She stepped out from the bathroom full naked. A droplet of water on her body, as a catalyst, enhanced the cold temperature of her body. The evidence could be seen on the evaporating vapour from the body too. Her nipples had not fully formed, therefore you can fathom the nature of her breast, just like scanty hair in her pubic region immaturely laid flat on her vulva. She faced the wall and began to dry the droplet of water. Her buttocks was the handiwork of the almighty; well prostrated with dimples at each side. No matter how careful she was not to wet her hair, some got wet and clinched on the skin of her neck. Just after drying her body, Albat came from behind with her gown and rested it on her shoulder. She properly wore it and knotted it on her waist before heading towards the bed.
"You have a companion now in the castle, Albat." Adriana, instead of lying on the bed, passed it to a cupboard while Albat began to close the windows.
"Do you mean Julius, my lady?" she asked without looking at her princess.
"Yes." she turned from the cupboard with a blue candle. "He's jovial and interactive." she added.
Albat also turned from the last window she had closed. "I can see you're already growing fond of him, my lady." she said with a side smile of the cheek, twisting her fingers. It was just remaining for the princess to go to bed, then she would blow off the candles and retire to her quarters. But that would take some time, judging from the candle in her princess' hand.
"How do you know I'm growing fond of him?"
"I can see the way you look at him, my lady."
Adriana smiled, surging forward to her maid. She stretched the blue candle to her and said, "It was given to me by aunt Celina the day I became ill. She said that it does not only chase bad spirits away, it makes one have the sweetest sleep and dream for the night. Light it for him. It's a gift from me." she finally handed it over to her.
Albat swallowed hard. "You mean Julius?" she wanted to be sure.
"Yes."
"Okay, my lady." She passed her to dress the bed for her but Adriana prevented her saying, "Don't worry, Albat. Just go. I'll take care of myself."
Albat bowed and left the room.
:
:
Julius' room in the royal castle was far different from his room in Bruce's house; quality bed, a wardrobe and a good ventilation. He laid face up on the bed, thinking about the very lie Albat told during dinner with the king. Beside the bed was a candle burning on a stool, though placed on a metal tray. The red fabric never departed from his neck as he rolled over on the bed, gazing at the candle flames. Just then, a knock came from his door and Albat walked in with the blue candle. Julius sat up on the edge of the bed then both stared at each other as silence lingered.
"Albat," Julius began softly. "You know, I have been thinking about what you told the king. Why?" he asked her.
Albat ignored him. She walked into the room to keep the blue candle on a table.
"Albat?" Julius called her, yet she never responded. She kept the candle and headed back to the door only for Julius to stand up swiftly and held her on the arm. "Why are you ignoring me?" he asked meekly.
Albat shook her hair and looked up at him. Her eyes dim and her voice broke like a broken bottle. "What did you expect me to say, Julius when the princess has her eyes on you? Are you so blind to notice it? She's fallen for you! She even gave me that candle to light for you as a gift." she withdrew her arms, walked back to the table and picked the blue candle. She walk-passed Julius to the other side of the bed where she lit the blue candle and replaced it with the already burning white candle. Meanwhile, Julius had been shocked and speechless by what he had heard, hence remained dumbfounded.
Albat began to walk towards the door as she said, "Lady Adriana said it will bring good sleep and dreams to you." Just before getting to the door, Julius held her back for the second time.
"Albat, you are the one I love." he began as both stared at each other. "Lady Adriana's feelings doesn't matter here. What matters is how I feel about you."
"You do not know this people, Julius. They are royalty; they get whatever they want!"
"Well, nobody will get me. The princess is meant for Kadura. Have you forgotten?"
"She has never spoken good about Kadura coming from nowhere to make claims to her body."
"But she can't bend culture and tradition." he paused which brought their breathing rate to their very ears. "I had no idea what true love was until I met you, Albat. If loving you is wrong, then I don't ever want to be right. I wish I could hold you in my arms for the rest of my life and never let go. Your touch sends chills up and down my spine. I'm absolutely crazy about you. When you're in the chamber, no one else matters. I'd give anything just to be with you because you're the only person I'll ever need in my life."
However, Albat had been stirred up emotionally. Tears circulated her eyes by the words of Julius, so she passionately kissed him with eyes closed which brought about the dropping of the tears down to her jaw. Julius reciprocated, caressing her hair at the moment until both quit, breathing heavily and gazing into each other's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Julius." Albat broke the silence.
"There's nothing to be sorry for, Albat." He replied.
The young girl kept smiling until she left the room while Julius returned to the bed, smiling sheepishly too. He stared at the burning blue candle which deviated his mind from Albat to Adriana instantly...