Chapter 6: There's a First Time for Everything

Saffron's blue eyes grew wider as she was swept into the palace. The polished marble floors shone brightly under the myriad of candles glowing in the large chandeliers overhead. People rushed everywhere, servants in their neat robes, soldiers in their pressed uniforms, and nobles in their finest dress. Panic began to grow beneath her ribs as everyone turned to peer at her as she walked alongside Elric, terribly aware of her torn dress beneath the cape.

"I just need to speak with Verita about making sure your rooms are ready. You weren't exactly expected so I want to make sure that the room isn't buried underneath a century of dust," Elric murmured into her ear. Saffron clutched at his arm, her fingers digging into his sleeve. She suddenly felt very alone amongst all of the people swirling around them.

Elric led her down the large hallway. Saffron gazed up at the soaring cathedral styled ceilings. She had only ever seen the castle from a distance and now she was in its depths. It was built from heavy stones, but the inside had been whitewashed to give it a brighter appearance. The walls were adorned with portraits of the royal family dating back generations. Saffron didn't have time to appreciate them as Elric opened a giant wooden door to their right.

It was a parlor, but it was the grandest parlor that Saffron had ever stepped foot in. The floor was made of dark gleaming wooden planks, draped in large ornamental rugs that squished pleasantly beneath her shoes. The hearth sat across from them, taking up most of the far wall. Saffron figured that a grown adult could stand inside of it without trouble. The thought bothered her as she passed in front of it.

A large bank of windows lined the other wall where she was sat on a low, plush sofa. She marveled at the soft fabric as it sank beneath her weight. Elric sat next to her and gave her a small smile.

"Are you alright? You're rather pale," he asked her, teasing. She gave him a scornful look.

"I'm always pale. The sun barely shines in Gilramore," she retorted. He laughed and squeezed her knee slightly. The door opened and an older woman walked in. Elric stood as she approached. Her steel-grey hair was pulled back into a severe bun that matched the grim expression on her face. Her eyes were narrowed, and her mouth pressed into an unforgiving line. Saffron didn't think this woman had ever smiled a day in her life. She wore a simple dark violet dress underneath a neat grey apron. She stopped in front of them and clasped her hands, frowning at Saffron before looking towards Elric. She bobbed her head once.

"Elric, I was told you had returned. I was not however informed of your…guest," her voice was as grim as her face as she looked towards Saffron, who had awkwardly stood half hiding behind Elric.

"Yes, Verita. This is my fiancée, Saffron," Elric said with a broad smile and looked down at her. The woman's thick grey eyebrows rose in surprise. Her black eyes took in Saffron: her bedraggled hair hanging from its limp braid, the cape she was clutching around her torn dress, and her boots which were covered in a thick layer of muck.

"She will need rooms until we are married. Can that be arranged?" he asked, pulling her attention from Saffron. Her eyes lingered on the strange girl in front of her before they went back to him.

"Yes, we have rooms that will suffice for the time being. I'm sure your father will want to speak with you. You'll want to change I am sure," she stated, sneering slightly at Saffron. Saffron nodded and clutched the cape tighter around her.

"I'll show her to her rooms. You should probably go speak with your father," Verita said dismissively. "Come, girl." She swept out of the room and Saffron shot Elric a frightened look.

He reached out and squeezed her hand. "I'll come to find you as soon as I am done speaking with my father. I promise." He placed a small kiss on her cheek, his stubbled beard brushing against her soft skin. It sent a foreign shiver of pleasure through her.

"You better hurry. She is fast for an old woman," he said with a laugh and pushed her gently forward. With a long look back at him, she hurried from the room.

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Verita was waiting impatiently for Saffron just outside of the door. As soon as Saffron appeared, the woman spun on her heel and continued walking down the hall. Saffron had to nearly run to keep up. She led her to a grand staircase that Saffron had barely noticed when she first arrived in the castle. It was a thing of beauty. It curved down from a large balcony in a sinuous bend. The deep oak banister was polished to a shine, the end of it carved into an intricate bear's head.

Saffron followed the unfriendly woman up the twisting staircase and stared up at the large, silken banners that hung from the ceiling. On them, they bore the Arkadios crest: a large brown bear standing atop a hill, a coronet rests upon its head and a heraldic rose is crossed with a sword underneath it. Saffron found it garish and uncomfortable. She averted her eyes and was surprised to see that they have already left the steps and instead have started down the left hallway.

Windows flash past them as they walk down the less ornamental hallway. Instead of marble, these floors are simple wooden planks, however, still polished as below. Verita led her to the last door on the left. The door was taller than Saffron by nearly three feet and curved into a simple arch. An ornate knob was set into the center of it. Verita twisted it and pushed open the door, gesturing for Saffron to follow.

She stifled a gasp as she crossed the threshold. She had been expecting a simple bedchamber. Instead, she had three rooms! They were in the sitting room which was bedecked in a rose-colored sofa and two armchairs placed in front of the hearth. In the corner was a writing desk and in front of her, a large wall of windows that overlooked the forest.

"Your bed-chamber and bathing quarters are beyond there. I will have your lady in waiting bring you some hot water for your bath. I believe we have a few dresses that should fit you. Tomorrow, we will have you measured for more appropriate attire, although I am not convinced you will be here long. I'll return shortly to collect you for your meeting with the King," with a sneer, she closed the door behind her.

