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I took a step back, and Emilie looked toward me.
“Do you feel it?”
“No. It’s just a dull painting, clearly created by an artist with no talent. I’ve seen children with better painting skills.”
She practically steamed from the ears before stomping off. With one last glance at that soul-sucking painting, I followed her out of the art gallery.
The last stop on our tour was right outside of the living quarters. On the first floor, past the grand entrance and beyond four white pillars, was a courtyard that opened up to bright skies. Sunlight streamed in and the pink and red roses were in full bloom, surrounding a shallow pool. The water was crystal clear and if we were to dip our toes in, it would’ve been the perfect temperature. It had been enchanted so that it was unique to each person’s preference. It didn’t matter if it was winter or summer, it would always feel perfect.
Had we come here at night, it would have featured a bioluminescent glow. Some said the water was healing, but that was only a myth. It was simply a pool. That didn’t stop the soldiers from coming in after training to soothe their sore muscles.
A handful of lounge chairs lined the wall, where a couple of our servants gave massages to members of the nobility—people who had nothing better to do than to sit around in the middle of the day being pampered. Emilie should fit right in.
“This is the end of our tour. You’re more than welcome to stay here. I can send for Marjorie to grab your bathing clothes and a towel.”
Emilie stared at her reflection in the water and I couldn't tell what she was thinking. Or if she had any thoughts at all in that pampered brain of hers.
“Emilie?”
She frowned, still glaring at the pool, and I cursed the gods. Why did my brother give me this job? What could she possibly be unhappy about now?
“What is it?” I questioned and made no effort to keep the disdain out of my voice.
“Nothing,” she responded. “Thank you for showing me around. And yes, if you could have Marjorie retrieve my things, I would appreciate it.”
I gave a quick nod and turned on my heel, thankful the most painful part of my day was over.
Chapter Five
Emilie
I stayed in the pool until my fingers and toes turned to prunes. I’d had my reservations when Ladon first showed me the courtyard spa, but as soon as my feet touched the sparkling water, I knew it was what my body needed after traveling all day yesterday.
It’s not that the pool wasn’t beautiful. The scent of roses lulled me into a sleepy state only magnified by the warm water, and I was in absolute heaven. But I looked around and couldn’t help but wonder if this was the life Cyrus had planned for me. Did he think I wanted to spend my days being pampered by the other wealthy families of Osavian? Did he expect me to be a trophy wife who had little else to offer aside from bearing his children?
This wasn’t at all the life I envisioned for myself. I wanted my life to mean something. I wanted to help better the lives of those in Osavian and Dreslen. The poor, the sick, the downtrodden. I had ideas, but I was afraid I’d never get the chance to voice them if Cyrus only thought of me as an accessory.
I stepped out of the pool and grabbed the towel that Marjorie had brought for me. It seemed the pool’s enchantments extended to the chair I’d dumped my belongings onto because the towel was a blissful wrap of warmth around my shoulders. It was like velvet sunlight had engulfed my skin.
I couldn’t tell exactly how long I’d been soaking in the giant pool, but late afternoon crept up on me. More than half the pool was now cloaked in shadows. My stomach rumbled, and I realized I’d accidentally skipped lunch.
As I headed back to my room, thinking about what I’d like to eat and if Marjorie could fetch me more of those jam-filled pastries, I ran into my mother. Two servants followed behind her with arms loaded full of shopping bags, some of them almost bigger than me. Though I preferred to avoid her, she spotted me immediately and walked my way.
“Successful trip into town?” I asked. I hated to admit I was a bit curious about what was in the bags, but if she sensed it, it would be impossible to get rid of her. She’d be modeling each and every item if she had her way, and the last thing I wanted to do was sit through that.
“Absolutely. I picked up a few things for you as well.” She ruffled through the bags, trying to find the ones that were meant for me.
“I don’t need anything else, Mother. I’ve already brought a million dresses, tops and pants. I have everything that I need. More than I need.”
I thought back to my room and the trunks that were still packed there. It was going to be a nightmare sorting through it all, and I didn’t need her to add more to my closet. A small part of me wanted to burn it all. I’d had enough of being treated like a pampered princess for one day.
“Ah, here,” she said, handing me a blue striped tote bag. I peeked inside, finding a white gown with an iridescent shimmer. “For tonight.”
“What’s tonight?”
“Didn’t Cyrus tell you? He has a special dinner planned. Just the two of you.” She bounced with excitement at the prospect of the king and me spending an evening together. Alone.
“No, he didn’t.”
