Once in the lobby, they sat down at the same set of locations they were in before the dinner. Georgia facing her friend and George facing the younger princess with Malee and Mary standing behind them. However, unlike the previous meeting, George was lively with throwing questions after questions till Georgia’s stare silenced him. After a brief awkward silence, the younger princess spoke.

“Is the painting in the dining room behind me done by you, Georgia?” asked the young princess.

George choked on the wine he was tasting and Malee shifted her legs. Georgia was calm as ever.

“No. George drew it.” replied Georgia with a smile.

“It is beautiful.” said the young princess at George’s direction as George tried to wipe away the wine drops from his lips. He nodded, saying nothing in return.

“Your highness, it is late.” spoke Hoshi.

“Yes. We shall rest.” said the young princess and got up from the sofa, prompting George and Georgia to stand up. Mary bowed, and so did Malee. Malee wondered how many bows she would have to do before the party was over.

“I should rest too. It was a long day.” said Georgia’s friend, and everyone repeated the same actions as before. “Is the bath ready?”

“Yes, your highness.” replied Sophie, who came down to from the stairs recently. She must have been preparing the bath for her mistress.

“We should rest too. Malee, prepare my bath too.” said Georgia. Malee nodded and walked up the stairs, leaving Mary and the twins as the last remaining in the lobby. Once she was in Georgia’s bathroom, she turned on the hot water tap and let the water flow as she pulled down the stool beside the tub to sit. She had been standing still since the dinner had started and she could feel her legs going numbed. She sighed and relived that it would be all over soon after the party. She didn’t mind standing for a long time, but not with the heels. She was wondering how she could sleep with the pain in her ankles later when Georgia came into the room with the wine bottle and 2 cups.

“Put in the scents and help yourself to the wine. Or you won’t be able to sleep tonight.” said Georgia as she placed the bottles and cups on the table beside the tub. Malee nodded at the remark. She had stopped wondering how Georgia could sense what was in her mind, she accepted that Georgia knew. She put in the scents from the bottles as she remembered and soon, the steam from the top of the tub filled the room with exotic scents. Georgia stood up and turned her back to Malee, who helped to unzip from behind. It was all as Georgia had shown her previously. Georgia helped herself to another cup as did Malee.

“You may go.” whispered Georgia with her eyes closed and her head resting on the towel at the top of the tub. Malee understood Georgia wanted to be alone. Malee made a soft yes and walked towards the door when Georgia stopped her.

“What did you advised George?” asked Georgia. Malee suddenly stopped and turned around to face Georgia.

“I told him to ask questions.” said Malee softly. Georgia gave a rather loud laugh before going back to her original position.

“Take the bottle and the cup. I am sure Mary would like some too.” whispered Georgia as Malee picked up the bottle and the cup on the table but not before refilling in Georgia cup. She closed the bathroom door gently and made her way out of the bedroom and to the hall where Mary was also coming out of George’s room.

“Is she still drinking in the bath?” asked Mary. Malee nodded as they went down the staircase slowly, then turned around towards the door to the basement rooms.

“You should shower, take a few cups and then rest. We will be very busy tomorrow.” said Mary before she disappeared into her room. Malee could only nod before she too went into her room and placed the bottle and the cup on the table beside the bed. She couldn’t believe how tired she felt even though she wasn’t involved in any physical activities other than standing behind Georgia. She sighed a relief and took off her clothes before heading into the cold shower.

She quickly changed back into the uniform after the shower before diving into the bed immediately, wondering what could happen the next day.