The Embrace of Darkness

The darkness has set upon Ellenoria with the hundreds of thousands of stars shining down. Midnight has come. And sleep, that sleep of millions of people around the kingdom wait for the rising sun to reveal itself once again; to give the land luster. A light that destroys the obscurity, to bring forth the harmony of awakening.

But in the citadel, people stays awake longer than the people on the outside, well, at least, those who’re on night duty. Particularly the patrol of Battle-Maidens that keeps the citadel safe every night.

They’re the watchers of darkness. They’ve been personally trained by Recina, the Battle-Mistress. She controls them, she gives them orders because Celyssa and her subordinates know nothing of battle tactics, knowledge of protection, and the martial prowess of combat.

At midnight, they roam throughout the citadel to pursuit any evil that might reveal itself. They’re the elite of the servants, yet they hold no power other than their armor that they wear and the weapons that they bear. They’ve sworn their utmost loyalty to the Tertin family, to always protect and perish. To die for whatever cause they’ve been given by their Honored Family. But since no threat has surfaced for many years, none has died.

Recina, she has the Battle-Maidens in her own grasp.

She was taught by her father, her mourning father who aids Maldoran with his broad scope of countless battles. But he’s still in sorrow because Recina’s mother passed away some years ago, and he hasn’t taken it well. All he does is work to his bone until the day has come for him to join his precious wife, the former Battle-Mistress of the Tertin Family, in the Divine Sky. But now, now Recina bears that title.

To prolong the tradition given to their simple family because the Tertins’ doesn’t have enough sons or daughters to hold those positions, hence, the servants gets them. And permission to wed, yet Recina hasn’t, she doesn’t want to. For she has been heart-broken by her only love that she has ever had…

Xe’Reth’s own mother, Theresa Quinery, for Recina, likes women. However, she loved Theresa out of respect, but her heart yearned for her, to be lovers. Then out of nowhere, Theresa had disappeared, vanished. Left her because she had confessed about her feelings for her, but she left without ever responding…

Recina’s heart still hasn’t fully healed from the sadness of that broken trust. Did Theresa despise her for being a lesbian? Was that why she left all of a sudden? She never got to know. Only the emotion that draws Recina back to those moments on the battlefield that they shared, shoulder to shoulder. Though Theresa was part of another squad, not Maldoran’s squad that Recina was a part of.

If one wanted to join a squad, one either went to a City’s recruitment center, or to the Ebon Wall to join a specific squadron, which Theresa did.

Why didn’t she join her City’s squad, Tertinum’s army? Only Theresa has the right to answer, for she herself has secrets buried deep inside her, about her own family, about her parents; her mother who she loved and her father who she despised, but alas, without her ever recovering from her diseased state, she won’t be able to answer those questions…

But why doesn’t Recina recognize the name, Theresa Quinery? That’s because Quinery is a fake last name. A made up name that Theresa gave herself to start anew. Sure her beauty, exceptional, but she never lived in the city, only on the outskirts of a small farm village where she had grown up. So when she returned, she wasn’t recognizable. Though when she came back from Fal’Kralin Forest, she went to the bank of Tertinum to take out her remaining coinage that she had deposited for a fee, to buy a house, that house which was so cruelly destroyed.

Two women who were friends, yet one loved the other more than a simple friendship. But Theresa didn’t leave because of Recina’s confession. She left because of her own sorrowful choice. Theresa’s mother had died on her deathbed by a disease which Recina didn’t know of. Her father, nowhere in sight, for he had left Theresa when she was young.

Like mother, like son, both love their mothers with all their hearts, and both had no fathers who could aid them. Alone they strived to find a cure, but no cure appeared. So Theresa left her life of battle after burying her mother to seek out something new… But her choices led her back to her previous life, Tertinum.

The domain of Tertinum that now sleeps soundly to wake up once again to the light of dawn…

………

“Cerinn, you wait down here while I go check on my mother who I told you about,” Xe’Reth said calmly, moving towards the stairs to his mother’s bedroom, to check if everything remains as it should. He must inspect it thoroughly to catch if someone has been inside her chamber while he was dining with Malinda’s family.

