“Aria. Dear, it’s time to wake.”

“Momma. Can’t I sleep for just a few turns longer?”

“Then we’d miss all the fun.” I groan into my pillow at the smile in her voice. The voice is a little deeper and more cultured than I remember, but that little fact doesn't matter to me at the moment.

“I don’t want fun. I wanna sleep. This bed is comfy. I feel like I’m on a cloud.” I turn over on the super soft bed, burrowing deeper into plush covers and fluffy pillows. That makes me pause. My bed creaks and the hay pokes me.

My eyes pop open to a huge blue canopy. “This isn’t my bed.”

“No, dear, it’s not.” I look up to long golden hair and blue eyes.

“Lady Hans.” I take a deep breath to stop my pounding heart.

She chuckles. “You slept for quite a time, dear. It’s time to get you prepared for the trials.”

“The what now?” I ask, my mind still groggy with sleep.

“The Prince Protector Competition," she says slowly, one eyebrow raised.

I slap my forehead. “What day is it?”

“Last day to get in. Up, up. I’ve drawn you a bath.” She sniffs. “You need it.”

I laugh. The filth of sweat and dirt mix to make me highly uncomfortable and itchy, made worse by a night sleeping in said filth. “A bath sounds divine.”

She smiles and gestures for me to follow. I wince as I leave behind a big spot of red and brown. When we made it back to the Hans' estate... I was about dead on my feet after a day of ups and downs and everything in between.

The nurse came and settled in with my family. She was super sweet and Jill took an immediate liking to the woman. They began talking about romance novels I might've borrowed from the library for Jill. Don't worry, I returned them, but it's not like anyone would miss them, even if the library did always feel a little more cold until I returned each novel.

It's odd, but with the healer and nurse around... I almost feel misplaced, as if my purpose with my family had turned my life so completely around and now that I'm not needed any longer—it almost hurts, but not exactly. It's hard to explain.

And yet, isn't this exactly what I wanted? To have Jill feeling better and my family cared for so I can go rescue a prince?

I squint at the stains on the bed, half wondering if they will come clean and half worrying about how wrong it is of me to feel like I'm not needed by my family any longer. Of course, they will always need me... just now it's not so much in a dire sense. That's good... right? Right.

Rider, Ran impedes on my circling thoughts. It's fine. They're fine. You're fine. We'll figure out this new trial together, just as we always have.

I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Thanks, beaut.

“Don’t you dare worry about the mess. It will come clean,” Jenny says without looking back.

I cock my head. Does she also read minds? Probably. Every noble has their Gift.

I follow her to the bathroom that’s almost as large as my entire home. Sconces along the walls remind me of the beautiful stained glass windows from outside. Each is swirls of pastel pinks, blues, and greens shaped like a tulip.

My feet sink into a plush blue velvet rug. Above are chandeliers of polished crystal, glimmering in the light from overhead windows. Soft beige walls highlight tapestries of the ocean.

Before me is a softly steaming bath.

It takes me a moment to get past my awe of the room and keep myself from darting out the door to find an icy stream to bathe in. “Thank you, Jenny. Truly.”

“Just you wait. You have not felt the warmth ease your soul. After you are ready, we will visit your family to check in with them and see how Jill is handling the new remedies. Then it will be to the trials with you. Relax while you can.”

I turn and smile at her, feeling better than I have in a long time. A rib still twinges now and then, but seeing as they were re-broken by a pine tree yesterday, I would say that’s a positive recovery.

She helps loosen the ties at the back of my bodice.

“Um... I can do this.”

“Missie, let me help. Nothing I haven’t seen before."

Perhaps, but the scars... “Jenny, truly, it’s alright. I’ll do it.” My voice is harsher than I intend.

She jerks back as if scalded. I sigh and rub my forehead. “I’m sorry.”

“I will leave if you wish. Yet I hope to help you in any way permissible,” she says, her voice soft and kind. I suppose nobles always have maids and servants to assist and find it odd to not have help, but I've always been independent.

“It’s not—” I don’t know how to say it’s nothing to do with her and everything with me. I fear being striped of my weapons, of showing the scars. “It’s not you,” I finish.

“I’ll take my leave, but I will help when you don the costume, dear.” She winks and walks out the door, closing it softly behind her.

I smile at her departure, thankful to have met a thoughtful lady for once. And she's a noble.

