To have and to hold

Dinner

The staff were busy with preparations for the dinner. They had so many flowers throughout the house, and a long dining table was placed in the great hall. It was lined with fifteen chairs and the table was decorated like a tea party. It was beautiful. I kept glancing at everything as I slowly made my way through the house. As I started up the stairs I could feel someone staring at me. I looked around and found Zentri’s eyes. He was standing at the top of the stairwell.

“Hello princess.” He gave me a half smirking smile.

“Zentri.” I moved passed him.

“Shall we get ready for dinner?” He asked like I had a choice.

“Yes let’s.” He followed me to my door.

I could smell his aroma close behind me it was a mixture between sandalwood and ginseng, earthy. I quietly shut the door my heart was racing as we locked eyes. Lord do I need to calm down. The maids were standing behind me, I jumped a little when I turned around.

“Pardon us princess, we’re here to help get you ready.” They bowed.

“Okay, but can we stop with the formality? We’re in my bedroom anyways what is your names?” They both looked at each other with worriment.

“I am Kenisha.” The shorter girl bowed.

“And I am Jade your highness.” The taller girl bowed.

“Okay Kenisha, Jade, I won’t deny the help this time, but I can get dressed myself.” I pointed at them.

“Yes understood.” Kenisha answered.

“I know this is new for you, but we’ve been serving to the royal families for years. We are actually part of a long line that serves, so just know that this is an honor for us it is not work.” Jade said as she motioned towards the bathroom.

“I get it, in the other house I had butlers and maids and James around but they never helped as much as you two do. I had my space so this is all a little overwhelming.” I tried to smile as I entered the bathroom.

They had a bath ready for me. It had bubbles and what looked like flower petals floating in it. I turned to look at Kenisha and Jade.

“Flowers?” I asked.

“Yes jasmine fresh from the garden.” Jade was preparing a towel for me.

“Ah okay.” I stood there awkwardly waiting for them to leave. “This is one of those ‘I can do by myself’ things ladies.” I nervously giggled and gestured for them to leave.

They both bowed and shut the double doors to the bathroom. I quickly got undressed and crawled into the tub. It was nice and hot and the smells from the flowers and oils they put into it was divine. I quickly washed my body but I couldn’t find shampoo for my hair.

“Crap.” I looked around by the sink but couldn’t find any.

“Umm, ladies where is the shampoo?” I asked through the door. I quickly ran back to the tub before either of them walked back in.

Jade entered first. “Are you ready to exit ma’am?”

She asked.

“No I need um shampoo to wash my hair.” I answered as I covered myself with the bubbles.

“Ah yes, let me assist you.” Jade walked over to the tub and kneeled down.

She motioned for me to turn around. I awkwardly did and her hands went immediately to my hair. Her tiny hands were massaging my scalp. It felt nice but man was this awkward. I could feel what I’m guessing was shampoo, being poured onto my hair as she worked it in. I just had to think about a salon…a naked salon, that’s it.

“Okay all done.” Jade stood up and Kenisha entered with a towel. They waited for me to stand and covered me. It made me feel like a kid again, when my mom would give me a bath. I felt embarrassed but I didn’t know why.

“Would you like your hair up or down this evening?” Kenisha asked.

“I’m not sure actually. Do you have what I am wearing already out? I think that will determine what I would like my hair to be.” I asked.

Jade moved slightly to the right and there on the bench by the bathroom mirrors was a beautiful black and red dress. It had a slit on the left side and what looked like a side window on the right. It was gorgeous.

“Up, most definitely up and maybe curly?” I asked.

They both smiled and had me sit by the mirrors.

They did their magic and me dress in no time. I was admiring myself in the mirror by the door when Jade opened the hallway door for me to exit. “Dinner will be served shortly, you should join your family in the main dining area.” They both bowed and waited for me to exit. I smiled as I slowly walked into the hallway. I deep breathe exited Zentri’s mouth when looked up.

“Wow.” His soldier stance loosened as he stared at me.

“Excuse me princess I apologize.” He bowed.

“It’s okay.” I giggled and felt the heat come to my face.

“You look different tonight.” I glanced over his attire. “A good different.” I smiled.

Now I could see the redness on his face.

“Shall we?” He offered his arm.

I wrapped my arm around his. We walked in silence down to the great hall doors. He stopped right before the archway.

“You ready?” He asked.

I tightened my grip on his arm.

“Do I have a choice?” I asked.

“Nope.” He answered with a chuckle.

We walked into the hall, the table was full of people. All talking and laughing together. It was nice to see. Zentri escorted me to the chair next to my mother, then walked out of the room. I watched him leave before I sat down. I must have had a confused look on my face.

“What’s wrong Jo?” My mother asked.

“Nothing I was just wondering why Zentri left that’s all.” I shook my head to let her know it’s fine.

“Oh honey he won’t be joining us for the dinner but he’ll be around.” She patted my arm.

The first course was served. It looked like roast but didn’t taste like it. I didn’t want to offend the staff that worked hard on the dinner so I chocked it down as much as I could. The conversations that was going on between most of the guests made no sense to me but I was too curious to not look around like I knew what was going on. There was a thin man sitting towards the end staring at me and I could feel his glare every once in a while.

“Johanna, how do you like the village so far?” The lady sitting across of me asked.

“Oh, I um…haven’t.” She startled me.

“This is the first official night for Johanna here so she hasn’t seen much, but she will.” My mom winked and smiled at me as she answered her.

“Oh well you will have to visit the main area of the town to have a good look.” The lady said.

“I would love to.” I smiled.

I reached for my glass of water when a soldier ran into the room to whisper something to my father.

“Ah…excuse me everyone…” my father stood up. “We will have to call this a night, looks like we have a guest here, so please finish up and excuse us.” He motioned for my mother and I to get up and follow.

“What’s going on?” I asked but no one answered.