This scene is a bit similar to the game, in that the idea for the bath scene came from Solmare and some of Lambert's dialogue is borrowed from there as well. I am saying this to give credit where credit is due, as I liked the scene too much to leave out.

It was originally posted as a preview to this story so some of you may have read it before, but it's been tweaked a bit as the original had been written before the previous chapters. Obviously, the scene involves nudity, but I don't think anything happens that would warrant an M rating.

Ivan peeks in as I'm sleepily brushing my teeth and tells me Prince Lambert wants to see me ASAP. Of course he does. I rinse out my mouth and walk towards my closet.

Ivan calls from the door. "Miss, it would do you well to make haste; Lord Lambert is not one to wait."

I scramble into a new found outfit, a green thin strapped dress and a denim jacket (to be modest), slip on one of the many pairs of shoes (tan and sparkly, whomever did the shopping has good taste), and head towards the door. I love this outfit, and it occurs to me I never said thank you for all the wonderful clothing.

"Thank you for the help Ivan, and whom do I thank for the clothing?"

Ivan seems a bit taken aback. "No need to thank me Miss, I'm just doing my job. As for the clothing, you can thank His Majesty's harem for that."

I stop and look down at what I'm wearing, suddenly feeling itchy. I know my face has twisted into disgust because Ivan says "Don't worry, they're all brand new. When you have unlimited funds sometimes you buy what you don't need then never use it."

The hell else goes on in a harem that I'm not aware of?

Ivan motions for us to continue. "We must continue. As you already know, all the princes are busy and you must respect their time."

As if I had a choice otherwise.

I continue to stand in awe of the palace. Every girl dreams of living in one, but to actually take it all in is impossible. Walking down this grand hall feels like an adventure all in its own.

"Where are we headed to anyway?"

Ivan continues walking, emotionless. "I've been instructed to say nothing. I cannot override this request, you understand."

Now I'm curious. "That bad, huh?" I joke, wondering what could possibly warrant a surprise. Then again, there are 99 women hanging out doing god knows what somewhere in this place.

Ivan says nothing, so I ask something else. "Even though I talked to him yesterday, we didn't really need to address each other formally. What is the respectful thing to call him? Lord or Prince?" I get the feeling he cares very much about being called by the correct title.

We stop in front of big, red, double doors. "You do not work here, there is no need to call him Lord. Prince Lambert is just fine, unless he requests you call him otherwise."

He straightens his already perfectly vertical tie. "Are you ready?"

I shrug. "Sure, bring it on."

He opens the doors, but despite my comment, nothing prepares me for what I'm seeing. I'm in the biggest, most immaculate bathroom of my life. Ten of my apartments could fit in here easily. The large windows on the right bring in ample sunshine with the view of a beautiful garden, crystal chandeliers hang from the muraled ceiling, pearly white tile covers the floor, and a huge pool shaped like an orchid is in the middle. One edge is lined with candles and various bath luxuries like bath beads, fizzies, and bubble bath in glass bottles. At the direct opposite edge is Prince Lambert and two female attendants.

And he's naked.

I feel my cheeks blush. This is not a pool, it's a bath tub!

He looks over lazily. "Ah, you. I thought you'd be here sooner."

His attendants (who are clothed to some capacity) are washing his arms. He casually leans back against the edge. I look over Ivan and give him a 'you could have told me' look. He gives a quick, apologetic nod. I look back at Prince Lambert. I don't really know what to say. I've walked in on people in the bath tub before, but accidentally. How does one react to a direct invite to bath time?

I feel my eyes slowly veering off to the side. It's not that I don't enjoy naked men, in fact I enjoy them very much, but I doubt I was brought here to oogle him. I should try to look at his face, but the water is only waist deep and he has stunning abs that I know I'll stare at. Even though I'm looking towards a wall, I notice lotus blossoms are in the water, and thankfully one is floating in front of him.

He rolls his eyes. "Are you going to talk or just continue to stand there daftly?"

I cross my arms and peer at his face. "This is how you greet all guests, is it?"