Surely she has some ulterior motive? Perhaps she's only repaying me what I did for her mother. Yes, that's it. Except—everything she did for my family... that was much more than repaying a debt.

It's too early for your bias, dear rider. Let me sleep.

Did Jack beg you to play again? If she's this cranky so late in the morning, Jack must've kept her up.

She groans. He's a little tur—

Ran. I draw her name out, knowing what she was about to call him and having none of it. I don't allow such things thought of my brother. Especially in my mind.

—menace! she finishes instead, borderline amused. Bout tore my tail off when he snapped the door shut behind me.

Glad you two had fun. Thank you, I say sincerely.

Yeah, sure. I live to please. Despite her grumbling, contentment comes over the bond. She's a big softie.

I still haven't forgiven you about the bond secrets, though. I need a more thorough explanation when we have the time. Speaking to animals is a Gift we can use.

Fine, I'm not sure if I imagine the dainty sigh, but such a sound is not like Ran.

A smile overtakes my face even as I check the door lock, then stick a vase in front of it. There’s a window behind the tub that I take a peek out of. Just the right size to fit out if needed, plus it has a trellis. Perfection.

A side table has a basin of water built within and a curious contraption of metal above it. The table is the perfect size to place my array of metal works. Next goes my bracers, the bodice, then the black undergarments and pants that are starting to wear thin from use. I trace multiple places where black thread binds the fabric back together after slashes or stabs from pointy objects pierced both the fabric and the flesh beneath.

I sink into the water, relishing the heat burning and soothing all at once. The water welcomes me in its warmth, so I duck beneath the surface, scrubbing my face and scalp. I pop up, gasping for air and giggling at myself.

I wash with lye soup and a lavender rub until my skin shines pink. I haven’t felt this clean since... well, since we'd ran water heated above the stove into a trough Jack had scrubbed clean and then brough into the house.

We'd made a day of getting everyone clean. Momma and Jill and I washed each other's hair and set by the fire to dry off. Poor Jack got the tail end of the muddy water. Don't worry, he always complained. But anytime I tried to let him have a bath before me... he'd refuse. The kid's got a tender heart, even if it's buried beneath mischief.

I need to return to check on them sooner rather than later to have time to still make the trials, but selfishly... I don't want to leave the warmth and comfort I've found. So I sink beneath the surface until only my head peeks out.

A knock on the door startles me out of the brief glimpse of peace I’d found. “Who is it?”

“Jenny, dear. Do you need anything?”

“I’m good. Thanks!”

“I have the apparel here. Just come out when you’re ready.”

I smile. “Thank you. I’ll be another turn.”

I stick my hair under the water and use the soap to get as many tangles out as possible. I growl and rip at one that gets stuck.

“Owowowow.” This is why I’m tempted to cut it all off.

At last I’m able to draw the comb through it. I spot the plush towel to wrap around me, but am loath to leave the slowly cooling water. With a sigh, I force myself to grab the towel and put it round me.

I gather all my sharp knives and daggers, placing them gently in my shirt. They’re sheathed, of course. Otherwise, I’d end up with a shirt needing even more stitching.

Momma... she wouldn’t allow me to sell my wide array of daggers and knives, saying she preferred me safe. Besides, they help me hunt for food. I don’t carry my twin Timber Wolf swords any longer. I’ve found them too cumbersome for the back alley fighting Ran and I find ourselves in. But I couldn’t sell those either. They were the last thing my father ever gave me.

I will need to grab them from the house for the trials. I may use daggers in back alleys, but I'll need the reach of my swords for the coming competition.

I remember well Father's bright hazel brown gaze watching me with joy as I twirled the swords for the first time. He had them fashioned just for me on my graduation from his tutelage. He’d been training me with his old twin practice blades, but knew I would need my own to suit my style and weight.

As soon as I was master of the old, pitted blades, he gave me the twin swords. The Timber Wolves fashioned on the blades caused my heart to light up with awe and the blue Circle denoting The King's love on the cross guard kept the one I adore close at hand.

I wipe moisture from my face. I miss him. If only he were still here, he’d know how to help me defend the prince. I sigh. I wish I was half the person he was.

With the towel tucked around me and my bundle of knives cocooned in my hands, I hook the vase with my heel and put it back beside the door.

