My feet hurts and my body aches. I guess sleeping in the cave wasn’t as comfortable as I wished it to be, and my body was paying the price. I flopped down on the wooden sofa before sighing loudly. Once again, I asked myself how I ended up here.
Soon after, I heard a few soft knocks on the door and knew that the maids must be here to help wash and dress. It wasn’t like I couldn’t do that by myself since I’ve been doing it by myself all my life, but I had learnt that it was better to go with the flow rather than fight everything. I had to pick my battles wisely if I wanted to survive and go back ho.
Since the maids could not speak the whole ordeal went by in silence. They professionally cleaned my body, dried it, and then began the process of dressing and doing my hair. I couldn’t care less what I wore or what ornants they put in my hair. However, my job was to select what I wanted based on the pile of dresses they had to offer and trays upon trays of jewelry and hair ornants.
The fabric and pattern of your dress and the jewelry you wore and had in your hair showed your rank and position. Essentially, they beca a part of your identity. Thus, refusing to wear the right elents was considered wrong. The position of Lady White Lotus ca with its own dress code.
I pointed my fingers randomly at the dress which was later put on . I did the sa with the jewelry and the hair ornants. The maids professionally did the rest.
The final touches were make-up on my face. I hated this part the most because I wasn’t used to wearing make-up at all.
“I don’t want to wear make-up. Is that, ok? Can you tell the way to the hot springs instead?” I asked.
It was already late afternoon. I wasn’t going out anywhere so perhaps not wearing make-up was a choice at this point? I didn’t want to soak in the hot spring just yet, but I wanted to see it. I’ve never seen a hot spring in real life before. I’ve only seen paintings of it.
“Oh right. You girls can’t speak...” I muttered to myself as I realized my mistake.
“Umm...I can show you the way, Lady White Lotus,” a timid voice spoke up softly.
My eyes widened in shock as I placed a hand over my mouth. The maid just spoke!
“You can speak?! How is that possible? Your tongue was cut off...” I asked in confusion and shock.
“We can speak, My Lady. However, we are only allowed to speak if directly spoken to,” another girl said so softly I almost couldn’t hear her.
“But Ren...I an...the crown prince...” I started saying before I caught myself.
I can’t believe this! Ren tricked ! His jokes are horrible...
However, I was happy that it was just a bad joke, and these won still had their tongues. I closed my eyes as I sighed with relief, pressing my hands together in silent prayers.
“Show to the hot spring!” I cried excitedly.
The maids looked wide eyed at each other as they seed confused by my uncomposed way of speaking. Well, I am probably the most outspoken lady they have ever served.
After looking at each other hesitantly, the maids decided to show the way to the hot spring. Although the hot spring was located on the palace grounds, I learnt that it wasn’t located in the palace, but it was outdoors, a short walk away from the palace through the gardens.
When we arrived at the entrance hall on our way out, we ran into Shin. He bowed and I quickly bowed back as I offered him a polite smile.
“Where are you girls taking Lady White Lotus?” Shin asked, he was clearly friendly with the maids.
“Lady White Lotus has asked us to take her to the hot springs,” one of the maids answered politely. The maids seed more comfortable around Shin than around Ren and I could understand why they acted that way. Compared to Shin, Ren was outwardly very cold. Then there’s also the matter of him being the crown prince.
“Isn’t it a little early to soak in the hot springs?” Shin asked, directing the question at .
“Indeed, it is. I just wanted to go see it since, to be honest, I’ve never seen a hot spring before...” I replied shyly.
“Is that so? What about I take you sowhere a little more interesting before I take you to the hot springs?” Shin asked with a bright smile as a brilliant idea seed to have crossed his mind.
“Umm...if that’s ok with you then...” I replied a little hesitantly.
“You girlss can get back to work. I’ll take care of Lady White Lotus from here,” Shin told the maids before they bowed low and excused themselves.
“Where are we going, General Shin?” I asked.
“Haha...no need for formalities with . When we’re alone, just call Shin. No need for all that ‘General’ stuff,” Shin said with a laugh. His smile and laughter brightened up his whole face and it made him seed a lot younger. I couldn’t help smiling along with him and his carefree attitude.
“I’ll call you Shin if you agree to call Rin,” I said with a small smile.
“Ok ok...but only when we’re alone,” Shin replied with a wink.
“So...where are we going?” I asked once more.
Shin had started walking out of the palace and I followed him dutifully. I was curious where he wanted to take . Ren never ntioned when he would be back, and I had to find sothing to occupy myself with so...
“I heard from Ren that you’re knowledgeable and interested in dicine and herbs and the like. I’m not an expert like the palace doctors but I do know a few things. I thought it would be nice if I could show you the dical garden of this palace,” Shin suggested.
“There’s an herb garden in this palace? Wow...I would love to see it!” I exclaid excitedly.
--To be continued...
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