“Yes, Master, I’ll wait…” Cerinn responded obediently with a sloppy curtsy since he can’t witness her squinting eyes that stare at his clothed back. Why the sudden feeling of contempt from Cerinn? It’s because she will need to report every single activity that Xe’Reth does to that old hag… She doesn’t like to be used in such a manner, she hates it, but as her mouth curves down, Cerinn can’t help but remorsefully stare at him because Xe’Reth kindly saved her from being thrown out of the citadel, out of the city even.

Though as Xe’Reth unexpectedly turns around, Cerinn perks up to curtsy in a regular elegant manner instead, to show no fault, only a faithful girl who smiles.

“Please, enough with the title ‘Master.’ It doesn’t suit me well. Just call me Xe’Reth from now on. All right? Oh, and you can stop acting all innocent. I already saw your little devious smile when we first met, which you so earnestly tried to hide. Unfortunately, your inner feelings couldn’t help but to show themselves,” Xe’Reth blatantly said with a closed-eyed smile. “Now be a good girl and do wait down here, I’ll be right back.” He turns again and heads upstairs to inspect his wares.

As Cerinn flickers with her eyes in disbelief, she becomes totally stunned by his words. He knows? How? From a simple smile? No, he couldn’t possibly know! But he does know because Xe’Reth did exactly the same as she did three years ago. To hide his true hateful emotions directed to every person he came across, though now, he completely hides his real self. Behind his masks of smiles, that politeness, and all that comes with a benevolent person who’s too kind to be true.

She grimaces dreadfully since he knows… But why did he then save her if he knew that she’s taking advantage of him?

‘He… he… isn’t that kind of man… right?’ Cerinn thought worriedly as her eyes gaze at him, and when he disappears up the stairs, her face turns even graver in anxiety with furrowed brows. ‘Is he into short girls like me…? Will he… violate me? No… no… I don’t want to… Would he really do it? No… why wouldn’t he? He can just throw me aside if I’m disobedient… Ah…’

The thought of her countless lies hits her deep. She is a known liar. A deceiver. What if he used that against her if she were to ever try to turn against him? All he needs to do is tell Malinda all about her lies that she has fabricated. But he doesn’t know that yet, so why the nervous heart, Cerinn? Because she can’t turn to the old hags for help. If they knew that she wasn’t useful anymore… they would throw her out. Since they do solemnly support him and Malinda’s union.

She paces back and forth by the opening leading up to Theresa’s bedroom. Her lower lip spasms terribly in trying to figure out what kind of scheme she can come up with, but no matter how long she thinks, nothing in her mind pops up, absolutely nothing. What if Xe’Reth likes short girls like her?

An adulterer in disguise…

As her head goes left and right in a panicky state of mind, she doesn’t remember how long she has thought of trying to fix this, pacing back and forth, to think of something, anything that helps her out of this crucial situation!

“You seem edgy, Cerinn… Is something burdening your skull?”

She freezes up entirely upon the resounding voice by the stairs’ opening.

Then as her head and body travel in the direction of the calm sounding tones, she begins to shake with hands clutching tightly together to her chest to try to seek some comfort. She has never felt such fear in her entire life, not even when Madelyn yelled at her, threw the teacup right beside her. The gulps declare in intervals. The chin and the lower lip quakes. Her breath, uneven as if she’s hyperventilating.

“You certainly did try to hide it, I give you that at least, but enough playing games. You’re in my grasp, what I say goes, and what I want you to say to me right now is about what has happened since you went with Tanya, everything. I will count the time and how long it had taken from the time I left this room with my lovely Malinda. You may start… Now…” Xe’Reth casually said with a tilting head forward, peering into her widened eyes in the meanwhile leaning towards one side of the entrance with his shoulder, being crossed armed.

She’s standing there completely stunned.

First, after she finally introduced herself to Xe’Reth, he carried Malinda in his arms and she kissing him on his cheek, one time after the other. Then as the handmaidens, Recina, Tanya, and Taryna, or specifically Tanya, she said that she was worried for her Miss, so she urged Xe’Reth to let her take care of Malinda, which he agreed to.

But Malinda wasn’t agreeable to that suggestion in making her remove her arms around Xe’Reth’s neck. She moaned and complained, though, after a few words from Xe’Reth, she ultimately conceded into letting go.

As Recina had worked out, she needed to wash off her hard earned sweat then take care of the rest of her workload before going to bed in her own quarters. They went their separate ways, Tanya, Taryna holding Malinda’s arms on either shoulder while guiding her slowly with small steps because Malinda’s world spun around.

