Beautiful Scar

Chapter 11

Scarlet let out a groaning relief as she dipped herself in a warm bath inside her chamber.

The warm scented water eased her aching and tired body from today's event.

Oh, she had definitely grown spoiled from her stays in the castle. As she rose through the ranks, she had been given privileges and access to these fineries.

Well, a lot of people told her that she deserved it and that she should since she did not treat herself that often. She did not hesitate to concur with them.

And tonight, was the night she asked for the maidservants to prepare a warm and luxurious bath for her to diffuse a bit the strain of the day.

The bathing room inside her chamber was considered spacious for her, well it was designed by the order of His Majesty to build the room, almost the same size as his daughter's. Including the chamber where she slept.

As she soaked herself, breathing in the fragrant aroma of the roasted flower seeds and fresh petals and their nectars and the combination of essential oils been put in the big tub, she dried her hand and grabbed a stack of papers bounded that she brought into the bath.

She continued flipping Lydia's report.

She was reading through the findings and considerations she would need to take account to leave for the Rise Continent in a couple of weeks.

Then, there was also another matter with the rather, slightly, troublesome remaining suitors.

Ronald had been dealt with.

James, slightly.

Dylan, just a mere scare. That was not even her plan.

Zuber, Jackel...and Neville.

Those three seemed clean, but she knew they all had their self-interests or their homeland's interests.

After the bath, Scarlet got dressed in her nightgown and brewed some hot tea. She poured the boiled water into a fine cup, already filled with dried tea leaves and elder flowers, and carried it with her as she climbed the staircase in her chamber, which connected to the rooftop.

As she stepped out onto the rooftop, wisp of cool night air hit her warm face.

From this view, she could see the castle ground below and the mountain horizon signifying the world beyond this kingdom, a world that used to be one of her homelands.

Her longing for that part of her, her Mother earth, still lingered but she had read with Sir Homes – that longing for a past that had lapsed and gratitude for the moment she was living, went hand in hand.

And with the peace of the night, as she reflected, it brought a sense of balance in mind. Her being felt at center.

There were a few years gap she could've never known. How her parents would've looked like, did they die or abandon her, she wouldn't know. But honestly, though she would be curious, she found contentment with the people that God had blessed her afterwards. And there were many.

Another routine of hers when she climbed to the rooftop, was to honour and silently longed and prayed to her fallen men, her comrades in battles.

The night sky tonight was clear and blessed with many stars.

She often be reminded those voyages and travels that took herself and her men far and across horizons. And when nightfall came, she would teach her men of the constellations and talked just about anything. From their hopes when they returned to the Kingdom and dreams and their love interests, to tease and banter with them.