Suddenly, Zavian stood up from where he sat, and Neera stood up straight, as though waiting for his command. He walked to the bed and motioned for her to come;
''Come.'' Neera's eyes widened as Zavian's voice rang in her ears. Did he ask her to come to him?
She hesitated for a second, then walked carefully to where Zavian sat by the bed, making sure to stop a few meters away from him. She looked scared, her fingers fondling the sides of her dress.
''From now on, you sleep on the couch. Never sleep on the floor, it is too cold. '' Zavian said to her. He had wanted to tell her that she could sleep on the bed with him since it was most comfortable, but on second thought, he stopped himself. Even though the couch was not all very comfortable, letting her sleep on the bed was… too much.
Even though she looked like his wife, he had to remind himself that she was not and act accordingly.
Neera peeked at him and nodded; ''Thank you, your majesty. '' She appreciated. Zavian barely acknowledged her. Pointing at the burning sticks of candle, he ordered; ''put off the lights.''
He said, and lay on the bed, shutting his eyes.
Neera walked to the candle lights and blew them off. Making her way to the couch; she lay on it and hugged her legs. The room was dark and quiet. So quiet, that she could hear the beating of her heart faintly. As her eyes stared at the ceiling, she wondered if the King had slept off… she wondered the thoughts he had for her, and she wondered as to what extent he was willing to go to get his wife back.
Neera's mind thought of a million things before she finally slept off.
The next morning, Zavian woke up before her. Stretching his hands, he walked to the window and opened the curtains. He could make out a faint glimpse of the sun rising from the east, and he smiled. Turning around, his eyes fell on the girl lying on the couch. Her hair was partially sweeping the ground and her both hands hugged her legs.
Zavian hesitated for a second, and then he walked to where she lay. She was sleeping soundly, her eyes tightly shut. Zavian did not want to stare at her for long, but he did not know why he just stood there, listening to her breathe.
After a few minutes, as though Neera sensed that someone was watching her, she opened her eyes.
Zavian did not move. He just stood still, looking at her.
Neera turned her head weakly, and as though hit by lightning, she jumped up from the couch when she saw Zavian.
''Your… majesty…'' she stuttered; pushing her hair, which had been scattered all over her face, behind her ears.
''Good morning, your majesty…'' she greeted. This was the second time she was waking up after him. Was she courting death?
Her eyes caught a fair glimpse of his shirtless torso and her cheeks burned. Neera wanted to slap herself; why the hell was she blushing when she was in trouble?
Zavian's lips stretched with a smile when he noticed her panic as she struggled to organize herself in front of him.
Clearing his throat, he asked; ''Did you sleep well?'' he asked her, and she peeked at him with those cute eyes, which still seemed like they wanted to bury themselves.
Neera nodded; ''Yes, thank you for your kindness, your majesty. '' Letting a maid like her sleep on his couch was a huge kindness to her.
''Okay, go call the maids who prepare my bath, and come back with them. ''
Zavian said the last words more evidently as though he was telling her not to forget to come back. She nodded and went out of his chambers to call the maids that ran his bathing water. As though they knew he would soon send for them, they were already boiling the water by the time Neera came to the kitchen.
''The king wants his bathing water. '' She said to them, and they hurriedly carried hot and cold water in large jars to the king's chambers. Neera looked around, her eyes scanning for Penelope.
Everyone was packing up and getting ready for the journey back to the castle. She quickly ran to the maids' room to pack her little belongings, not sure if she would have the time to pack them again.
When she walked in, she found Pen packing their stuff.
''Neera you're here. We are leaving this morning. '' Pen said, and then she pointed to a tied sack;
''I helped you pack your clothes. ''
''Oh, thank you, Pen. I still have to attend to the King, help me hold onto my bag. ''
''Oh that's fine, you don't have to worry. '' Pen said, standing up, she hurried towards the kitchen; ''I have a lot to do. Let's talk later. ''
''Okay!'' Neera shouted after her and raced back to the King's chambers.
When she got there, the maids were about to leave. She stood by the side as she watched them walk out, one after the other, before going in and shutting the door after her.
Neera looked around the room. The king was not in the room, so she knew he was already having his bath. Going over to the couch, she sat down as she waited for him to be done.
Suddenly she heard her name;
''Neera…'' Neera jumped up from where she sat when she heard him call her. Her eyes grew in surprise. Was the king calling her into his bathroom?
Neera's heart pounded against her chest as she stood, waiting for him to call her the second time in case she had heard it wrongly. And to her utmost surprise; he called again.
Neera walked anxiously to the bathroom and stopped just outside it; ''Your majesty, you called me?'' she answered, not daring to push the door open.
''Come inside.''
Neera's heart banged against her chest at his words. Her hands shaking, did he just ask her to come into the bathroom where he was having a bath!
Was she going to see the King naked?