She was overcome by immense nausea, so the sisters quickly took Malinda to hers and Xe’Reth’s chamber to put her to sleep, which Xe’Reth responded to by saying that he would be coming as soon as he had checked up on his mother. But a ploy to reveal Cerinn’s devious personality was his goal, or, at least, know what had happened since he went to dinner.

Now they stand there, one leaning by the staircase’s entrance, the other rattling her body on the verge of collapse, for she doesn’t like those dark globes staring at her, it makes her cold to the core. Her widened eyes have dilated while her clutching hands shake terribly.

“Are you going to speak today…?” Xe’Reth asked calmly but irritably, raising his scarred brow with a tilted head of questioning.

“W-What do you mean, Master? I don’t know what you even mean; a devious smile? I’ve never smiled at you like that…” Cerinn grudgingly responded, her upper body leaning forward a bit to show her submissiveness. “And nothing major happened while I was away, only Tanya spoke alone with the former head-handmaiden, I heard nothing of what they said.”

Xe’Reth walks towards Cerinn as she flinches in dread, stumbling a little bit backward.

His unimpressed glaring eyes stare at her. He straightens himself to be at his highest peak of altitude with his head, then bends it forward to gaze down upon her frail shriveling body of a girl who’s truly petrified, for her life really is his. She has sworn herself to servitude after the old hags had finished with every scheme, which they didn’t tell her because revealing major secrets to a short liar didn’t suit their needs at all.

A handmaiden’s duty differs from a regular servant’s. A handmaiden’s sacrifice binds her to her master for life, but of course, a handmaiden could always run away, though never in the Tertin Household has that ever happened.

She knows her life becomes forfeit as soon as Xe’Reth hasn’t a need of her, and that scares her the most. She must be wanted by him; she mustn’t be thrown into the unknown world outside the citadel’s wall.

As she stands there clasping her hands on her breasts, Cerinn’s eyes water up, to stream out tears, real tears. What is this for kind of pressure that squeezes her heart asunder? He’s only peering at her, yet those black orbs have knowledge of trickery which she doesn’t have. Can she mislead him? Will he believe her enough if she says a single sentence of lies? The hags strictly told her to never reveal what had been said… But… his terrifying eyes… They’re watching her intently; every facial movement, every eye movement, and her voice, her deceiving tongue which only spews drivel of dishonesties.

“Do you know what lies beyond the citadel’s innermost gate?” Xe’Reth asked as calm as ever, standing completely still, only his mouth opens and closes to speak his unaffected words which he knows all too well. “Horror is what lies beyond the gate, Cerinn. The horror of people only caring for themselves. And people who take advantage of the gullible ones.”

“A young girl like you wouldn’t stand a chance with your sheltered mind. As soon as a person witnesses a single flaw, that person would use it against you. They would trick you into whatever they desire. You’re young, but being young doesn’t matter in the outside world. They would beat you up if you didn’t do what they told you to do; they would violate you until your screams of death take you. Then as you’re nothing but a shell of a girl, they would sell you to a filthy man who would do even more grotesque activities with a small girl like yourself.”

“Cerinn, are you ready for the outside world? Because that is where you’re going if you don’t tell me what happened while you were with Tanya. You just simply need to tell me, then, well, you’ll be able to live a life of harmony, while you faithfully serve as a handmaiden under me, which won’t be hard at all, since I am a man who doesn’t desire much,” Xe’Reth said with a smile, even when he spoke of the horrible happenings, which he over exaggerated a bit. But nonetheless, he wants her to have no other choice but to tell him. Though Xe’Reth doesn’t even know what they spoke of, yet it must be important because it’s the former head-handmaiden after all.

‘Hopefully, her betrayal counts for something. Will she break any oath as long as her life is in jeopardy? It truly is a dangerous thought process, but also a good one to have. I would’ve done the same if I were in her position, which I’m thankfully not,’ Xe’Reth thought, staring into her watery eyes. Not giving her any mercy with his expression of an unfazed smile.

