"More hot water, and more lilac water!" demanded Robespierre as he stood in his quilted robe next to the brass
bath tub which the three servants were struggling to fill. The fire in the fireplace roared.
"Your grace, perhaps if we set a cauldron in your fire, we could keep the water hotter. As it is carrying it
up from the kitchen, the water tends to cool," apologized one of the servants.
"It's not your grace, it's your serene highness. We are the Grand Duke, not a commonplace regular duke. This
is my bedroom fire not a cooking fire," said Robespierre in a condescending tone,"but perhaps a fire on this
level of the castle for heating water and foodstuffs is in order. I shall make arrangements tomorrow for it.
For now, just finish with the tub so I can enjoy my bath in private," sighed Robespierre. He had had a long a
tiresome day.
"Yes, your serene highness."
He had no idea it was about to get a lot worse. The young squire crinkled his nose as he took the Grand Duke's
robe. The pale naked body of the grand duke slid into the lilac scented tub.
"Ah, this is heaven."
The squire folded the robe and set it on the chair. Then assumed his position next to the tub with the bath
brush awaiting the grand duke's commands. The grand duke leaned forward and ordered the squire to scrub his
back. It was while the squire was scrubbing that Robespierre became aware that he was beginning to change. His
toes had been wedged up against the brass end of the tub, but while his buttocks had remained firmly planted
against the seat of the tub, his feet had shrunk away from the end of the tub. Robespierre sat up straight.
The rim of the tub seemed higher. He was definitely shrinking. He ran his hand over his skin. His body hair
seemed to be diminishing. He was not just shrinking, he was changing. He looked up at the squire, who sensed
that something was amiss, but couldn't quite figure out what.