Artemisia stuttered, trying to come up with an excuse. What is this woman thinking? I can’t stay at the palace?! It’s way too unexpected!
“The townhouse is expecting me back,” she said weakly. “I don’t want to worry everyone.”
“We can have a messenger sent,” Princess Sissi said dismissively.
“What about my clothes? Or anything else? I haven’t prepared to stay overnight.”
Princess Sissi giggled at that. “We can have anything you need procured. This is the seat of the imperial family, after all.”
I… don’t think I’m getting out of this. Who knows? Perhaps I’ll get to see something interesting? I might even get to meet some of the other royals. That would be pretty cool.
“Since you have been so kind as to offer, it would be my greatest honour to accept,” Artemisia said, curtseying.
“You are a sweet girl,” the crown princess said, smiling and patting Artemisia on the head. “Lord Martin!”
He quickly hid his shocked expression behind a suave mask as she looked to him. “Yes, Your Highness?”
“Would you be a dear and have the carriage dismissed, as well as let Lady Hohlbein know that Lady Artemisia will be staying? I’ll have her put in… the Astral Room, of course.”
The Astral Room? That sounds very von Lindt family–coded. All of our middle names are star-related, after all, and our crest has a star on it.
“It will be done, Your Highness.”
“Excellent. Now all we need do is wait for Countess Plisen to return!”
“Indeed, Your Highness,” Artemisia said wearily. This woman is a force of nature. I just wonder what she has planned next…?
?
The Astral Room – which was actually a series of rooms – was covered in star motifs, as was to be expected. The ceiling had been painted to resemble the night sky, with the constellations depicted as whatever animal, person, or object they were supposed to convey. A roaring tiger stood proud at the apex of the roof: Gowaithos, Lord of the Skies.
Why a tiger is Lord of the Skies I do not understand. They’re not even an animal native to the Seraphim Empire! At least, I wouldn’t expect them to be in a setting that resembles Earth’s Western Europe. Eh, the odd bit of shoddy world-building aside, this is a remarkably realistic world.
“Lady Artemisia, Her Imperial Highness the Crown Princess has provided you with some nightwear. She says that she hopes it suits your tastes.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Artemisia was being attended by Lizzy and Marie, the same maids that had been assigned to her earlier in the day. It is a relief that I don’t have to meet completely new people. I don’t think my poor nerves could take any more stress today.
Artemisia allowed the maids to undress her, breathing a sigh of relief as her structured undergarments were removed. Just like taking off a bra after a long day.
A small bathtub had been procured and put behind a folding screen in the corner of the room, and the moment Artemisia relaxed in the hot water, she felt fatigue wash over her.
She caught sight of Marie hovering in the corner of her vision. “What is it, Marie?”
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“Oh, my lady! I was wondering if I might be able to assist you with anything? Anything at all!”
“Uhhh… thank you for your enthusiasm, but I’m alright. In fact, you might as well retire for the evening. I can dry and dress myself.”
“Are you sure, my lady?”
Look at this golden retriever energy here.
“Yes, I am.”
“You heard Lady Artemisia, Marie, come along!” Lizzy appeared from behind the screen all of a sudden. “I’ll leave your nightclothes and a towel on this chair here, my lady. If you have need of us, please use the bell pull beside the bed.”
“I will. Thank you, Lizzy, and you too Marie. Good night.”
“Good night, my lady.”
“Good night!”
Wow, that’s definitely a black cat and golden retriever duo there. I like them – not as much as Elise though! She’s my number one maid!
Artemisia lounged in the tub until the water began to cool, and then reluctantly emerged. She dried off her body quickly – her hair had been pinned up out of the way, and then pulled on her nightdress and wrapper. The dress was simple enough, with fine embroidery that reminded Artemisia of Ancient Greece, but the wrapper was made of a strongly patterned fabric, swirls and whirls of colour on thick cotton.
She emerged from behind the screen and paused before the lit fireplace, staring into the flames.
“Haaah,” she sighed. What a day! I’m a little annoyed that I’m missing the ball, but at least I get to stay in the palace for a little longer. Who knows when I’ll be able to come back here.
Artemisia glanced towards the huge bed longingly, but as she made to move towards it, an image of her mother floated into her head, arms crossed and glaring sternly.
“Fine, fine,” she muttered aloud, and set herself to brushing and braiding her hair as Marianne had taught her. They even got me a hairbrush – they really did provide everything I might need.
With her hair down, Artemisia leaned back in her chair. Whew! With that bath and the roaring fire, I’m actually really warm. Maybe I should get some fresh air.
The Astral Room had a small balcony – it would be hard to get more than one person to fit – that looked over Monoceri Palace’s rose garden, as well as an ornamental labyrinth that stretched away into the shadows, becoming indistinct as the light petered out from the palace windows.
The guest rooms were a decent distance from the ballroom where the crown princess’ gathering was taking place, but if Artemisia listened hard, she fancied she could hear exuberant voices and the odd peal of laughter.
The night sky was crystal clear, without even a moon to spoil the stars in the sky. Artemisia tried to pick out some of the constellations that had been lovingly painted on her ceiling. It wasn’t as easy as she expected. They weren’t entirely accurate, were they? What a shame. I wish I had my app where you could just hold the phone up and it would map out the constellations.
She watched the sky for a little while longer, finding the act calming. Then she looked to her side. The room to the right of hers also had a small balcony. If this was plot relevant, then someone would absolutely step out onto that balcony right now. Someone like Duke von Loambarn, or another important character.
Wait, I should remember that I’m not the main character, but the villainess. It wouldn’t be me having the romantic nighttime scene with him… unless?
Buoyed by hopes, Artemisia waited until the cold nipped at her toes and she was forced to admit defeat.
What am I doing waiting for this man anyway? I don’t even have any particular attachment to him.
?
“Ahhh!” Artemisia stretched her arms above her head. What a comfortable bed!
She had slept solidly the entire night through, and woken feeling refreshed. She hadn’t even dreamed, something that she’d been slightly worried about. Her dreams had been unsettling things lately.
The clock beside her bed read that it was twenty past nine, and Artemisia sat up abruptly. Why has nobody come to wake me?! Have I missed breakfast? I thought that was the whole point of my staying here overnight!
She tugged on the bell pull and grabbed her wrapper from where she had left it strewn at the bottom of the bed, pulling it around herself as she got up.
A servant had come in and lit the fire whilst she was sleeping, and she was staring anxiously into the small blaze when Lizzy entered the room.
“Good morning, my lady,” she said politely, clasping her hands in front of her. “May I assist you with anything?”
“Have I missed breakfast?”
“No, you haven’t, my lady. Is that why you look worried?”
“But… it’s past nine o’clock.”
“Breakfast will be at ten o’clock, or even later, depending on the crown princess’ wishes.”
“Really?” Artemisia said, before letting out an “oh” as she realised why. Of course! Everyone was probably up really late partying! No wonder breakfast isn’t until later in the day. Ack, I bet I look really stupid now.
“Well.” Artemisia put her hands on her hips. “Since I’m up now, I might as well get dressed.”
