190 The Privy

HELENA'S POV

"And you have company… different from whom you usually go with", the old man noticed with a pout. Levin seemed aloof at our presence, besides, we are invading his privacy anyway.

"I told you, these are my men. The new knights of Hesam", Stellan introduced. "We are accompanying Princess Helena of Nether to Caluso.", I was surprised how Stellan presented me to the merchant.

The old man took a hefty look at me from head to toe. I sure don't look like any close to a princess. "A princess, you say?", he said as he empty his cup of coffee. "Oh well, it's not everyday a paladin seeks a place to stay, and a… princess who'd sleep under my blankets. It could make a big fortune if I sell 'em he he he", he cackled in a harsh way as if unconvinced that I'm a royal.

"Honestly, there's one more important thing that I need to ask", Stellan abruptly said. Ottis and Atrius switched glances on Stellan and Levin, as they sip their brightly colored milk cup.

"I'll make you all a nice dinner first! My doors will be open until the sun pop in morning. And then, you all have to leave as discussed", Levin continued to be standoffish, despite the cheeriness. "You see, I am a very busy merchant", he stood up and headed to a small door in the kitchen area.

"Did you say dinner?", Jac who roused from a quick nap blurted out.

"Levin", Stellan called. In his resolution, I started to wonder how important it could be that we found ourselves here.

"You all look weary, and famished I suppose? Why don't you all take a rest for a bit. Feel snuggly in my home", Levin insisted. "There are rooms upstairs, well it's just two. Freshen up, keep warm and I'll have the food ready. Yes?", he then left us with nothing but a loud slam on the door.

Stellan was defeated with Levin's persistence. I guess we were led here not by coincidence, and I ponder why. Jac, Atrius and Ottis took the room in the east side of the tree. I heard it was a storage for food, bottles of liquor, jars of herbs, and all other functional things for trading. Of course no one would complain to sleep there. Jac giggled in delight when he discovered that he'll sleep beside heaps of food. Umbriel stayed asleep on the floor by the fireplace, where it's comfortably warm and cozy. We didn't wake him as Stellan and I moved to other room.

Stellan took me in the room at the west side of the treehouse. Checking the beautifully carved wooden closets, windows with forest fronds gossamer curtains, and the bed covered in purple silk, I assume he's probing if the room is completely inviolable. He placed the candle on the side table, lighting the entire cozy room of various intriguing things in very vibrant colors.

The room is understandably the only decent bedroom in this woodnest. Consistently, there were a collection of nicely carved wooden cabinets everywhere with embedded ivory leaves. My eyes were full with all the figurines and vases displayed on a wall mounted shelf. The large ones are scattered in the room, filling every corner over embellished. The floor is covered with fur - black, white and brown… all from a bear. There were different sizes of amulets on the small table, with rare colored gems I've never seen in my entire life. Then, what caught my eye is my reflection on the floor lenght mirror leaning against the wall.

This is me now.

How fast could the change be?

Suddenly, a hard knock on the door was heard. Stellan opened it and found Levin in a nice change of clothes of bright green kirtle and a matching wide brimmed hat. "The hot bath for the princess is ready. Hurry before it gets cold", Levin uttered with a soft giggle. He led us on a wooden stair attached on the tree, to a separate privy room in the lower floor.

"I'll take it from here", Stellan said as Levin left without a word. What an uncanny old man.

The privy was surrounded by different essential oils in apothecary jars, more flagon of herbs and an amphora of red to pink rose petals. I never thought that bathing could be this vain. By the small window, there was a small wash basin, and a wooden tub full of warm water, swarming with red rose petals floating all over. I could smell a strong scent of peppermint too immersed in the water. As I turn around, Stellan have already shut the door close, as he hang the lamp on a higher hook.

"Are you.. going to stay here?", I asked as I blink my eyes several times.

"This is a house full of men and you expect me to leave you in the bath, in that small tub, naked? Please", he said casually with distinct harshness and certainty.

"But… I did lived in a castle full of men before", I answered which made those thick brows of his knit even more.

"Just.. just do what you have to do and, act like I'm not here", he turned around with his arms crossed and decisively stood by the door.

I guess I won't win against this paladin tonight. So, I just took off my clothes one at a time, while I watch Stellan's broad back. He isn't really entirely moving, not even a single peek or scratch. As soon as I remove the last piece of clothing covering my womanhood, I slowly dipped myself in the nice tub of warm water. "Ahhh", I said audibly as I covered my mouth.

Soaked in the soothing minty water, I washed my long tangled hair and scrubbed my pale skin in the slippery water. The tub is just enough for me to fit in, but still too small to make big movements. Each time I lift my arms and legs to rub soap on them, I'd make big splashes of water all around. What a silent luxury to have.

Stellan still didn't moved an inch.

He remained absolutely still like a statue, keeping an eye on that shut door. It's like he was completely unbothered with me being naked right behind him. Well, who would be very interested to a woman with a bizarre identity? How could he look me in the eye and touch the body of a different woman, right? Quietly, I pulled myself out of the tub, wiped all the dripping water on my skin and squeezed my longer dampen hair. I wrapped my body with a clean white towel, clearing my throat.

"All done?", Stellan uttered without looking back.