This is actual madness.

Seren turned the key in the lock, thankful to be alone at last, her mind spinning as she slumped against the closed door. Her thoughts were a nervous jumble, her body on the brink of exhaustion.

Seren's eyes flicked slowly across the room, still unable to believe that it was hers, even if only for a few nights.

Much better than a bedroll on the floor. The thought ran across her mind before she could stop it.

Seren shook her head, blinking hard.

Let's not get carried away. You're here for a reason after all, and then you're gone.

And you aren't coming back.

Again, her thoughts drifted to Cullen but Seren dismissed them, reminding herself that her worry for him was ridiculous and unnecessary. Still, she knew seeing him at the ball, safe and well, would be her greatest comfort.

Seren untied the cloak from her shoulders, the fabric heavy with water, and hung it over the back of the dressing table chair. She caught her reflection in the mirror. Her hair hung limply, water dripping from the loose curls around her face. In places, flecks of mud splattered her cheeks and forehead, no doubt kicked up by the guards' horses during the ride from the crossroads.

Ahhh, no wonder she sent us for a bath.

Her saddlebag had been placed on her bed, assumedly brought up by a servant while Seren was being shown around, awaiting the allusive Grandmother who was still yet to show her face. Seren pulled out the few belongings she had brought with her, a couple of spare shirts and breeches, socks and underwear, placing them in neat piles on the end of the bed. She was relieved to find that everything was still dry, the leather having kept the rain out.

Seren glanced at the wardrobes wondering if they would mind her using one. It was unlikely anyone would so she moved over to them, pulling open the heavy wooden doors. But they were full to the brim with fine dresses; gowns in every colour, in every fabric, hanging in all their glory.

Musty dresses…

A horrible thought crossed Seren's mind. Immediately, she rejected it and closed the doors, encasing the forgotten fabrics in their wooden tomb once more.

Other than the way she had entered and the glass doors out onto the balcony, there was only one other door. Deciding to investigate, Seren crossed the room, half expecting to find it locked. But it wasn't.

The small room beyond was humid, with a metal bath stood in the centre full of steaming hot water. It was a pleasant surprise, the warm haze instantly bringing relief to her aching bones. She closed the door again, silently thanking whoever had made up her bath.

Seren placed her weapons on the bed, before removing her armour and boots. With no stand to hold it and the metalwork still damp from the ride, Seren lay her armour out on the floor by the fireplace.

I suppose not many guests dress in full armour when they come to stay…

She rolled her eyes, smiling to herself as she slipped out of her clothes, the sodden fabric falling into a lump on the rug. Returning to the dressing room, the last thing Seren had been expecting was to find was a maid topping up the bath with hot water from a copper kettle.

"Shit!" Her limbs automatically reached to cover herself while the young woman visibly jumped, the kettle with her, hot water spilling over the tiled floor.

"I'm so sorry my lady!" The startled maid exclaimed. "I'll have this cleared up in a minute I promise. I'm so sorry…" She dropped to her knees and started to dry the floor, mopping up the water with the fabric of her dress.

"No, no it's fine! I just hadn't been expecting anyone to be in here." The flustered maid kept mumbling her apologies, deaf to Seren's attempts to console her.

In the corner of her eye, Seren noticed a couple of towels lain out on a sideboard. Without thinking she wrapped herself in the first, then grabbed the spare to assist the maid. "Here let me help."

"Oh no, my lady. It is my fault. You shouldn't…"

"Well I'm going to anyway." Seren interrupted as she knelt down and dropped the extra towel over the pool of water, smiling kindly. "I'm stubborn like that." The maid nervously smiled back. "What's your name?"

"Lilly my lady. I'm your lady's maid…" The sentence trailed off with Lilly unable to make eye contact.

"I guessed. It's nice to meet you Lilly. I'm Seren."

"Yes my lady. A pleasure to meet you too." Lilly's voice was barely audible, her hands still shaking.

"I'm sorry if I frightened you Lilly. I'm still new to this, all of this." Seren made a rounded gesture with her hands. Then she smirked. "Plus I haven't had someone fill a bath for me since I was a child."

"Of course my lady. Would you prefer if I stepped outside?"

"If that's alright." Seren replied gratefully as she got to her feet, dusting herself off. "I promise not to drown while you're gone."

Lilly giggled nervously as she stood, before saying "There's soap and rose petals for you to use. If you need any more hot water just let me know my lady."

"Thank you." Seren smiled

"I will help you dress once you are ready my lady." The maid curtsied and turned to leave. The Lieutenant frowned.

It can't hurt to ask right?

Seren sighed. "Lilly?" The maid hesitated. "Please could you call me Seren?"

Lilly's expression became uneasy, clearly uncomfortable with the suggestion. "It's not really standard practise…"

Seren nodded, racking her brain for something more acceptable. 'My lady' was already getting to her. "Then Lieutenant? Please? Anything is better than 'my lady'."

"If you'd prefer it my… Lieutenant." Lilly tested it nervously, as if unsure she was saying it right.

"I would. Thank you Lilly."

"Of course… Lieutenant." Lilly curtsied once more then left.

Finally alone, Seren threw a handful of rose petals into the water, let her towel drop to the floor and stepped into the bath, relaxing completely for the first time that day.