"Is there anything else I can help you with, my Lady?" Paytin asked, setting the empty tea cups on the tray, beside the empty teapot. 

Aera sighed, her mind going over what she wanted. She wanted Taris. She wanted to have never married Kentaro. She wanted to be home. Not in Carantathraiel, no, she could barely remember it, but in the tunnels. 
When she inhaled, she smelled mint. Her eyes fluttered, caught in the memory of his embrace, his kiss, that look on his face. She could smell him on her skin.
Uh-oh.
"I'd like a bath," she decided. She couldn't greet her husband smelling like another man. Humans didn't have the hightened senses of elves, but she was paranoid. There was no need to give Kentaro more excuses not to play nice.

Paytin nodded and went into the branching room with the large porcelain tub, pulling a cord to signal other maids to bring hot water. When the tub was full she helped Aera undress and sat in the corner while Aera bathed. Despite almost a year of living in the palace, the elf still refused help with bathing. Dressing, sure, she needed to give the maid some sort of duty. But bathing was her peacetime. 
She slinked down into the bath, submerging her head, the bath turning black with her hair, before coming up to soak, her eyes closed. Even still, her ears caught the sound of busying feet. [i]Kentaro[/i]. He's early. Its not dinner time. Her violet eyes switched over to Paytin, who looked rather scared. Aera felt the same as she got up and dried off. She dressed and sat, so Paytin could brush her hair. 

She was shocked when a dinner of foul and stew and some wine was brought to her chambers. Dara brought it with an apologetic look on her face. "Sorry, my Lady," She set the tray down and gathered the tea from earlier. "His Grace is weary from the trip, and wanted to eat alone and clean up."
With a set face, Aera nodded, relieved. A quiet dinner without Kentaro. She hadn't faced him since he believed she was pregnant, and she wasn't looking forward to seeing him. 
And then there was Taris....

She ate, excusing Paytin for the time being, promising to ring if she needed anything. Then she sat on the sill of the open window, listening to the rain as she sipped her wine. There was something abut the sound of water that was so relaxing.