Princess Consort Aristine was greeted with enthusiastic welcomes upon her return.
“Princess Consort.”
“Welcome home, Princess Consort.”
The palace staff, full of cheerful energy, lined up to greet her.
Aristine smiled and nodded at the rows of court ladies. “Yes, I’m back. Was everything alright in my absence?”
“Yes, Princess Consort, everything has been smooth.”
“As we mentioned before, the only significant change is to the palace interiors,” one court lady added.
“I see.” Aristine acknowledged.
Before her departure, the court ladies had requested permission to refresh the palace’s interior design for the approaching winter season. While seasonal adjustments were common, their direct request to Aristine suggested a more extensive renovation was planned.
Aristine, with her mind more occupied with matters of finance and kingdom management, had given them free rein. The prospect of returning to a newly styled home was appealing.
“I would like to bathe first, please.”
“Of course, Princess Consort. It is all prepared.”
True to their word, the bath was perfectly ready. The temperature was comfortably warm, promising a relaxing escape from the chill of the day.
As Aristine began to disrobe, the court ladies, who had been attending to her with quiet efficiency, suddenly reacted with widened eyes.
‘Is that…!’
Their gazes fixed on a distinct red mark on Aristine’s skin.
‘It is that, isn’t it?’
‘Undoubtedly.’
The court ladies exchanged knowing glances and small nods.
‘Oh my goodness…!’
Since their wedding night, the couple’s nights had been… eventful. They had even witnessed the aftermath of a bed frame succumbing to their passion. Yet, surprisingly, Aristine’s skin had always been unmarked.
The corners of their mouths curved into discreet smiles.
To see such evidence now suggested a night even more passionate than the infamous bed-breaking incident.
Then again, perhaps it wasn’t so surprising.
This reunion marked the first time the couple had been apart after a period of constant togetherness.
To express their pent-up emotions and affection, mere gentleness would surely not suffice.
‘The Princess Consort is always so meticulously thorough in everything she does,’ one mused.
‘And His Highness Tarkan completely loses his composure when it comes to the Princess Consort,’ another giggled internally.
The court ladies’ imaginations ran wild. ‘Perhaps he demolished the barrack tent this time!’
‘Heavens, those two really need to learn self-control!’
A joyful radiance seemed to emanate from the court ladies, their faces alight with amusement.
But almost as quickly as it appeared, the brightness vanished, replaced by a shadow of regret.
‘We should have gone with her!’
‘We could have been there to assist her!’
Their eyes now reflected a tinge of longing and perhaps a touch of professional remorse at having missed out on… assisting their Princess Consort.
Meanwhile, the court ladies smoothly guided Aristine into the steaming bath, their skilled hands beginning to massage her shoulders, easing the travel stiffness.
Aristine sighed in contentment, surrendering to their expert touch and closing her eyes.
The hot water enveloped her, and the massage was expertly targeting every knot of tension in her back.
‘It truly is wonderful to be home…’
The thought surfaced unbidden, surprising her slightly. Without consciously realizing it, this palace had become ‘home’.
Aristine had never considered her previous, restrictive dwelling as home. This was, in essence, her first real home.
‘Our home.’
Aristine opened her eyes.
Her gaze drifted over the bathroom décor: a clear glass orb filled with tiny white stones, a crimson magic lamp casting a soft glow, and delicate cotton ornaments resembling snowflakes.
While the decorations were new, the bathroom still felt familiar and comforting.
‘Perhaps they were granted greater leeway for renovations specifically because I was away.’
Regardless of the reason, she appreciated the comforting ambiance.
A small smile touched her lips as she watched the gentle flicker of the magic lamp, then her gaze lowered thoughtfully.
A subtle feeling of loneliness crept in.
Our home.
The possessive pronoun echoed in her mind, highlighting that this space was not solely hers.
‘It would be lovely if Tarkan were here with me.’
She missed him already, even though their separation had been brief.
Sensing her shift in mood, the perceptive court ladies spoke up, “Princess Consort, would you like a full body massage to further unwind?”
“It will help alleviate any lingering fatigue from your journey… and from, ah, yesterday’s travels,” one subtly amended, a hint of a knowing smile playing on her lips.
“We have also prepared your preferred fragrance oils,” another added smoothly.
Aristine looked at the court ladies, a slight arch to her brow.
Meeting her gaze, they offered gentle, reassuring smiles.
Aristine had never explicitly stated a preference for any particular fragrance. Yet, the court ladies were already attuned to her unspoken likes and dislikes.
It wasn’t just fragrance oils. From culinary preferences to color palettes, they seemed to anticipate her every whim.
This was the result of their unwavering attentiveness, their constant observation of her subtle reactions and preferences.
Aristine returned their smiles.
They were right. Even without Tarkan, she wasn’t truly alone.
“A massage does sound wonderful.”
The court ladies’ faces instantly brightened at her affirmative response.
Seeing their genuine delight, Aristine shook off the last vestiges of loneliness.
And, most importantly—
‘He promised to return soon.’
Looking forward to his homecoming offered a different kind of anticipation, a different kind of joy.
Aristine enjoyed a long, soothing massage until every muscle was completely relaxed. Then, feeling pleasantly weary, she made her way to the bedroom, anticipating a restful sleep.
She felt as though she could drift off the moment she lay down.
With eyes still slightly blurred with sleepiness, Aristine pushed open the bedroom door.
And then,
“Wha- What is this?!”
A startled cry escaped her lips.
Her bedroom was unrecognizable.
Well, it was still a bedroom, a bed being undeniably present. But it was certainly not her bedroom, not the familiar sanctuary she remembered.
Aristine’s sleep-heavy eyelids snapped fully open, her eyes widening at the dramatically altered space.
‘Was only the bedroom what they intended to renovate when they requested interior changes…?’
Every other part of the palace had received subtle winter touches, but the bedroom’s original essence had been completely erased.
‘Why on earth is there such an enormous mirror in a room meant for sleeping…?’
She had already found the ceiling mirror above the bed somewhat peculiar, but this… this was a whole new level.
However, a more pressing concern overshadowed the mirrored wall.
‘Why are there bright red bars surrounding the bed?’
A sense of unease washed over her as she took in the bed, now encased within what resembled a large, crimson cage.
Aristine surveyed the room in disbelief, then cautiously approached the bed.
‘Just… just go to sleep.’
Regardless of the bizarre décor, once she was under the covers with her eyes closed, none of this would matter.
Besides, she could always examine the strangeness more closely while trying to fall asleep.
With that thought, Aristine lay down.
Thankfully, the bed itself was still comfortable.
It seemed to be a different style, but the size and softness were reassuringly familiar.
A wave of relief washed over her as she snuggled under the blanket. Just as she was settling in, her hand, reaching to adjust the covers, brushed against a button panel beside the bed.
Instantly, Aristine felt a distinct tremor.
“The bed…”
The bed was moving.
Any remaining drowsiness vanished completely.
She wasn’t even angry at this utterly illogical occurrence. She simply couldn’t sleep now.
“…”
Aristine sat upright on the moving bed, trapped within the bright red bars, staring blankly at her reflection in the mirrored wall.
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