Ruins And Royalty

Unfortunately Eventful- Chp 5 Part 2

Annoyance radiated from me as I stormed down the royal hallway. Dirt still clung stubbornly to my skin and clothes, but it was the events of earlier that burned far deeper. Never had I felt so humiliated... and by magic, of all things. After that display, how could Sir Damos possibly expect me to accept his offer to train with the enchanted Chakrams?

Passing through a marble archway, I walked between towering, intricately carved columns adorned with lush greenery, the scent of nature faint in the air. The path led me to the men’s Royal Bathhouse. Inside, my gaze was met with a soaring ceiling supported by stately columns, each decorated with delicate painted details. A rectangular opening high above allowed midday sunlight to flood the space, illuminating the massive thermae bath below. Its mosaic floor, a swirling pattern of blue and white tiles, shimmered under the sun’s rays. Potted palms were arranged thoughtfully around the room, and embroidered seating pillows were scattered across the floor, inviting conversation. Intricate carvings adorned the walls, tying together the grandeur and opulence of the bathhouse.

The bathhouse was empty, a quiet sanctuary since I was the first to arrive and the first to leave the arena. I made my way to the changing room, quickly shedding my armor and slipping into a comfortable, absolutely nothing. Eagerly, I returned to the warm, crystal-clear cyan water, steam curling lazily from its surface. A servant pulled back the sheer white curtains, tying them neatly to the marble columns at each corner of the bath.

I descended the smooth stone steps slowly, letting the warmth of the water embrace my skin. As I pushed off the last step, I swam to the far side, finally allowing myself a moment of stillness. Leaning back against the bath wall, my arms resting on the edge above the water, I drew a long breath through my nose and exhaled through my mouth, letting the calmness seep into me.

For a while, I simply closed my eyes, letting the tranquility wash over me. I savored the quiet, knowing it wouldn’t last long. Royals rarely respected solitude. Bathhouses were a cornerstone of daily life across all social classes in Pandora: spaces for leisure, healing, and recovery after combat or sporting events.

This was one of the palace’s many private baths, reserved for its owners and select guests, but with the rest of Pandora’s royals now in Emperos, these private sanctuaries were no longer entirely mine.

The laughter and chatter drifting from the hallway reached my ears first, followed by the stampede of bodies splashing into the bath. My peace vanished as the water churned and rippled around me. I carefully made my way around the central platform: two marble columns framing a statue of a nude man standing atop an elevated, engraved pedestal, a slit in the stone sending a delicate waterfall into the bath below.

“Aaron!” a loud voice called, and I felt the urge to disappear beneath the water. I wanted no company. Certainly not after the events of the arena this morning.

“I saw your fight with the Princess of Freyah earlier today,” the voice continued, pulling my attention back to the crowded bath.

Not surprised, I swam away, placid. “Leave me in peace, Kalmin,” I ordered, but he trailed determinedly, intent on talking.

“How impressive is that sword?” he asked, excitement practically bouncing off him, ignoring the fact that I had no interest in conversation.

I didn’t answer, hoping he’d find someone else to bother, but he paid me no mind.

“It must be nice, wielding a weapon like that. Gives you quite an advantage, don’t you think?” Kalmin pressed, his face lit with naïve curiosity, waiting for a response.

“It’s only as good as the person wielding it,” I said, folding my arms on the edge of the pool and resting my chin atop them.

“So, does that make Princess Isalyn of Freyah a better fighter than you then? She won using the enchantment on her sword,” he asked, looking genuinely confused. I swiveled my head, glaring at him in disappointment.

“If you don’t have anything useful to say, leave,” I snapped, tired of being reminded of the fight.

Kalmin put a hand on his chin, eyes rolling upward in thought. I rolled mine in response, inwardly sighing at how featherbrained he could be.

“Prince Mykhailo of Palisade has an enchanted weapon too,” he finally said casually.

“What weapon?” I asked, swinging my body toward him, my interest sharper than I cared to show.

“A double-bladed sword,” he replied, surprised by my sudden curiosity.

“And what can it do?” I pressed, scanning the bathhouse to make sure he wasn’t near us.

“Not sure,” Kalmin said. “And no, he’s not here, if that’s what you’re worried about,” he added, gauging my reaction.

“Oh.” I leaned back into the water, letting myself relax slightly, though the idea of someone like him wielding such a weapon was unsettling.

“He doesn’t visit this bath,” Kalmin continued. “Only the one with the circular plunge pool in the botanical gardens, with his brothers and the Princes of Yarrow.”

I pushed myself up on the edge, climbing out expressionless. I’d had enough of unfortunate events for one day.

“Ah… Brother, where are you going?” Kalmin asked, puzzled.

The thought of Zander spending time in the baths with Mykhailo, regardless of who else was present, was disturbing.

It was no secret I disliked the redhead; he went out of his way to provoke me. But Zander was different... we had rebuilt our friendship. The idea of him sharing time, laughing, and training alongside Mykhailo stirred something ugly in me. Jealousy perhaps. I couldn’t lie to myself, though I couldn’t fully understand it either. My friendship with Torin never triggered that reaction, so why this?

I got dressed and made my way to a sunroom that overlooked the Kingdom, the ocean stretching endlessly in the distance.

I closed the door behind me, hoping the gesture would signal to anyone nearby that I wished to be left alone. The room was simple yet elegant. A chaise lounge daybed, a small table with a bronze platter of fruit, and sunlight spilling across the polished floor.

A woman was busy dusting the furniture, but I waved her off, insisting I preferred solitude. I sank into the lounge, letting the softness of the cushions cradle me. One arm rested behind my head as I stared out at the sweeping view, listening to the distant crash of waves against the rocks and the occasional chirp of birds. I picked up a grape from the platter, my mind wandering to the events of the morning. The fight with Princess Isalyn and Kalmin’s thoughtless comment about her being “better than me.”

Yet there was no excuse for my lackluster performance. I could have avoided the wind from her sword if I had reacted faster. And as for those enchanted Chakrams? I didn’t need them; Sir Damos could shove them.

“My Prince, apologies for the intrusion, but a Lady has requested your assistance,” a voice called from the other side of the door.

“Request denied,” I said bluntly, expecting the matter to end there. But the door opened anyway, and faint footsteps followed.

I didn’t turn my head or bother to rise. I would let the Lady make her approach. She settled into the chaise nearby, and the flash of long red hair finally drew my attention. My eyes widened. The engaged Princess of Palisade.

“What is the meaning of this?” I asked, dumbfounded. Why on earth would she request my assistance?