Chapter 6 The Current Favorite

Princess Areza almost ran out of the bathroom after pulling her old hunter clothes back on over her damp skin. She had chosen to wear her old attire again because she did not want her new white silk sleeping garment to get wet on the damp floor.

But as she hurried out the archway, she was abruptly blocked by four tall guards standing outside, which caught her completely by surprise. She had not seen these heavy guards when she entered the grand swimming pool room a short while ago.

The first guard, who was standing nearest to the archway door, reached out and roughly grabbed her right arm. “Hey! Why are you here, young lady? This is a private bathing area reserved only for the King! No one can enter this area unless they have the King’s express permission!”

“Let her go!” King Severo’s deep, commanding voice echoed powerfully all over the marble swimming pool room as he shouted those words from inside the water.

Princess Areza turned her head toward the guard and looked at him with a raised eyebrow, her voice calm and smooth. “Did you hear what the King just said?”

The guard immediately released his grip on her arm, stepping back in visible shock. “My apologies, young lady,” he murmured apologetically as he bowed his head low.

“It is fine,” Princess Areza replied, smoothing down her tunic. “I am getting cold already, so please move aside and let me return to my bed.”

Hearing such composed, authoritative words from a simple prisoner, the guard felt deeply embarrassed once again. He quickly shifted his feet to the side, giving the Carkas Princess a clear passage out of the swimming pool area.

Princess Areza walked briskly back toward her assigned bed at the far end of the hall. Indeed, she felt the evening chill sinking into her bones. Upon seeing that her corner of the hall was a bit dark and that most of the women seemed to be sleeping peacefully on their beds, she decided to change her clothes right then and there.

After slipping off her damp hunting gear and putting on her soft white sleeping clothing, Princess Areza felt an immense wave of relief wash over her. She sat down on the edge of her bed and picked up a small towel she had kept inside her leather sling bag, gently drying her long, dark waves.

After a few minutes of drying her hair, she laid her back down on the soft mattress, scattering her damp tresses over the top of her pillow so they could air out. She pulled the thick blanket up to her chin, letting its warmth envelop her shivering body. In just a fraction of a second, she was pulled by heavy sleepiness into complete darkness.

She had been exhausted the entire day—truthfully, ever since yesterday—and laying her back on this soft mattress felt like a great treat after spending a long, cold night inside the dark underground dungeon.

The next morning, Princess Areza was awakened by the loud, sharp ringing of a brass bell that echoed three times across the hall. The Chief Black Eunuch and Lady Dianca were already making their rounds inside the andaruni, calling out to wake everyone up for the day’s duties.

Looking around, she saw every lady inside the room rising from their beds, fixing their hair, and changing into comfortable everyday dresses. Princess Areza quickly followed suit, dressing neatly. Just as she finished smoothing down her skirt, Glena walked toward her with a bright, welcoming smile.

“Come on, Are! It is time for our morning breakfast,” Glena said cheerfully as she stopped in front of Princess Areza’s bed.

“Thank you, Glena. I am ready now, so shall we go? I am actually quite hungry,” Areza said, smiling back at her newfound friend.

The two of them walked side-by-side toward the long dining tables situated on the other side of the big andaruni hall. Glena led her to the long table on the left side, guiding her all the way to the farthest seat at the end.

“Are, since you are new here, this will be your assigned place at this table for the time being. That is the rule here for all newcomers,” Glena whispered softly, leaning in close so the others would not hear.

As she sat down, Princess Areza noticed the unpleasant woman from yesterday—the one who had tried to embarrass her in front of the others with her sharp questions. The woman marched past the long tables with her chin held high and sat down gracefully at one of the plush chairs at the round table placed right in the center.

“Why did she sit at the center table all by herself?” Princess Areza asked Glena in a low whisper.

Glena secretly rolled her eyes, though Princess Areza caught the subtle movement. “Are, that woman is Minara,” Glena explained in a very low voice that was barely audible above the clatter of dishes. “She is currently the main favorite of the King.”

As if Minara heard Glena, she automatically looked in their direction and threw an assessing, half - squinting look at Areza.