Chapter 9
924 Words
-Laelia-
It was not a prison cell, as I had expected, but rather the most beautiful room I had ever seen. The space featured a large bed adorned with white and gold sheets, positioned near a balcony that overlooked a magnificent garden filled with palm trees, fruit trees, and vibrant flowers. Adjacent to the bedroom was another room, separated by a delicate red curtain, containing a small pool with warm water.
Returning to the main room, I noticed a raised step near the balcony before the floor leveled out. The area was furnished with numerous pillows and thin blankets arranged against the wall, creating a cozy spot for relaxation.
In the center of the room stood the grand bed, while bookshelves and red-and-gold benches were positioned at the far end. The high ceiling was painted white. I had never seen anything like this before, and it was almost overwhelming. Was I truly meant to stay here and not in some filthy dungeon? But why? As I approached the doors, two young girls appeared, their heads slightly bowed.
“My Lady,” they said in unison, curtsying slightly.
They kept their hands folded in front of them and their eyes cast downward. What was this?
“Who are you?” I inquired, taking a step back.
“We are here to serve you, my Lady,” said the girl on the right.
She had water-blue eyes and blonde hair. Tall and lean, she wore a yellow stola. The other girl had a darker shade of blonde but the same blue eyes, and wore a white stola. They looked so similar that I assumed they must be twins.
“Serve me?”
They both nodded.
“You must be tired from your journey. Allow us to help you bathe and change.”
“No! No, I can manage on my own,” I insisted.
My governess had always insisted on help, but there were times when she couldn’t be there, and I managed just fine by myself.
“Please, my Lady. We’re here to assist you.”
“Then help me see the king. I want to know what he plans to do with me and my people!”
“The king wishes to see you when dinner is ready. Until then, we are here to assist you.”
I shook my head. I didn’t want to wait for dinner. “No. I want to see the king now.”
“That is not possible, my Lady.”
“I don’t care!” I yelled, brushing past the two girls.
“My Lady!”
Ignoring their pleas, I marched to the doors and pushed them open. Two guards with spears turned, their faces showing surprise. I took a deep breath, trying to muster all my courage.
“I want to see the king,” I demanded, standing tall.
“You’ll see the king later tonight.”
“No! I want to see him now!”
I crossed my arms, frustrated.
“That is not possible.”
I shifted my gaze between the guards and the two servants who had come to my room. I tried to move forward, but the guards crossed their spears and blocked my path.
“Later tonight, Princess.”
I looked up at them, groaning loudly before turning around. I closed the doors behind me and leaned my head against them, taking a deep breath. The two girls remained in the room, seemingly waiting for me to tell them what to do.
“What are your names?” I inquired, noticing their surprised expressions. “What? Don’t you have names?”
“Of course we do, my Lady. I’m Libelle,” the girl with lighter blond hair said, “and this is Kayda.”
I nodded and walked toward the room with the pool. “Find me a new stola, please. One that isn’t see-through.”
Kayda nodded and left the room, while Libelle followed me to the other room. The stola I wore had a small golden clasp on the top of my right shoulder that held the dress together. I unfastened it and slowly removed the dress, letting it pool at my feet.
I then stepped into the small square pool, which was only deep enough to cover my legs and stomach when I sat down. Libelle approached with a damp cloth, but I pulled away and took it from her.
“I can do it,” I said, and began washing away the dirt and blood.
The water felt soothing against my aching and dirty body, but guilt weighed heavily on me. While I was being bathed and prepared for dinner with the king, I had no idea what was happening to my people. The uncertainty haunted me, and I wouldn’t be at ease until I could sit before the king and get answers.
When I finished washing, the water was a murky shade of brown. I got up from the pool and walked out. Kayda was waiting with a deep green stola trimmed in gold, featuring rose embroidery. It was beautiful and made of much thicker material.
It made me suspect that Prince Ashes had deliberately given me a dress that was not appropriate for a lady. Even the servants in front of me had worn something more modest.
“What are those?” I asked, noticing the small golden necklaces around their necks.
The necklaces were tightly fastened and had no visible clasp. My curiosity about their purpose was piqued.
“Slave bonds,” Libelle answered.
Slaves?
- Writer
