"Yes, your bedchambers, Lady Elara," he repeated. "Unless you would otherwise prefer us sleeping here," he said, pointing at the hall. And oh no, Evie thought, trying to control her shaking hands as she noticed the look of glee on his face. She realised her fear had greatly stoked his mood. It would be so easy to treat this as a one-night stand, but with the plans she had and the era she was in, she absolutely needed to keep her first night intact. But with no option, she led the way absentmindedly.
Once they got to the bedchamber, the Emperor sat on the bed comfortably while Evie sat on the couch next to it. Silence stretched between them; all she could hear was the sound of crickets outside. "Go ask the maids to fill the bathtub. I understand you were just a maid with no knowledge of the palace and its rules, but I expected you to know that much," he sneered. Evie rolled her eyes, standing up and heading to the door. Not that many candles were lit, and he didn't see that.
She opened the door to find dozens of maids standing outside, including Hillary, whom she had forbidden from coming back to her pavilion. But right then, she didn't have the time to quibble with her, so she turned to Lila. "Where is Helga?" she asked. "She went to get hot water to fill the bathtub, Your Highness," she said. Evie nodded and saw Helga with groups of her new Moonlight Pavilion maids carrying buckets of steaming water.
She let them in and went back to find the Emperor still sitting in his position. "The water is here, Your Highness," she said as she sat on the couch. "I have eyes; I can see that," he replied. So childish, she thought, and went quiet. Her heart was beating in her ears as her mind went into overdrive, trying to come up with how to get out of her dilemma.
"Your Highness, the bathtub is set," Helga said, bowing. "We will withdraw now," she added, walking backwards until she reached the door and exited. Evie heard shuffling behind her and looked to see the Emperor stand up and stare at her. She stared back in confusion, and he sighed, pointing to his robe. "Do I need to tell you everything, Lady Elara, or do you want me to send a matron here tomorrow to teach you about the ways of the palace?" "Apologies," Evie said as she jumped to her feet and went close to him.
She stood before him and raised her shaking hand. She didn't know how to do it, as the clothes in this era were completely different, but she started by opening the belt tied over the robe. She tried a few ways before it clicked, and he sighed in relief, putting it on the couch. She could feel his eyes trained on her, but she had no time to feel embarrassed as she moved to the flowy robe. Just as she was about to remove it, they heard a knock on the door, and Evie withdrew her hands quickly as if she had touched a hot coal.
"Come in," the Emperor said, his loud voice laced with irritation. She flinched, moving back, and saw him about to take a step towards her, but he put his foot down, and they both looked at the door.
Hillary strutted through the bedchambers and bowed, reaching close to them. "What is it?" the Emperor said with impatience, surprising both women. "Your Highness, I came to help you with your bath," Hillary said, still bowing. "Did I ask for your help?" he snapped, and Hillary went to her knees quickly. "No, Your Royal Highness." "Do you help me with my bath in Rose Pavilion or Phoenix Pavilion?" he questioned, his eyes trained on Evie. "No, Your Royal Highness," she said. "Go to the Grand Chamberlain tomorrow and relearn the rules. Now, out," he commanded. Hillary scrambled to her feet and exited the bedchambers.
"Continue," he said, looking at Evie. Evie proceeded to take off his outer robe. "Are you not angry?" he asked as Evie's hand stopped over the fitted tunic. "Why should I be angry, Your Royal Highness?" she said, and the room turned silent. "We don't have all night. Finish," he said angrily. Why is he angry now? Evie thought as she took the tunic and went on her tiptoes, trying to remove it, but failed, as he was so much taller than she. "Useless," he muttered as he removed the tunic himself, exposing his bare chest.
His abs were well-toned, and his skin was bronze, totally different from James Hayden, who had a far smaller build and was paler. Her cheeks and the back of her neck heated, and her memories from the night she regretted the most but was unable to forget resurfaced.
Evie stood next to the dressing mirror, looking at the Emperor standing in the middle of the room, wearing only his tunic and trousers, his hair now draped down his muscular back. He looked majestic. She touched her hot cheeks and moved back to him. One sheep, two sheep, three sheep, she counted in her mind, trying to distract herself from the situation.
"Here," he crouched to her level and pointed to his crown. He was smirking, far different from the angry man of just a moment ago. Is he bipolar? Evie thought as she removed the crown and placed it on the dressing mirror.
"Go where, Your Royal Highness?" she said, looking at him, confused. "To the bathing room. Where else?" he replied. "Who is going to help me with my bath? Hillary?" he asked, moving closer to her. "You also need to take a bath, so why not take one together?" he added.
Eighty sheep, eighty-one sheep Evie's count increased in her mind.
"Here you go," he said, handing her a signet ring, a neck chain, and a brooch. "Follow me," he added, walking to the bathroom as Evie stood there, gobsmacked.