Chapter 55 - Embarrassment (2/2)

”Yeah, yeah, laugh it up,” I muttered bitterly.

He was having way too much fun at my expense. I was a pitiful sight, red-faced and pouting while looking like a drowned rat from the rain.

When he finally managed to get a hold of himself he held up a hand.

”Sorry. I had no idea they would put the bathtubs so close together. Why don't we just face each other back to back? I promise I won't embarrass you by looking.”

I wanted to sink into the floor but the way the tubs were situated about a foot apart from end to end, his plan should work.

”Fine. But you're getting in first. Tell me when you're in.”

The bubbles were at least five inches thick so we should be safe but this was still easily the most mortifying thing that had ever happened to me.

Squeezing my eyes shut tightly, I covered them and turned around for good measure and didn't open them until after I heard the splash from Al settling into the water.

”You're clear, Katie.”

Keeping my eyes on the back of his head the whole time to make sure he wasn't looking, I stripped faster than I ever had in my life and jumped into the tub.

I couldn't tell if the water or the embarrassment was warming my body but I definitely wasn't cold anymore.

If I were alone I would have enjoyed the heat of the water and let it soak into my bones but as it was I wanted out of this situation as quickly as humanly possible.

With this much hair it was a near impossible task to shampoo and detangle it all on my own. I wanted to cut it but the countess had never let me. Once I left the palace I planned to chop it to my shoulders like I always wore it back home.

Al was quiet—was he already done?—but I was still splashing around trying to deal with my hair.

”I'm going to get out now. Um…do you need anything?”

”A hole to crawl into and die,” I mumbled into the bubbles.

”What was that?”

”Nothing. Just go.”

I sunk as low as possible beneath the bubbles to hide my shame but my knees still poked out a tiny bit.

This was the biggest bathtub I had ever been in and it still couldn't completely cover my knees! Was this a universal problem or what?!

When I opened my eyes again Al was gone. I hoped I could finally relax and enjoy the hot water but I was still too embarrassed so I got out as soon as my hair was done and hastily tied the thick fleece robe around myself.

This material…it reminded me of my fuzzy pajama pants back home. Could I find someone to make pants out of this?

I didn't want to wear nightdresses for the rest of my life. I would have to ask in town when I asked about sweaters.