Bathing with Imperial Royalty

Illyria’s POV


I pause, my jaw dropping in amazement. The hallway we had journeyed down, came to a large opening where the ceiling heightened dramatically. The floor gradually dipped into a beach-like stone basin, which seemed enormous in size. It basically filled the entire center of the room, while above the basin a large ceiling window allowed the late sunlight to flood the room. *How had they allowed sunlight into such a lowly placed room?*

Surrounding the tub was a soft stone flooring, looking to be naturally composed. The room is decorated with gold and jewels, in an odd, antique like, ornate pattern. It trailed the edges of the bath, and up the pillars of the room. Whomever designed this area, had used the natural build of the rock to inspire their design.

The surface of the bath water was dressed in bubbles, lots of steam rising from beneath them. *’How did they keep the water hot?’* I wondered, tapping my chin while I stayed completely lost in the beauty of this room before me. Many questions about this room popped into my head, and went unanswered.

Suddenly my eyes meet with the servant guiding me again, as she waves a hand in front of my face. “Are you alright Princess?” She tilts her head, questioning me with a concerned expression.

I glance to the *many* women scattered throughout the room…. Whose eyes are all on me. Many women looked with curiosity, some with a strange and *envious* face. *’What are they looking at? Goodness! They are **naked**!’*

A furious blush smacks my face as the realization hits me, embarrassed that I had gotten so mixed up in the view… and the realization that all of the women staring were completely undressed. It may be a bathhouse, but I was still probably shocked because of my upbringing.

“*Ahem.* my apologies Gaia. Continue.” I bow my face lightly, attempting to look away from all of the women bathing. Awkward unease grew in my gut, *How am I supposed to bathe comfortably in front of all these women?*

“This way then.” She sighs, shaking her head. “Their majesties await.” Her heels click against the stone as she walks beside the large tub. The women resume their conversations, occasionally whispering and looking at me. I focus my attention forward, stepping in small puddles of water every once in awhile.

As we near what looks like the end of the bathhouse, the stone walls surrounding the basin make a round cup-like shape.

Somewhat raised above the other pools, was a warmer area with a significantly smaller basin, seeming to be more private than the large tub. The smaller region was even bubbling, decorated by a nice sized waterfall that pushed heated water over the edge of the stone and into the larger bath.

*’Ah! It must be a natural spring!’* I think to myself, remembering the lesson mother had me do on natural geographical curiosities. The sketches in the book seemed to match this quite closely, though I don’t think they were meant to be this large. I hadn’t read of any springs larger than eight to ten feet, but this one was intricate and beautiful.

“Magesties, *Princess Illyria*, has arrived.” Gaia bows courteously, introducing me as her blonde waves follow her movements as usual. When I look at the two women seated in the bubbling tub, one stands, bringing the heat back to my face and wide eyes.

Her body was well built, filled in the right places with a slim waist, making her look all the more womanly. Her skin seemed like a dark tan glass, shining in the reflection of the sun off the water. I avert my eyes as her Icy blonde curls drip down her breasts, making me feel ashamed of the nudity I’ve witnessed.

“We finally have the chance to speak with the *beautiful* Vestal, come join us. You can leave the towel with Gaia.” She speaks in a haughty tone, waving her hand as if to dismiss my only piece of fabric herself. She crosses her arms and takes a seat again, watching me closely, her bright golden irises bore into my soul from across the room. The hair on the back of my neck rises as I stand frozen for a second, not sure if I should obey or walk away.

*’She wants me to get naked…. Like everyone else here.’* I blush frantically, I knew the terms and setting of this meeting. Yet I hadn’t realized fully what I was expected to do until I saw the situation with my own eyes.

The second young woman who was seated next to her, bashfully looks at me, blushing just as I am. Our eyes meet, and her cheeks flush impossibly darker red, bringing out the paleness and freckles on her skin. Her eyes darted away, looking back down at the water while her shoulders grew stiff as a brick.

Her long dark red hair flowed in tighter curls than that of the Icy blonde, though her eyes were just as golden. In a moment's glance, I could see their resemblance, it was obvious they were related.

