Acotar retelling

The Bogge-Man

I woke in the morning to Alis throwing open the curtains and letting in light to the room. I threw my arm over my face and burrowed back under the sheets, hoping for another minute of rest.

Aliz allowed no such thing. She yanked the covers off my head and corralled me to the bath, where warm water lay in wait. I slipped in gently and relaxed as she began to scrub and massage my scalp, cleaning my hair of nonexistent grime. Next I used a sponge to thoroughly clean my skin, before slipping out of the tub and into my robe. Alis led me to the vanity and brushed my hair out, leaving it down. Today she held out a fresh pair of trousers and a new tunic which I promptly put on, relishing the soft fabric against my skin.

"Alis, I know Tamlin probably wants me to wear dresses most of the time, and I want to let you know I am willing. I do not want to trouble you, I just want to pick the colors and style. Nothing too light or ...floofy. I will also still want trousers and tunics for days I wish to be active. Please?l"

Alis hummed in what I assumed to be agreement, and led me out of the room to the long table from before.

Tamlin sat waiting for me, and the table had porridge, toast, bacon and eggs waiting, plus a wide variety of fruits and drinks. Tamlin stood to pull out my chair and I abided by his wish, sitting down and watching him. We were nearly miles away from each other at the massive table. But this time around, that wasn't so bad, I will wait until I am used to him again before changing that.

He looked at me closely, I began to scoop heaps of protein and fruit onto my plate. "How did you sleep?" His question was gruff and he didn't sound like he actually cared, so I spared him a boring conversation.

"I slept fine, better question, what are we doing today?"

"What?" he was rightfully confused.

"Well you brought me here, I don't need nor want to hunt and I assume you don't need my help around your manor. So what are we doing? Unless you're busy?"

"I am pretty busy today." he paused, "you could go for a walk with Lucien..? he trailed off, looking at me skeptically, as though he didn't believe I wanted to do something with him.

"Sounds perfect."

I smiled hesitantly at him and he looked away.

"Well I will go get ready then, see you later." I waved and stood up from the table, excusing myself for the time being.

I returned to my room, finding Alis already waiting for me.

"A walk huh?"

"Yes, something to pass the time." I replied.

She helped me get ready in silence and I looked at her one last time in the big mirror and smiled.

"Thank you!"

I met Lucien out at large stables I had not seen before. He held two reins in his hands, one connected to the white horse from yesterday, and one connected to another, brown mare with soulful eyes. He handed me the white mare and I did my best to get on, but she was taller than I had mounted before and I failed without a mounting block. Lucien laughed before coming over; he grabbed my leg and boosted me up onto the horse.

"Her name is Rutaln, and this brown one is Merta."

"Hello Rutaln~" I cooed to the mare. "You're such a pretty lady, yes you are~"

Lucien snorted with laughter and I stopped my baby talk, offended.

"Where are we headed boss?"

"Don't call me boss. And we're headed into the forest."