Chapter 19

"Phew…" I sighed deeply.

Samantha, who was helping me undress, murmured to me in a consoling voice, "You did very well in front of the dowager empress. Don't worry too much about it, Your Highness."

"Really? Did I do ok?"

I asked doubtfully. I thought I did well at the beginning, but towards the end, I messed up badly.

Samantha replied, "Your Highness is young and the only wife of the current emperor. The dowager empress's time is winding down, while you are the new rising sun. You may not be an expert in the art of politics yet, but you will get better. I must say I am pleasantly surprised at how mature and wise you are considering your young age. I think you will find your own place here very soon."

"You are quite a flatterer." I grinned at her.

I felt more comfortable around Samantha than the dowager empress or Orlean, but that didn't mean I could trust her entirely.

I asked nonchalantly, "Who prepared that gift for the dowager empress?"

"…His Highness has ordered me to do so."

I knew it.

I turned around to face her. I lowered my voice, hoping it sounded commanding.

"Please make sure not to do something like that again without my knowledge. Especially if it is something that will anger the dowager empress."

By giving the dowager empress the gift of tea, the emperor and Samantha placed me in an awkward position. I knew that as the emperor's supporter, Samantha would do her best to save me from the dowager empress if necessary.

However, to her, the emperor's well being was the top priority. She would do her best to do things that would benefit him, not me.

I had to be firm on this. I couldn't be placed in such a risky situation again. I needed to be well prepared when it came to the dowager empress.

Samantha's face became rigid as she kneeled in front of me.

"Yes, Your Highness."

When she appeared to be very genuine in her respect for me, I couldn't help but like her even more.

It was probably because of how horrible Orlean was to me. She was so awful.

Now that I had thought about it, where was Orlean? I completely forgot about her. I asked Samantha, who was handing my clothes to another maid.

"What happened to the maid who came with me from the Aeal colony?"

Samantha smiled and gave me a perfect answer, "I was very surprised at how ignorant she was about serving her lady. Perhaps that's how things are done in Aeal colony, but not here. I sent her away for a week to learn about the proper royal customs."

I nodded with a smile.

Thank god! I didn't have the patience to deal with that woman after the ordeal I had with the dowager empress today.

I started humming. It was such a long day, but I finally got to go to bed.

However, my hope died quickly when Samantha announced.

"Now, you must get washed and wait for his highness."

I was shocked.

"What did you say?!"

What?

In a beautiful, moon-shaped tub were steaming water covered in blood-red rose petals. Surrounding the bathtub were maids, each holding a jar for some reason.

W, what were they planning to do to me?

I turned around awkwardly towards Samantha. She was the one who dragged me here.

"Um, I already washed when I returned to my room today."

I had dry skin, so it could get rough if I washed too often.

Besides, I thought in this world, people didn't wash often. It was one of the few things I found unpleasant when I used to live in Aeal colony. Especially during winter time.

Samantha continued to give me a cool smile. She shook her head firmly and held my shoulder.

"You are a new bride. During your honeymoon, you need to keep your body clean at all times. The emperor has announced he will be visiting your room tonight. Yesterday, you had to spend the night in the emperor's room because your room wasn't ready. I apologize, but today, everything is in order. It will be a perfect night for you and the emperor."

"No… I mean, it's not necessary… Gyaaa!"

Samantha and the maids took all of my clothes off suddenly. I was n.a.k.e.d before I even realized it. S, so cold!

I wanted to say something, but it would have looked funny reprimanding someone n.a.k.e.d. Samantha seemed determined to get this done.

"Please get into the tub, Your Highness."

She smiled as she pushed me into the tub. There was no way I could stop her. Instead of a maid in waiting, Samantha now acted like my mother or my aunt.

It was freezing, so I gave up and entered the tub.

"Ahh…"

I had to admit, it did feel nice to take a warm bath. The water smelled pleasing, and it felt slippery; they must have put bath salts in the water.

I kept feeling the water. It felt strange yet wonderful at the same time. Even its color was different and pretty.

"The color and the texture feel different."

"We got the hot spring water from the nearby city named Maram."

I was surprised.

"You brought water all the way from the hot spring?"

"Yes. They only have a limited amount of water in the hot spring, but it is said to be effective in skin rejuvenation. It is also great for fatigue. Some of the most important figures in the castle often bath in this water."

The maids laughed excitedly as they explained. Samantha reprimanded them for being slow.

She ordered them, "Start working! Did you get enough shampoo and essential oils like I ordered?"

Three maids showed Samantha their jars. Samantha opened each of them to check the contents with her finger. She ordered them to bring more and mix them well.

"And where is the face cleanser?"

"Right here, my lady."

"Good. Pour the essential oils into the bath and start massaging her highness. Move fast! We don't have much time."

The maids followed her order. They poured the oil and started massaging and washing my body.

"I can wash myse…!"

My protest was ignored.

I was thoroughly washed and moved out of the tub where they washed me again with clean, warm water. I felt relaxed and drowsy by the end of this ritual.

Afterward, I was laid down in another shallow tub with warm water. Several maids surrounded me quickly.

Samantha ordered quickly, "Now, you wash the lady's hair. Make sure to be careful not to damage a single strand! Now, you girls need to massage her highness with oil again! And you and you! Work on her nails."

The maids worked quickly. There was nothing for me to do other than lay still.

It felt great. This was a luxury I have never experience anywhere, either in Korea or in the Aeal colony.

Everyone worked so efficiently, and I was half asleep. By the time I became aware, I was already lying down the bed.

"Huh?"

How did I get here?

"[What am I wearing?!]"

I was wearing sheer lingerie!

Before I could say anything to Samantha, all the maids including her, left the room quickly after bidding me goodnight.

"Wait!"

No one answered. The door closed firmly behind them.

"…"

I looked around the room, but there was nothing I could use to cover myself. You would think there would be something, like a piece of cloth, but there was absolutely nothing.

Realizing the futility of it all, I gave up and came back to the bed. I got underneath the cover.

I got frustrated and cried out.

"[Samantha, how could you!]"

I told her not to do anything against my will, yet she did it again! That woman!

I became nervous.

Last night, I was so confused I didn't even realize what was happening, but I knew now. This was… my honeymoon. He would come into my bedroom soon. And… and…

I knew that was what everyone expected, but I wasn't sure how Lucretius felt. He was legally my husband. He was also the most beautiful man I had ever met. BUT! I didn't want to be murdered in my own bedroom!

I stayed underneath the cover with my eyes wide open. Only my eyes were visible; the rest of my body was under the blanket.

Please let me sleep alone! I didn't want to spend another night with a murderer, especially someone who killed his own family member.

I was his accomplice, but that was beside the point.

… Of course, being murdered wasn't my only concern.

Let's be honest here. I couldn't deny it anymore.

What I really worried about wasn't being killed by the emperor.

Being alone with him in this outfit…

I was obviously worried about losing my v.i.r.g.i.nity!

I hadn't had the chance to even date a boy! I was too busy studying, so I could get accepted into a good university. I planned on dating once I was in college. I was so excited about it!

Yet, here I was. I had never even been on a date before, but now, I was already a married woman.

If the emperor wanted, I wouldn't be able to stop him.

So please! I prayed he wouldn't even come to my room!