The Sinful Young Master

Chapter 11 Entering the bedchamber

Liliana told the chambermaids to help her wash her hair. Then her favourite bacon grease was applied. As she waited for her hair to soak the moisture in, Liliana sat on a stool and had her body rinsed with water mixed with flower petals.

Lilianaʼs hair was rinsed. As it was left free to dry, Liliana spent some time listening to her sisters, who were with her now. In the end, a laurel green gown with only somewhat loose sleeves was chosen. A plain leather belt was put around her waist. Then a black, voluminous, hooded cloak that hid all of her body and face was laid out.

Her now dry hair wasnʼt braided nor wrapped away. It was left alone to trail down her body. The cloak was put over her.

Liliana was escorted all the way to the entrance to Lorryllʼs bedchamber.

The cloak blinded her. She needed her maids to hold her hand and give her verbal instructions.

At the door, Liliana heard a guard say, ”Yes, heʼs waiting. His chamberboys have already left for the night.” He was referring to boy servants that kept Lorryllʼs quarters clean and helped him with dressing and grooming.

A guard knocked on the doors, or thatʼs what Liliana thought she heard. Someone answered from the other side.

It was one of the squires. ”Is Her Majesty here?”

The guard said yes. The creaking noise of doors opening rolled into Lilianaʼs ears.

A few footsteps moved past. The squireʼs voice came again. He sounded like he was in the hallway. ”His Majesty is alone inside.”

Liliana wanted to sarcastically remark, ”Oh? I thought he was on one of the roofs!” Instead, she said thank you in a little whisper. Her maid adjusted her hood to give her a bit more sight. Liliana was able to enter the space without tripping or walking into anything.

The doors were closed.

Liliana pulled the hood back.

Candlelight showed her many pretty things. Paintings, some of them portraits. Large tapestries.

Potted plants, including flowers. Lovely statues. A few standing suits of armour. Hanging shields and weapons, some of them far too encrusted with gems to be reasonable for combat. The colours were difficult to perceive accurately, but Liliana thought they were at least luxurious. Most fabrics seemed to be dark with accents of something bright. There was almost certainly some black.

She saw desks, tables, and chairs. Screens of paper, wood, or even cloth. Huge coffers and chests. A partially open set of doors led to what Liliana assumed was a balcony. She only saw a line of moonlight to give her a hint. She also assumed there were windows, but if there were, they were covered by thick and tall curtains. Her shoes met a few things. A richly tiled floor. A few bear skin rugs. Some rush mats are coated with sweet flower petals. Even some punched style rugs with complex designs.

It smelt like spring. It was pleasant.

Liliana put her bare fingers through and pulled one of the doors just enough to peek around. She found a balcony and outdoor furniture, but not much else.

Closing the doors, Liliana looked back. She couldnʼt even hear breathing. The air was uncomfortably still.

She walked over to a little round table that mightʼve served as a private dining table. It was covered with a long tablecloth with tassels lightly touching the floor. A scroll had been left on this table. She opened it and held it to a light. It seemed to be an old poem describing some battle from centuries ago. Fine. She closed the scroll and put it back on the table.

Around the screens, Liliana looked this way and that. Then she pulled up every curtain against a wall she could find. She confirmed that there were indeed windows. They were tall with clear panes.

After a time, Liliana stood near the bed with an annoyed little sigh.