Chapter 5 This Is Not Me

"Princess, here are the drinks," said a servant, making Novita, who was waking up, jump out of bed.

"Ah, yes, you can put it there," Novita replied without forgetting to develop a smile.

"I've also provided some warm water if the Princess would like to take a bath now," another servant told Novita. Making the girl suddenly look at her body. She even forgot the last time she took a bath. Perhaps, just before leaving for the tour? Even then, she took a bath with her real body.

"Well, I'll enjoy this tea for a while and then go take a bath," Novita decided, clearly heard by the servants. Novita quickly got out of bed and reached for the cup of hot tea that was still smoking. It even smelled so good that the combination of real tea leaves and mint was so refreshing.

The lips slowly sipped the warm liquid, creating a sensation on Novita's tongue. "Hmm... this is delicious. Did you make it yourself?"

"Yes, my lady," replied the waiter who had brought the drink with a tray in his hand.

"I love this. Please make me tea like this every morning. You don't mind, do you?" she asked as she took another sip of her tea.

"Of course I don't mind, Your Majesty. I'm just happy that you like my tea," said the servant sincerely. Novita, meanwhile, just smiled. She didn't expect that being a princess would be so much fun. She could even do whatever she wanted and order whatever she wanted.

After taking a sip of her drink, Novita quickly returned the cup in her hand back to the table.

"So, where is my bathroom?" she asked the maid. She was pretty sure that in such a large room there must be a directly connected bathroom.

"Over here, Your Majesty. I have prepared the towels inside. After this I will prepare the clothes for Your Majesty to wear," one of the maids said as she indicated the part of the bathroom door where Novita would clean herself.

Novita, who had already arrived at the end of the room, was immediately amazed at the appearance of the bathroom in front of her. It was definitely not an ordinary bathroom. There was no bathtub, nor a bucket with a heart-shaped dipper. What she saw now was more like a jaccuzi with water emitting warm steam carrying a fragrance so fragrant and soothing.

Novita began to walk over, taking off her clothes one by one to soak in the water. It was not only the aroma that made Novita amazed, but the flower petals were so beautiful that they spoiled the eyes neatly arranged in the bathing pool, making Novita reluctant to move more because she didn't want to damage them.

"This is so beautiful, and so relaxing too," Novita murmured after successfully submerging almost her entire body in the jaccuzi, leaving only her chest and face unsoaked. The temperature of the bathing pool was so warm and just right for what Novita wanted that it made the girl reluctant to get up from there.

"I will help the Princess bathe," said a palace maid entering the room. Making Novita, who had just enjoyed what was in the bathhouse, suddenly stunned in place.

"Wha-- what, you're helping me, how?" asked Novita, frowning. Because at this time she was not wearing any clothes, even though she and the maid were both women, there was still a sense of shame there.

"The princess can wear this," said the maid as she handed over a long cloth in the form of a jarik full of typical kejawen motifs.

"Alright, but can you face your back first? I will put it on," said Novita, accepting the cloth given by the maid. For a moment, the maid blinked her eyes but quickly complied and turned herself around.

"It's done," said Novita happily.

"Yes, Princess. Now let me apply this oil to your body," the maid who had turned back to Novita asked for permission. Afterwards, with graceful movements, the maid began to wet her hands with the aroma therapy oil she had brought and then slowly applied the oil to Novita's body, not forgetting to give a small massage there.

While Novita herself was just silent feeling the pleasure that was currently hitting her. Her legs stretched back into the jaccuzi made her feel delicious and calm, while the massage that the waiter gave in the shoulder area made Novita feel even more relaxed. Until without hesitation she closed her eyes enjoying all the comfort.

Then, the memory of the dream that had come to her last night suddenly struck, making Novita's body immediately stunned and opened her eyes again.

A beautiful princess in beautiful regalia. The princess, who had the exact same features as the body Novita was currently shading. Her movements were so gentle, complementing the beauty that radiated when she smiled. So graceful, polite and very modest. Unfortunately, the princess looked so weak and fragile that many times the king persuaded her to do activities that could make her physically a little stronger. Even so, it turned out that this did not help at all, medication and physical exercise did not at all dispel the disease that attacked the princess's body, until finally a few days ago the princess was declared dead.

"What's wrong, Your Majesty? Is there something bothering you? Or was my massage too rough?" asked the maid when she felt Novita's body jerk. Meanwhile, Novita herself was still trying hard to catch her breath.

"No, no. I just remembered something," she stammered. "What's your name by the way? I mean, you must know about the news, I just lost part of my memory, and I'm sorry I forgot you too." Novita lowered her gaze slightly.

"No problem Princess, I understand that. Introducing my name is Court Lady Lastri. I and three other maids are usually in charge of preparing whatever the Princess needs and also accompanying wherever the Princess goes," explained the maid. "The three other dayang are dayang ...., dayang ...., and dayang ....., who yesterday accompanied the Princess into the room," she continued.

"Ah, I see." Novita nodded her head briefly at that. There was silence as the maids resumed their duties of massaging and helping the princess bathe.

"Are you used to helping me?" asked Novita during their silence.

"Of course, Princess. It is my duty. What should I do?" asked the maid as she put the oil in her hand.

"There is no need to be so quick. I just want you to tell me about everything in the kingdom. But before that, there is one thing I want to know," Novita said as she cast her eyes forward.