The palace did, in fact, have a bathhouse. More like a magical spa.

I’d chosen the Everglade treatment, which smelled like a eucalyptus scrub, and I was currently relaxing in a decorative stone bathtub while an esthetician massaged my scalp. The lather of soap in my hair felt light and fluffy, and my whole body soaked in a warm bubblebath that smelled like the forest. Refreshing and relaxing.

“Miss Gerda! Your hair is spectacular!” An elf who had introduced herself as Lucille admired my tresses as she ran a comb through my long braid-wavy locks.

“It is a lot of work, but worth it.” I spoke softly, my eyes closed. The stress of the event washed off my shoulders and I let myself relax.

My jaw unclenched. I took slow and steady, deep breaths, inhaling sharp pine smelling undertones that cleared my sinuses. My shoulders dropped, my fingered straightened, and my body released the tension that I had been holding in for far too long.

“If you could, I’d like about four inches off the bottom.” I asked.

“Just the dead-ends?” Lucille picked up a new strand and ran the comb through it. The light pull on my scalp and the teeth of the comb on my head felt wonderful. “I can do that.”

Everything felt wonderful. I made a happy noise.

Lucille rinsed my hair with cold water outside of the tub. Magical water from her hands let her thoroughly clean my seemingly endless amount of thick long hair. When it was finished, she brought out rosemary oil and carefully worked it in. I peeked open an eye, and saw the elf had a bright smile on her face as she concentrated on her task.

Even with magic, it took hours to wash, cut and dry my hair, and rebraid it.

And after that, there was an hour long back massage.

Dinner time was in full force when I left the bathhouse. Instead of going down to the dining hall, I went straight back to my rooms. I had dinner in my storage ring… and I wasn’t in the mood for socializing.

I’d had a bit too much people recently.

The thought of eating dinner with Julian flashed in my mind, being an exception. The half-elf had delivered me to the bathhouse in near shock at my request, and his momentary lack of control was cute.

Speaking with him was fun. Teasing him was a delight. And looking at him was a treat.

I sighed.

Tomorrow was going to be a test on my control.

…

Every year, four times a year, Grand Duchess Callisto held a seasonal event. A ball in late Spring, a Masquerade in early summer, another Ball in late autumn, and a Winter Solstice event on the longest night.

And before each event, there was an afternoon tea to greet the debutantes and newcomers to the social sphere. Anyone worth knowing by birth or level would be invited to Calisto’s tea party on their welcome into society.

I was apparently considered one of both now that my secret identity was revealed.

To get ready, I’d chosen a soft gown with a thick-backed white corset on my torso covered in delicate lace. The sleeves were long loose hanging see-through lace that came together in a band at my wrist. I had a silk beige belt where the built-in corset ended at my waist. The dress skirt was pleated and came down to my calf, showing off tiny white heels with fairytale-like lace ribbons that wound up my legs. The ties were at the knee, and not visible beneath the skirt. I wore drop earrings, a single point with seven thin strips of white gold bangles that dangled down half-way to my shoulders. Whenever I moved just so, they clinked together gently and drew the eye.

White was a striking colour against my green skin. To compliment the look, I added white gold charms to my braids and then pulled them into a half updo.

I admit I was nervous, and took longer than I'd thought I would. I had to rush to the meeting hall where the debutantes all met ahead of time.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“Miss Gerda,” A servant came up to greet me when I arrived in the main palace entry. “Please feel free to mingle until the duchess arrives. If you do not have a partner, do not worry. There are even numbers and those who are alone will be asked to pair up.”

“Thank you,” I nod, taking a step off to the side of the group.

I didn’t see Julian anywhere.

There were around twenty other people milling about, in pairs already or joining in introductions and finding a partner to walk in with.

Lady Amy immediately caught my attention. She was on the opposite end of the palace lobby, standing beside the entrance to the east wing. The elf was arguing quietly with a young man as he held her fast by the arm. The human had tousled finger length brown hair. Unfortunately, he was facing the other way so I couldn’t see his face.

I knew that Lady Amy could handle herself, but I didn’t like the fact that she tried to wrest herself free once but he held on. I was walking their way even before I started eavesdropping.

“If you can’t, then why are we even having this conversation?” The elf looked like she was going to cry. Or punch something. Or both. “I’m not saying I’m judging you but–”

“Isn’t that exactly what you are saying?” The man let go of her and took a step back.