“…I… I was told to spy on you…” Cerinn muttered in her own downfall, drooping her head forward as tears hit the crimson carpet. “The… the old hags told me to report of any suspicious behavior that you might show… Handmaiden Tanya was in on it too, and her grandmother… They’re in Malinda’s faction. But, I, I think that they’re on your side too. Because they want Maldoran removed and Malinda taking her seat as the Tertin head of the family… That’s all I know… Please, Master Xe’Reth… I don’t want to leave… Please, I will be faithful to you and only you from now on…”

“Oh…? But I don’t need you anymore, now do I? Because I don’t take kindly to people who try to use me, dear Cerinn. So be prepared to leave the citadel soon,” Xe’Reth said heartlessly to make Cerinn turn into a feeble girl who just heard her sentence.

“What…? But… But you said if I told yo—No, I don’t want to leave, I don’t want to! Please, Master Xe’Reth! Pleaseee…!” Cerinn screamed upon realizing what he uttered to her. Her whole world crushed, making her fall to her knees. To once again gravel on the floor, to cling to his one leg as if she’s a mere child not getting what she wants. “I will be a good girl! Please! I won’t ever turn on you! I will do whatever you want me to do! Even… Even…”

“Hahahaha!” Xe’Reth burst into laughter, covering his face with his palm to try to hide his leering expression of jesting.

“Huu?” Cerinn’s head raises as it turns to look up.

“Heh, I was kidding; I couldn’t help myself, heh. Do forgive me, Cerinn,” Xe’Reth chuckled, crouching down while Cerinn goes wide-eyed. How could he joke about something so horrifying? But as Xe’Reth places his hands on her lying waist, he lifts her up effortlessly, then sets her down on her feet, to stand there all stunned. “Well then, shall we get going? Because I am spending my first night with Malinda, so I shouldn’t really be late.”

“Oh, and wipe away the tears, quickly now, I don’t want you to be ghastly in front of Malinda’s handmaidens, but we’ll speak about what happened when you went with Tanya another time, now let’s go,” Xe’Reth added as he satisfyingly strides to the unlocked double doors, to step out into the long corridor.

‘Thankfully none had tried to search my mother’s quarters… If they had, I’ll never forgive them for being there with my mother all alone with her…’ Xe’Reth sighed as he thought with glaring eyebrows, but as he turns to put on a smile for the frozen handmaiden, he says with a high voice, “Well, are you coming or not?”

With a whipping head in Xe’Reth’s direction, she nods her head rapidly, being completely dazed by this situation. As she smears her eyes off of the tears, she walks sluggishly towards him, while her globes dare not to meet his. Because he has beaten her into submission, he can control her how he wants, but if it is as he says: That if she faithfully serves, she’ll be able to live a calm life in the citadel. To be a handmaiden of status. Maybe later, she’ll also control servants. To do her own bidding.

That sudden thought clears away her bewilderment, to sprout forth a smile on her lips instead. Which raises Xe’Reth’s scarred brow in the wonder of this newly lit girl. But as he traces with his eyes at her, she steps out into the hallway, to be ready to journey to Malinda’s chamber.

Just like that, Xe’Reth has gotten a handmaiden, though is she a faithful one? Well, that can only time tell.

Taking out a key from his side pocket, he locks the doors, then crouches down to put a tiny folded piece of paper between the gap to warn him if someone has been inside his mother’s chamber while he’s away. A simple security measure, but a useful one nonetheless.

‘Is he always so careful?’ Cerinn pondered with a tilting bun-styled head, pursing her lips. ‘I still have a card at my disposal. Madelyn’s crush on you, dear Master.’

“Now, let’s get going,” Xe’Reth said as he stands up. To straighten his body fully.

Onwards they go.

Xe’Reth in front and Cerinn following behind him diligently, though with more fast-moving feet since Xe’Reth takes longer steps than her, so she must keep up with him while he carefully thinks of what to do when he will sleep with Malinda. ‘Should I take the initiation in holding her? Or should we just sleep normally, side by side? No touching? No, I must make her comfortable with my body. Every spot, every muscle, and every curve of a man’s whole being are what she needs to learn.’

………

……

…

In Malinda’s bedchamber, Tanya crouches behind Malinda who sits on her knees with a bucket in her hands. Her expression, vile of disgust with a forward leaning head, directing at the bucket, ready for whatever comes out of her mouth, which has already spewed out in quantity. Her makeup, ruined with dripping eyeliner flowing down her face. While her lipstick has smudged all around her mouth.

