the one in charge of the women.
9
The young woman pleased him and won his kindness. He eagerly began her beauty treatments and gave her carefully chosen foods. He also gave her seven female servants selected from among the palace servants and provided well for her and her female servants in the women's house.
10
Esther hadn't told anyone her race or family background because Mordecai had ordered her not to.
11
Each day Mordecai walked back and forth along the wall in front of the women's house to learn how Esther was doing.
12
According to the rules for women, there were twelve months of preparation before the time arrived for each young woman to see the king. She had six months of rubbing treatment with oil from myrrh and six months with fragrant oils and cosmetics.