Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Twenty-Six: Iridescent

"Ah, welcome home, your highness!" I looked at the well-dressed man in front of me. He was beaming from ear to ear. How obnoxious. "Come, come! Your father, the King, is waiting for you."

I was led into a long hall ornately decorated and furnished. As we neared the big doors at the end of the hall, the two guards standing on each side of the door pulled the doors open. At the center of the room was an onyx throne that glittered underneath the lights. Standing next to it was, unfortunately, my father. He turned around, and his eyes brighten.

"You do look like your mother." I stared into his black eyes, yet another reason to feel lucky that I look like my mother.

"So I've been told," I responded coolly.

"Ah Khensamel, you have your mother's temperance. Let me show you your room so you can adjust." I started towards the hallway he gestured to, and we fell into a brisk walk. We headed up a flight of steps before we came across a lone door that had silver decorations. "Here we are."

A guard nearby opened the door, and I swiftly walked into my new room. It was big, open, had tall ceilings, and had large windows on the three sides that faced the surrounding city. I liked my room.

"I'm sure you are tired from your weary trek," my father said before two maids appeared. "These two are at your disposal. We will continue our talk at dinner."

Much to my relief, Galbatorix strode out of the room, and the door was closed.

"Is there something you would like us to do your highness?" I glanced at the two servants. I would have to be very careful around these two.

"Please prepare a bath and a change of clothes, one that covers my entire right arm and shoulder. I don't care if my left arm is exposed but do not under any circumstances, prepare clothing that doesn't cover my right arm and shoulder." They nodded before one disappeared into what I assumed was the bathroom, and the other went to an armoire full of clothing.

I headed over to a table adjacent to the bathroom and relieved my body of the weapons I held. A dull sword and matching dagger. I didn't dare bring my actual weapons with me for fear of losing them. As I set the sheathes onto the table, the one that went into the bathroom came back out.

"Your highness, I have prepared you a bath." I blinked at the girl before responded.

"Thank you, what are your names?"

"I am Lydia, your highness." The one that went to get a change of clothes said, walking over with clothing folded in her hands.

"And I am Frida, your highness." I pulled off my left glove and turned it over in my hands.

"I require another set of gloves, a set with the right one longer than the left." They nodded. "There is one thing I want to be clear about, no one, will help me with my clothing or bathing unless I ask. I will manage on my own. Is that clear?" Another set of nodding.

"Good, I'll be taking a bath, if you could get what I requested and leave it on the bed before leaving when I'm done changing I'm going to need help with my hair. Afterwards, you're free for the afternoon." I twisted around and sauntered into the bathroom, shutting the door and locking it.

I quickly slipped out of my current sand-filled clothing and dropped them in the corner of the bathroom. I turned my right palm up and cast a spell that Master Oromis taught me. My mark disappeared along with my tattoo's. Of course, they weren't gone They were just out of sight. I undid my hair and dropped my crown on a nearby table before stepping into the carved tub of hot water, leaving the sapphire necklace and Murtagh's necklace as the only thing I wore. No way was I risking taking them off at any time while I was here.

The water smelled like the flowers from Ellesméra, gently washing my skin and perfuming it at the same time. I scrubbed every inch of dirt and sand off my body before washing my hair just as thoroughly. I stayed in the water until it got lukewarm. I pushed myself out of the water and dried my body off before wrapping a bathrobe around my body.

I looked at myself in the mirror; all of the dirt and sand had hidden the tiredness my eyes reflected. I hadn't slept in a long time, often relying on Eragon to put me in a trance. But was I going to sleep? I frowned at myself, wondering if it was worth the nightmares and phantom pain.

I closed my eyes for a second before opening them with resolve. I'll give it one more shot, and if it doesn't work, I'll stay awake until exhaustion sets in, again. I unlocked the bathroom door and stepped into my room, glancing around for any trace of someone still in the room. It was clear.

I walked over to my oversized bed and picked up the clothing Frida had selected. There was a thick, white underdress and a simple dark blue overdress that covered everything I had asked. Good, these women listened. I dropped the bathrobe and changed into fresh, clean clothes.

Once I had the two dresses on, I smoothed any ripples in the fabric and put the dark blue slippers that were next to the clothes pile on my feet. The clothing and shoes I was given were surprisingly comfortable. I finally grabbed the glove for my right hand. It was white with embroidery throughout the fabric. I slid it on, satisfied that it covered any exposed skin. I walked over to the door and opened it.

"Is there something you need your highness?" A guard asked.

"Would someone get Lydia and Frida and send them in?"

"Yes, your highness." I quickly shut the door and went to the vanity that had several pieces of jewelry. There were a variety of things on display and even more in the drawers.

"Your highness, you called for us?" I turned around to address the two girls.

"Can one of you please braid my hair?" I asked, holding a couple of strands of wet, black hair.

"Of course, please sit down your highness," Lydia said, gesturing to the chair in front of the vanity. I sat down, and Lydia got to work braiding my hair with her slender fingers. "That is a beautiful pendant, your highness."

I looked at the refection of the pendant in the mirror.

"Thank you. It was a gift from a dear friend and mentor. He always complained that I never dressed like someone of my nobility would. This pendant is his way of telling me that my clothing choices are horrid. I've been yelled at for constantly wearing this leather necklace, but I won't ever take it off." I let out a small laugh at the idea of Master Oromis being my 'dear friend.'

"I believe we can help you in that department, your highness, if you wish, of course."

"That would be much appreciated." I murmured as Lydia finished braiding my long hair.

"Did that necklace belong to someone important to you?" I looked at Lydia in the mirror. "Forgive me for prying your highness."

"It's alright. It belonged to someone important to me, which I haven't seen in a long time. I don't care what people say about it. I will never take it off." I responded, playing with the leather necklace.

"To start, I believe this circlet would pair beautifully with your pendant your highness," Frida said, walking over with a velvet box tied with a ribbon. Frida set the box down on the vanity and gently undid the ribbon. Inside the box sat a silver circlet, the metal was etched with a pattern that reminded me of fire. It was simple but elegant. It matched Oromis's pendant perfectly.

"This is very beautiful Frida. You have made an excellent selection." I murmured while Frida nestled the circlet around the top of my head. "That will be all until after dinner."

Frida and Lydia bowed before leaving my room, letting me simmer in my own thoughts. I sat for a few seconds more before getting up out of the chair and making my way to the door. Time to explore this castle, to the extent that I am allowed. I stepped out of my room and looked around. There were so many places I could go.