The prince waves it off. "If I had told you to come to the bath, you wouldn't have come, and I don't have time to speak with you otherwise."

Assumptions, assumptions. Despite his brief kindness at the ceremony, it's obvious he doesn't like the fact that I'm here at the palace, and I'm really curious what he wants to talk about.

With great effort, I keep looking right at him. "You misjudged me. I had heard bath houses were common in this country past and present, so it only makes sense royalty would partake in them as well." To a different capacity, obviously, as this huge pool is a private bath.

Ivan looks surprised, but Prince Lambert acts like he hasn't heard me. "This is the only way I could speak to you, and I really wanted to talk. It may be a bit weird, but I could think of nothing else. Thank you again for finding and repairing the medals. It was quick thinking and great dedication from someone who isn't even a part of this nation, and I am in debt to you."

I'm surprised by his gratitude, but I shake my head. "Think nothing of it Prince Lambert, I just wanted to help. I'm glad I could."

He raises an eyebrow as he continues getting bathed. "I do think something of it. Besides, no commoner does something for nothing, so let me find a way to repay you so I don't feel indebted."

I watch the sponges continue to caress his body. "Really Prince Lambert, it's okay-"

He holds up a hand to silence me. "No, you did me a great service...actually you did this country a great service, so you're getting a reward and that is final. So what would you like then? Jewelry? Women like their pretty little trinkets, don't they?"

Jewelry?! Just for helping out?

"No? How about a bottle of perfume? A designer dress? An iPad? What?"

I clear my throat to push back any further surprise. "Prince Lambert, I don't deserve-"

"Just tell me what you would like."

The words don't come. How can I make him see that I don't want anything? He'll think I do what I do because I expect something in return.

Ivan seems to sense my dilemma because he says "Lord Lambert, why not give her time to think? This is a lot to take in after all."

Prince Lambert sighs. "Very well then, take the time to think."

Even though Mel said not to, and I haven't done it with the others, I curtsy. "Thank you Prince Lambert." I then turn to walk away.

"Where do you think you're going?"

I stop. Apparently, that wasn't the end. I can feel myself blushing over the mistake, and I can't seem to turn around. If I do, I know I won't be able to look at his eyes. It took all I had to look there as he spoke of rewards.

"Face me when I speak to you. Have you no manners?"

I turn around slowly. I still don't really know what to think of this man. Does he think he is better than everyone else because he is royalty? Is he just naturally brazen? Either way, I do not like being called a commoner. Then again, that is what I am, isn't it? My position in life means little, for I'll never be royal, and I bet less than 1% of people on this planet are royal.

Ugh, where did those thoughts come from? If I think like that, I might as well just give up now. No more of that!

He leans his arm against the edge. "I did not excuse you. I took this time to talk to you; you should stay to the end."

I put my hands on my hips. "Is that right?"

"It is rare that a commoner gets to spend time with me, you should be flattered."

His ego, whatever the reason for it, suddenly makes me feel feisty. I had been enduring it out of politeness and the fact that I'm a guest, but not now. If he wants me to stay, then I'm getting comfortable. Screw etiquette.

I walk closer to the edge. "Well then, I'll join you." Heehee, that'll totally make Dania want to pull out her hair if she ever finds out.

A grin slowly appears on his face. "If you like. We are strangers after all, we should get to know each other better through the skin."

I figured he'd respond so casually. He knows he's naked, but he doesn't seem to associate it with sex at all. Perhaps America has oversexualized nudity.

"Dania won't mind?" I can't help but ask.

He shrugs. "And if she does? It's just a bath."

Very casual. I turn around so my back faces the tub. Ivan, still in his professional stance, is staring at me wide eyed. He must not have expected this response. Seeing him makes me realize that I'm going to have an audience. This makes me feel more feisty, and daring as well. I slowly begin to take off my jacket, one arm at a time slowly sliding off. Let me entertain you…

After it's off, I casually fling it to the side. I run my hands slowly down my sides, then reach back for the dress's zipper. I look back at Ivan and wink. He appears to have trouble swallowing. I feel the zipper moving down. Let me make you smile…

I slip the skinny straps off my arms and let the dress fall around my ankles. Here I am, almost naked, donning only a brand new black bra and matching panties, and I've got two grown men staring at me. Yes sir…

I turn around and face Prince Lambert. He gives no indication as to what he thinks, but the aura of the tub is no longer a casual one.

