As soon as Eva stepped inside the bathroom, she was welcomed by a luxurious, rectangular pool in the middle of the room. Hot water vapours were swirling above the water, filling the room with the fragrance of the bathing oils poured into the pool of water.
Wait, Why does it smell like her bath bomb though? How did the maids guess her favourite scent? Eva wondered to herself.
She unfastened her gown at the back and let the flowy fabric slip off her shoulders, gliding down to her feet. She dipped one foot after the other, submerging her body in the warm water. Her tense muscles started to loosen up as she soaked and indulged in the relaxing bath. Last night had been a hell of a ride for her and she truly needed this invigorating bath to mull over the possibilities of returning to her time in the future.
Immediately after her bath, Eva chose a lilac-coloured full-sleeved gown from the dresses given by Maisie. The gown, made of expensive and finest silk, trailed down to her ankles. It was cinched at her waist with a violet ribbon.
When Maisie entered the room, she was stunned at the sight of Eva, who looked so alluring and beautiful. The lilac hue of the gown and the violet ribbon complemented her deep purple eyes.
'No wonder the king took a fancy to her. No man can resist the charm of such a beautiful lady' Maisie thought to herself.
"Let me help you tie the ribbon, milady", the girl offered and came to stand behind Eva before she tied and made a cute bow with the ribbon at the back.
The stiletto heels that Eva had been wearing the previous day were lost during the chase when she fell down the slope. As a result, she changed into a pair of delicate leather shoes provided by Maisie.
Eva stood in front of a mirror and stared at her dress in the reflection. The dress fit perfectly to her body. Even though the gown looked beautiful, she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable because of the corset that was hugging her body tightly. Despite being a princess, she never indulged herself in expensive clothing and jewellery. She was used to wearing easy-fitting and comfortable clothes for her convenience while working as a doctor.
Eva let out a deep exhale, her brow furrowing in concern as she thought about her patients in the kingdom. With each passing moment, her desire to figure out how to go back grew stronger.
"You look so beautiful in this gown, milady. Let me help you brush your hair" Maisie remarked and Eva gave a small smile to the girl. "Thank you, Maisie".
Maisie made Eva sit on a cushioned stool in front of the mirror and brushed her hair gently. She took small sections of hair on either side before she braided and twisted them into an elegant crown at the top. She pulled a few pieces of hair at either side of her temples and the tendrils of hair accentuated her face making her features look even more prominent.
"It is done, milady," Maisie said with a bright smile on her face, looking proud of her handiwork on Eva's hair.
"It's so beautiful Maisie. Thank you for your help" Eva thanked the girl with a smile and the latter was even more elated at her words.
"Where are we going now? Can I meet the person who brought me here?" Eva asked Maisie with a curious expression. She wanted to meet the man who saved her last night so that she could thank him and also make a deal with him to help her. But what should she offer him in exchange for his help? She contemplated inside her head.
"You are expected to join the royal family for breakfast. His Majesty is awaiting your presence, milady" When Eva heard Maisie's words, her eyebrows slightly furrowed and she questioned the girl with an incredulous expression, "The king wants to meet me? why?"
Eh? Why would the king want to meet her, a stranger, he knows nothing about? Eva pondered. If it were anyone other than the king, she would not have found it strange. As far as she knew, the royal family never met with strangers unless they provided sufficient information and proof of their identity and the purpose of their visit.
"His Majesty has requested to have breakfast with you, milady. I have been instructed to lead you to the dining hall".
"Okay... Let's go then," I am really hungry, she whispered those last words inside her mind.
They walked out of the room and Eva's eyes moved across the hallways scanning everything. She was impressed by the details of the castle. Her eyes moved to the servants walking around the hallways doing their respective work. Her eyebrows narrowed when she saw the unusual red eyes of the servants.
Eva noticed how they took furtive glances at her as if she was some kind of an alien they had never seen before. She was intrigued by the colour of their eyes. Everyone she had seen inside the castle until now, from the maids who helped her prepare for her bath to the people she saw just now, had light red eyes except Maisie. She remembered that the guards who had chased her last night also had the same red eyes.
Eva did not know why but she had a gnawing feeling inside her heart whenever she saw those red eyes looking at her, but she pushed the feeling to the side and ignored their curious gazes as she followed Maisie.
When they turned a corner, Eva's eyes fell on a man standing at the end of the corridor, engaged in conversation with someone. He was positioned near a floor-to-ceiling window, with his hands behind his back. The scattered sun rays reflected off the window glass and illuminated one side of his face, making him look like a work of art. Though she only saw his side profile from a distance, she could tell that he was a handsome man with just a glance.
The man's thick black hair was parted on the side. While one side was combed back neatly, the other side was slightly tousled and a few strands fell over his right eyebrow. He had high cheekbones, thick eyebrows, long lashes, attractive lips, and a chiselled jawline. He was undoubtedly the kind of man who would inspire fantasies in every woman, but it's a pity he wasn't born in her timeline, Eva thought.
Dressed meticulously in a crisp white shirt, slacks and a long black coat, he looked splendid with the aura and elegance of a nobleman. When he spoke, the man in front of him gave a deep and respectful bow before leaving the place.
'Hmm... looks like he is someone of a higher status in the castle' Eva thought to herself. As if sensing her gaze, the man turned around to look in her direction.
"Oh, It's him. He's the one who saved me", Eva whispered under her breath and the corner of the man's lips pulled up into a smile which caused her breath to hitch and she murmured, "He's one heck of a hunk!".
She had to admit that he was truly gorgeous. In all her years of life, she had never seen someone as handsome as him.
His eyebrows slightly furrowed in confusion as if he had heard her words but was unable to understand them. It was not possible, right? How could he hear her words from that distance? It must be her imagination, Eva reasoned in her mind.
Eva couldn't help but recall the events of the previous night and flinched at the thought of what would have happened to her if not for his help. She knew it was only right for her to thank him sincerely. So she walked towards him and Maisie followed behind her with her head downcast as soon as she saw the king.