Spending a lot of days just lounging and lazing around the room, the days went by quickly and before I knew it, the festival was only three days away.

I heard there weren't enough workers to prepare for this year's festival. Aside from Lina, there wasn't much extra help. The festival was one of the largest events in the country that I myself could feel the weight of it all despite just sitting in my room. Even when the emperor was back in his own quarters to get a much-needed rest, it would only be disrupted by servants coming and going as they asked him for instructions.

"This is why I didn't want to come." The emperor said with a shake of his head. He did not even bother hiding his frown whenever those unwarranted visitors came knocking on his door. Before, when someone visited, I would immediately run and hide in the dressing room in fear of being seen.

But ever since I had my voice back, the emperor didn't want me to hide anymore. It was considerate of him, really, but that's not what I should be thinking about right now.

"What should I do?" I was standing in front of the door with my hands clasped together, face pale as paper. My feet were squirming beneath me that anyone would think I was putting the fire out with my own feet.

I'm in trouble.

All because I needed to go to the bathroom.

In other establishments, there were about at least two bathrooms on each floor, but that doesn't apply here. Maybe there were no water pipes installed here in this particular floor, and there wasn't even one inside the emperor's bedroom.

Asking Lina to come with me is what I would normally do in this kind of situation since I was not allowed to leave the room alone. But she was so busy I didn't even have the chance to see her, and I've been holding my bladder for almost an hour already. It also seemed like Lina wasn't coming back anytime soon.

What should I do now?

Back in the imperial palace, there was a bathroom situated near the bedroom so I never had to worry about it.

Is it because the building was old? That something as common as a bathroom in the emperor's own chamber was not considered?

I was writhing on my spot, stamping my feet firmly on the ground as I tried to think of my options, knowing that I wouldn't last a second longer. I pulled the door open just slightly and peeked outside. No one's here, right?

During the day, knights were always stationed at the front of the bedroom but for some reason, there were no guards here today. They were probably called for something more important since I don't go out of my room anyway, nor did I ever try to escape. I looked at both ends of the hallway and not a single servant was present. Everyone was engrossed with working in both the memorial and main halls where the prayer ritual will take place.

I'm about to make a huge mistake!

Seeing the empty hallway, I'm tempted to go out and run as far as I can. I definitely remember Lina saying that the bathroom was at the end of the left hallway. To be honest, I felt embarrassed that Lina had to go in and out of the bedroom every time I needed to go to the restroom, which prompted me to ask where it was.

I couldn't hold it in any longer. I would soil myself soon and I know I wouldn't be able to live it down for years if that happened. I gulped and draped a beige cape around me.

I'm sorry, Lina! I'll be right back!

Then, I bolted out of the room.

Exactly half an hour later, I covered my face with my palms as I sighed in frustration. I'm screwed. I can't seem to find the bathroom.

When I first came here, I realized how huge the palace was which made it almost impossible to find the bathroom. It didn't help that the whole building was white and the rooms themselves were identical with each other. I don't even know where I am right now.

Where the hell am I?!

The window at my side showed it's already close to sunset. I was trying to hold back tears, thinking about the disaster that would happen if I kept on going around in circles.

"Are you all right?"

I turned around hastily at the unfamiliar voice. It was a knight with short brown hair. I immediately rushed towards him like he was the light at the end of a long tunnel. "Tell me where the bathroom is, please!"

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Do I look like I'm desperate?

He studied me for a brief moment before turning around and beckoning me to follow him. I followed silently behind him in brisk steps with tears pooling my eyes.