Felixa was brought to the bathroom, again, this time to prepare for something called a "Bedding ceremony", whatever that means.
[Are we supposed to make a bed for this ceremony? Well, I don't mind that much. I am alive and that is enough for me.]
She was told that she is now married to the greatest conqueror of the time. Her family was pardoned and the decree of death was lifted, betrothal gifts were announced and a lot happened.
Felixa didn't know what to think of this "marriage". She didn't know what any of that means.
All she could remember from her life is that she was called The Rose Knight Alexander and some memories of her on the battlefield. And there were the sneers of 'that man'.
From Wispy's life, all she could gather were abuses hurled at her and how she cowered and laid low. There was not one person who taught her anything or spent some time with her.
How would she know what anything means?
Flavia, the maid sent by the Brute himself, was the one who is helping her with the bath now. Somehow the Brute wanted to send his people to her side since she is his wife.
Felixa was told that she is the wet nurse of the Brute and is one of the people the Brute values dearly.
Felixa wondered if she would be met with hostility like every staff she remembered from her household, but she was in for a surprise. Every movement of Flavia was gentle and she had a pleasant smile that made her eyes disappear when she smiles.
"I can't understand why he wants to skip the wedding ceremony and go through with the bedding ceremony first," Flavia muttered as she started undressing Felixa.
Her voice was fruity and feathery and combined with the gentleness in her actions, Felixa felt calm in her presence.
"I don't mind, " Felixa answered softly.
[It's just making a bed, anyway! Although, I don't know how to do it. But I am a fast learner... probably..?]
"Ah... dear... you're soft-spoken and well-mannered. And-" Flavia paused as she removed the last article of clothing.
Felixa looked at the visibly shocked Flavia. Her hands trembled a bit and her eyebrows twitched. She pressed her lips as if she was angry and then her eyes watered a bit.
Felixa grimaced.
[I was shocked looking at myself too, Flavia... But what can I do? This body is my only option!]
Flavia composed herself soon and her usual smile returned to her face. Her gentle hand touched her back and she led her to the bathtub.
"The Duchess did not give birth to you, did she?" Flavia asked. Her voice shook a bit making Felixa bite her lips.
[It should be obvious with all the scars in my body, huh? If only Wispy's mother was alive, this wouldn't have happened...]
"No, my mother died when I was very young. The Duke married the current Duchess the year my mother died," Felixa answered holding her chest.
She felt a sharp pain in her heart remembering Wispy's mother for some reason. Although she didn't remember her face, she could remember her melodic voice. She liked to sing a lot.
"Hmm," Flavia's voice was soft. "Get in! The temperature is just right!" She then said chirpily, and Felixa got inside the tub.
The temperature was perfect for soaking and although other maids offered help, Flavia sent them away giving them menial tasks.
"Will the Emperor kill me if he learns of the scars?" Felixa decided to clear her doubts.
Scars aren't attractive on a woman!
At least that's what Lucy told her one day when she hit her until her skin peeled and bled.
[But who cares if they are attractive or not? The most important thing is living! He did say he won't kill me, but I can't be too careful, right?]
Although there won't be any chance for him to see her naked, some scars are in the forearms and even on her shoulders. He might get mad for "getting bound" with an unattractive woman.
"Oh, dear!... Oh..!" Flavia's voice got high-pitched. Dropping the washcloth, Flavia held her chin and made her look at her.
"Don't ever think that! He's not going to hurt you, dear," Flavia spoke with assurance. "But what can you do? You poor thing can't even speak your mind out here...I don't know what that lad is thinking. But I can assure you that he won't do anything you don't want to do. That Aion Stone he left with you is the assurance that he values you very much."
"That stone... What is it?" Felixa asked. "I think what happened was an accident... Even the Emperor was a bit disappointed it happened."
Felixa could sense that he accepted what happened, rather than being happy for what happened. And she didn't know how the magic from that stone works.
"Accident?" Flavia shook her head with a smile. "When it comes to the Aion Stone, nothing is an accident. No one knows what makes the Aion Stoneworks, but it requires a lot of powerful magic to carve the spell. Only powerful magic users can carve it and it is said that it won't work on everybody..."
Flavia smiled gently and started scrubbing her arms. "It became rare and turned almost folklore as magic users dwindled and no one could cast the spells. That particular stone was the only one found after centuries of search and it was kept as a treasure in the Lethusian Archives, but Maximus stole it when he was a boy. Apparently, he left it with you... It should be destiny if your soul got bound."
[Destiny?]
Felixa let out a sigh of exasperation but seeing the curious glance of Flavia, she didn't want to disappoint her.
"Then it should be destiny," Felixa smiled, and only then did Flavia's smile return.
Flavia then talked about Maximus, the boy she raised. Felixa could understand that Flavia loved the Brute very much and is so proud of him. And she was also glad that he got married.
But Lucy told her that the Brute had many wives. Felixa didn't understand why this particular marriage made Flavia this glad.
Felixa was surprised by the products Flavia used on her. She was scrubbed neatly and the pleasant scent in the water got infused into her skin making her fragrant. Flavia used something on her hair and her long, wavy blonde hair became soft as silk and knot-free.
Felixa couldn't hear any more about the Brute.
"Flavia, you know a lot," Felixa complimented her and Flavia smiled heartily. "And what do you know about the Rose Knight?" Felixa asked and watched Flavia's smile disappear.
"That is all..." Flavia helped Felixa out of the bathtub and started to wipe her.
She didn't speak a word after making Felixa wonder if she had asked something wrong. She wondered if she should push her for answers.
But before Felixa asked anything, Flavia started to speak as she dried her hair.
"The Rose Knight was the traitor who broke his Oath to the Great King of Lethusia and violated the code of chivalry. He broke the Great King's heart and suffered Damnatio memoriae. Why do you want to know about him?" Flavia looked at Felixa.
Felixa's knees went weak.
She understood that for a Knight, honor should be worth more than their life and should never break their oath to the King they serve.
[I did what? Did I break my oath? Did I violate the knight's code of chivalry? Is that why I was sneered at? If so... weren't those sneers deserved?]