Hope is all he has left...
Prince Kian is supposed to be dead. He was only 8 years old when the Dark King came into his home and slaughtered his family. Now 21, he lives in hiding, grieving the family and the kingdom both lost. With no magic left...
The caverns were nothing short of magical. Kian had promised to give a complete tour later in the day and had instructed us to stay in our respective hall. I hated to stay in one place when every part of me ached to explore.
"Hey, Zora, Your maid is outside. Is it okay if she comes in?" Tyri's voice called out from behind my closed door. The door was opulent, not unlike everything else in the chambers. For being trapped, these people seemed to live the high life.
"Um... yeah. That's okay," I said, getting up to open the door. I had no want for a maid and I had told Kian that specifically when he had asked. It was strange enough to be staying in a room fit for a royal, let alone having a complete stranger take care of my things for me.
I opened the door to find a young woman with pale gold skin and neatly pinned burgundy hair. Her uniform consisted of an elegantly embroidered blue and silver skirt, with a neatly tucked button up shirt. "Terveisiä, Lady Zora," The maid spoke, using the traditional Drimmish greeting. It was outdated and rather too formal for my liking, but then again most things here were.
"Er- hei," I responded with one of the few traditional Drimmish phrases I knew. The oldest version of our language was truly only spoken by those of high stature, but all children were required to learn the basics at a young age. It had been years since I had used these words.
"My name is Hestia, Kian has sent me to care for any of your needs."
"That won't be necessary, as I've told Kian, I can take care of myself," I responded evenly, irked at Kian for putting me in this position. Hestia, who looked no older than fifteen, gave me a knowing smile.
"Kian told me you would say that. Lady Zora-"
"Just Zora."
"Zora," Hestia sighed," I am not here to brush your teeth, or chew your food, or any of the other ridiculous things you may imagine. I am here to make sure that your impression on the court is good. Think of me not as a servant, but as a tutor."
I studied the young woman, her face was kind but unyielding. I knew another stubborn soul when I met one. Hestia would not be leaving anytime soon.
"What do you know of the court?" I asked, skeptically.
"I am the Duchess of Shornes," She replied with a graceful, yet sarcastic, curtsy. I stood in shock, my mouth hanging open.
"My mother died from sickness, shortly after my father drank himself to death. I have been the Duchess of Shornes from near the moment of my birth. Until I was thirteen, I was mentored in the ways of the court by the same governess who taught Prince Kian. I wanted to serve my prince in any way I could, so when I turned thirteen I volunteered my services to Kian as his housekeeper. Therefore, yes, I know quite a bit about this court," She told me with a satisfied smirk, walking into the bathing chambers with arms full of different soaps.
My face went beet red and I immediately felt embarrassed for how I had treated Hestia, I had taken out my anger at Kian on her. I knew what it was like to be assumed that just because I was young I wasn't qualified. I couldn't believe how hypocritical my words had just sounded.
I followed Hestia into the bathing chambers. "Look, I'm really sorry. It was wrong of me to assume-"
"It's okay! I've dealt with lots of stressed out people before, believe me when I say that this interaction has been rather pleasant. You don't seem like a bad person, just someone who has lived a life very different from ours," She said kindly, laying the soaps out in a line on the vanity.
"So, these are pretty much in the order that you need to use them. Products for your skin are on the right, products for your hair are on the left. I didn't know which scent you would prefer so I brought them all."
"Thanks," I said, my voice coming out small.
"I'll leave you to it then."
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The bathing chambers were truly beautiful. Water spilled into a small pool carved out of the stone floor from a series of waterfalls that extended up the walls. Small purple and blue crystals hung from the ceiling, reflecting the torchlight to create a serene type of illumination that reminded me of moonlight.
I was sitting on the edge of the pool in the soft robe that Hestia had left me. I had scrubbed my skin so thoroughly that it felt tender. My hair now held an unfamiliar scent that the bottle had labeled as aster. I thoroughly hated it. So that's why I sat there, trying to waste time, refusing to let anyone force me to use any more of their fancy soaps or strange lotions.
"Zora, are you done?" Hestia's voice called out from the other side of the door. I took a deep breath, I had wasted so much time that my hair had dried.
"Yeah, I'll be out in a second," I said, getting to my feet.
I opened the door to see Hestia holding up a pale pink gown, "Time to make you look presentable!"
I glowered at the fluffy fabric, "There is no way in fate, that dress is going on my body."
