Accident

The first time was an accident.

Baroque Castle was an opulent place. The bedrooms were deeply carpeted and full of plush pillows, the food was rich and filling, and the bathrooms were made of marble. Polka was in one of those bathrooms, preparing for a bath. She shed her clothes, reaching for the bar of soap on the edge of the tub.

Thank goodness for Prince Crescendo. I've been wanting to take a decent bath for a while. She sniffed. Actually, needing to take a decent bath. She undid the ribbons on her long pigtails; clipping her hair up, she sank up to her waist in the warm water with a sigh of pleasure. "Mmm, wonderful…"

For several minutes, she soaked in the tub, staring up at the ceiling and thinking about nothing in particular (oddly, she found her mind wandering mostly in the direction of Frederic). Finally realizing that the water was cooling rapidly, she splashed water on her upper body and began to wash.

&&&&&&

She stretched to reach a spot between her shoulder blades. "Ow." Why is there always that one spot on your back that you can't reach? A thought occurred to her, and she blushed brightly, glancing around. I wonder if someone would help me…maybe… No, Frederic wouldn't do that. At least… She sighed. At least, I don't think so…but sometimes he looks at me like…like…

She shook her head, trying to banish her train of thought. I shouldn't be thinking like that! He's much too old for me, and he would never be interested in me like that! But…

Finishing her bath, she climbed out of the tub and pulled the stopper out. I'm not going to think about that now. She reached for a fluffy white towel and began to dry herself off.

"Polka?"

She screeched in shock and flung her towel around herself. Evidently, Frederic had been looking for her, for he now stood in the doorway with a hand clamped to his bleeding nose. "Sorry! I'm sorry! I was looking for you, and, well…I brought you your dinner and I swear I knocked!"

He ran off, leaving Polka standing alone. She raised a hand to her face, feeling heat radiate from it. Oh…! I can't believe it! He…he…and he was blushing… She dressed quickly, fingers trembling.

I wonder…I wonder what would have happened if he'd stayed… She blushed, eyes sparkling. Maybe one day I'll find out.

&&&&&&

Some time later, she will, and (remembering the way Frederic touched her) she will never look at herself in the mirror the same way again.