‘Of course, your majesty.’ Claye gave another shallow bow before taking a small step back to give Sapphire more room to rise.

She stared between the two of them, uncertain, before Araxia gave her an encouraging nod. Pushing away from the table, Sapphire exited the dining room in silence together with Claye.

As he guided her down a corridor, she once again tried to memorize every turn they made.

‘I will be here for whatever you need, princess. You don’t have to worry about knowing the castle quite yet.’

‘Please call me Sapphire.’

To her relief, they finally stopped in front of a large door – which looked like all the others they had passed their entire walk – and Sapphire wondered how Claye knew such a large castle so well.

‘I apologize that your room isn’t entirely prepared. We weren’t expecting …’ The man didn’t finish his thought as he swung open the door.

The bedroom was four times the size of the room she shared with other girls at the Home. The far wall was lined with large windows that offered a view of the lake. Like most of the castle, the room was a stark white. Greenery grew from pots in every corner, climbing the walls and bringing much needed pops of colour. But it was the bed that caught her attention.

It was so large at least four people could fit. Comfortably.

‘Is there anything you’d like at the moment, princess?’

Sapphire jumped, slightly startled by the female voice. She turned to find a woman no older than twenty standing by the door. Claye offered an encouraging smile.

‘Whatever you need, Rayna will take care of you.’ And then, he was gone.

Alone with the woman, Sapphire blinked a few times in the hope of acclimatizing herself.

‘Rayna, right?’

‘Yes, princess.’ She bowed. ‘Is there anything I can do for you?’

‘I – well, would it be possible for me to take a bath?

‘Of course. Whatever you need.’

Rayna disappeared through a side door, and Sapphire heard water running.

As the bath filled up, Rayna returned to the room, turning down the bed and starting a fire in the carved marble fireplace.

‘I could do that, you know,’ Sapphire protested. ‘You don’t have to waste your time with all this.’

‘The queen requested that I aid your transition and make you comfortable, princess. I am simply following the orders I’ve been given.’

Sapphire returned her eyes to the windows, watching as a bird landed on the sill and pecked at the glass.

Rayna’s hands began to work at the buttons she could reach, and Sapphire jumped from the chair, wrapping her arms around herself.

‘What are you doing?’

‘Preparing you for a bath, princess.’

‘I–I am entirely capable of undressing myself. Please, I’d just like some time alone.’

Rayna stepped back, grimacing, and Sapphire kept an eye on her as she walked towards the washroom.