When Naiari woke up, she groaned tiredly and opened her eyes then yelped loudly when she realized that she was not alone in the room.
"I am sorry mi lady." A young girl who had been standing at the foot of the bed said with a curtsey.
Naiari stared at the girl who looked to be around her age, with dark hair which was done in a single plait and big brown eyes that stared back at Naiari with curiosity.
"Who.. what do you want!" Naiari demanded as she pulled the sheets closer to her neck as if it would protect her from the intruder.
"My name is Marie and I am to be your personal maid, I was sent to ensure that all your needs are well taken care of." She said, "since you are awake, I will be off to prepare for your bath."
Naiari eyed the girl as she walked out of the room then she tried to remember why she felt so unsettled when she realized what it was.
The last time she had been awake she had been in the forest where those three scary monsters had been and now she was back in the room she had run from. For a moment she wondered if she had dreamed it all but the ache in her body and her worn shoes assured her she had been out in the forest.
At the memory of what she had seen she shivered and looked around the room in wonder. She wanted to ask how she had gotten back to her room from the forest but she thought better about it, she would not mention it until someone else did.
Shortly after the door opened again and Marie came in followed by two maids who brought in pails of steaming water. They went around the screen and went out of the room and returned with two more pails before leaving Naiari alone with Marie.
Marie helped Naiari get out of her clothes and into the tub where she helped her wash and when she was finished she rubbed some vanilla scented oil while Marie helped brush and braid her hair.
Naiari watched as Marie selected two dresses and showed her, Naiari picked the purple velvet dress with lace detailing at the sleeves and the square cut neckline.
After she had been dressed Marie left Naiari alone to wonder about the wedding that was supposed to take place. She did not know how long she had been sleeping for and the sun high above seemed to show that it was late afternoon so she probably had not slept too long.
She wondered if the wedding ceremony would be held in the evening. When Marie came back she was with a tray which she placed on a small table facing the window and Naiari's belly growled, reminding her that she had not eaten in a long time.
Naiari went to the table and began to eat ravenously then she stopped abruptly when she remembered Marie was still in the room, "Come and join me." She invited, a blush of embarrassment at her manners covering her cheeks.
Marie curtsied respectfully and shook her head, "I have already had my food mi lady." She said and Naiari nodded and continued to eat.
When she was done, she wiped her lips and leaned back in the chair.
"Do you know when the wedding ceremony is going to commence?" Naiari asked and Marie frowned.
"Because of the sorgord attack the ceremony had been postponed." Marie answered and it was Naiari's turn to frown.
'Sorgord', was that what they called the monster? Which of the monsters was the sorgord?
"What is a sorgord attack?" Naiari asked delicately.
"You don't know what a sorgord is!" Marie exclaimed, her eyes wide in shock, "do you mean there are no sorgords where you come from?"
"No, I've never heard of them."
"Well, we could go to the library and you could read about them." Marie informed her.
"I would like to do that, could you take me there?"
"Of course mi lady, as soon as you are ready."
"Can we go right now?" Naiari asked.
She was very curious and she wanted to know what exactly she was dealing with in this kingdom. She would probably be able to get some valuable information from the books.
Marie led her out of the room and they went down the stairs and started to walk along a corridor. As they walked, Naiari noticed two women coming from the opposite direction.
The young woman in front was dressed richly in silk and gold, her pitch black hair done up in an elaborate braided styled and decorated with jewels. From the distance Naiari could tell that she was a beautiful girl who was around her age and probably a member of King Kael's court.
As they walked past, the girl purposefully pushed Naiari with her shoulder and kept walking with her head high while Naiari stopped and turned to look at her.
"These savage human creatures with no sense of courtesy." The young girl muttered.
"I can't be more savage than a person who is impolite to their guest and future queen." Naiari said calmly, loud enough to be heard by the girl who was just a few feet away.
The girl stopped and turned around, her face almost comical with the shocked expression it held.
"Did you just speak to me?" The girl asked in disbelief and Naiari raised a nonchalant eyebrow.
She was very surprised at herself, she had never been one to stand up for herself yet here she was challenging any and everyone. Some of Yvette's audacity must have remained in this body because this was all very strange to her.
"Well then, I guess I am forced to teach you some manners." The girl said and raised her hand.
Naiari watched in fascination as the girl's arm started to grow larger and hairer and claws emerged from her fingers and descended towards her.