I slowly walk into the bath, which is deeper than I thought because Prince Lambert is so tall. I take a seat directly opposite of him on the other edge, and the water is up to my shoulders. Well, why do anything half way?

I reach back and unhook my bra. After it's off, I hold it up by the strap. It drips water onto my shoulder, then throw it behind me. Almost there. I slink my arms back under the water and daintily slip off my panties. I hold them up and throw them behind me with my bra.

He raises both eyebrows. Yep, that's right, not so common after all.

"You forgot your shoes."

Oh, crap. I look down, and sure enough, I'm still in my heels. Because they are so much darker than my alabaster skin, they are easily visible through the water. The minute I see them, I feel foolish.

I begin to tuck my knees up to take them off when I see the prince shake his head.

"It's alright, just leave them on."

Oh? I look back at him, and I feel a sense of wickedness return.

I smirk and put my legs back down. "As you wish."

I look at the attendants, who are still bathing him, and either they haven't noticed that I got in or they just don't care. Of course, why should they? They bathe people for a living. I point to one.

"Pardon me ma'am, but you're an exquisite bather. Can I get in on that action or is that reserved for royalty?" She looks at me, confused, then looks at Prince Lambert.

Prince Lambert glares, and out the corner of my eye, I see Ivan, who looks like he's going to pop…in a distinguished typed of way.

The prince shakes his head at the bather, who shrugs, then he looks back at me. "I've heard Americans think they're entitled, but are they all so uncouth?"

I can't help but laugh. Uncouth indeed. "Yes…we Americans are often so terrible, aren't we? But, believe it or not, you can't chunk us all together. I apologize if I offended you."

My apology is heavily laced with sarcasm, but if it has been accepted or rejected, I can't tell. He just continues to stare at me. He has no problem looking at my face, whereas my eyes keep wandering down to his abs. It's worse now because one of the attendants is lathering his front. The suds slip down each chiseled wonder leisurely, and with each groove they pass over I find myself salivating more. I'll be drooling and panting if I don't do something soon, and I can't disrespect this practice.

I reach behind me for one of the glass bottles. Inside are many transparent purple pearls. I open the top and inhale the scent deeply. "Mmmmm, lavender." I dump a few in the water.

"You may have more than that."

I look up. Lambert, looking like a scene straight out of Coming To America, has an almost adoring look on his face. "This is now your bath too, do what you will to enjoy it."

A teasing smile crosses my lips. "Be careful what you say, dear prince, you may end up regretting using your words so loosely." I dump in some more pearls, then I set the bottle back. I turn to the side so that my legs are now up on the bench with me. Slowly, I lower myself down into the water so I can get my hair wet. The moment my head submerges, I close my eyes and surrender to the peace of the water. I lean further back, until I'm lying down on the bench. Too bad I have to breathe, I could lay here forever. I feel the tips of my knees brush the surface, and I get another idea. I lift myself back up and put my back against the wall. Slowly, I lift my right leg up until its perpendicular with the floor, my lower leg by my ear, and I grab it to hold it up. Water drips from the shoe down my leg, and I scoop more lavender infused water onto it. Can't be too clean.

I look back at the prince, who's staring at me closely and looks like a thousand ideas are running through his head.

I smile and slowly lower my leg. "I do yoga." I may not be athletic, but I sure am flexible. I decide to forego telling him I also pole dance, might as well let him wonder. I slowly lift up my other leg and repeat the action. He continues to watch. I lower that leg too and try not to smirk. Do what I will indeed.

I look back at the prince, who's still staring at me and looks incredibly comfortable. The bathers are finished and getting out, but he makes no attempt to move.