“There, there… Everything will be all right, Miss…” Tanya soothingly comforted Malinda by stroking her blond hair. “You’ve experienced something new today, well, even if it isn’t something I personally would approve of, but I guess Xe’Reth wanted you to drink, so you drank, didn’t you, Miss?”

Malinda sobbingly nods up and down with her head in a childlike manner, while pouting with her lips, but her eyes widen as she tilts her head even further, raising the bucket to her mouth. She pukes out her dinner and the blood red wine. A new experience, yet a horrible experience that Malinda hates, for she has never puked before. She has never been sick so much that she needed to puke, only a slight cold here and there, but never something as dreadful as this.

“Uugghh… I shou… I shouldn’t have… *Cough, Cough* Drunk so much… But I… I didn’t want to disappoint… Xe’Reth…” Malinda coughed in regret with extremely furrowed brows, being disgusted by the smell in the bucket.

“Here, drink some more water, it’ll help,” Tanya said, holding a cup of water, which Taryna gave.

“Honestly, Miss, you shouldn’t go along only because he tells you to. Stand up for yourself and decline such activities with a head held high. You’ve never needed them before, so why did you start now?” Taryna complained, shaking her head with a raising upper lip in utter disapproval of Malinda’s actions. Drinking wine? Never has her Miss done that. And by the amount she pukes out, it must’ve been a large quantity of wine. Even for a veteran drinker, that would be too much to handle. But Malinda, oh, Malinda so proudly thought that it wouldn’t faze her in the slightest. Though now her proudness has felt the influence of alcohol.

“Stop your moaning and go wait for Sir Xe’Reth by the main doors. Go now, you’ve already gotten on my nerve. And my nerve is very resilient, but you, you’re my only weakness. Now go I said,” Tanya shooed away her sister with a flapping whip of her hand.

Taryna sighs with another headshake of disapproval as she strides into the armory and the dressing room, then continues into Malinda’s chamber of relaxation. To stand by the embroidered double doors, to wait for that disgusting man who she despises with all her heart. He’s going to sleep with Miss, her Mistress! It makes her clench her teeth in anger, in pure hatred toward Xe’Reth.

Though, not only the handmaidens reside in Malinda’s quarters. Servants, too, clean and finishes up every piece of furniture, so they’re flawless of any dust or dirt particle for Xe’Reth’s arrival.

A night, their first Mistress’s night with a man. But only the two lovers will know what transpires in their bedroom. Or will Malinda be too scared all of a sudden because of her drunken state? Will she need her handmaidens in the room to see that nothing goes wrong? Since it’s normal for handmaidens to aid their Mistress. But being Malinda, she wouldn’t stand such embarrassment, she’s grown up, a full-fledged woman of suppleness, beauty, and…

She pukes again into the bucket; her lower bun-styled hair has strands hanging loose, being completely ruffled up. Her night completely ruined… She just wanted this to be a magical night which every girl dreams of, but in her current state, she broods in silence as nausea takes over her mind.

“Miss, are you going to… to have… intercourse with Xe’Reth tonight?” Tanya hesitantly asked, holding back Malinda’s hair so she can puke without the strings of gold interrupting her.

“Noh…” She rasped, “Tomorrow night is when we will do that, because… *Cough* Because he… Well. Never mind, I don’t want to rush it, that’s all,” Malinda said but changed the subject since she doesn’t want to talk about Xe’Reth’s condition for the reason that he has been tortured, but only Taryna knows of how much the torture inflicted on him. ‘I don’t want Xe’Reth to see me like this… Why did I drink so much wine…? I should’ve known how it would affect me… Damn my stubbornness for not giving in! Ugh…’

Malinda drinks from the glass of water that Tanya gives, to gulp it all down, then with a satisfied exhale, she puts the bucket which’s in her one hand on the floor, to try to stand, because she’s sitting on the carpeted ground. Right in the middle of her bedroom.

With Tanya’s supporting hands, she surprisingly stands in a somber way.

The complete horror of a late night out partying, but no party was held, only the ruined welcoming of her newly found love. But an unexpected event nonetheless. Not enough preparation could be finished beforehand, though, without Celyssa there, they did spend a somewhat enjoyable dinner sitting beside each other while having her brother’s watchful eyes on Xe’Reth…

“How are you feeling, Miss, is it better? Should I prepare another bucket for you?” Tanya flickeringly asked, taking both the puke bucket off the floor and the empty glass off of Malinda’s hand, so she can stand all by herself.

