The Cursed Prince

Taking a hot bath would be nice, Clara thought to herself. However, she realized it was not a good idea to do it now.

"Uhmm… it will take too long," Clara bit her lip. Even though the offer was really tempting, she knew they didn't have much time. Dinner was in half an hour. "I will just use a wet towel to clean up my body and get dressed quickly."

"No, it's not going to take long," Edgar reassured her. "I already asked the servants to prepare the hot water for you to take your bath. They can come here and serve you right away. I will also ask my parents to delay dinner for another half hour so you will have extra time. What do you think? Half an hour is nothing."

Clara truly didn't know what to say. How could Edgar be this sweet and thoughtful???

"Y-you.. already ordered the servants to prepare my bath? But… but I haven't asked…" Clara muttered in confusion.

"Well… we just took a really long and arduous journey from Wintermere to Draec. I can imagine that you must want a nice hot bath to relax your muscle. You must be really tired," Edgar replied as a matter of factly.

"Yes, you are right…" Clara nodded, looking so moved. She gripped his arm and tip-toed to give him a long deep kiss. "Thank you."

Edgar grinned. He only did what he thought was right, yet, he kept getting rewarded with kisses. He loved it!

"Okay, then. Let me call the maids so you can immediately take a bath and get dressed. I will be waiting in my study at the end of the hallway," Edgar stepped back a little.

He had to hold back his desire to continue kissing Clara and perhaps…. do some more. He added, "Just ask the maids to take you to my study when you are ready. We will go together to the dining room and meet my family."

Clara nodded with a smile. "Okay, then."

"See you soon," Edgar smiled and turned around to go out of the chamber. Clara waited until he disappeared behind the closed door before she went to her luggage and tried to find her nicest dress that she would wear to dinner.

Several male servants soon came with buckets of warm water and followed by two maidservants to help Clara take a bath and then get dressed. After the male servants were out, the maids immediately assisted their future lady with her bath and her dress.

As soon as she stepped inside the hot water, Clara smiled and let out a pleased sigh. This was really nice. All her worries about this trip and her future with Edgar were wiped away by her fiance's sincerity and care.

The bath was really nice and relaxing. The maids added some salt and bath oil that smelled so nice, Clara felt she was herself again after she finished bathing and got into her dress.

She was beaming and her smile was so beautiful. Since she was feeling happy, it showed in her face. Even the maids were impressed.

They thought of all the women who married into this family, Clara was the most beautiful and elegant. They secretly complimented the youngest master for finding such a good woman for a wife.

"Thank you for your help," she smiled at the maids after she was done. "How do I look?"

They both gave her thumbs up. "You look amazing, your grace."

"Why thank you," Clara blushed at their compliments. She took a deep breath and prepared her heart. Finally, it was time. "I am ready. Please take me to Lord Edgar's study. I will go to the dining room with him."

"Follow me, your grace," said a maid respectfully. She led the way out of the chamber and she took Clara to a room at the end of the hallway. Their steps halted in front of the door. "His grace is inside."

"Thank you, uhm... what's your name by the way? I am sorry I was too nervous and didn't ask earlier," said Clara to the maidservant.

The young woman with long braided hair smiled sheepishly and bowed her head politely. "It's Mara, your grace."

"Very well. Thank you for your help, Mara. You may go now," Clara nodded at her and then knocked on the door. She hoped she didn't take too long with her bath and getting dressed. 

"Hey..." Edgar came out of his study and closed the door behind him.

His face looked in awe at the sight of Clara. She did look much more beautiful than usual because today she made an extra effort. This was a very important dinner and she wanted to make a good first impression.

"You are so pretty," Edgar gushed. He furrowed his brows and even sniffed her, "And smell so nice too! My family will think I kidnap a goddess for a wife."

Clara covered her lips with the back of her hand and laughed. She thought Edgar was exaggerating it but she was very happy to hear his words. It boosted her confidence.

"You are a sweet talker now," she pinched his arm softly. 

"I am telling the truth," Edgar defended himself and grinned happily. "Let's go eat."

He took her hand and clasped it with his, and together they walked leisurely toward the huge dining room where his family had been waiting.

The dining room that the Chaucers used for dinner tonight was their family dining room that could fit 20 people. They also had a big banquet hall for when they had a feast where they invited many friends and extended family.

The banquet hall could accommodate up to 200 people. It showed the wealth and affluence of this aristocratic family.

Seeing the family dining room alone that was already huge and decorated with the most expensive furniture and dining set, Clara could see that Edgar's family was very wealthy.

Fortunately, her family background was not too shabby. Her father was a nobleman who had a successful trading business and they had accumulated so much wealth over the years.

So, Clara also grew up surrounded by money. That's why she didn't act like a country bumpkin, even though she came from a colony. With Edgar holding her hand, she stepped inside the dining room with elegance.

When Clara entered the luxurious dining room and saw friendly faces turning toward her and giving her sweet smiles, all her anxiety was immediately gone.