Regent Witch

Chapter Eight

The curtains tore open. Light beamed directly into the room. Sasha twisted to the side and covered her face with the blanket. It wasn't as dim as earlier, but it was enough put her eyes at ease. After a few seconds, her body relaxed and she began to snore again. However, before she could return to sleep, the blanket was pulled right off her face. The princess moaned and groaned, as she held her hand up to shield her eyes from the sunlight.

"It's time to get up, princess!" it was Rosemary.

"Just a few more minutes, please!" Sasha groaned, as she placed planted her face on the pillow.

Rosemary shook her head and pressed her palms on her hips. "Really now, princess, it is almost midday!" her lady-in-waiting snapped. "It's a beautiful morning in Dumont. Are you really going to spend the rest of the morning in bed?"

Sasha twisted on the bed and moaned. "It just feels so good," she said, as she snuggled into the mattress. "How could I not want to stay in bed?"

Rosemary sighed and began folding the blanket. "Up now, child," she said. "You and your father are going to visit the village today."

Finally sitting up, the princess stretched her arms and yawned. "Very well," she said, as she tried to fix her hair.

"You should wash yourself, before you meet with your father for breakfast," Rosemary said, as she tidied the rest of the bed. "I've already prepared some hot water for you in the other room."

"Thank you, Rosemary," Sasha said.

Springing off the piece of comfort, Sasha left to the next room and found a tub of water. Steam sizzled out, creating a bit of fog. The princess undressed herself and tested the water by dipping one toe in. After a few tries, she stepped inside and soaked in the warmth. Sasha let out a relaxed sigh as her muscles loosened and her body rested.

Sasha remained stationary in the water and floated like a lily pad, until the temperature decreased. Taking some soap and flowery ointment, Sasha washed herself. As soon as the water's heat disappeared, Sasha stepped out of the tub and returned to her room.

Almost like magic, the room was now speckles. Rosemary wandered around the room, looking for things to tidy and clean. She even tilted a picture to the side for being slightly crooked. Lain upon the fixed bed was clean dress that her lady-in-waiting had chosen for her. It was a very plain dress with bleak colors of brown and white.

"What is this?" Sasha asked, as she picked up the dress.

"Your father picked those clothes," Rosemary said. Despite being a servant, Rosemary spoke with the tone of a parent. "He wants you to wear these kinds of clothes while we're here in the countryside."

"Why?" Sasha groaned. "These aren't really pretty."

"I know, princess," Rosemary said. "However, those are the clothes that your father picked for you."

Sasha inspected the dress with a look of disdain. She looked as if she had just swallowed a broccoli through a dare. Despite her apparent disapproval, Sasha wore the dress and kept her expression hidden from her lady-in-waiting. Quickly getting dressed, Sasha inspected herself in the mirror. She looked like a peasant or servant girl.

The princess spun around a few times and looked for a spot that appeared decent, but couldn't. No matter what angle she turned, she appeared almost like an average commoner from the lower class.

With a short sigh, Sasha exited the room and headed for the dining room.

The villa was much smaller than a castle or mansion from the capital. The rooms had less space and the ceiling wasn't as high. Sasha could have probably touched the ceiling if she stepped upon an average ladder. Despite the size, the splendor wasn't any less. The walls and floors were tiled with fine stone and the décor was fitting for anyone who ate with a silver spoon.