CACKLE- Book 1

Chapter Twenty

They ascended the massive staircase. Remi followed Avani through a labyrinth of corridors, finally stopping at a rounded wooden door under a stone archway.

"This is your room," she said. "Annabella will be just across the hall, there." Avani pointed to a door a similar looking door at the end of the corridor. "Your rooms won't be far from Theo, I'm sure you'll meet her soon." She said, as she opened Remi's door for her.

Remi was immediately rendered speechless. There was so much space! A sitting lounge with a fireplace, already lit of course. The seating area had a long couch adorned with golden embroidery. It pulled focus from the two chairs that sat on the other side of a short, wooden table. The walls were lined with shelves and unlike Anna's cottage, which was full to the point of overflowing, most of these were in fact empty.

Just past the sitting area was a platform with a massive bed. Dark green drapes were tied to each post and a sheer white fabric draped around the entire bed, giving it a sense of privacy while still letting the light bathe the plush linen sheets. Carvings in green and gold lined the top of the posts. There were so many pillows, Remi resisted the urge to run full speed at the bed and burry her body beneath the cushy layers. Though, it honestly looked a bit too dressed up for sleeping in. She forced her feet to remain firmly planted as she surveyed the space. Trying to control her features as though this was not abnormal for her, not in the slightest. She nodded her head in approval and locked her jaw in place, keeping it from dropping to the floor.

"Your bathing chambers." Avani gestured towards an open doorway adjacent to the sitting area.

Remi allowed herself to take several steps towards the archway and looked inside. There was a large tub. Nothing like swimming in the cove, but big enough to hold more than two people at a time. A tall mirror with gold trim rested against a far wall. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in it. Her hair was windswept, but her face was clean. Her gown on the other hand had a rim of dirt around the skirts from her long day of travel. 'Yikes. Is this how I looked when I met the Queen of Eloricia?' Her mind began to wonder, wanting to pick apart all the issues with her appearance when Avani's voice snapped Remi from her thoughts.

"You must be exhausted. If you would like to take a bath, I can bring your dress to our ladies downstairs and have them pull some more options for you. They can have this one washed and returned before nightfall." As she spoke Avani walked around the room. Pulling the sheer curtains back from the bed. She untucked the sheets before turning to look at Remi. "Your bed's turned down should you wish to rest early. Though, you would miss a rather interesting dinner."

"Interesting? Why is that?" Remi asked.

"Well, you arrived on the night of her majesty's monthly dinner party. All the nobles from the surrounding villages attend to mingle and discuss their assets, how their merchandise or farmlands are progressing. It's a way to ensure everyone's concerns can be heard and for Indra to keep tabs on the going's on of the kingdom." Avani said as she put a great deal of effort into unlatching and pushing one of the bedroom windows open.

"It almost sounds as though she's the one running the kingdom." Remi said, laughing a little despite herself.

Avani giggled, "You could say that." She smiled, a knowing look on her face. "The king is too busy with foreign affairs to worry himself with the socialisation of village factions. He mainly focuses on Drilis these days. Any information he can gather on their kingdom is where his interests lie. Though, he does truly care for the people of Eloricia. Don't let me give you the wrong impression miss. It's just, if something is important Indra will bring it to his attention. She holds more cards than she lets people believe. I think it's a way for her to keep the nobles honest. They think they're socializing, when really they're speaking with the one person who can make change happen for them." Avani had finally pushed the window open a little. A small draft entered the room, making the silky curtain's billow softly in the breeze. Avani quickly tied them back. "I'll start the bath." She said.