It threatens to topple, so I use my other foot to steady it, then my toes slip on the condensation on the hard tile around the edges of the rug and I almost fall on my face. Off balance from the abrupt shift in weight, I hop around on one foot, the other flailing like a ballerina to compensate for my... less than graceful blundering.

My elbows take the brunt of impact as I use the wall to stop my uncontrolled hopping before I land on my face. With a wince, I look at the red and throbbing marks from a certain beautiful portion of panelling that is now imprinted into my elbow.

Looking back, I could have just dropped my knives.

Ran's chuffs of laughter echo in my mind.

"You alright, deary?" Jenny calls, her voice sharp with concern.

"Fine! Totally fine!" I call out, using the towel to stop the bleeding of the little scrap on my left elbow. The other will be bruised, but at least I didn't fall. Yay.

I peek my head out to find Jenny by the bed, playing with something. I don’t see anyone else, so I step outside the door. “Good morning,” I say, my elbow clenched against my side so she won't see the blood.

She looks back over her shoulder and her eyes twinkle. “Good morning, sleepyhead. Ready to become Prince Protector?”

I wince. “Ready to get beaten up on by a bunch of knights? Sure.”

She laughs. “I'm certain the Guardian can handle a few knights. Come here.”

Laid out on the bed is a white doublet with silken black pants. A Timber Wolf is outlined in black on the doublet, her red eyes shining and saber teeth bared.

I finger the beautiful material. “What is this?”

She curtsies before me, an impish smile tugging at her lips. “Welcome, Sir Ri, to your new attire.”

“Wha...?”

A grin splits her face, and her eyes twinkle with merriment. “If the nobles want a man, a boy they will get.”

A grudging smile comes to my face. “Genius.”

“Thought you might like it.”

“And the Wolf?”

“An extra touch from yours truly.” She sketches another elegant curtsy. "The Saber Tooth Wolf is close to your heart. Figured others might know this as well."

I touch the oddly shaped corset and wrappings.

Jenny watches me from her place perched on the bed. “I will be happy to assist until you become comfortable to do it yourself, if you wish.”

I take a breath. Exactly what I was trying to avoid earlier. Yet... she was thoughtful enough to give me space and make my own choices. “Alright. Thanks.”

“My pleasure.”

I unwrap the towel and place it on the bed. A sharp intake of breath comes from behind me. “Oh, my dear lord.”

I peek over my shoulder, aware she’s seeing the white, puckered scars that crisscross my back. My face grows red with mortification. I hoped she would just ignore them. I shrug my bare shoulders. “In my activities, things happen.”

She shakes herself visibly and pastes a smile on her white face. “I didn’t imagine... here, let me show you this.”

The binding slips out of her shaking fingers. I bend down to pick it up.

As I come back up, she stares at my bruised ribs and back that look ugly green and dark blue in the daylight from my tangle with the pine tree and the scar a hands-breadth wide where a would-be murderer of a boy just about took my life when his knife missed my heart by inches. I’m doubting this was a good idea. I should've told her I could do it.

I quickly draw on the silky black pants and undershirt, then place the doublet over the sleeved shirt. The doublet doesn’t fit just right, but it’s good enough.

I sit on the bed next to Jenny. I’m surprised she hasn’t run out the door.

“Aria, how are you alive?” Barely a whisper of the normally sweet yet fiery lady is in her voice. In its place is a sorrow I can’t comprehend.

“My lady, I can only say by the Grayce of the King. I... shouldn’t be here, but he brought me through.” I hang my head, ashamed of the scars.

She’s quiet for a long while. “The bruises—”

“It’s healing fine. I’ve had much worse.” I wince at my words as her face grows more pale. She’s just about as white as the sheets on the bed.

She shakes her head, speechless.

I’m both mortified and gravely embarrassed. I’m not used to this much attention. “You mentioned something about the Prince Competition?”

She visibly shakes herself. “Oh, yes. Of course. We need to get you prepared.” She pauses as she looks at me. Really looks at me. “I believed you were an angel or held magic. I see now how very human you are. One who goes above and beyond. Don’t be ashamed of the scars. They are there as reminders. Be proud of who you are and what you have done. Lord only knows you’ve saved more lives than anyone will ever realize.”

My face grows red in embarrassment and I mumble a thank you.

A smile blossoms on her face, even if it remains whiter than it should be. She squeezes my shoulder. “Let’s get you prepared.”