The last embers in the hearth were dying down, casting flickering shadows across your small chamber. You'd just unbuckled your sword belt and were reaching for the flagon of ale you'd stashed under your cot when a soft knock startled you. This late? Who could it be?
Frowning, you pulled open the door. Two of Princess Rhaenyra's handmaidens stood there, giggling and whispering behind their hands. Even in the dim light of the corridor, you could see the blush on their cheeks.
"Ser," one of them began, her voice barely above a whisper, "Your presence is requested by the Princess."
Your heart hammered against your ribs. The Princess? At this hour? What could she possibly want? You barely managed a nod as you grabbed your discarded sword belt and followed the giggling girls. They led you through the darkened corridors of the Red Keep, their hurried footsteps echoing against the stone walls.
Finally, they stopped before the Princess's chambers. One of the maids knocked softly, and the door swung open, revealing a dimly lit room. They ushered you inside, past the curtained bed and the crackling fireplace, towards a smaller door at the back. The air grew heavy with the scent of lavender and rosewater.
They pulled open the door, and you stepped into… the bathing room.
Shock froze you in your tracks. The room was filled with thick steam, swirling and dancing in the warm air. And there, in the center of the room, was a large sunken bath. Submerged in the water, her pale skin glistening in the candlelight, was Princess Rhaenyra herself. Her silver-white hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes met yours with a playful glint.
She smiled, a slow, seductive curve of her lips. "Care to join me?" she said...
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