"What is this?"
The servants stopped in their tracks.
Ro withdrew her hand from the ceramic basin, cold water dripping from the end of her sleeves and onto the brown carpet-grass flooring of the bathing chamber. She stared at her wet hand. A light prickling sensation bit at her skin. With a flick of her arm, she got rid of the lingering moisture.
One of the servants holding a bucket rolled her eyes. A recent addition to the household that had arrived with the entourage of the governor's son three weeks before.
"The Young Master is fond of the Jupe flowers and has requested what is left. Not like you even need such fragrance petals in your bathing water now that the governor has passed," the servant girl said with an exaggerated sigh. Her brows furrowed in undisguised disgust as she eyed Ro.
One of the other servants flinched, her eyes going wide at the bold retort.
The other servant girl clutched the towels she held to her chest, her apprehensive gaze darting back and forth between Ro and the servant girl who had spoken up.
Ro clasped her hands at her stomach, her fingers seeking refuge within the sleeves of her dress.
"I see…" she murmured, staring at the rude servant.
'To think he would move this quickly upon his father's death.'
Ro's lips twisted in a light frown as she glanced at the tub, lost in thought.
Her features then eased, and she redirected her attention towards the girl.
The servant girl frowned. "You should even be grateful we still clean up your quarters. Such ridiculous…"
Her words faltered under the blankness of Ro's stare. The glowing white stones embedded within the low mossy ceiling of the bath chamber cast a pale shadow over Ro's face, emphasising the steel bite of the concubine's grey eyes.
Ro's androgynous features had always boasted an enviable beauty that had invited both mockery and admiration. The beauty of her face possessed the same ability to express a scathing level of disgust that no one else in the empire could express.
When Ro looked down on someone.
She looked down on them.
"Did I say anything about any petals?" Ro's question crept out from her lips, slow, cutting, and measured.
The rude servant girl flinched. Then she clenched her fists and raised her chin, stubbornly refusing to break eye contact. Her knuckles nearly turned white as she clutched the handle of the wooden bucket tighter.
"You poured a bucket of rancid water, and you think I wouldn't notice?"
The girl's brows shot up in mock offence, and she glared, thrusting out the bucket. "Don't accuse me. I did no such thing! Here, smell it!"
"Come here."
The servant sneered. "I am not your servant. The Young Master only sent me here, and I answer to the Lord of the house. You wash yourself already, why don't you start preparing your own bath?" She whirled to face the other servant girls. "Pathetic. Is this what you are so afraid of?"
She shoved through the others and burst out of the chamber.
Ro's jaw clenched.
"Bring her back or drink it."
"No one is drinking anything," a voice slipped in from the slightly open chamber doors, followed by its owner.
The servant girls relaxed as the governor's son walked into the chamber. Ro's face tightened as she shot the man a dirty look.
"You have not changed out of the mourning attire," he commented, a light frown creasing his forehead as he absentmindedly adjusted the folds of his garment.
"You are in my bathing chamber," Ro clipped out.
He finally met her eyes, the corner of his lip turning up, smug. "Don't talk like you have any dignity to begin with."
He folded his hands behind him, and his dark gaze ran over her frame.
Ro smirked. "What now, Fern? Are you going to take me for yourself?"
Fern jerked his head back, his posture stiffening as his muscles went rigid. His face reddened.
"How dare you?"
She widened her eyes in mock innocence. "I don't understand. You shamelessly walk into my chambers, then my private space, and now you 'stare' at me. What else am I supposed to—"
"Enough," he sneered, and with a slight tilt of his head, he addressed the servants. "Get out."
They swiftly left the bathing chamber.
"I do not have time for this." Ro strode past him, making her way towards the entrance, when he grabbed her by the arm.
Drawing in a sharp breath, she snapped her arm, flinging his hand away. He staggered back, his eyes wide.
"You—"
"Do not touch me." She paused at the entrance, facing him. "What do you even want?"
He adjusted his crumpled sleeve. "You leave by daybreak."
Ro opened her mouth to speak. Then she closed it. Her eyes narrowed. "What is this?"
His lips spread, pleased. He walked up to her and leaned forward, his smile now a chilling grin. "You'll find out very soon."
__________
Ro did not have a wink of sleep that night. And the following morning came with a bustle too grand, it was unnerving. More servants than she had ever seen raided her quarters, gathered her belongings and carried them out to the gates where they awaited transportation to the nation's ports.
She sat at the large pavilion where the governor welcomed guests. Potted plants adorned ornate cushioned seats in intricate arrangements that gave the pillared structure its own foliage. She kicked off her shoes and reclined in her seat, the soles of her feet kissing the cool marble floor.
Lush greenery stretched out around her, and in the distance, she could make out the servants moving back and forth. Ro stared down the wide cobbled stone pathway leading from the pavilion to the courtyard.
Any moment now, Fern would walk up that path with envoys from Lispa.
He had refused to give her any information till earlier that morning. But she had her ways. A Lispan entourage had paid a sudden visit to their nation, which explained why so many officials failed to attend the governor's mourning ceremony.
Apparently, the Lispans wanted a bride from Erzi for diplomatic relations, and it was clear she was the scapegoat. Still, it was strange. This just happened to be the nation she planned on moving to.
A slow wind picked at the veil concealing her face. Ro frowned and pushed aside the annoying fabric only to notice three figures approaching the pavilion.
She put the veil back in place and slipped her shoes back on, rising to her feet as Fern approached with two men in tow, garbed in dark, depressing regalia.
A sickly-sweet smile appeared on Fern's lips as he drew closer. Ro's stomach coiled.
Something didn't feel right.
"Please, meet my sister." Fern took hold of her hand and pulled her forward. "Tury."
Ro's pulse quickened.
'No.'