After dinner, Henry left his cabin and went on deck. The atmosphere there was a bit somber.
Ailia and a few other handmaidens in charge of meals were busy clearing away the dinner plates. They looked unwell, clearly suffering from seasickness as well.
For people like them, who came from the eastern grasslands or the inland regions of the empire, a ship was something they might see only a few times in their entire lives, to say nothing of sailing on the open sea.
Every swell of the waves brought a fresh wave of nausea to Ailia. She fought back the discomfort, doing her best to keep her hands steady as she collected the used utensils one by one, her forehead already beaded with sweat.
"Headmaiden, are you all right?"
Ailia forced a smile and nodded. "I'm fine, just a little seasick."
A handmaiden sighed and handed her a damp cloth. "Wipe your sweat. Don't push yourself too hard."
Ailia took the damp cloth, gently dabbed her forehead, and shot the handmaiden a grateful look.
