What's mine is yours, But what's mine is mine

Chapter 9: His for the taking

The palace was busy. Very, very busy. Rin woke up to the sounds of servants running around doing all sorts of chores. They'd been at it since early morning. Some had even pulled up an all nighter.

Even the sun hasn't risen yet. What's with all the ruckus she thought to herself.

An order came from the lord of the house. Whispers and gossips ran about. One she didn't miss out on despite being locked in her chambers. Who would when most of the talk were about her.

I guess it will be today, huh.

She unconsciously brought a hand to rub the back of her neck.

A few hours later, she was summoned out of her room. The guard endorsed her to one of the servants. They walked pass halls and took several turns. She was then ushered into a room.

Steam escaped as the servant opened one of the doors. It appeared to be the bath house. She hesitated on entering, hands glued on one of the huge door handles.

Or perhaps it's drowning and not hanging then?

She mentally shuddered at her gory sense of humor.

The servant seemed to have read her mind. Gave her a little nudge. "Please get inside milady."

What a waste of space if she died here. She thought. The picture of her dead body floating at one of the bath, face trickling with blood, and butt naked at that, was just wrong. No matter how you look at it.

The place was rather exquisite. For a bath house that is.

The floor had granite for its tiles. Alternating colors of aquamarine and lime laid on the floor beneath her. The wall posts, the size of a tree trunk, stood tall, embellished with golden bands at the foot part and at the tips where it touched the ceiling. Three large baths can be seen from where she stood. All brimming with hot water. Steam rising into the air.

To her right was the shower area. Water flowing out the mouth of a large golden lion's head plastered to the wall. A few feet away from it were reclining chairs. Each made out of fine wood.

What luxurious place. She thought.

She was ushered by the servant, to the biggest pool at the center. One with a golden statue of a mermaid sitting on a rock, holding a large coral sea shell. From which the water that filled the pool flows from.

The maid servant without a word, then loosened the tie of her dress. One that made her jump.

"I-I can take it off myself."

The servant gave her a surprised look. Does everyone here let others do things for themselves? Even when wearing or taking off their clothes for that matter?

The servant seemed to have read her mind and nodded.

She slipped out of her dress and went into the water. It was well above normal body temperature but it had a soothing effect. Her muscles relaxed. God, had she been so tired. That came as a surprise, for she didn't do anything strenuous that morning. Maybe all that thinking drained my energy.

She slumped lower into the water, her back at the bath's wall. She leaned back, head at the gutter. She started to drift off to a nap when she felt a hand at the back of her neck, grabbing the strands of her hair.

She went all aware of her surroundings. And was ready to protect herself when the servant bent over on top of her and smiled. Rin then understood what the maid was about to do. She was just about to lather her hair with soap.

Okay, she now really had to erase the hanging thing from her head. The servant won't be pulling her hair, bang her head on the tiled floor, and drown her to death. Silly me.

The bathing ceremony went on for 30 mins or so. The servant was really thorough and keen. She had her chose different fragrances from tiny bottles, neatly lined up in a wooden tray. She gently yet firmly rubbed her back. She also thoroughly washed her hair.

When they were finished, she stood and the servant readily offered her a towel. Damn, she's fast. And where did that towel come from.

She followed suit when the old lady motioned for her to enter yet another elegant room. Only this time, it was a changing room. Mirrors lined the wall. And on the large 4-poster bed, laid the most elegant and beautiful white Raqs sharqi ensemble she had ever seen.

"I-I'm wearing that?" was all she could say.

"My, yes milady. Nothing but the best. After all, it is your wedding, is it not?"

Now that, was a shocker.

"My what?" came the unintended shout.

"Your wedding milady." Now, worry is written in the poor servants face. "The prince, my master, and lord of this house saved you from your sentence and had taken you as his betrothed."

She didn't seem to hear what the servant had just said. Who saved her? The prince? She haven't' even met the guy. A prince no less. That guy couldn't have been the ruler of this land. Surely not.

"Since when was I-"

"Since now." Came the voice from the man she just had in mind.