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“The one with the two triangles is for you to cover your chest with and the smaller triangle is to cover the modesty you keep between your thighs. I can’t be any more respectful than that,” Teo calls out from the other side of the door, as if he can hear the actual panic I’m in.
“Okay. The two triangles are for my chest. So, I can only assume each one is purposely made to cover up each of my breasts. Okay, that makes sense,” I mutter to myself as I pick it up with my thumb and forefinger.
To my shame and complete ignorance, it takes me a while to understand that the strings are to tie around my neck and back. But once I do, the second part of the swimsuit isn’t so hard to figure out. Once I’ve made sure that everything is covered, I walk over to the mirror and almost faint at my reflection.
This is modest???
I’m good as naked.
If Uncle Adelid saw me now, he’d have a stroke.
Not that I’m his favorite person right now.
After I sent him a disparaging letter as to why I was never told about what was happening in the east and then added by sending him the new decree that abolished such a law, he hasn’t so much as written me, his ego too bruised to send his flesh and blood a letter of apology.
I’ll deal with Adelid when I get home.
Right now, there is too much I want to experience in the south.
I’m completely enamored with how carefree and liberated everyone here is. Not only is the city paradise, but its inhabitants don’t seem to be burdened with anything. All they seem to care about is living life to its fullest extent with no real care for tomorrow.
They live free, while I was put on this earth to serve.
If I can just taste a little tiny bit of what it feels like to be born in the south, to be that free-spirited, then I will treasure the experience for years to come. That’s all I wish to take from here. Memories to keep me warm on those cold northern nights where obligation and duty is my only calling.
“Are you almost done, or do you need me to come in and help?” Teo asks, banging on the door.
“In a minute,” I retort, rushing to look around the room for something to wear over this poor excuse of a modest swimsuit.
Where is Anya when you need her?
She would know exactly what I should wear for such an occasion.
When my eyes catch one of Cleo’s white spaghetti summer dresses lying on a chair, I rush to it and pull it over my head. It’s one thing to wear such skimpy clothing to a pool where the only person there is Teo. It’s a whole other matter walking about the palace’s halls where servants can see you. Things might be different here in the south, but servant gossip occurs in every palace and castle, no matter its location. And the last thing I want is for idle gossip like me walking around Teo’s palace almost buck naked to reach the wrong pair of ears.
Levi would never understand.
And the last thing I want is to cause him more suffering than what he’s already going through.
It’s Teo’s insistence on banging on my door that takes my mind off the man I love.
“Kitten, oh kitten…”
Bang. Bang.Bang.
I swing the door open and give him my fiercest scowl.
“I’ve never met a person that can go from charmingly sweet to downright annoying as fast as you can, Teodoro.”
“So you think I’m charming, huh?” He wiggles his brows.
“That’s all you heard? You’re incorrigible.” I laugh at the angel-like face he’s putting on.
“And you, my fair queen, are the loveliest woman I’ve ever seen,” he says, lifting my hand to plant a chaste kiss on my knuckle.
My throat goes tight at the sincerity in his voice.
“I think I prefer you when you’re annoying me,” I stammer, feeling the heat of his innocent kiss rise up to my cheekbones.
