Chapter 35: Royal Castle of Erestia
But there was no time to dwell on the past. I had a king to meet, and I couldn’t afford to make a poor impression.
The bathing chamber was a marvel of magical engineering. Hot water flowed from crystal taps at the touch of a finger, filling a marble tub large enough for three people. Steam rose from the surface, carrying the subtle scent of lavender and mint—clearly, even the water had been enhanced with aromatic oils.
I sank into the warmth with a groan of pure pleasure, feeling days of travel dust and tension dissolve away. When was the last time I’d had a proper hot bath? The simple washing facilities at various inns along our journey hardly counted.
As I soaked, my mind raced with questions and concerns. What was the proper etiquette for meeting a king? Would I be expected to speak, or should I remain silent unless addressed directly? Queen Emma had mentioned strict protocol—what if I made some catastrophic social blunder.
Queen Emma was kind and understanding toward me but I don’t know anything about the King of this Kingdom.
The water was beginning to cool by the time I finally forced myself to emerge from the tub. I’d found soap and washing cloths on a nearby shelf, along with what appeared to be some kind of magical drying cloth that absorbed moisture with remarkable efficiency.
I was just finishing getting cleaned up when I heard a soft knock at the suite’s main door.
"Come in," I called, assuming it was Olivia with the promised clothing.
Indeed, she entered carrying an armload of garments, her expression all business. "These should fit reasonably well," she said, laying everything out on the sitting room’s central table. "I had to estimate your measurements, but the tailor I consulted is quite skilled."
Already?
She was quite fast.
But I guess in a royal capital everything was at reach and close.