Allow Duncan to train her

Things are not going the way she expected, but Abbie reminds herself that nothing in her experience could properly prepare her for her new life. The last thing she should do, if she wants to ingratiate herself to the king, is to protest or question things that a member of the royal family says to her.

She realizes the prince must have asked her a question and is waiting for an answer. She was so consumed with her thoughts that she missed it.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness... What was that again?”

Duncan laughs easily. “My goodness! You are quite nervous, aren’t you? There’s no need to be. Yes, this is the royal palace, and yes, I am a prince of the blood, but I want you to relax and feel comfortable around me, Abbie.”

His pleasant smile matches the tone of his words, but Abbie can’t shake the feeling that his eyes are sending a different message. The way he looks at her makes her feel that he has already imagined her naked and, liking what he sees, has kept that image in his mind even as he speaks with her.

The prince extends his elbow to her and says, “Come with me... I know just the thing that will help you relax after a long day of travels.”

She allows him to lead the way through the hallways. As they walk, he chats with her, asking about her family, her interests, and other things that are designed to help her relax. At last they come to a door. The prince opens it, and as they step into the room, Abbie’s eyes grow wide as she takes in the luxurious decor.

“Welcome to my quarters,” says Duncan, with a sweeping gesture. “Nothing too grandiose, of course, since I’m just the second-in-line to the throne, but it is comfortable, nonetheless.”

Abbie’s jaw drops as she looks at the plush setting. The thick rug on the polished marble floor probably costs more than her family could live off of for a year. The furniture all looks too grand to be used. The rich artwork on the wall is clearly valuable. It also all seems to be centered on the theme of the nude female form — evidently a favorite subject of the young prince.

The room is joined to three other rooms through doorways. She can see through one door that it is the prince’s bedroom. The enormous bed looks like it can hold six people at once. Given the prince’s reputation, she had little doubt that it actually had done exactly that. One door is closed. The other door, partially open, appears to lead to a bathroom. From the other side of that door comes wafts of steam and a fragrant scent.

“Your Highness? Is that you?” A female voice can be heard from the bathroom, and a moment later, the door opens wider, and Abbie sees a girl about Abbie’s age emerge. At first, Abbie would have said she was naked. In fact, she is wearing a translucent silk garment of a light tourquoise color. The reason Abbie first thought she was naked was that the garment utterly failed in any attempt to provide modesty. The woman’s body is clearly visible through the fabric — what little fabric there is. It really is more like a large scarf that is draped over her shoulders, and coming down to only midway up her hips. If she were not wearing anything at all, her body could not be more on display. Abbie wondered what possible purpose such a garment could serve, other than as an ornament.

“Ah... Antoinette...,” says the prince, upon seeing the young woman. “I had forgotten that you were here.”

Antoinette looks slightly put out at these words and gives Abbie a disapproving look before saying, “But you asked me to come here and to get your bath ready. Did I misunderstand? That was less than half an hour ago.”

Duncan smiles and says, “Of course I remember... I’m sorry. I just got a little distracted. Allow me to introduce Miss Abbie Brightstar. She is new to the palace community, and I was just offering her a bit of orientation to palace life. You remember what it was like for you when you first arrived, don’t you, Antoinette?”

The young woman continues to cast dubious glances at Abbie, but she answers and says, “That was last week, Your Highness. You offered to ‘orient’ me to palace life before I began my duties as chambermaid. I have yet to meet any member of the housekeeping staff, though. Your ... ‘orientation’... has been rather comprehensive.”

Duncan chuckles and says, “Well, I must compliment you. you have learned quickly. In fact, I dare say that your orientation is complete, and you may go and report to the head of the housekeeping staff to begin your duties. I may, of course, offer some additional training from time to time, as I determine is necessary.”

“But Your Highness.... The bath...?”

“It will not go to waste. Thank you, Antoinette. That will be all.” The prince steps to the door and opens it, gesturing toward the hallway. With a look of bewilderment, the nearly-nude young woman leaves the prince’s chambers. Without a word, Duncan closes the door behind her and returns his attention to Abbie.

“Like I was saying, I know just the thing to help you relax after your travels, and wouldn’t you know it? Antoinette was kind enough to draw a bath for you.”

Abbie looks uncertainly toward the bathroom. “Um... I thought that was for you.... Sir?”

Duncan’s smile remains unchanged. “We’ll see about that. Now, why don’t you just help yourself to that bath. You can leave your clothes on the floor, and I will have them replaced with something more suitable for your position — and more complementary to your beauty.”

The prince walks into his bedroom, and Abbie can hear him opening drawers and searching for something. She looks toward the bathroom, seeing the steam continue to billow out through the door. She has a feeling in her stomach that someting is not quite right, but she also tells herself that she really cannot trust her experience to guide her in this new setting.