𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐔𝐍𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐍

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐱

───── WITH ALL THAT TIME SPENT AT BUGGY'S SIDE, Eniya had learned to enjoy the little things. Like bread that wasn't stale, drinking water that wasn't hard, and the pleasant-smelling soap Kaya had in gallons.

And, oh, did she enjoy the soaps. There was a variety smelling of lavender, vanilla, mint, coconut, and something fruity that she couldn't place.

The bathroom connected to the guest bedroom had it all and was jaw-dropping in its eccentricities.

With golden floors and a crystal chandelier and so many knobs on the bathtub—not a shower, which she was a little bummed about, as Eniya wasn't fond of baths—she didn't know what to do with them. Some spat out soap, some controlled the temperature of the water, and she swore that four were just there to make figuring the tub out harder.

She spent longer than she should have pruning her skin, scrubbing away grime, and even—though Eniya knew she would regret it when it dried—taking the plunge to wash her hair.

Surrounded by bubbles and breathing in sweet smells, floating in water so warm it brought heat to her cheeks, Eniya could have stayed in the bath forever.

She probably would have if the maid, Sham, hadn't come pounding on the door to remind her that dinner has a set time, ma'am, and she still has to get dressed.

With a groan, Eniya lifted herself from the tub, steam rolling from her skin.

"Apologies," she called back, wincing at how formal she sounded. "Just a minute!"

Drying off, Eniya wrapped herself in a bathrobe. She took the time to wipe the water from the marble floor so she wouldn't give Sham and her fellow servants a reason to spit in her food.

When Eniya opened the bathroom door, Sham had her cleaned undergarments in her hands, holding them out. Biting down her embarrassment, Eniya took her things and tucked them under her arm.

"Miss Kaya has permitted you and your crew to pick out formal wear from her closets," Sham informed, her hands primly tucked in front of her as she spoke. "They are there now. If you'll follow me, I shall escort you to them."

At the mention of the straw hats, Eniya was suddenly hyperaware of how little she wore. The bathrobe reached down to her ankles, and the material was thick, but she still placed her hand on her chest to check that it was tied shut.

"Okay," Eniya said, chewing the inside of her cheek. "Just give me a second."

Without waiting for Sham to respond, Eniya closed the door in her face.

Quickly untying her robe and letting it pool around her feet, she rushed to put on her underclothes. Muttering curses, Eniya adjusted her bra, pulled her robe back over her shoulders, and again tied it shut.

Throwing open the door, Eniya tried for a charming grin. Given Sham's unimpressed glower, Eniya assumed she fell short.

"I'll follow you." She prompted, flicking still-wet hair over her shoulder.