Two maidservants led her through the hallway, all the while avoiding eye contact. Other maidservants bowed down and averted their gaze when she passed various corridors and staircases. The entire palace was like a maze that crisscrossed and shifted like a mirage. If someone told her to run back to the entrance, she’d be lost and unable to do so. There were just too many twists and turns along the pathway. 

“Here we are,” one of them said before opening a thick wooden door. 

Inside, her room was as large as she thought it would be. It was the same size as her room back home, but it was missing the soft touch her room had. This room was plain, luxurious, and cold—as if no one ever breathed in here. This room was devoid of warmth and life. 

A bath was waiting for her in the center of the room, just as the king had promised. She nearly ripped her gown off right then and there. “I’m bathing immediately,” she said without waiting for them to shut the door before she approached the tub. Steam curled around it. The surface of the water was dusted with pink flower petals. She ran a hand through it and grinned. 

It didn’t take long before she’d wrestled herself out of her dress and eased into the tub. The hot water seared her skin and she sighed with relief as she fell into it. Everything was scented with flowers. The soap, the water, and even the air. She wasn’t complaining though, since it was heavenly. She slowly washed herself and removed the evidence of her two-week journey to Jora.

One maidservant, a tiny girl with a mane of brown curls, washed her hair while the other, a lanky girl, stood to the side with a thick towel in one hand. Maeva skimmed the water with her hand. “Tell me, what is the third prince like?” 

The maidservant washing her hair stiffened, “Excuse me, Princess?” 

“What’s he like? Don’t worry; you can speak freely with me here,” she said as she twisted around until she was facing the servant. The maidservant paled and exchanged glances with the other girl. “I want the truth.”

“Err, w-we don’t really interact with him, so…,” she placed her hands on the rim of the tub, “I really wouldn’t know.” 

“Ok, what impression do you have of him?” 

“I…,” she swallowed, “I’m not in a position to say.” 

“What is that supposed to mean?” Maeva raised an eyebrow. It was obvious that these servants would get in trouble if they were caught bad-mouthing the royal family, but Maeva wanted to know what she had gotten herself into. “What’s his personality like?” 

“He… he’s quiet? I think. I really wouldn’t know; I haven’t seen him around that much,” she trailed off. 

“You haven’t seen him around? So it’s true that he drinks all day and lazes around?”

“I don’t know what he does, but he doesn’t usually leave his room, and when he does, he just disappears somewhere.” 

“And you?” Maeva pointed at the other maidservant who flinched in response. Her mouth rose to a smile. “What’s your impression of him?” 

“The same,” she squeaked. 

“You’re sure?” 

“Y-Yes.”

She sighed, “So my husband-to-be is a shy introvert? Does that sound right?” 

The maidservant shifted on her feet, “He’s not shy. At least, that’s not the impression I got from him.” 

Maeva leaned over and crossed her arms over the rim. “Hmm, is that so? What impression did you get from him?” 

“He’s…uh, he looks like he can’t be bothered to talk to anyone. Like…it annoys him.” 

She rubbed her chin thoughtfully, “Is that so? Why do you think that is? Does he dislike people?” 

“I don’t really know.” 

“Hmm. I see.” 

“Princess, you’ll be seeing him tomorrow afternoon. Maybe then you can understand what he’s like,” she said. 

Maeva perked up. “Really? I didn’t even know I’d be seeing him so soon.” 

“Yes, Queen Kata wished for there to be a small gathering between the royal families over tea. I’m sure Prince Haruk will be there.”

“Hmm, is that so?” she murmured. “I look forward to it.” The faster she figured out what kind of person he was, the faster she could get what she wanted.