King Zareth arrived in his chamber.
A bath had already been drawn, and two servants waited to scrub him.
“I want to be alone.” He ordered.
They dipped their heads and left, shutting the doors behind them.
Zareth moved through his chamber, hands grazing over the walls, then the tables.
It had been a month and a half since he last returned to Nebuzza.
Although he sent letters all the time, nothing could compare to the warmth he felt now.
He strode toward the window and gently pushed it open, letting in the cool breeze that slipped through, and he inhaled deeply.
King Zareth’s quarters weren’t tucked far away, but they were set at a distance from the throne house.
His chambers weren’t decorated with gold and silver, but they were still fitting for a king.
He liked them simple, but grand.
“Surely, no place like home!” King Zareth muttered, and began taking off his clothes.
He first set his sword which was still stained with dried blood on the table, then took off his cloak and hung it on the wooden chair.
He took his time undressing until he was fully naked, and then he walked into the bathroom.
The bathroom still looked the same, but there had been small changes.
The servants enjoyed adding extra touches, and he let them.
Stepping into the wooden bath, he sanked himself until only his head was visible.
Eyes closed, muscles relaxed, and he felt more at ease.
**** **** Meanwhile, Elira was admiring her own chamber.
It was in a different wing.
Her quarters had been decorated beautifully for a peace bride, and she wondered what the Queen’s quarters must actually look like.
When they stepped into her chamber, she nearly cried at how beautiful a room could be.
She remembered her room in Elarion -that of a servant.
There was no decoration, no furnished bedroom, no bright curtains.
Everything had been out of place.
But here, she couldn’t describe how she felt.
The Antechamber!
The doors were carved from pale cedar and inlaid with gold.
Inside, the room smelled of citrus and clean linen.
A small sitting room with polished wooden floors.
Low couches, a table, and a window that looked out over the inner palace.
The Bathroom!
A sunken tub made of white stone, big enough for two.
Shelves held glass jars – honey balm, jasmine oil, and other oils Elira had never seen before.
Towels warmed by the hearth, and a mirror of polished silver so she could actually see herself.
She had never even used a polished mirror in Elarion.
The Bedchamber!
A four-poster bed draped in silk with purple-gold embroidery.
The mattress was soft and felt wonderful.
A window with tall arches and sheer curtains.
It opened onto a private balcony.
The Queen Dowager had left after showing Elira to her quarters.
While Lillia and Rosa had been taken to the servant quarters for their accommodation.
“Do you like it?” Nasha asked, appearing beside Elira.
“I truly do!
It’s beautiful!” Elira smiled.
“Since you like flowers so much, I figured you would enjoy this view.” Nasha brushed past her and pushed open the tall window beside the bed, and Elira’s eyes widened.
She rushed toward it in excitement.
From her window, Elira could see a courtyard.
In it was a fountain that looked as though it flowed from the heavens, and a garden laid out like a painting.
Red roses in one bed, white roses in another.
Lilies and lavender swayed along the path, and white jasmine curled up the walls.
The hedges were trimmed and full of tiny blue hydrangeas.
It was calm.
Nothing like the chaos they had ridden through.
For the first time since arriving in Nebuzza, her heart felt light.
“That’s not all!” Nasha said, dropping onto the soft cushion.
“I will let you have a good rest today.
Tomorrow I will tour you around the palace.” “You said a palace and a castle in one?” “Yes!
The walls are thick, strong, and built like a castle, but the environment my lady,just look around.
The beauty tells you otherwise.” Nasha replied.
There was a soft knock at the door.
“The servants are here to prepare your bath.
I will be back.
Take care until I return, my lady.” With that, Nasha exited the room as the servants stepped in.
They drew her bath and helped her out of her dress.
Elira immediately felt shy and tried covering her breasts with her hands.
“It’s alright, my lady!
It’s just a bath,” a servant said, offering her a genuine smile.
She seemed older than the other servants.
Elira nodded as she stepped into the bath that steamed warm with rose petals and cedar mixed into the water.
The moment she sank down, she exhaled deeply.
How much she had needed this.
After a while, feeling uneasy with the servants attending her, Elira returned to her chamber to choose a dress.
They were all silk and very light.
“The peach one, my lady.
It matches your skin tone.” The servant whose name Elira had come to learn was Valerie said.
Elira nodded, and they dressed her.
Her hair was brushed and left loose, and oil was applied to her skin.
“You look lovely, my lady!” “This will be your quarters, my lady.
You are to meet the king only when he summons you.” Elira didn’t say a word.
She only nodded.
Valerie continued.
She gestured to the two servants standing nearby.
“This is Hana, and this is Corin, my lady.
They will be your personal servants, along with the servants from Elarion.” Elira didn’t want other people.
She was used to Rosa and Lillia.
But she only nodded.
It would be too soon to make a scene, she thought.
“I understand!” With that, Valerie left.
