63: Bathing

Bathing

0The City of Karlin.2

The capital was blessed with more greenery than any of the cities Oriana had visited. There was exquisite architecture and mansions as grand as the Wimark Manor everywhere, yet the natural beauty of the land in Karlin was well-preserved. 

The paved roads here were wider, allowing passage of four large carriages at the same time, and there were flower bushes separating the sidewalks from the roads. Even the common houses each had a yard of their own. 

Surrounded by mountains, Karlin was like paradise. Aside from its beauty, it was also the center of art, be it paintings, sculptures, architecture or landscaping. It was home to the majority of noble households in the kingdom, and there were more nobles than commoners in the capital. Because there were many rich patrons, almost all the master artisans and craftsmen of Griven also lived in the capital. 

Compared to the magnificence of Karlin, Jerusha was like a village. 

At a distance, Oriana found the large outline of two hawks forming a stone archway. It was the largest and tallest structure in the capital, backed by mountains, and from the conversations around her, she learned this was the most distinctive part of the royal palace.

'What extravagance! Excessively extravagant!' She could not help but criticize. She had already felt this way towards nobles, and it appeared the royals were worse.

While she was busy looking around, Luke was bidding farewell to the caravan people. 

"You should work for us, Luke. I will make sure to pay you well," said one of the merchants. 

"I will consider it, mister. However, I have a prior engagement," he rejected politely and came to Oriana. "Let's go."

"Are we going to your cousin's home?" she asked, walking alongside him. 

"Hmm." 

"You have been here before. Are you familiar with the city?"

"Hmm."

"Will you show me around?"

"Hmm."

At this point, Oriana was too excited to bother with his non-committal replies. "That's great. When you are at work, I will search for that apothecary, and when you are free, we can go sightseeing. Sounds good?"

Luke continued to walk and didn't bother to look at her even once, as if she would haunt him if he looked at her. 

Oriana was not aware every single night during their journey, she did nothing but trouble this poor guy. Though unintentional on her side, Luke had barely slept for five nights straight.  All he could do was to keep himself away from her.

Karlin was generally divided into two regions called the 'outer city' and 'inner city'. Commoners mostly lived in the outer city, while the residences of the nobility were in the inner city. The merchant district was in the middle of those regions. 

After a long walk, they reached the outer city. Luke found the house that belonged to his cousin. 

It was a quaint cottage with dramatic roof slopes, an arched doorway, and an oversized chimney. Surrounded by a white fencing was a small front yard where there was a man arranging firewood for a woman who was cooking under an extended shade. 

"Ken?"

Luke stood in front of the low white fence and the man in his mid-twenties, similar in size with Luke, threw a bright smile their way.

"Luke, finally, you are here!" 

His wife was the same and she welcomed the guests. The man looked at Oriana. 

"And this…?

"He is my friend from the village," Luke replied while Oriana offered them a pleasant smile. 

"Orian, this is my cousin, Kendrick, and this is his wife Elena," Luke introduced. "Ken, Ena, Orian is a herbalist who has some business in the capital. I hope you don't mind him staying with us."

"Of course, come inside." The man shook her hand. "Call us Ken and Ena, just like Luke. You two must be tired after a long journey. Ena, make tea for the guests—"

'Seems like nice people,' Oriana thought as she followed them inside. 

The inside of their home was littered with many things, ranging from unfinished wooden furniture to quilts to potted plants, with more baskets and trinkets on the ground than floor space. Objects were scattered in an orderly mess, and there was little space for them to move around. However, it felt homely and cozy, the preferences and characters of the couple apparent from the interior of the place.

There were only two bedrooms, one was for the couple's use and the other for the guest. 

"Luke, use that same room from last time. It's a little crowded but I'm sure  you two boys can manage there," Ken said after offering them sweet tea. 

Luke nodded. "You said the employer provides lodging. We'll only be imposing till then."

"Yes, but don't worry. You can stay here as long as you like," Ken said before patting his back. "Rest a bit then come out to eat. The food is almost cooked."

Ken and his wife left the two youths on their own. Luke led Oriana towards the room provided to them. It was a small room, about the same size as Oriana's own room in the village, with folded sheets placed on the floor as a makeshift bed for one person to sleep. 

Oriana placed her bag to one side. She noticed Luke pulling out his clothes before walking out. 

"Where are you going?"

"Bath," he said. 

Both of them were filthy and travel-worn. Neither of them had taken a proper bath for days, and as a woman, merely wiping her body with washcloth was never enough for Oriana. 

She followed him out of the room and watched Luke entering one door attached to the drawing room, leaving his clothes but bringing out an empty bucket. 

'Thank the spirits, it's not an outhouse. They have a washroom inside. One thing less for me to worry about.'

Luke went outside and soon returned with water fetched from the well. Oriana pursed her lips. 'My body hurts. Maybe I can ask Luke to get water for me?'

Just as Luke made his third trip, she called him. "Luke? Can you come here?"

The guy immediately put the bucket down and came out of the washroom. "What happened?"

Oriana was quick. She pushed him aside, entered the washroom and closed the door on his face. "Heh, can I bathe first?"

Luke frowned at her childish actions but before he could say a word, he heard her cursing, "What the hell? There is nothing to lock this door."

"No one is going to watch you bathe."

The door opened a little and her hazel eyes peeked out from the crack. "Can you wait outside and guard the door?"

"I am not a pervert who enjoys the sound of people taking care of their business," he replied coldly, referring to that time when she made that disgusting remark about peeing in the woods. 

Oriana understood but said, "I was wrong then. You forgive me, right? Please Luke, I can't bathe without a lock. I don't feel safe—"

Luke stared at her, wondering what this strange behavior was about. "We are inside my cousin's home, not a public bathhouse where a stranger can walk in on you."

She realized how silly her request sounded, but as she was hiding her gender, this situation made her feel vulnerable. "Well, you are right but…."

He sighed, then crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. 

"Make it fast."

He agreed! She threw him a brilliant smile before closing the door. "Thank you! You're the best. I'll be quick."

Luke merely shook his head. Some time later, he heard the person inside pouring water on himself. 

The sound of water splashing inevitably made Luke gulp. Despite not wanting it,the image of Oriana's beautiful face drenched in water appeared in his mind. 

'What the…!' 

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