5 The Castle in the Clouds

Before her, was a magnificent castle suspended in the air and above the clouds. From up there one could see the entire realm of Arcadia like a god watching over the mortal world from on high.

The castle was imposing and stood out in all its majesty representing the strength of the kingdom. Its towers of thick walls reached far above clouds. It had no brick wall around it but it had a huge wall of fire revolving around it, its glow adding more beauty to the already beautiful castle. 

Looking down, Hazel could see the beauty of the world of Arcadia. It had a river running in the middle successfully dividing the realm into two halves and falling at the edge as a waterfall. She could also see some cities after the waterfall and knew that people inhabited that area as well. The scenery was picturesque.

"It's beautiful," Hazel murmured in a daze.

"I am glad you like it." Came the voice of whom she had forgotten was right behind her.

Her head snapped back and looked at him apologetically. "I am sorry for keeping you waiting." She said and stepped aside for him to pass.

He nodded and said, "Come with me." and stretched out his hand for her to take. Hazel looked at the hand and took it being left with no other option as she did not know the way.

Soon they were inside the castle and if Hazel thought the outside was beautiful then she did not know how to describe the inside. It screamed wealth and power, elegance and charm, and also gave a mysterious vibe.

"Your grace!"  Came the greetings from the servants inside the castle, drawing her out of her daze. She looked around and saw the servants who looked at her with curious eyes and felt uncomfortable.

She knew that she looked out of place standing next to a man as beautiful as the king standing next to her with her appearing disheveled. She was beautiful, she knew that but compared to him, she felt inferior. He was a man who was more beautiful than a woman. "Hazel," He called her. And turned to look at him. "Go with them," He pointed at two maidservants "They will help you with a bath and dress you up. After that, I will answer all of your questions."  He said.  Hazel felt embarrassed at his words knowing that she indeed needed a bath, she nodded and he turned to the maidservants who understood and led the way up the stairs to get her prepared before meeting the king.

Hazel was escorted to a room upstairs where she was left alone while the two maidservants went to the bathroom to get the water ready for a bath. She looked around the room, it was relatively large, the walls were painted grey, a large queen size bed was in the middle, the dressing table was in a corner and a set of chairs was a few steps away from the bed with the table in the middle.

"milady!" one of the maids called her attention. "Your bath is ready, Milady."

Though surprised at the way she was being addressed, she still followed her into the bathroom where she found the other maid standing beside the bath waiting. Hazel's brows tugged in confusion when she saw the maid waiting for her and the other following her into the bathroom. Then it hit her, they were waiting to bathe her!

"I can take care of myself." She said and they looked at her as if they did not understand a thing she said. "I will bathe myself."

"Milady, the king..."  The maid behind her spoke but stopped mid-sentence and looked at the other maidservant as if asking for help. They did not know who she was but the king had ordered them to take care of her but she was against it and they were torn.

"I am not used to having someone else bathing me." She said hoping they would understand and step out of the bathroom. Hazel watched them exchange gazes with each other before they nodded and left the bathroom. She sighed and took off her clothes which were not looking anything less than rags.

She soaked in the water gently and felt its warmth. Hazel could feel aching nerves relaxing and for a moment she had forgotten that she was taking a bath at an unknown place and someone was waiting for her. A soft knock on the door helped serve as a reminder that she had soaked in there for a long time and quickly washed her body. She stepped out and dried her body.

She stepped out of the bathroom and found the two maidservants standing near the door and gave an apologetic smile which they returned with an understanding one. "This way milady." They said and led her to the dressing table. One of them went to get a dress for her while the other started to dry her hair and had it neatly arranged, Hazel applied whatever they gave her to apply on her skin because she was not sure what they were but they had a nice fragrance which assured her that it was good and okay for the body.

They helped her up into a black dress that surprisingly fitted her perfectly well it accentuated her body and curves leaving her figure on display. A Perfume was applied to her and light makeup and pitch-colored lipstick were on her lips to complete the look.  She looked at herself in the mirror and could hardly recognize herself. She wondered whether she was leaving the castle that they had dressed her this way. But after remembering that she was meeting a king, all her questions died down.

"Thank you." Said Hazel still looking at the mirror. She was grateful. She did not remember when it was the last time that she ever dressed up, dolling her up for anything. This was her first in a long time and she was very touched and happy to have had such an opportunity in her life even though living was not certain for her.

The maidservants escorted her out of the room and down the stairs. They were then met with one of the king's guards who then bowed respectfully to Hazel and said, "Follow me, milady." Though his gesture surprised her, she still followed him.

They arrived where the king was and found his back facing them with his hands behind him. He turns around when Hazel is left alone with him. He was momentarily stunned frozen when he saw her. 

"Your grace!" Hazel said because she did not like the fact that he was looking at her that way making her feel uncomfortable. A small smile curved at the corner of his lips and he made his way to her closing the distance between them in a few steps.

"Walk with me." He said offering his hand to her.