Ester had handed Ro the crystal that day. He had left the premises before the day ended. A seamstress had arrived from the city and taken Ro's measurement, offering an array of designs and suggestions so foreign she did not know what to decide on.
She would need more Lispan clothing.
An uneasiness had taken hold of Ro the moment she set eyes on the designs for the wedding attire. She did not consider how possible blending into the city would be. Heading to the woods would be an option, but the brief discussions she had with Ester and other servants.
The woods were like a second home to them, especially in their beastly forms. Every inch had been scoured, and Ro was not even aware of any other wild creatures the forests contained.
Despite all this, she still thought of how she could escape.
Each and every passing day drummed in the reality of her situation.
This was really happening.
She knew all the servants by name. She knew their lives. She knew the grounds of the castle. After the wedding, she would be granted a tutor to fully learn about Lispa's customs.
This was going to be her new reality. Her new prison.
It could not be. Iver seemed nice, patient, understanding...
Ro knew better than to just sink into such conformity. She did not know all sides of this man, and it had only been a few days.
This was someone who had nearly killed someone before her eyes. It astounded her how the person survived that, from what Ester had relayed to her.
Ro couldn't fully trust anyone. She still had to find a way out.
The weekend before the fateful week arrived with dreadful news.
Envoys were coming from Erzi for the wedding ceremony. This news marred the rest of Ro's day with a dreadful pallor.
She walked the halls in quiet, contemplating. Fern would surely be among. While she had not related with him at length, she knew he had a semblance of sense. If he were not foolish at the very least, he would not dare bring Tury.
Even with the delicious food presented to her that morning and afternoon, a bitter taste still lingered on her tongue, and she had been unable to finish both meals.
She was not looking forward to seeing them. Neither of the nymphs. A lot of them would surely wear smug faces.
In the first place, it had been silly for her to believe the nymphs wouldn't arrive for the ceremony just because she had come to Lispa alone.
Ro stood in the entrance hall of the castle. The very same chamber Iver had flung that man across. The wall was clean, without any dents or cracks. As if that incident had never occurred. The flames in the decorated fire pit flickered, emanating a soothing warmth in the hall.
It had been lit at her insistence. To think they hardly used this place. Ro didn't find it too surprising, considering they were barely affected by the cold.
Ro smirked, envisioning the envoys shivering in the harsh winds. Their gowns would barely be able to conceal them from the sharp bite of the cold.
'I sure hope they are not offered any coats, but I doubt that.'
Still, one could only help but fantasise.
"My Lady."
Ro raised her head towards one of the staircases. Ester bound down to meet her.
"You don't need to wait and tend to them. They will be brought into the guest rooms."
"I am just welcoming them..." Ro paused, staring intently at Ester. "It is not something that is done here, is it?"
Ester offered an apologetic smile. Her gaze shifted from the fireplace back to Ro. "No. The attendants typically welcome any guests. Even if their visit has been announced beforehand. Even after wedding Lord Iver, you are not required to welcome any guests."
A tinge of embarrassment coloured Ro's cheeks. She tried not to let any emotion show on her face. "I see..."
Ro sighed. A part of her wanted to see everyone come in and catch their expressions at the new environment. The other part did not want to see their faces at all.
Ro opened her mouth to speak, then she closed it. She had wanted to ask if she could stay in a room out of sight to witness the new arrival, but she thought against it. That wasn't necessary. She was still going to see them later on during a joint dinner.
Ro smiled at Ester. "Thank you, Ester."
"It is no problem." She beamed and made her way out of the hall.
Ro followed suit and went back inside. She paused in another hall, empty. The curtains were drawn shut, but the light from the chandeliers gleamed.
A large double door stood at the end of it. She and Iver would share that place very soon. It had been his parents' quarters, and now it would be theirs.
Ro rubbed her upper arm. Her skin prickled. Come to think of it, she had no idea what sort of person Iver was in the bedroom. The thought brought her no comfort. And then there was his size.
She briskly walked out of the hall. She had only come to see where their new quarters would be, she hadn't expected to suddenly have those thoughts. They made her uncomfortable.
The only man who had ever treated her with such tenderness.
Ro squeezed her eyes shut and leaned her back against the wall.
'Stop it. It is no use dwelling on the past.'
Ro straightened, slowly opening her eyes. She was not sure if she could ask him outright. Virgins are chaste. They know nothing of bedroom matters. One would even blush at the mere mention of it. He would...
Ro continued her walk. Iver was likely under the premise that she was a virgin. He wouldn't expect a question like that from her.
Unless...
There was a way she could actually present this to him.