Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Thirty-Five: Radiant

"Oh my!" Lydia gasped. "Frida!"

Frida came bustling into the room with a broom in hand, prepared to hit whoever they thought was in the room.

"You had me thinking someone broke into her highness's room!" Frida huffed.

"Well, I was a little emotional last night and left the doors open to my balcony during the storm," I explained as the two began to tidy up, my fingers still clutching the bedsheet.

"You could have gotten sick!" Lydia scolded me.

"I know," I replied sheepishly. "I was reminded of that fact when Murtagh pulled me inside."

"Hmph," Lydia grumbled. "Seems like he has some common sense, but could he at least use the buttons!?!"

I glanced at Lydia in confusion before my face turned bright red. She was holding up my shredded nightgown. I buried my head in my hands once more in embarrassment.

"Not to worry, your highness," Frida said as she grabbed a robe from one of the drawers and walked over to me. "We've seen the whole gamut of promiscuous activities in this castle. You needn't feel ashamed or embarrassed. We know how hard this has been on you."

"Thank you, Frida," I said, genuinely meaning my words. Frida stood at the edge of the bed and waited as I began to get out of the bed. Immediately I winced in pain as soreness became apparent. Looking down, I saw that there was dried blood on the inside of my leg. "Oh,"

I stared at my leg before my head snapped to the bed, the sheets were still all over the place, but I knew that if removed, there would be a red stain somewhere.

"Come now, your highness," Frida cooed, wrapping the robe around my shoulders. "Easy does it. Lydia, draw a bath."

Lydia stopped what she was doing and hurried into the bathroom as I fully stood up on shaky legs.

"Well, you certainly have held onto your womanhood far longer than anyone in the city, your highness," Frida said as she guided me to the bathroom. "Girls these days are so open and willing it is a disgrace."

"I just needed to..." I whispered as I made my aching body move. "I needed to forget."

"I don't blame you, your highness," Frida said as she rubbed my back in a motherly way. "May I give you a piece of advice?"

"I think I could use some right about now," I replied quietly as Lydia fluttered around the bathroom, pouring different oils and potions into the water.

"You've found a gentleman that seems to care about you, not to mention hopelessly in love with you," Frida told me. "don't let him go."

I clutched at the robe as Lydia excused herself, leaving Frida and me in the bathroom. I stared at Frida for a moment before giving her a genuine smiling.

"I think I'm just as hopelessly in love with him too."

"Rest your body in your bath; the oils and potions should help with any residual pain. I will go to help Lydia with your breakfast." Frida replied before turning to leave.

"Frida?" I asked the woman turned to me. "I couldn't have asked for better handmaidens, so when I say thank you, I do mean it."

"It's our pleasure to serve you," Frida replied, giving me a genuine smile before hustling out and shutting the door. I dropped my eyes from the door before padding to the full-length mirror. I stood in front of the mirror and let the robe drop.

I held back a gasp as I stared at my body. He hadn't been rough, or at least it hadn't felt rough, but my body was covered in bruises. I'm not sure if the marks on my neck, shoulders, and chest counted as bruises but the ones on my hips were. Either way, I don't regret anything.

For once, I had found peace in this castle. It just happened to be in the arms of another. He kept the nightmares at bay, which was more than I could have asked for. I didn't know where we go from here.

"Figure that out later, Mal." I murmured to myself. "You're too sore to think of anything right now."

Carefully, I stepped into the hot water and let my body slowly lower into the steaming water. A sigh escaped my lips as I started to feel better. Having spell weavers enchant oils and potions for you at beck and call must be nice.

I leaned my head back and rested it on the edge of the tub. Last night I let myself get lost. This morning I had to face reality once more.

I sat in the water until it cooled before attempting to move again. Carefully, I pushed myself up and stepped out the tub, surprised that I actually felt fine. I grabbed a robe and wrapped it around my body before leaving the bathroom.

My bed was already stripped of the old sheets and remade. The mess from last night's escapades on my veranda was cleaned up. On my bed was the dress for the day. I frowned. It looked rather formal.

"The King insisted that you meet with the court suitors," Lydia said as she walked in carrying a tray full of fruit.

"Why do I get the feeling that this means I am going to have to deal with a bunch of twats?" I asked myself as I seated myself at my small table.

"Because you are," Lydia commented as she placed the tray in front of me.

"I had a hard enough time dealing with them at the ball, why must I suffer through more of their self-indulgent antics and lewd glances?" I growled as I picked up a grape and rotated it in my fingers.

"You have to because the King asked you to."

"Yes," I drawled out slowly. "Though I suppose when the King asks something of you, he isn't asking, is he."

Neither Lydia nor Frida replied as I continued to eat my breakfast. As I picked as the fruit and bread, I watched them scurry around my room, bringing out clothing and accessories for the day.