Saffron was astonished by the woman's cruel words and menacing smile. She knew that it could be strange for her being here, but she never considered that she would be…unwanted. Well, there was nothing she could do about it at this moment. A light knock sounded on the door and a young woman stepped in. She curtseyed to Saffron once and turned to lug in two large buckets of steaming water.

Saffron followed her into the bathroom. There was a large, gilded tub that was set in the center of the room. A narrow window looked out over the same forest as the sitting room. The maid emptied the steaming water into the tub and added a large dollop of rose-scented oil.

"Do you need help washing miss?" she asked, her voice low and quiet.

"No thank you," Saffron replied, feeling strange.

"Very well miss. I'll have your dress laid out and I'll return to help you dress," with another curtesy the girl was gone. Saffron tugged off her ruined dress and cape and sank into the hot water. She instantly felt the weariness of the day melt away into the fragrant water.

She reached over and grabbed the lump of soap from the side table. It smelled of roses as well. Saffron wondered how soon this scent would begin to give her a headache. She had never enjoyed the heady perfume of these delicate blooms.

She wanted to linger in the tub but figured that would be unwise, so she bathed quickly. There was a soft pink robe left for her that she wrapped around her body. With her hair dripping down her back, she walked into her bed-chamber for the first time. The bed was large; nearly five people could lay in it comfortably. The frame was made from a rich, dark wood with carved posts that rose to a pink canopy. She realized the entire room was done in the same shade of pink. It nearly felt as if it were a child's room, despite the oversized furniture.

She pressed onto the bed; it was soft. How she ached to lay upon it and sleep. Instead, she saw the dress laid out across the bottom. Surprisingly, it was a soft yellow. She had expected it to be pink based on the overwhelming amount of the hue in her rooms. She picked it up and looked at it, a bemused expression on her face. Underneath it lay underclothes, a petticoat, and a corset. She had never before worn a corset and stood staring at the dangerous-looking contraption.

A knock sounded on the door. Clothed in only her robe, she pulled it open. Elric stood leaning against the frame, freshly washed and clothed in a more formal black doublet and pants. His eyes widened at the state of her undress. The robe clung to her damp body, hugging tightly to her soft curves. His eyes lingered on her unbound breasts before climbing to her face.

What she saw in them made her face heat. She had never seen a man look at her with such naked desire. She felt the foreign finger of desire pulse deeply within her.

"Sorry, I thought you were the maid coming back," she said, her face a deep pink. Elric cleared his throat, a bashful smile on his face.

"I was just coming to check on you. I believe I saw your lady in waiting in the kitchen gossiping with the others. I have a feeling she will still be down there for a few moments," he replied, gazing past her into the room.

Saffron didn't know what to do. She knew that it was improper to let him in, in her current state but he was a prince. Were there different rules here? Did she care?

"You are welcome to come in," she said and stood back from the door, making sure to give him a wide berth. His eyes widened in surprise at the invitation.

"Are you sure?" he asked and looked down the empty hall. She shrugged.

"It is your house." She replied and crossed her arms over her chest. With a smile, he stepped in a closed the door.

"How are you finding your rooms?" he asked and walked towards the large window.

"They are wonderful. The dress I could do without," she quipped from the other room.

"Oh? And why is that?" he said and walked hesitantly towards the door of her sleeping chamber. She stood holding a large frilly yellow dress with a scornful look on her face, in her other hand was a bone-white corset.

"This. I haven't any idea how to wriggle myself into this device. It looks as if it is meant to crush a woman to death." She said and held it out. He laughed heartily at the terrified look on her face.

"I do believe it is meant to do exactly that," he said, still chuckling. She threw him a dark look.

"I would assume that maid…or lady in waiting as you called her, was supposed to help me into this? Until she returns I am trapped in this," she gestured at the robe. It took all of his willpower to not trace her body with his eyes.

"You know…I could help you. You cannot tighten it yourself," he said, his own cheeks now ruddy. Her entire body felt aflame as she imagined his fingers on her skin. But she couldn't wait for the silly girl to get back up here. She was expected to meet the king and she bloody well couldn't meet him in a dressing gown. With her cheeks burning she met his eyes.

"Very well. Give me a moment," she stepped behind the dressing screen and pulled on her underclothes. Fully aware of her exposed skin she stepped out and watched Elric's face. His eyes slowly darkened as they took in her bare, pale legs and flat white stomach. He swallowed hard as he saw her dark pink nipples beneath her chemise.

"Well, come on. This is humiliating enough," she snapped and held the corset out to him.

"Right," he said and walked to her. He wrapped the fabric around her waist and snapped up the back, his fingers trailing along her delicate skin. He watched as bumps rippled across her flesh at the touch of his fingertips. He leaned closer, taking in the scent of her. She leaned slightly back into him, her own skin burning with his touch.

He murmured her name and she turned to look at him over her shoulder. How she craved to touch his lips with hers. She had only been kissed a few times before by fumbling village boys but Elric was more experienced, she assumed. He looked like a much more capable kisser.

He leaned down and kissed her, pressing his full lips against hers. Her body shook with the sensation of him against her. A dormant desire roared to life inside of her. She wanted more. She wanted him. With a small moan, she twisted until she was pushed against his chest. His hands skimmed her waist and she kissed him deeper, her tongue thrust into his mouth.

He kissed her back hungrily. She tasted of roses, fresh air, and something earthy he couldn't identify. He was taken back by the power of her kiss. He had kissed many women in his time but none that made him feel quite like this. He pressed her into the bedpost, holding her body hostage between hers and it. Elric knew they should stop. He hadn't come in here for this but could he walk away?