Even the High Elves of Ravenhall would have been envious of the grandeur of the Ledoran Court. The Palace overlooking the City of Gold did not disappoint. I changed into my fine travelling clothes before I departed the ship and immediately boarded a carriage to the castle. Household staff grabbed my trucks and garment bags with care and then ushered me to an elegant guest room where a servant waited to draw me a bath and collect the clothing I had on for cleaning.

"My name is Ronin Cromwell, I will be your personal assistant for the duration of your visit. Tea will be served in the parlor all afternoon, you're welcome to explore all of the central rooms in the castle, the eastern and western wings are all guest rooms. The south wing is servant quarters and the northern hall is the royal wing and is closed to all guests."

I turned around to see a man dressed in a black and white uniform with his blond hair neatly combed and his face clean shaven. He held himself with a level of sophistication that told me two things, one; he was not a servant, and two; he was highly trained in royal customs. The boy who stood beside him looked to be just a little younger than I was and was dressed in a gray uniform of much lesser quality.

"This is Anders, he is very skillful with a razor, before you bathe, if you require a shave, or a haircut he can do that."

I ran my fingers across my smooth jaw line, I didn't want to admit to them that I did not grow facial hair. "I just shaved before I left the ship so I will not be needing a shave or a trim."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Very well, Anders, you're dismissed, please see if any of the others need assistance. Gabriel, it was a pleasure to meet you, When you are finished bathing and getting dressed, I will be in the parlor." Ronin bowed to me and dismissed himself.

When my bath was ready, the servant waited outside the bath chamber door for my dirty laundry. Once I was alone, I eased myself down into the steaming hot bath. My muscles eased, letting go of all the tension they held from the anxiety of being on the ship. The water had an oil in it that smelled of coconut and chocolate. I relaxed until the water grew cool and then carefully stepped out of the tub. Luckily the floor was made of a rough stone that was not slippery, even with the oil on my feet. I dried off with a towel and then unrolled the instructions from Commander Rend.

Tea: Brown trousers, brown waist coat, white button up high collar shirt with the white steinkirk, brown shoes, green lapel pin Dinner: Black trousers, white button up shirt with neck ruffle, green vest, black formal jacket, green lapel pin Ball: Black trousers, Black tailcoat with green embroidery, white shirt with ruffle collar, green and black mask, black shoes bedtime: Dark green silk night shirt and dark green silk trousers.

After reading the list, I thought about how much I would have detested growing up royal. Every moment planned and carefully plotted, not even being able to decide what color shirt to wear to tea, or make a match for yourself. While scribing family tomes at the citadel, I learned that most royal marriages were arranged for political gain, and had very little to do with love.

When I finished dressing I stood in front of the looking glass, not recognizing the person staring back at me. I had never been the sort to lust after fancy things, fine clothes, or formal balls. I worried that I might look as out of place as I felt, so with a deep breath to steady my nerves, I left for tea.