Chapter 228: Elven Beauty
Osian lay back in the heated spring, the steam rising from the water, creating a fog above the surface as he looked outside the tall window frames that did not have any glass to shield guests from the snowy peaks and roaring wind outside. Yet, none of it entered the heated palace. The princeling looked at the oddity of such a bathing chamber, the ground of green and gold marble-type flooring, which apparently was also heated ice.
Slipping a few times on it revealed the truth about Lady Alaya’s words. It was ice crafted to look like marble. It was otherworldly. Like the entirety of Lyvaria, it seemed.
Osian did not know what to think of these elven kingdoms. They were overly extravagant but with exquisite fabrics and technologies that they did not use in their own domain. Still, if Selvin wins over the King and Queen as much as he has pleased King Thalinal, their kingdoms could start trading.
Trading more than just materials but possibly designs and secrets. Though that was a long shot.
Osian sipped on the warm wine the handmaiden gave him. It had a warm honeyed taste to it, a bit too sweet for his tastes, but it did the trick in helping his fatigue, besides this hot spring relaxing his tight muscles. The bed in the chamber connected to the bathing suite through an open space only shielded from those entering with a sheer curtain in between seemed to call to him. But he could not rest properly until the feast was over.
The bed chamber was also grand and luxurious, with silky sheets. The room’s interior was the same as the halls and ceilings they first entered the palace from the tunnels, like the inky night sky with stars twinkling. But outside, through the snow, the sun still shone through the bathing suite and windows on the far side of the bed, brightening the room. The glowing orbs like stars in his room also shone brighter so as not to make it gloomy.
Not that it appeared at all gloomy. Osian was used to luxury as a prince. Even on their travels, they did so in style until recently, but this was beyond his expectations.
Everything, besides the bed and a few other furnishings, was made out of ice. Warm ice!? It was beyond his imagination, but the views and art of this palace were stunning. He wondered if Selvin’s room was better because he was Dunhurst’s next King. Most likely.
"Your highness, the feast will begin soon. Do you require any assistance?"