Several wooden buckets and earthenware jars stood beside the pool, holding spare clean water and flower petals. A few pieces of clean linen lay on a nearby stone platform, and a rich floral fragrance filled the air.
"Your Majesty, we don't have natural hot springs here in Highgarden like those at Dragonwing Castle, but all the water in this rose pool has been boiled with petals."
As she spoke, Margaery walked to the edge of the pool and crouched down, sweeping a hand through the water. The petals drifted apart beneath her fingers, revealing the slightly darkened hot water below, and the fragrance in the courtyard grew richer.
She turned to Viserys and said softly, "Your Majesty, the water is still very hot. Let it cool a little longer, and it will be just right for a soak."
Standing behind Viserys, Daenerys looked at the petals floating in the pool and took in the fragrance filling the courtyard. She immediately began undoing the ties of her outer garment.
As she undressed, she said to Margaery, "Don't worry about that, Margaery. Don't forget that my brother and I are descendants of the True Dragon. The blood of the Dragonlords flows through our veins. We can withstand even real flames, so why would we worry about this little bit of heat from the water?"
It had been several days since she had been able to enjoy such a carefree bath. Besides, although the baths in the Red Keep at King's Landing had hot water and spices sent as tribute from the Reach and Dorne, their scent was nowhere near as pleasant as this fresh fragrance.
She casually tossed her discarded outer garment into the courtyard, then raised her hands to undo the ties of her dress beneath it. Two attentive maids hurried