Lydia walked slowly through the hallway. Her steps were quiet, almost floating, but inside her heart was raging. She was trying not to think about Ivan, not to remember the warmth of his arms, not to recall how her body had rested so easily against him.
She reached the door that led to her chambers. Just as her hand touched the handle, one of her maids came running down the corridor. The girl bowed quickly and said in a careful voice, "Your Highness, do you need anything?"
Lydia did not even look at her. She only said in a low and cold voice, "Prepare a bath for me."
The maid froze. Her eyes widened in confusion. For a moment she did not know what to say. Then she asked carefully, "Do you want the bath in His Highness's chambers? Because… because your own room is still under renovation."
At once Lydia's head turned, and her eyes were like ice. Her voice was sharp, cutting, "Are you a fool? Why would I have my bath there?"
