Lost in Thought

Illyria’s POV


I spent the rest of this afternoon contemplating my actions towards Gawen. I couldn’t wrap my head around *why* I had kissed him, and why it felt so natural after what happened with Drystan just recently. I need to stay away from these strange men, they have some sort of unusual influence over my mental state. It’s starting to confuse me.

On a separate note- Tonight's the Emperor’s *’Red Moon Ball’*, where I'm told he is planning to finally show me off to the world. Like some sort of prize. I suppose I will formally meet all of the princes, Finally.

A bit of discomfort builds up in the pit of my stomach at the thought of seeing Drystan, how do I face him? *in front of everyone else?*

It’s going to be extremely awkward.

Just as I begin losing myself in my own dysfunctional head for the millionth time today, a light handed knock rings throughout the room. My bedroom door swings open when I softly mutter ‘come in’.

“Princess Illyria, I am Gaia. Princess Ira’s private servant, I have come to fetch you. Their majesties await you in the royal female’s community bath and robes room.” A slim woman, dressed in dark green curtsies to me softly. As she lifts her head once more, her blonde wavy hair sways around her shoulders.

“Follow me Milady.” She begins her trek down the hall, leaving me in a sudden scurry behind her. The Princess’s wish to see me? I wonder what in the world for? And in the bath?

I blush at the thought of bathing in front of other people. I have never bathed in a community tub before, though I have heard that many kingdoms and empires practice this as a caution. When I was a child, my mother used to bathe with me to make sure I got behind my ears. Still, our country never practiced community bathing.

I wonder what the princesses have in mind for meeting me so privately.

Gaia turns a corner, the click of her heels slowing down a bit. She turns over her shoulder and gestures for me to walk beside her, obediently I walk in stride next to her holding the hem of my dress up. We approached two very large ornate doors, standing at least eight feet tall, and guarded on each side by two soldiers.

“Good Evening my dears,” Gaia bows to the soldiers, softly blushing as one looks upon her. “I am Princess Ira’s servant. This is Princess Illyria, Vestal and guest of the Imperial family.”

The soldiers nod to each other, the flush of their porcelain skin shining in the light. One looks at her, a small smile on his lips. “Good Evening Milady’s,” he bows gently, lifting off his cap, and looking to Gaia with a calm sort of warmth to his eyes.

“Her Highness informed us to expect the two of you. You may enter.” His crisply styled blonde hair wisps in the breeze coming from the corridor's window, revealing a long slender scar across his right eyebrow. He places his cap back on and pulls open one of the heavy doors to open for us, she stands for a moment watching him dreamily.

The two of them *definitely* have some chemistry.

She bows to him again, fluttering a small wave to the other guard, and walking through the door. I follow her quietly, the door closing heavily behind us as I observe her movements.

She leads me down a long hallway, where many tall and elegant doors are lined up. She stops by one, where my name is imprinted upon the door in golden letters.

“This is now your personal changing room, when you bathe in the community bath-house you will undress and leave your things here. Go ahead.” She smiles softly, pulling the door open and allowing me to step in and have a look around.

The room is fairly small, yet it contains a slim dresser and an embroidered bench on opposing sides. Above the bench a rack lined with many hangers is mounted on the wall, likely meant for hanging large clothing pieces.

My hands trail along the embroidery on the dresser, it looked like an antique at first glance. Every small detail, each flaw, visible to the eye. Along the corners of the piece of furniture were many carvings of flowers and vines, obviously hand crafted.

Each piece of the art on this exquisite furniture was painted ever so carefully, the details impeccably accurate. I traced the floral designs with my fingertips, awe written in my expression.

I glance to the wall parallel to the door, which was built to be a mirror, from top to bottom. My reflection seemed well lit by all the candles in the closed off room, my pink toned curls falling frizzly around me. I sighed, I truly could use a good bath.

I glance around once more, feeling out the beauty of such a small space, before untying the back of my corset. These tight suffocating devices were much easier to take off, rather than put on. Luckily I have always had a nice figure, so I really didn’t have to put too many adjustments into the tightness of my corsets.

I loosened the garment further, slipping it off and placing it into a drawer on the dresser. I hesitate for a moment, before thinking to myself silently.

“Um… Gaia?” I awkwardly call out for the servant, before slipping out of my gown and skirt.

“Yes, Milady?” She cheerily questions me back, from just outside the room. I pause, thinking on how I would word my awkward question properly.

“Do I need to be… completely undressed?” I blush madly, my mind continues contemplating. “And, um.. well what do I put on?”

“Ah! Yes Milady, everything must come off. In the top drawer there are some towels, drape yourself with one.” She calmly answered me, as if the question didn’t bother her at all. Had I known she wouldn’t find my wondering silly, I would not have overthought what I wanted to say.

I wipe the bead of sweat from my forehead away, before twisting and tying my hair up into a loose bun. I pull the top drawer open, and grab a bath towel to wrap my exposed body in.

My heart pounds nervously, reminding me of my likely irrational fears. I watch myself in the mirror for a moment, taking deep breaths in an attempt to relax.

“You are okay, everything is okay. Everything is *fine.*” I smile at my reflection, observing my own crooked and forced smile looking back at me. I frown, realizing how bad I am at faking my comfort.

I practice keeping my face relaxed, professional and poise the way my mother and tutors taught me. *’At least this I can do.’* I think to myself, feeling a little better about being able to control myself in front of the empire’s female royalty.

Back home, I heard there was always tension and scheming between the female royalty when my mother was young. After I was born, she sheltered me away from everyone but my grandmother. So I never first handedly dealt with that irritation and disrespect.

“Are you ready Milady?” Gaia peeks her head around the corner, her large Green irises suddenly reminding me of someone I dearly miss.

“*Oda…*” I mumble under my breath, realizing the resemblance in her face.

“Im sorry, Princess?” Gaia raises and eyebrow, watching me curiously. Flustered, I blush and cover my face for a moment. “Ah! My Apologies. For a moment you reminded me of someone.”

“I understand.” She smiles softly, reminding me again with her alikeness. She curtsies, turning over her heel with a poise position. “Since you have finished, follow me this way.”

Her steps click differently on the stone flooring, yet in the same pattern. I follow her, scuffing around in my bare feet. The floor is cool and smooth, every once in a while I notice a small dip or so in the stones as if the floor is slowly moving downwards.

Admiring the architecture of the halls around us, I hardly notice the chattering of voices up ahead. There is lots of laughter and conversations overlapping one another, along with some soft splashing and swishing of water.

As we enter the room my eyes go wide with awe, dropping my jaw in amazement.






*A/N: Hello! My apologies that the update is a day later than what I announced. I have been experiencing some technical difficulties. After losing the chapter last week and not being able to update, I wanted to ensure the best of the best when I finally got it up!! Thank you my dear Ickkies for being so patient <3 Please- Follow my social medias for more updates on fanart, upcoming merch sales, and book updates!! chau! xoxo