Exhaustion still clung to her frail body when she awoke after her day-long rest. Thankfully she arose a few hours before the betrothal feast was set to begin, enough time for every handmaid to clean each Rickert child, dress them, and teach them a few manners. The hot bath steamed with tranquility as Karine submerged her naked body in the water. With the falling snow outside, the already-hot waters of the Southern Kingdom felt warmer, like bathing in fire. Goosebumps etched themselves into her skin as Phyllis rubbed scented oils into her scalp soothingly. The princess may have not looked forward to this feast, but if it permitted her to feel luxuriously content with life, perhaps it would not be entirely awful. “I just received word that Nel …show more content…
Karine continued to glare them down for a moment longer, and then allowed them to proceed with their chores. She relaxed and Phyllis began rubbing scented oils on her exposed skin again. At some point during the bathing, Sokorri and Hylde both fled to the hallway, hanging their heads in defeat. Phyllis stayed, however, and the princess was grateful. “Phyllis,” Karine began, “what was Hylde talking about, with Queen Merwenna and Lord Girk?” A sigh emitted from the nostrils of the handmaid. “Do not let Her Grace know that you now know,” she whispered into the princess’s ear, “but back in the queen’s youthful days, she and Lord Girk Cardia had a major scuffle that ended with House Cardia being shunned for some time.” “What happened?” “If you must know, Your Grace,” the handmaid continued, “the queen once had an elder sister, the one King Cineas was supposed to marry. However, Lady Cissie Furio became pregnant, and not with the king’s child. It was soon revealed that it was someone else’s: Lord Girk’s. Queen Merwenna grew furious with her elder sister, but it wasn’t like they could get rid of the child. They had to live with it until it was born into the