A/N: Reminder: This story has been reverted back to the original version. Please see my profile for the revised version.
CHAPTER 3
Hitomi felt herself rousing and tried sinking back into the delicious heaviness of sleep. She distantly heard the familiar movements of a serving girl around her, but, gradually, she became aware of the strange scent of her very comfortable bed, as well as an unfortunate grittiness about herself. She stirred.
"Good evening, Your Majesty," came an unfamiliar female voice. "I hope you slept well. King Fanel instructed me to make you comfortable for your night's stay. I've set out tea and will start the bath now you're awake."
Hitomi jolted upright. She'd thought it had been one of her dreams again, but now she could almost feel the pressure of his hand on her shoulder when he'd asked her to stay. She took a breath to calm her racing heart as she pulled the curtains of the bed aside.
The maid had tidied while she slept. Hitomi recalled how cluttered it had been before, how it reminded her of the only time she'd been in his room back before it had burned. Van hadn't even bothered to make it presentable for her on their wedding night, but now he wanted his room here made comfortable for her. She felt incredibly grateful right then for habits formed in her upbringing that gave her grace in her astonishment. She straightened herself and asked the maid's name.
"Rena, your ladyship."
"Thank you, Rena. I would love a bath. Did you happen to bring tonics for my hair?"
"Yes your ladyship, I have a tray full. The king said to be prepared for it."
As Hitomi moved to the tea table by the window, she reflected on whether such considerations from her husband were rooted in his snobbishness as king or in a new and genuine concern for her. Without hesitation, he'd caught her when she'd fainted and then given her his bed to rest in—even though the bedding would need changing—and later, during their conversation, he never once gave any indication that he was disgusted by her travel-worn appearance. In fact, it was almost the opposite.
Then it had almost done her in when he'd taken her hand, kissed it—something he had done just once before when she had arrived in Fanelia for their wedding—and held it close to himself. It was an act she had come to expect from knights and courtiers, not her practical and indifferent husband Van Fanel, King of Fanelia.
It was yet another instance that contradicted the characteristic indifference she'd come to expect from him.
She breathed in the warm scent of her cinnamon-dusted tea. It reminded her of her husband's eyes and how very strangely warm they were when he was sitting on the bed with her today.
She allowed herself to admit that it was something she could get used to.
"Rena," she called, standing. "I'm ready for my bath."