Chapter 4 -4

Ayla put in a lot of effort to keep her thoughts off her face, the demon's words were the furthest from reassuring. She didn't protest however, stepping stiffly into the room like a lamb to the slaughter.

The room was just as extravagant as the Demon King's room, it was much softer, however. Done in dusky rose and dark gray, it would have been comforting in any other circumstance.

Vitalis walked in with her, if King Caede had thrown her out of his room, he doubted he had told her anything of importance.

"The wedding will be in a week. In that time, you will be subject to the customs of Ashvale," The demon rattled off.

Ayla stiffened at the mention of customs, not daring to consider what ghoulish rituals demons practiced.

"Your maidservants will be here shortly, if there is anything you need, they will relay it to me." Vitalis concluded swiftly in the same brisk manner he handled everything else.

Ayla kept her silence, her back ramrod straight. She didn't acknowledge the demon's words, determined to keep her vow to Solaris.

Vitalis on the other hand was satisfied with this response. He had been expecting a crying, sniveling, pampered Princess. The earlier she adjusted, the smoother things would go.

Without further conversation, he turned to leave the room, returning to the endless tasks that required his attention.

Ayla barely got the chance to comfort herself in the privacy of her room when her doors opened after a gentle knock.

Two demons curtsied at the door, one had ram-like horns nestled in her curly hair, and it was hard to miss the sweeping tail behind the second maidservant.

"We're honored to serve, my lady." They chorused with bright smiles.

Ayla frowned, unable to completely loathe them. While they were demons, they were also women who had done nothing to her.

She nodded stiffly, still standing in her bloody, priestly robes. Her throat constricted with questions she couldn't bring herself to ask.

"We will bring my lady to the ritual bath right away." The maidservant with the tail was the one to speak.

"It is an Ashvale custom," The second maidservant chimed in, "Brides-to-be have to soak twice a day in the ritual bath."

The mention of demonic rituals made Ayla tense but she couldn't refute them so she allowed them to lead the way, reluctantly going after them.

She learned on the brief trip to the baths that the maidservants names were Carme and Hanna. They only said the needful to her and on their way to the bathroom, they didn't come across another demon, not even a servant.

The castle seemed strangely empty but it filled Ayla with hope, perhaps she could take advantage of the emptiness to make her escape.

Their destination was a large room with a single bath in it. It was at the center of the room, on a raised dais, the exquisitely carved gold bath reflected the candles that illuminated the room.

A wave of rich scents swept over Ayla as she stepped into the bath, heavy with steam, there was so much variety that she could hardly recognize a single one.

"We will assist you in getting ready for the bath, my lady." Carme spoke.

There were robes and towels neatly stacked in a corner, an entire wall lined with shelves that held bath soaps and scented oils.

Ayla instinctively wrapped her arms around herself. She had spent all of her life in the temple, washing up was a private matter.

"I can do it myself," She said stiffly.

The demon maidservants shared a look but said nothing, they simply bowed and stepped back.

Ayla had to bite back her request to have them step out so she could undress, turning her back to them so that she could take off her robes.

Her hands trembled as she took off the bloodstained garment, it felt almost symbolic, like it was the last time she would be doing so.

She only turned around after she had put on a sheer robe, it was revealing but she didn't let it get to her, standing with her back straight.

The bath was much larger up close, walking barefooted on warm stone floors, she had to go up a few steps to get on the platform.

The steam rising from the bath washed over her, its rich scent made her feel a little dizzy.

Ayla froze on the last step, staring into the murky fluid in the bath with trepidation, it smelled sweet, like honey and flowers but it was a soft-red and didn't flow like water.

It sent a chill down her back, it almost looked like she was being made to bathe in scented blood. It brought the harsh image of the Demon King covered in blood, her knuckles turning white from how tightly she clenched her fist.

"What is in the bath?" She forced out.

Hanna curtsied and then replied. "Milk, honey, crushed rose petals and maccasar flowers." She listed off.

"Soaking in it daily makes the body supple," Carme chimed in, "Which is why brides-to-be customarily soak in it for a week before their weddings."

Ayla stared at the water, after its contents were revealed, it was easy to see it as what it was. Was it simply because of this bath that the wedding was fixed in a week?

She wanted to ask more about the marriage rite of demons but she stopped herself. Asking meant she was resigned to her fate, which she wasn't!

She wouldn’t completely write off all hope until she had at least attempted to escape.

Ayla couldn't care less what happened to Duke Greymont after her potential escape. After all, the Demon King was bound to the royal family, the consequences would solely fall on them. Not the innocent citizens of Mistfall, nor her mother.

With a sharp breath, she took off her robe and let it fall to the ground. It pooled beneath her feet, large scented candles bathing her pale skin in warm light.

Her coppery hair fell over slender curves, looking more red than gold by candlelight. She stepped into the warm bath, stiffly lowering herself into it.