Fighting For Love

Chapter 5

Tashi had been in the castle for less than a day and she was beginning to like it a little. She had felt very comfortable in her room and was enjoying the view from her balcony when a woman burst into her chambers. She was carrying a large pile of clothes and a number of wooden boxes. “Princess,” she bowed “dinner is in three hours, you are advised to wash now so that you are refreshed for dinner.” She said. “Here are your clothes and jewellery,” she set the items on the bed. “Do you have any questions, Your Highness?” she asked breathlessly.

“Yes,” Tashi said politely. “What is your name?”

“Penelope. My name is Penelope, Your Highness,” she answered.

“Well thank you Penelope for telling me about dinner, Tashi said kindly, “What are the rooms opposite this one?”

“The one directly opposite is the bathroom and the one next to that is Prince Ramsil’s room,” Penelope answered simply.

Tashi nearly stopped breathing. Ram’s room is opposite mine. Oh, I understand. King Logan must want us to bond so he has put us together. I wonder if Ram knows about this. The room fell silent as Tashi sat down wondering. After a while, she spoke, “What are in these boxes?”

“Jewellery, Your Highness,” Penelope answered, relieved that Tashi was talking again. “It is all yours to keep. It is a gift from the King, Your Highness.”

“Penelope, could you please call me Tashi instead of Your Highness? I think ‘Your Highness’ is for Kings and Queens and not for Princes and Princesses.” Tashi said speaking her mind.

“Oh no!” Penelope gasped. “That would be disrespectful,” she said, with a shocked look in her face.

“Well, could you call me Princess instead then?” she asked.

“Oh, yes Your Hi–, I mean Princess,” she said. Tashi dismissed her and she turned around and left the room.

Tashi sighed and started looking through the exquisite pile of dresses and jewellery. She found a gown and matching jewellery that she liked, and left the rest on her bed for Penelope to put away. There was a soft knock on the door.

“Come in,” Tashi called.

Penelope walked in and bowed to her. “Princess I have the bath ready for you. I you could please follow me,” she said and walked towards the door.

Tashi got up and followed her maid to the room opposite. She was careful not linger because if she saw Ram, she would have no idea what to say to him.

The bathroom was very big, clean and tidy with a large bath tub of steaming water in the middle of the room. There was a small table near the bath with various soaps and ointments. There were two tables in two corners of the room. The one on the left had brown towels and white robes and the one on the left had green towels and white robes. There was also a door on the left hand side of the room and a small stool next to it.

Penelope helped Tashi undress and Tashi slipped into the bath tub. She instantly felt relaxed. She sighed and closed her eyes. It felt amazing, like all her worries were disappearing. She felt a soft, silky material on her eyes and hands rubbing her shoulders.

“The material on your eyes are protectors Princess, in-case any ointments touch your eyes,” Penelope explained.

Tashi felted the hands disappear from her shoulders and heard a faint pop. A rich, mesmerising aroma filled the air and Tashi recognised the smell of lavender, roses and peaches. Penelope started to tub the ointment into Tashi’s shoulders.

“Oh dear. I forgot. The king wanted to see me.” Penelope suddenly said.

“Don’t worry, Penelope. It must be important so you must leave.” Tashi said without moving the eye protectors.

“Yes Princess. I’ll try not to be too long.” Penelope said.

Tashi heard the wooden door open and close as Penelope left. Tashi sighed again and fell into a deep sleep.