Chapter 20

**Odette’s point of view: A show of affection.**

Last night I was greeted with light from a large burning fireplace, the rest of the room was covered in darkness. The young vampire girl from earlier that night, reappeared from another room, hidden behind the fireplace and told me she had drew me a warm bath.

I then followed her through the hidden door and found myself in a magical wonderland, with beautiful, large candlesticks and fresh flowerpots placed throughout the whole room. The bathtub itself was in a circular-form, carved out of a large limestone rock, that must be millions of years old, just like the castle itself. Next to the bathtub, stood a washing bowl, attached to a specially made wooden table. The rest of the facilities was also carved out of limestone, such as the lavatory area, which was in its own private little corner.

I was so grateful to hear about the prepared bath, I didn’t even try to stop her, when she undressed me and helped me get into the lovely warm water. After the refreshing bath, I climbed into the soft and comfortable bed, the young girl has prepared for me. When I didn’t need any more assistants, she said goodnight with a small bow of her head and silently disappeared out of the room.

This morning I woke up to bright light shining through a large window. After my eyes adjusted to the light, I looked around in the room, it looks a lot different in the daytime.

Glancing around in the room, there were beautiful large landscape paintings, covering the cold white stone walls. The bed and the rest of the furniture in the room are skilfully crafted out of dark wood. Which fits perfectly with the soft pastel colours of the bedding and the curtains hanging in front of a large window. Thick white rugs were placed throughout the entire room, covering the cold, dark wooden floors. The room felt cosy and welcoming, despite of its large size.

The young vampire girl was patiently waiting for me to wake up, while she was stoking the fire in the large white stone fireplace. In the daytime, I noticed that she is very pretty with her long dark brown hair, short slender figure, pale skin and innocent big brown eyes.

After she noticed me sitting in an upright position, she greeted me with a large smile on her pretty little face.

Bella: “Good morning, my lady. I hope you had a pleasant night’s rest?”

Before I got out of bed, I also greeted the girl with a warm and encouraging smile.

Odette: “Yes, I slept very well, thank you for making everything so comfortable for me.”

I quickly cleared my throat, before addressing her again.

Odette: “If I may ask, what is your name?”

Her eyes widened, as if caught off guard for a moment. She then quickly calmed herself, before answering with a shy little smile.

I thought to myself, she seems to be a very shy and innocent girl, but I adore her all the more for it!

Bella: “My name is Bella, my lady.”

Odette: “You have such a pretty name; would you mind if I call you by your name?”

Suddenly, Bella’s face lit up with excitement.

Bella: “It would be a great honour, if you do. Thank you, my lady.”

After I freshened up in the washroom, Bella helped me get dressed for the day and styled my hair. Today I wore the second new dress I made weeks before. The dress has a sheer pastel pink, high neckline, that disappear under a white corset.

This corset also just ends above my hips and are embroidered with delicate, pastel blue and pink flowers. Same as the dress from before, this dress also has six different layers of fabric, but this time it is separate layers of pastel blue, white and pink fabrics.

The unique, lace layered fabric, makes this dress seem light and airy. When I move around in it, it feels as if I’m floating on a soft cloud.

After I was dressed, Bella helped me sit down on a small chair that was placed in front of a dresser with a gold-lined mirror on top. Then Bella picked up a golden framed hairbrush and slowly started to brush my long, curly locks of hair. Afterwards, she started braiding my hair from the one side of my head and then collected everything at the back, before loosely twisting it up into a messy bun.

Then she placed beautiful small blue, forget me not flowers in between the braid and messy bun. When she was satisfied with the placement of the flowers, she picked up my hairpin and gently slipped it into the messy bun, to firmly hold everything in place.

While we were busy, Bella and I formed a bond and became friends. As she grew more comfortable with me, she told me a little more about herself. She works and live in the castle with her mother and father. Everyone here is very happy with their lives and are well provided for by the Emperor.

When we were finished with everything, Bella handed me a beautiful silky, dark blue overcoat. With soft white fur covering the collar and also the inside of the coat as an extra layer of warmth against the cold weather outside. They also used delicate, white gems as buttons for the front side of the coat.

Last night when Alex and I sat and talked by the lakefront, I asked him about the warm coats and blankets and from what it’s made of. Alex told me it was made out of werewolf fur, which they shed every time they shift into two legged forms. The werewolves trade it with the vampires, in exchange for other valuables.

Bella saw the confused expression on my face and smiled happily before explaining.

Bella: “My lady, the Emperor personality had it made for you as a gift to wear today.”

I did not know how else to respond, but to nod my head. With burning cheeks and shaking hands, I carefully took it from her small hands.

A very excited Bella noticed my burning cheeks and to my embarrassment, her small shoulders started to shake from the giggles she tried to hide under her collar. Her giggles were so contagious, I couldn’t help but to join in on the laughter and playful mood, when she helped me put on the coat.

When we were done, Bella looked at me with admiration and a pleased smile on her face.

Bella: “You are the most beautiful woman in all the realms, my lady. The Emperor will be very pleased to see you wearing his gift.”

Odette: “Thank you Bella, I appreciate everything you have done for me.”

Bella: “It was my pleasure, my lady.”

After we said our farewells, I left the room and went to my parent’s sleeping quarters.