"I'll have you know I always know what I'm saying; a prince cannot afford mistakes. Of course, every now and then even the most carefully crafted sentence has side effects. When I'm lucky, they're pleasant." He raises an eyebrow and looks down at my feet. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. I was thinking, I could get you an expensive pair of shoes. Women like shoes, don't they?"

Heehee, not as much as you do.

A lotus blossom floats by. I create small waves to bring it closer to me. "Yeah, shoes are nice, but you know what's even nicer? This bath. I've never been in a tub this luxurious before." Considering my own tub, that's quite the statement.

He waves it off. "The palace is your home for now, you'll get used to stuff like this. Well, maybe not exactly like this because this is the royal washroom, but you get the idea. In any case, a bath is a necessity, not a reward."

He clearly wants an answer. So much for more time. What can I possibly ask for that won't reinforce this behavior?

Then, I have it. "Okay Prince Lambert, I know what I want."

He smiles. "Well alright then, what is it?"

I run my fingers through my wet tendrils. "I want to spend a day with you."

He frowns. "Impossible, you already know how demanding my schedule is."

I dip my head back in the water, face up so I can breathe. "I do know, but pick the day, and I'll come with you on all your errands. I want to see what a day in the life of Prince Lambert looks like. A few minutes at bath time, no matter how luxurious, teaches me nothing."

I raise my head back up. He stands up, and though the water is still covering the royal jewels (ha), I feel my eyes go wide. Also, they go right to his abs again. A girl could grate cheese on them, but my appetite is not for pizza…

What am I doing? I can't think like that! I give myself a mental smack and none too soon.

"Oh? It's certainly taught me plenty."

"It has?"

"Yes. I'd say we're not strangers anymore, would you?"

I shake my head. I certainly will never experience anything like this ever again…unless his brothers decide to do this as well, but even then few memories have the potency of a first time.

He walks closer. I feel myself growing nervous. Uh oh, did I push the envelope too far? Is he expecting something now?

He puts his hands on his hips. "As we are no longer strangers, you don't have to call me Prince Lambert anymore. Sounds too formal. Call me….Mr. Lambert."

That's what he goes with? "Mr. Lambert?"

He nods. "Yes, I like it already. It sounds…conventional. Commoners seem to relish in such things. I feel closer to you already."

Here we go with the commoner thing again.

"As for your choice of reward, it makes no sense to me, and it'll certainly be a burden, but a debt is a debt."

He crosses his arms. "Very well then, I shall summon you at some point during the next few days when I am least busy. We'll have a long day ahead of us, so I suggest being ready by 6 am."

6 am?! "Can't you just tell me the day and I'll wake up early then?"

"I don't know when I'll be least busy, so just be prepared. You should be waking up so early everyday."

He sounds like Ivan, I wonder what exactly he considers to be a 'least busy' day. I've been here less than a week and between Mel's flirty nature, Prince Jun's advances, and now a bath with Lambert, I can't imagine what is to come next.

"Okay Mr. Lambert, I'll see you then."

He nods. "Good then. Be ready to keep up a swift pace."

Ivan is standing by the tub's edge now, a huge, fluffy towel on each arm. Lambert looks at Ivan, then back at me.

I look at Ivan as well. He looks like usual Ivan, seeming to have adjusted to the situation. I see nothing unusual about him. I look back at Lambert. "What?"

Lambert gestures towards the towels. "He has two towels."

I shrug. "So? You like drying off so much you need two towels, why point it out to me?"

Ivan shakes his head, and Lambert looks cross. "The bath is over. To take more time than is necessary is pointless. We shall get out now."

I lean back against the wall of the tub and instinctively cross my arms in front of my chest. Uh uh, no way I'm getting out with this man. I feel shyness overwhelm me. Perhaps this makes me a tease, but it was one thing to be covered by bath water and lotus blossoms, it's another to walk naked side by side.

Lambert crosses his arms as well. "How irritating. We bathe together, forge a skinship, and now you get shy? That is odd behavior, wouldn't you say?"

