Chapter 1
Light streamed in through large open windows, pale sheer curtains painting the room in blues and greens. It wasn’t a large room but then bedrooms never really needed to be. The walls were a cream color, small hand-painted flowers, animals, and various scenes of nature played across the neutral color bringing shocks of color that drew the eye. A large bed dominated the small space, dark mahogany bed posts coming up on each corner. Even in the dim light, the intricate hand-carved design could be seen, the artist’s hard work and labor showing in every swirl and divot. Matching tables graced both sides of the large king-sized bed, the same loving detail shown along the carved edges. It spoke of more than just craftsmanship but of wealth but what else was to be expected to grace the personal chambers of a princess?
Silk sheet graced that large frame, the summer heat too much for anything else, and in the middle of all that smooth blue silk lay a small body, curled and hiding from the light of day. Harmony had never been a morning person but as the sun filled the room with early morning light she knew that today she wouldn’t be able to hide from it. As if summoned by her very thoughts the door opened and another woman entered. The woman walked through the room and to the only other door, pulling it open to reveal a closet filled to bursting with the best clothes the kingdom had to offer. She seemed to know exactly what she was looking for and soon a soft pink dress was laid along the end of the bed, soon followed by matching bra and panties.
Harmony turned her face into the soft down of the pillows that surrounded her as if to pretend that her day was not already starting but the silent weight of the maid’s gaze was soon too much even for her. A disgruntled sigh left her lips as she dragged herself up, the silken sheet sliding along pale flawless skin to pool at her waist. The heat of the night before had driven her to shed even the flimsy nightdress that she usually wore but her nakedness didn’t bother her, not here, not in her own rooms. Lavender eyes blinked open slowly before finding the familiar face of the woman at the end of the bed, a tired but truly happy smile gracing her full lips. “Good morning, Sayla, although I’m not sure how good it can be at such an hour.” The woman bowed her head respectfully, raven-colored hair covering her face for a moment even as an answering smile came across her face.
“It is a good morning Princess. I’ve laid out what you need for the day and breakfast will be ready and waiting in your rooms when you have dressed.” The words were formal but as the woman raised her head once again that look was soft and loving. Sayla had been with the princess from birth and there was none, save one, that was more trusted. Straightening herself back up, the woman tucked that long straight hair behind her ear and set about her own tasks for the day, cleaning and picking up the disorder of the previous night. She knew that it would take the princess a few moments to finally gather the will to pull herself from the bed and that there would be no rushing her in that endeavor. Instead, she simply hummed as she went about her work, discarded clothes and other items quickly sorted with practiced ease.
Harmony watched the woman work with a soft smile. She couldn’t remember a time when her day did not start with the soft sound of Sayla’s humming. There was more than a little comfort in the routine of it all and she found herself humming along to the familiar song as she slid from the bed. She rolled her shoulders back and pulled herself up to her full height as her eyes closed and she stretched her arms above her head. At 5’4 she wasn’t tall, even for a woman, but she carried herself with the full weight of her position and it had the tendency to make her feel larger than a small stature would suggest. With a heavy sigh, she let her arms fall back to her sides as bare feet moved over the smooth hardwood floors bringing her to the end of the bed to gaze at the outfit. It was a simple dress compared to what she usually wore but today would be nothing but travel so it made sense to save the nicer dresses for when she would truly be in the presence of others.
Sayla finished her cleaning quickly and came up next to the princess with a gentle smile. “Come, child, it isn’t that bad. You’ll spend most of the day relaxing in the carriage and then you’ll stay in the finest inns between here and Ileria. You may even go back to sleep once you have started your journey.” She laughed softly and picked up the bra to put it in her hands. “Now get dressed. You still need to eat and say farewell to your father. It wouldn’t do to keep him waiting. Even your guards are already here.” She said the last with a small teasing tone as she watched the girl flush faintly. It was no secret, not to those closest to her, how important the head guard for the princess’s detail was to her and Sayla used that with little to no remorse, chuckling softly as the girl suddenly seemed a touch more eager to dress.
A thrill went through Harmony, a warmth gracing her cheeks despite her best efforts at the woman’s words. She quickly rolled her eyes and waved away her words but even to herself it felt fake and she knew that Sayla would see through it. Her hand closed over the soft satin fabric of the bra and she pulled it on a little too quickly, suddenly eager to be out of the bedroom. It was foolish to let just the thought of seeing Richard spur her to such actions, but she couldn’t help it. He had been with her almost as long as Sayla. She’d grown up with him, a silent shadow her whole life, and as she’d grown older she’d noticed him more and more.
At 19 she was no longer a child and when she watched him now, it wasn’t a child’s thoughts of friendship that filled her mind. That thought alone made her pause and close her eyes. It was forbidden and she knew it. He had been there to protect for her entire life and she knew that his sense of honor and duty would never allow her own hidden desire to come to fruition. Taking a slow centering breath, she slowed her hands and gently pulled on her dress, Sayla’s hands there to help pull it down her body and tighten the fastenings that ran along her spine. Her own hands held the front of the dress to her more than ample bosom as it was pulled tight against her skin. She said a small prayer of thanks that she was dressing for travel or the simple cotton fabric would have been replaced with something altogether less comfortable.
Sayla stepped away as she finished and led the princess to the small vanity tucked in the corner of the room, waiting for her to sit before starting on her hair. She drew the comb through Harmony’s hair slowly, careful to gently work the knots from her flowing blond hair. It didn’t take long and once she was down she let all that silken gold flow over her shoulders with a satisfied nod. “No need to waste the time to style it. You’d only pull it out along the journey anyway. Come. Let’s get you something to eat.”
