As everyone ate their meal quietly, the first person to break the peace at the table was the Duke.
"Did you duel with Theodore today?
His voice clearly echoed between the soft clinks of knives and forks on plates.
Young Master put his spoon down and turned to the Duke. His gaze was as calm as ever, but there was something hidden within it.
"It was good," he said after a brief pause. "At least he didn't give up immediately like the others."
Proud of you, speaking as if you had actually won. Typical brat.
"He's quite the assistant for you."
Young Master slightly tilted his head. "Perhaps," he said in a calm voice. "We'll see in the future."
The Duke, seemingly pleased with the response, smiled and returned to his meal. Though the tension at the table eased for a moment, peace didn't last long.
After gently placing his fork on his plate, the Duchess wiped her lips with her napkin and, lowering her voice, spoke:
"Lemi, may I borrow your assistant for a while tomorrow?"
A brief silence fell over the table. Naturally, I was curious as to why she wanted him. But Young Master's response was even more interesting.
After placing his fork back on his plate, Young Master gave a slight smile. However, there was a subtle warning hidden in that smile.
"Unfortunately, my assistant has something to do with me tomorrow."
The Duchess raised an eyebrow slightly, tilting her head. "Really?"
"Yes," Young Master said calmly. "It's quite an important task. I can't do it without him."
The Duchess let out a fake sigh of disappointment as she placed her napkin on the table. "How unfortunate... What were you planning to do?"
Young Master, picking up his knife and cutting a small piece of his meal, replied in a perfectly natural tone. "I'll be working with him in the library."
The Duchess paused for a moment. "The library?"
Young Master gently shook his head and continued eating. "Yes, a few new books arrived. Theodore needs to help me."
A barely noticeable smile appeared at the corner of the Duchess's lips. "How diligent."
I, on the other hand, glanced at Young Master with suspicion. I knew that there was no mention of the library in this week's schedule. Working in the library? This excuse was far too fabricated. Despite that, Young Master continued speaking without even batting an eye.
After taking a small sip of her tea, the Duchess asked sweetly, "Then, maybe the day after tomorrow?"
Young Master turned directly to her and slightly tilted his head. "We'll see about that too."
A brief silence fell over the table after these words. The Duchess, seeming to study Young Master's face, did so carefully while he continued to eat his meal comfortably.
After finishing the meal in silence, everyone relaxed in the salon for a bit before retreating to their rooms. I followed Young Master as he went to his room.
…
As soon as Young Master entered the room, he headed straight for his bed. I silently followed behind him. Just as I was about to reach the bed, he suddenly stopped and calmly turned around.
"Theodore, prepare my bath."
"A bath?"
Realizing I had unintentionally voiced my thoughts, I expected a scolding. However, instead of the usual sharp look or impatient grunt, Young Master moved closer to me, his face almost near mine.
"Yes, a bath," he said, pointing to the door at the other side of the room. "That's where the bath is... The steward should have told you the temperature of the water."
"Yes, I know."
Strange. He was acting surprisingly polite. Could it be that he was changing his behavior because of losing duel? Or had he suddenly had an epiphany?
When I opened the door, my eyes involuntarily widened. What stood before me was almost a work of art. Calling this a "bath" would be an insult! The elegant engravings on the walls, the paintings depicting mythological figures, and the angel statues placed in the corners transformed this space into nothing less than an art gallery.
But the true masterpiece was the extravagant white bathtub adorned with golden accents, rising in the center of the room. The lion-head faucets from which the water would flow were a product of exceptional craftsmanship. And there was a massive mirror that nearly covered the entire wall. Could anyone actually bathe in here?
Ah, the rich… They were truly born to live in this world. Thinking of the tiny bowl in my room where I tried to wash my face this morning, the desire to drown myself in this bath was growing.
Sighing, I set to preparing the bath. I checked the notes from the previous day's work: 37 degrees, the water temperature. Alright.
While searching for the thermometer, I also memorized the contents of the cupboards. On the bottom shelves were towels and bath sponges, while the top shelves held fragrant soaps and liquid soaps neatly arranged. Next to the soaps, I found the toothbrush, shaving tools, and finally, the thermometer I was looking for.
The lion-headed faucet had two spouts. One released hot water, the other cold. While I would have to heat the water over a fire, the rich could just turn a knob and have hot water instantly.
God, hear my voice! If there's any chance of reincarnation, please send me as the spoiled child of a wealthy family. Please!
Now, all I had to do was tell Young Master that his bath was ready. When I returned to the room, my eyes couldn't help but rest on him.
... ... ...
He was lying on the bed covered with black sheets, his white skin like a work of art. His shirt was thrown on the floor, leaving his upper body naked. He was wearing only his pants. Moreover, as if to complete this scene, he was resting his arm on his forehead and closing his eyes slightly.
No way... Was all this a pose to be put on before going to the bathroom?
After a moment's pause, I cleared my throat and tried to speak.
"Sir, your bath is ready," I said, trying hard not to ask myself, Are you going to continue with your visual feast or are you going to get up and leave?
He got up from the bed and started to approach me. When he stopped in front of me, he leaned towards me with a mischievous grin.
"If you want to be my sidekick so much that you enter the ideal, wash me," he said, his eyes shining with a mischievous twinkle.
"Excuse me, sir, what do you mean?" I asked, raising my eyebrows in surprise.
He grinned and started to walk closer to me, his emerald eyes blocking my direct gaze. But he started walking towards me. Finally I put my back against the wall and he put his hand on the wall and leaned over me, cornering me. He was like a predator on the hunt, preventing me from escaping.
When he started to speak, my skin trembled slightly as the hot breath from his pink lips hit my skin.
"What do you mean how? If you are my assistant, you are obliged to wash me."
When I raised my eyes to his green ones, I saw his eyes looking at me. His gaze was so deep that I felt as if I was lost in unexplored forests, as if he wanted to see beyond my eyes to the barest part of my soul.
He quickly withdrew and returned to his dull gaze. I quickly pulled myself together and made my way to the bathroom.
"Theodore, where are you going?"
"To the bathroom, sir," I said, turning around in a daze.
"Theodore, aren't you going to take off my clothes?"