Chapter 8

The servant said goodbye with a short bow and left the room. Lyana used the free time to throw herself on the big soft bed. It felt heavenly to be lying there. Even though it was only one night she had spent in his dungeon.

Surrounded by the soft feather pillows and blankets, she noticed how tired she was and within a very short time she was fast asleep.

Only a loud knock on the door startled her from her sleep. "Come in," she called loudly and climbed

out of bed, yawning.

The one who disturbed her sleep was a young woman who curtsied and introduced herself. "My

name is Alisen. I am your personal maid."

A personal maid? Had Lyana just misheard? "King Ulric has appointed you as my maid?"

Alisen nodded. "Yes, Your Royal Highness."

It was getting crazier and crazier. First this beautiful room and now her own maid.

"Dinner will be served soon. We should use the time and bathe you. "Alisen immediately began her

duties, while Lyana was still trying to understand all of this. Without saying anything, she allowed

herself to be led into the adjoining room and towards the tub. Her new maid prepared the water and

undressed Lyana. When everything was ready, the princess stepped into the warm water. It was a

wonderful feeling. In the whole castle it was colder than she was used to, so the warm water was a

real treat.

"You have really beautiful hair," complimented Alisen her. Lyana had already noticed that her golden blonde hair seemed to be a rarity here. Everyone else, including the king, had dark brown hair. "Thank you."

Suddenly she felt the maid flinch. "Everything okay?"

"Your ... your neck, Your Royal Highness. There is a mark."

A mark? Lost in thought, she grabbed her neck. Then she remembered. The forest! King Ulric had

grabbed her by the neck and picked her up. The pain from it was barely noticeable by now, so she

hadn't thought about it any longer. "It's okay, it doesn't hurt anymore." Lyana preferred to spare the

information that her own king had done this to her.

But judging by her guilty look she already suspected who was responsible for it.

Lyana grabbed her hand and looked at her intently. "I'm not made out of glass. I'm fine."

Alisen swallowed hard and then nodded. She helped the princess out of the water and dried her off.

Lyana wanted to reach for her dress, but her new maid stopped her. "Not this one, Your Royal

Highness. The dress is very dirty and torn."

"But what should I wear then?" After all, it was difficult for her to enter the dining room in a coat only.

"His Majesty has already had the clothes of the previous queen adapted for you. He even had a

tailor fetched for it."

Lyana looked at her in disbelief. "Does that mean the king was up this early because he had a tailor

fetched to give me something to wear?"

The maid suddenly looked insecure. "Didn't he tell you anything about it?"

As if this man talked a lot. "He said he was out hunting this morning." The maid's look was now

frightened. She must have understood that she had given too much away, so Lyana quickly calmed

her down. "Do not worry. I won't tell your king about it."

Her maid smiled gratefully at her. She finally took out a selection of clothes from the closet in her room. In contrast to Lyanas simple riding dress, these were of much higher quality and looked extremely noble. She carefully stroked the clothes. "Will your king be attending dinner?" She asked without thinking too much.

"Unfortunately I do not know."

The Sun Princess looked at the dresses again, her gaze fixed on the blue dress with pearls. The color

reminded her of the king's eyes. "This one here."

Alison curtsied slightly and hung the other clothes back in the closet. Then she helped Lyana into

the dress, braided her hair and pinned it up. Although the princess protested at first, the maid decorated the braids with a few pearls that looked very similar to the one on the dress.

Lyana looked at herself admiringly in the mirror. The young woman was really talented. Not even

Hadia could conjure up such beautiful hairstyles.

"If you want to, we can cover the mark on your neck with a chain or a piece of lace," suggested

Alisen cautiously, but Lyana just shook her head. "No. There is no reason for that." The king had caused it to frighten her. She wasn't going to hide it and give him even more power over her.

"At least wear a cape. You're definitely not used to the cold." Alisen took out a long white fur cape

and put it around her shoulders.

"He's beautiful." Admiringly, Lyana stroked the soft fur.

"That was the queen's favorite cape. It would be a shame if it were no longer worn," the maid

explained to her.

Now Lyana felt ready to go into the dining room. The servant who had already brought her to her

rooms was again at the door to accompany her.

When King Ulric had told her that she could never cross the castle alone, he really meant it. But

after being treated so well, she accepted it with pleasure. After all, she couldn't forget that she was

still a prisoner.