Chapter 5 Misery loves company

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Ariane stood quietly in the large, comfortable, chamber as servants busied around the room.

“This one, lady Vara?” A servant girl held up a warm robe.

“Yes, thank you , Chloe,” Vara said and she took the robe from the girl’s hands. She walked up to Ariane. “Here, you can wear this until the bath is ready. Hopefully your bags will arrive soon. I doubt I have anything that will fit you.”  She studied Ariane carefully. They were of a height, but Ariane was not as curved.

“Thank you,” Ariane said softly. She looked around the room uncertain.

“You can change behind the screen,” Vara offered and she pointed towards the corner of the room. “If you give your gown to Chloe, she will have it cleaned.”

Ariane quietly moved behind the screen. She did not know how to behave. This place was so different from where she had grown up. All her life, people had taken care of her. Being here, she felt a little lost.

Vara was giving instructions to the servants while making sure her guest was comfortable enough.

Ariane sighed. She wished she could be a little more like that. If it had been her, she wouldn’t have known what to do. Vara seemed so certain of herself.

Ariane moved from behind the screen, the robe tightly wrapped around her.

A boy was just emptying the last bucket of water for her bath.

“Thank you, Aaron,” she heard Vara say, “you may go.”

The boy bowed and left the room.

“Thank you for your kindness,” Ariane said softly, “it was not my intention to cause so much trouble.”

“Nonsense,” Vara waved away her concern, “I couldn’t let you walk around in that sodden getup. Go on, take a bath. Is the room warm enough?”

“Yes, thank you.” She moved behind the second screen for privacy.

Vara moved towards her wardrobe to find a dress for Ariane to wear in case her bags would not arrive in time. “Is your brother always so insufferable?” she asked.

“Insufferable?” Ariane questioned from behind the screen, “he is the prince, my lady.”

Vara snorted. “So is Cyrus, but he wouldn’t think of speaking to me like that.”

Ariane bit her lip. This was her chance to learn something about the royal family. If only she could find the courage to ask. “What… is he like? Prince Silas.” The name was strange to her tongue.

Before Vara could answer, there was a knock on the door and  Vara went to open it.

Eudemas stepped into the room. “The lady Ariane’s entourage has arrived.” An young boy form the Tirzé entourage followed after her and placed two bags on the floor. He bowed to Vara and waited for instructions.

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