“We will leave you to rest while we bring your meal, my lady!” Hana said.
“Thank you!” Elira finally answered.
And they bowed and left.
Elira didn’t throw herself onto the bed to rest.
Instead, she went to the window and opened it again.
It was already nighttime.
They had spent the whole day on the road, and she was exhausted and quite sleepy.
But she couldn’t sleep.
She stared out at the starry night and wondered what Nebuzza held for her.
She thought of how everything had started.
How she met Adrian, the battles, the marriage that didn’t even feel like one, the journey, and finally Nebuzza.
She had been married to King Zareth as a peace bride, a concubine, but not a queen.
Would her life be better, or worse, in Nebuzza?
“You’re supposed to be resting!” Elira jumped at the voice.
She clutched her chest and turned.
King Zareth was standing in her room.
How had he gotten in?
She probably hadn’t heard the door open or even creak.
“My king!” She bowed.
“I told you to call me by my name when we’re alone,” Zareth said, slowly walking toward her.
“I dare not, my….” “Then I order you.
It feels too formal, the way you ‘my king’ me all the time,” Zareth said, and Elira chuckled.
“Za…
Zareth!” She whispered, and he smirked.
“You’re learning quickly.
I like that.” He came closer.
“Do you like the room, or should I have the servants decorate it to your taste?” “No…
it’s perfect.
The room, the drawings and paintings on the wall.
And the garden…
I like it a lot,” she smiled.
“I knew you would!” “The flowers look new,” she said, walking toward the window again.
“Yes.
They were planted four months ago.” “Four months?” She gasped.
“Yes.” As though something caught her attention, she stopped and turned toward Zareth.
He was walking toward the hearth, which crackled with cedar and oak warming the bedchamber.
‘Four months’, she thought.
She had met Adrian four months ago, and on their second day she’d told him she loved flowers.
She’d told him she wished to have a flower garden outside her quarters one day.
In Elarion, her chamber had been tucked near the garden, but it was different.
Even though she sneaked into the garden to enjoy it, she never forgot that she was forbidden to enter.
“The courtyard is yours!
The flowers are yours!
You may tend it however you desire.
Every kind of flower has been planted for you, and you have every right to remove any you do not want.” He tossed a piece of cedar into the fire and continued.
“If you want another garden, don’t hesitate to tell me.
You will have it.” He finally stood and turned to Elira, who was staring at him with those round eyes he so badly wanted to poke, though it would leave her blind if he did.
“I would have invited you to my quarters for dinner, but I have matters to discuss with my mother.
We will have dinner another time.” He came closer, his warm breath brushing her face.
Then he pressed a kiss to her temple, turned, and walked away, a smirk playing on his lips.
Elira stood there, frozen.
She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
He was truly playing games with her.
A knock.
And the door opened before she could answer.
“My lady, it’s time for your meal!” Seated across the table, she was in awe.
So much food had been laid out.
“Is someone else joining?” she asked curiously.
“Of course!
Me!!” Nasha appeared.
She was dressed in linen.
She sat beside Elira and smirked.
“So you’re not a maid servant!” Elira blurted out.
“Hahaha!
I thought you’d figured it out.” “Well…” “Alright!
I am General Alaric’s cousin, and also a soldier.
But the king assigned me to you because he trusts I can protect you, and I’m really enjoying this!” She picked up a spoon and drank the soup.
“That’s a lot to take in,” Elira said almost in a whisper, and picked up a chopstick.
“Use the spoon, my lady!” “I’m used to chopsticks.” “I know, but it wouldn’t be good if a rumor spread through the palace that the princess of Elarion can’t use a spoon.” Nasha took the chopstick and handed her a spoon.
Good thing the servants had already left.
“The palace seems too peaceful for rumors,” Elira said, and Nasha raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t be too comfortable with peace.
The devil hasn’t come to see you yet because it’s night.” Elira’s heart skipped a beat.
“What do you mean?” “King Zareth’s older brother!
The King and he don’t get along.
All you have to do is stay low, but never show fear in his presence,” Nasha whispered.
Elira shuddered.
“Is he dangerous?” “I can’t explain more than that to you, my lady.
But be careful.” With that, Nasha pushed a plate toward her.
“The king said you love meat.
Have a taste.
It’s delicious.” Elira returned to her chamber after a heartfelt meal with Nasha.
Just as she reached her door, she froze.
Two guards stood at her door.
She had never experienced this in Elarion, and it unsettled her.
“It’s fine!” Nasha whispered to her.
“The king must ensure your safety!” She led Elira inside, walking past the guards as they dipped their heads.
Nasha added more wood to the hearth as the flames rose and warmth spread.
She tucked Elira into bed.
“Is it so dangerous?” Elira asked.
It was obvious her heart hadn’t recovered from what Nasha said.
“Not really, my lady.
But no matter how dangerous it gets, King Zareth will keep you safe!”