I got out of bed, slipping my feet into a soft pair of fur slippers that Herring had left for me. Sumptuous rugs covered the white stone floors, brightening the enormous room. Ornate dressers carved from rich walnut and a few luxurious chairs were scattered about, completing the space. I was shocked; I had slept the whole day! And now I had no idea what I was supposed to do.
“Would you like me to run you a bath?” said Herring.
I nodded and followed her over to a curtained doorway that led to a cavernous room. Beautifully arched windows were dressed in plush green velvet curtains trimmed with gold tassels. A huge, sunken tub made of white marble lay proudly in the center of the room, while a silver fountain shaped like a water sprite holding a jug spouted water into it.
“The duke will be expecting you in the great hall soon, milady.” Herring closed the curtain. “Please do call if you need me.”
“Thank you, Herring.”
I inspected an alcove beside a green silk daybed strewn with comfortable, colorful cushions. It expertly hid the garderobe, a medieval-style toilet; I had read about them in history class. I hadn’t really thought of all the bitter realities, and now I was facing one of them. The garderobe was in the shape of a huge, high-backed chair. It was not as rustic as a real medieval privy. It was very clean, and it didn’t smell at all. In fact, it was quite comfortable. And I knew most people didn’t have the luxury of privacy, as typically medieval toilets were communal. At least it looked like the castle had some sort of drainage system.
As I pulled aside another heavy, emerald green curtain, I gasped. The room beside the bathroom was just as large and filled from top to bottom with some of the most beautiful clothes, slippers, and boots that I had ever seen. I looked up and down at the endless rows of garments. They were just too beautiful and all my size.
There were gorgeous silk dresses, exquisitely adorned with flowers, butterflies, and vines. There was a section of stunning pale chiffon gowns, which were worn under long, fitted coats that were buttoned down the front but slit open from the waist, so that the swirling chiffon could be seen.
I ventured farther into the vast closet, touching all the clothes with the tips of my fingers as I admired the wonders I had discovered. I had never seen such wonderfully crafted soft leather boots. Some were for riding, and others were daintier and could be worn under dresses. There were also riding clothes, breeches, and long-sleeved doublets specially made for women. Plainly put, it was everything that I could ever need if I lived here.
I was so taken aback by everything that I didn’t have time to process all that had happened. It was only when I soaked my tired body in the huge bathtub that I thought about what all this meant.
Everything had changed. This wasn’t like going off to boarding school or to college. There were no rules to follow, no way to know if what I was doing was right. Who could I trust? Who should I stay away from? My granduncle seemed nice enough, and later that night I would meet other members of my father’s family—my aunt Serena and young cousin Erien. I wondered if they would like me.
I quickly got out of the tub, dried myself off with a thick and extremely soft muslin cloth that Herring had given me as a towel, and hurriedly dressed myself in a simple, dusky rose-pink gown. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever worn.
Avalonia didn’t seem so bad after all, I thought as I studied myself in the mirror. I let Herring have her way with my hair since she insisted on doing it up for me. She had seemed distraught that I wanted to do my own hair and dress myself. I was pleased that I let her do it in the end; it made a real difference to my appearance.
The rose-pink dress fit me perfectly, and it was bound about my waist with a thick gold sash weighted on the ends with real gold beads. My dark hair, usually straggly and tied roughly in a ponytail, was washed and combed and held back from my face with elegant pins, and small, white flowers had been artfully woven into it.
I hardly recognized myself.
My Aunt Serena came to see me in my room and introduced herself. She was tall and beautiful, with long, luscious hair the color of buttered toffee. She immediately came up to me and hugged me fiercely, then looked me up and down and hugged me again. I have to say I was secretly happy with all the attention.
“I’m so glad that the clothes fit you,” she said, her warm blue eyes going misty as she looked at me. “My father kept my whole room and wardrobe intact when I got married. None of it fits me now, so I’m happy someone can make use of it.”
“Thank you, Aunt Serena,” I said. “The clothes are really beautiful. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Not at all, my dear.” She gave me another big hug. “That’s what family is for.”
I was touched. She had only known me for a few minutes, yet Aunt Serena treated me so kindly.
“My father told me what happened to you,” said Aunt Serena in a softer voice, after she had dismissed Herring. She looked at me in wonder. “I can’t believe it, Azaren and Elayna’s daughter. And he’s right, you do look a lot like your father.”
I smiled at that. Aunt Serena was cheery and warm. She seemed a wonderful person, and I already felt quite at home.
“Well, it appears that you have been a busy little lady since you got here.” Aunt Serena gave me a pointed look, smiled, and put her arm around my shoulders.