“Well?” The blonde raises an eyebrow expectant, a sharp tone to her voice. I took a deep breath, bowing before loosening my towel and passing it to the servant beside me. I pull my hair from the messy knot-bun I had created back in the dressing room, allowing it to fall to my waist. I silently pressure myself to ignore the fact that I felt exposed and impure.

My hair had grown a few inches since I arrived here, the pink spirals once meeting with my elbows now touched my lower back. It was such a strange feeling, since normally there was fabric between my back and my curls.

I stepped into the small tub, choosing to sit in a small crook in the rock across from the two women staring at me intently. My hair drifted on the surface of the water, slowly absorbing the dampness around my body. The steam slowly made the curls around my hairline either frizz up, or if they were close to my face, stick to my skin.

“I am Princess Calithea, *this* is my younger half-sister, Princess Ira.” She tugs on the red haired woman's arm, nudging her to introduce herself. Ira’s gold Irises looked at me like she was lost in thought. “Oh, yes. I am Princess Ira.” She blushes, glancing down to my chest and back at the water, fiddling her fingers nervously.

“I-I am Princess Illyria C-Cassion.” I stutter nervously, gulping as the awkward air grows heavier around me. I attempt to use my hair to cover my chest, hiding it away from the wandering eyes nearby. *I should have prepared myself better for this.*

“We already knew your name, it is a very pretty one indeed. Tell me- *what do you know of the family tradition so far?* Has father explained thoroughly?” She asks blatantly, gesturing to one of her servants to bring wine. Taken aback, I stare at her with my mouth slightly agape. Assuming by ‘father’ she meant *The Emperor*, I begin to answer sheepishly.

“U-um.. well he said that I-I must choose a n-new hier?” I question, hoping it’s the answer she was looking for, as her eyes basically dissect my words. Waiting for an answer, I hold my breath and twirl one of my curls under the water in front of me. Ira sits quietly, gauging the conversation exchange between her sister and I.

“Has he told you of our family? Or the blood moon? The ball perhaps?” Calithea asks quizzically, as her servant returns with a very large bottle of red wine and three mugs. The servant pours a sizable glass for each of us, handing the glasses to everyone before resuming her quiet placement standing behind Calithea.

“H-he said that you e-each have.. gifts? And t-that *ahem*, that I must choose a prince by the time the blood moon passes?” I clear my throat mid sentence, attempting to escape my nervous stutter. The idea of having to choose a man I do not really know makes me feel… afraid. These aren’t regular people, these are *vampires*. My Life could be in danger if I refuse to play a part in their strange morals, since I am mortal.

“At least he gave you basic information. I do apologize on his behalf, he doesn’t really communicate things properly sometimes. Ever since…” She glances to Ira, before changing the subject quickly. “Well he has just changed the past few years. Forgive his empty information.”

Again, shock bites me. *Did she just apologize to me?*

“I.. It’s okay.” I answer simply, swirling the wine around in my glass. Calithea touches the lip of my cup of wine, and the glass suddenly grows cold. Ice forms on the base of the cup, all I can do is watch her blue fingertips curiously change color. My eyes go wide, *How did she do that?!*

She chuckles, “The people love to call me the Ice Princess, but… I prefer to be known for my other gift.” She grins, obviously happy to show off her power to someone who seemed mesmerised. Truly, I thought I only felt afraid, but it seemed like a beautiful gift to have. She had pulled my interest and attention, *what will she do now?*

“You have another gift too?” I tilted my head curiously, still admiring the frost dressed on my glass. “What is it?”

“Think of something, anything really.” She smiles, her eyes sparkling as she leans towards me in our conversation. Ira stays quiet, still having not said a single word. The air around Calithea quickly changed from a tense and snotty vibe, to new happiness and childish excitement.

“You’re not going to… read my mind are you?” I squint at her accusingly, thinking about the Emperor’s annoying gift. I prefer my mental privacy over impressive vampire crap.

“No! Just think of something damnit!” She crunches up her eyebrows irritatedly, smacking the water with her hands and groaning loudly. Her eyes roll as Ira smacks her arm, probably chastising her for her language. A princess never curses.

“Okay, done.” I say, crossing my knees over one another and watching her as I sip the sweet drink I was given. This wine had a lovely taste, in fact… this may be the first time I have had any alcohol while I have been here. It’s… nice and relaxing.