VICTORIA SIGHED AND SANK into the warm water of her bath. Of course, she couldn’t sink very far—it was only a hip bath—but it felt like pure luxury all the same. She was in her old little room at the west wing of the castle, trying to suite herself by being alone.
A part of her complained about leaving Lukas in the Library, without making him go up the stairs as well. The room was only a few steps away from the library, which made it quite convenient for her ablutions. The water would have to be hauled away again after she was done, but Victoria had told the servants that the chore could wait until morning.
They could go to sleep, and she could wallow in the warm water without servants hovering impatiently.
She rested her neck on the high back of the tub and looked up at the ceiling. T
