Chapter 55: Embarrassment

It was easier sneaking out than back in. Two sopping wet people left twin trails of water anywhere they went.

Al urged me forward by putting an arm around my back and pulling me with him after checking around corners to see if the coast was clear because I was still in a bit of a daze. Going out in frigid rain wasn't my best idea.

One of the servants that worked in Al's wing of the palace spotted us near the entrance of our bedroom and gaped at our sorry state.

Al gave no explanation. "Prepare two baths."

"Yes, Your Highness," the maid said with a low curtsy before scurrying off to boil water.

Inside our room, Al hung our cloaks to dry and grabbed me by the shoulders before parking me in front of the fire.

I stripped off my damp stockings and wrung out the hem of my dress as best I could.

What I wouldn't give in that moment to be able to change into a warm, fleecy pair of pajama pants, fuzzy socks, and a sweatshirt.

"Here," he said as he gingerly placed a blanket around my shoulders.

It was nice to have something dry so I shot him a grateful smile.

I moved my wet hair so it was on top of the blanket rather than sticking to my skin and gazed into the embers until a maid announced that the baths were ready.

"Uh…"

I stared at the dual bathtubs in this country's version of a bathroom that was connected to the bedroom by a door. Why were there two? There had only been one before!

"His Highness ordered two baths so we brought in a second bathtub, Your Highness," the maid said simply.

Ah. Since getting married we had always bathed at different times of day so there was no need for more than one tub. Did she really not see any problem with this though?!

"Everybody out," I ordered flatly.

"But Your Highness—"

"Out!"

Normally the maids insisted on helping me bathe but there was no way I would let them today. Not while Al was here.

My face was redder than the Flamin' Hot Cheetos I used to eat while studying for exams late at night to keep me awake.

I buried my face in my hands. "You're laughing at me, aren't you."

"No," he said while clearly straining not to laugh.

Half a second later he couldn't take it anymore and cracked up so hard he had to hold his stomach for support. "Your—face—!"

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," I muttered bitterly.

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He was having way too much fun at my expense. I was a pitiful sight, red-faced and pouting while looking like a drowned rat from the rain.

When he finally managed to get a hold of himself he held up a hand.

"Sorry. I had no idea they would put the bathtubs so close together. Why don't we just face each other back to back? I promise I won't embarrass you by looking."

I wanted to sink into the floor but the way the tubs were situated about a foot apart from end to end, his plan should work.

"Fine. But you're getting in first. Tell me when you're in."

The bubbles were at least five inches thick so we should be safe but this was still easily the most mortifying thing that had ever happened to me.

Squeezing my eyes shut tightly, I covered them and turned around for good measure and didn't open them until after I heard the splash from Al settling into the water.

"You're clear, Katie."

Keeping my eyes on the back of his head the whole time to make sure he wasn't looking, I stripped faster than I ever had in my life and jumped into the tub.

I couldn't tell if the water or the embarrassment was warming my body but I definitely wasn't cold anymore.

If I were alone I would have enjoyed the heat of the water and let it soak into my bones but as it was I wanted out of this situation as quickly as humanly possible.

With this much hair it was a near impossible task to shampoo and detangle it all on my own. I wanted to cut it but the countess had never let me. Once I left the palace I planned to chop it to my shoulders like I always wore it back home.

Al was quiet—was he already done?—but I was still splashing around trying to deal with my hair.

"I'm going to get out now. Um…do you need anything?"

"A hole to crawl into and die," I mumbled into the bubbles.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. Just go."

I sunk as low as possible beneath the bubbles to hide my shame but my knees still poked out a tiny bit.

This was the biggest bathtub I had ever been in and it still couldn't completely cover my knees! Was this a universal problem or what?!

When I opened my eyes again Al was gone. I hoped I could finally relax and enjoy the hot water but I was still too embarrassed so I got out as soon as my hair was done and hastily tied the thick fleece robe around myself.

This material…it reminded me of my fuzzy pajama pants back home. Could I find someone to make pants out of this?

I didn't want to wear nightdresses for the rest of my life. I would have to ask in town when I asked about sweaters.

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