Kaia derived no small amount of glee at watching Amalasuntha take care of Dallas by dumping him unceremoniously-- and fully clothed-- into a tub of water. Everyone in the hall tried to smother their grins when he woke up, sputtering and yelling that the cook was trying to kill him.

His angry mutterings and sopping clothes did not hide everything, however; Kaia was surprised to see his face when the dirt was washed away. He's not bad looking, she thought appreciatively. Gruff as he is, he does-- as one of the other women had whispered to Kaia earlier-- resemble a puppy. Maybe later...she thought, suddenly shaking her head. You still have work to do,she reminded herself. Best get back to it!