I keep my arms crossed. "Odd is an adjective used often to describe me, I take it as a compliment."

And I do.

"Suit yourself." He proceeds to get out of the tub. I look away. Not that I don't want to see what kind of ass accompanies those abs, it just seems rude after refusing to leave with him.

I hear servants fussing over him as he gets dressed. I still look away. Only after I hear the door shut and the clamoring go away do I look back. Ivan is still standing there with a towel.

"Oh Ivan, you didn't have to stay for my sake. I'm sure you have things to do, I don't wish to delay you."

Ivan keeps his straight posture. "My job for the next month is to make sure you learn all there is to know about palace life and this country. I'm pleased that you are a most eager learner, but you still must watch yourself. That display before the bath was most unladylike, certainly unlike any bath behavior I've seen before. I hope you do not intend to be that crass for the duration of your stay; it will not do."

Great. First I'm a commoner, now I'm unladylike and crass. He saw me in the tub yesterday, why is this so different? Besides, Mr. Lambert didn't care, why should he?

Maybe it's his comments, or maybe it's because I've talked to him the most and therefore feel more comfortable with him, but suddenly I feel the need to take some starch out of Ivan's shirt. If he can respect a harem, he can certainly respect me.

I stand up; my breasts fully visible with water dripping off them. I could easily move my hair forward to cover them, but why bother? Ivan's eyes go wide and his lips part slightly. Did he imagine anything like this each time he saw me in my nightie?

"What's wrong Ivan?" I ask, hands on my hips as I walk slowly towards him. "Is this not the very definition of being a lady? Why artists paint and musicians play? To try to capture the perfect moment of what soft curves and supple fruitfulness truly mean?"

Ivan is frozen, and is apparently having trouble swallowing again. I take one hand off my hips and slowly run the back of it down the side of my breasts. My hair trickles more water upon them. I keep walking.

"What is crass about a woman's form? It's the foundation of love, then family."

He doesn't move, and I'm getting closer to the tub's edge. I look up at him before stepping onto the exit steps. "You're so calm. You understand what I'm saying then."

He swallows, and takes a few steps back. "What red blooded man could be calm in a situation like this?"

A sassy smile crosses my lips. I slowly walk out of the tub. Once out, I make no attempt to get my towel. I stand there, strike my best supermodel pose, and stare.

Ivan either can't or won't look away still. I'm a bit surprised by his reactions. Surely nothing in this palace could possibly shock him, or render him speechless as he is now.

I'm rather enjoying myself, but it occurs to me I have to spend the month learning from this man. Maybe I should tone it down.

But before I can get modest, Ivan's face goes serious. He opens up the towel and throws it at me. I grab it before it can go into the tub. I wrap myself up in its comfort (god, this towel is decadent) and look at him. He does not look happy.

"Forgive my behavior Miss, but you cannot act like that. It is hard enough to be a man as it is, and it's even harder being around a woman who looks as you do now. Imagine if you continued this behavior in the halls! If this is the nature you enjoy, then perhaps you should have accepted His Majesty's offer."

I give him a sour look. It's clear he does not approve of the harem like I thought, but to be so insulting when all I'm doing is standing here? And why would I act like this in the halls? That makes no sense!

"That wasn't very nice. You know nothing about me, so to make that kind of statement is erroneous. I was simply getting out of a bath." Well, no, it wasn't that simple but that's not the point. "If nudity bothers you, then why stick around the bath? You could have just left me the towel."

He sighs. "Perhaps you're right. We are still getting to know each other. I've just never met a woman like you."

"And you never will again." I smirk, but I realize he has a point. I don't know him anymore than he knows me, and maybe I got a bit carried away. He is, after all, just trying to help.

"Okay, what say we call a truce and let bygones be bygones?" I ask, extending out a hand.

Ivan smiles and walks closer. "Truce." He replies, then takes my hand and kisses it. What a gentleman.

Couldn't help but tease Ivan, it's too much fun not to! And yes, I totally gave Lambert a shoe fetish, for no other reason than he seems like someone who would have one ;)