Rose fell silent, her lips parting and closing as if in disbelief. Those words alone told her that Zethan knew about her lies. Then why had he played along, making her look like a fool? Her face flushed with embarrassment, a light pink tint creeping into her cheeks. Without a word, he stood up and walked into the bathroom, leaving her in silence.
*
*
*
Rose stood in front of the mirror, as usual, while the maid helped her with the rest of her gown. Her blonde hair flowed down her back, and she wore a dark blue dress for breakfast with the king.
Then the maid spoke, "Queen Roselina, the head maid is wondering why you don't want anyone to bathe you."
Rose fell silent for a moment. She wasn't used to such customs. The idea that maids bathed princesses and queens didn't sit right with her—it made no sense. How could grown women, royalty even, be treated like children in that way? What kind of rule was that?