“No, I just–”

“You just want me to stop being me, so that we can be together?” He demanded, pain in his voice. “So that your father will approve? But that’s not how this works, Amy.”

“You can be an assassin and not kill people.” She countered.

The man laughed, a sharp thing. “And you can be a saintess who forgives everyone else, for all I care.”

“Madame Potts! I know I shouldn’t introduce myself when we haven’t formally met yet - but isn’t this afternoon tea all about meeting people?” A giant stepped between me and my target when I was only a few feet away. I stopped in front of a black tunic and decorative royal blue vest and stared up into dark eyes and a charming smile. “I’m Erik Stormbreaker.”

“That’s nice. But if you will excuse me–”

“Do you have a partner, Miss Gerda?” There were a few others who used the opportunity when I stopped to join in. One, a fox man with black hair wearing long red robes with black print peonies interrupted me. His ear twitched once. “Or do you prefer Madame Potts?”

“Now Shiro, I got up the nerve to speak with her first.” Erik pulled at his vest. “The least you could do is let her reject me first before cutting in?”

“I’m afraid I have to reject both of you gentlemen.” I stated, taking a step back. “I already have a date.”

“Ah, of course,” Erik sighed and Shiro patted him on the arm in pity.

With that, I walked around the pair to see that Lady Amy was now standing alone, looking lost.

“Amy!” I called, hurrying over to the young woman.

She turned when she heard her name and then sniffled once before she put on a welcoming face. “Gerda, you’re here.”

“I haven’t seen you around very much. How are things?” I say, walking right up to her and taking her arm like a close friend. She seemed to appreciate the sentiment and sniffed once more.

“I’m sorry, I’ve just been… busy… with things.” Amy glanced towards the east wing and then sighed once before drawing herself up and asking me, “What about you? I’m sorry that your secret got out, it wasn’t me - I promise!”

“I know,” I said. Her sincerity made me ask, “Wait… did you already know?”

“That you were Madame Potts? Um, yeah. I figured it out that first time I came over to your house.” She blushed a bit, her dark green skin going darker in her cheeks. “You just, I don’t know, sounded the same? You talked the same, I mean.”

“I’m impressed. But no, the leader of the Blackfog spies outed my identity.” I explained, thinking back on the wedding. “Wait… you weren’t at the wedding! Where were you during the ceremony?”

How could I have missed that? I knew I was focused on stopping the Keeper of Fate, but I couldn’t believe I overlooked the elf’s absence.

Something terrible could have happened to her and I wouldn’t have even noticed.

Before I could feel anymore guilt, Amy explained. “I, um, I was running late and missed entering before they started.”

“And you wouldn’t have even been able to slip in.” I said, feeling sorry that she’d had to wait outside, “Since Grand Duchess Calisto separated the building into a pocket dimension after that.”

“Exactly.” The elf relaxed, thinking I’d fallen for her excuses.

“Is the man you were arguing with the reason you were late?”

Lady Amy drew in a sharp breath and argued, “No, he’s– I haven’t, we haven’t, there isn’t anything going on between us--”

I took pity on the flustered woman and squeezed her arm reassuringly. “I overheard your argument, I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”

“You-you heard us?” Instead of reassuring her, Lady Amy went as pale green as my own softer shades.

“Just the end.” I explained, worried about her striking reaction. We weren’t the closest friends, but I should try to be there for her. She didn't have much experience.

I would need to tell Henrietta to stop being distracted by Keith and check in on Amy -- and ask what Justice said about the prophecy at the same time. There were so many things to remember to do, I was worried I'd miss one.

I should poke Brownie as well. If Lady Amy was in the middle of her first love - and a forbidden romance by what little that I’d caught of it - she might need her friends close by.

I patted the girl on the back. “It’ll be okay Amy. Why don’t we talk after the tea party? You kept my secret when you could have shared, so I can keep yours. What do you say?”

She deflated, stressed and latching on to my olive branch. "Alright."

“I haven’t met very many people here, but why don’t I introduce you to some young men I know.” I offered, pointing at Erik and Shiro. They were still ribbing each other, but aside from rudely approaching me without an invitation earlier, they’d earned points for taking no for an answer. “And we can see about finding you a partner by the time Duchess Calisto gets here.”