Antyny and Janessa fell asleep in the royal suite, tangled in each others' arms. In the morning, Antyny quickly sent her back to the harem quarters, so that he could continue speaking to the other kingdoms.
It was a regular morning in the harem. Concubines were waking each other up with sexual activities, or waking up the guards they'd slept with. Janessa rolled her eyes as Greta engaged in a very enthusiastic threesome between two guards.
"Mistress Janessa?" a voice said at the harem door. Janessa got up from her seat and walked over. The guard at the door looked longingly as a couple of Janessa's harem sisters walked by completely unclothed. He cleared his throat. "You are to put this on and come with me." He handed Janessa a pile of clothing. Janessa unfolded it. She stared. It was a regular gown, of a light blue that complimented her skin tone. Her entire time in the harem, she hadn't worn something so...modest. It looked like something a lady-in-waiting or noblewoman would wear. There was a veil with it, of the same style as the one she'd worn the day before, but in a light gray to match the embroidery on the gown.
Having zero shame at this point, Janessa removed her uniform in front of the guard and put on the dress. It was a soft fabric, and to be so unexposed was a strange experience for her. She quickly tied her hair up in braids and then put on the veil. Then she followed the guard out of the harem.
"What is going on?" Janessa asked as they walked through the halls.
"Princess Lilia of the kingdom of Northfjord has requested your presence today. She says she wants you to show her around the castle." Oh, right, her name was Lilia! Janessa bowed her head slightly.
"If my King commands me to do so, I shall," she said. They walked through the palace, eventually getting to one of the many guest suites. The guard knocked on the door. Lilia opened it. She beamed broadly.
"Janessa! Give me just a moment." Lilia ducked back into the suite. Janessa watched Lilia kiss the man she had been matched to after Jasper turned her down. Northfjord was a fine kingdom. No doubt Lilia was happy there.
"She is a concubine," the prince of Northfjord hissed to Lilia. Lilia rolled her eyes.
"She is kind. Which is more than I can say for the viperesses I spoke with yesterday." Lilia exited the royal suite, closing the door behind her. She waved away the guard and turned to Janessa. "Please, take me through the castle."
"Gladly," Janessa said, bowing her head.
They strolled through the castle side-by-side, Janessa pointing everything out to the best of her ability. They were standing in front of a portrait of one of Jasper's ancestors when Lilia turned to Janessa.
"Janessa. What do you feel about this war?" she asked softly. Janessa looked at her in surprise. "You have been employed by both Crown Prince Jasper and King Antyny. You have the best perspective on which side is better."
"Ah." Janessa swallowed. She looked around. Lilia placed a hand on her arm.
"Speak freely," she said solemnly. "If you are targeted for whatever opinion you voice, I will arrange for you to be my lady-in-waiting. Northfjord is far from here. You will be safe."
"Thank you, Princess."
"Please, call me Lilia."
"Thank you...Lilia." Janessa swallowed again. "There is not much difference in how I am treated. I am in the castle, so I cannot speak for the general populace. But the method King Antyny used to take the throne..." Janessa's voice failed her. She took a deep breath. "Many innocents were killed. Even now, there is chaos across the kingdom, harming and taking more lives." Lilia nodded somberly.
"My husband has heard whispers of how King Antyny treats his rivals," she said after a moment. "I have no issue with witches. I mean, I married one! But he should not use his powers to subdue anyone who even voices slight disagreement."
"On that matter, I will say this and this alone," Janessa said softly. "Of the near thirty women in the harem, I am the only one who is woman-born." Lilia gasped.
"I- that is- that is even worse than I expected!" She took a steadying breath. Then she smiled. "Thank you for sharing this with me, Janessa." Janessa bowed her head. Lilia linked her arm with Janessa's. "I am done perusing these dusty old halls. Let us get some fresh air! Show my the garden, dear friend."
Janessa led Lilia to the garden, blushing underneath her veil. She had a friend, one she had made as Janessa!