“I, I think I need to take another bath…” Malinda sighed, then swallows her saliva which turns her entire expression vile as a gagging reflex declares from her throat. But with a lightning fast headshake, she shudders.

“Oh! I would love to take a bath with you, my lovely Malinda!” Xe’Reth professed smilingly, treading into the bedroom by the east door while his eyes travel around the entire chamber.

A comfy atmosphere. Her bed, by the far south wall on a slightly elevated flooring with a couple of steps leading down to where Malinda stands on the carpeted floor while Tanya gapes wide-eyed in bafflement at Xe’Reth’s casual striding legs. However, Malinda turns immediately away so he doesn’t witness her dreadful appearance, which beats all of her other moments today.

Taryna and Cerinn trail behind him hurriedly.

But as Taryna catches her Miss’ body turned away, covering her face with her hands, she blurts out, “I’m sorry, Miss, but he just waltzed right in without stopping! I demanded that he should wait because of your current condition, but he simply didn’t care what I said to him! Miss, he’s terribly out of line!”

“So this is where I’ll be spending my nights from now on, huh?” Xe’Reth examined, his eyes totally ignoring the yelling handmaiden behind him.

On the north wall, two big square framed windows display the darkness; scarlet drapes on either side, like his mother’s quarters. But between the two windows are a pair of glorious double doors, which has small colored crystal frames of different shapes bordered by wood.

Those double doors head out onto a balcony that overlooks the backside of the citadel since Malinda’s chamber is located on the northern flank. And on the opposite side of the balcony flames a hearth, a large one at that, but yet only has small pieces of timber put in to keep the room warm.

Though as Malinda covers her face of smeared lipstick, eyeliner, and dried up tears, she sobbingly mutters to Xe’Reth, “Please, Xe’Reth, my face is dreadful, you shouldn’t look at it, I… I’ve also thrown up my dinner and the wine… I’m disgusting… I’ve never thrown up before in my life. Uuhh, my breath must stink terribly, too…”

“Oh, Malinda, how many times have I seen you in an embarrassing state today? Three times? Four? I can't even recall for it just doesn't matter,” Xe’Reth paused as a gentle curve forms a smile on his lips. “And do you know why? Because I don’t care how you look. You will always be my Malinda, the love of my life. If you think that would change only because of a little rundown makeup and smelly breath… Please… You know what disease my mother suffers from. It's rather insulting if you think my heart would waver over something so petty.”

“Uuuh—I didn’t mean it like that, Xe’Reth… It’s just… I’m not beautiful enough for you… I don’t want to be looked upon by you when I’m… ugl—Ah!”

Xe’Reth forcibly spins Malinda around to grab tightly onto her wrists, to remove them from her covering face. Which pops Malinda’s mouth right open with her curves lowering and eyes that water yet again since she’s in her worst possible state.

He grabs Malinda, one hand behind her neck, the other on her chin, to force her to come closer to him.

Their lips hit each other as Malinda gives out a startling “Mmm!!” as her azure eyes have completely widened, to stare into his own gazing shadowy orbs. A forced kiss, a kiss that Malinda tries to get away from because she’ll taint Xe’Reth. But he keeps her there in his clutching hands, while her own pair tries to push him away, yet, her strength gives in utterly, then closes her eyes, to fully take in his kiss as their tongues swirl in their mouths. The saliva waters their lips as they enjoy each other.

Cerinn, however, grimaces with her tongue out in disgust for their shameless act of love. ‘Yuck! Is he really kissing her after she just puked?! Disgusting, pure… Ewww.’

While Taryna has a raised lip as she screams in her mind, ‘How dare you, dog! To touch your filthy lips against hers again! Remove them! Remove them! REMOVE THEM FROM HER! SHE ISN’T YOUR TOY TO PLAY WITH!’

At least, Tanya has clutching hands together as she fawns for her Miss and Xe’Reth, yet the thought of Malinda’s recent act makes her chuckle silently to herself. But lets go of the clutch to hide her smile.

“Wow, well, it didn’t taste so bad at least,” Xe’Reth said, removing his lips from hers as he grins. He also traces his thumb on Malinda’s mouth to get rid of the lipstick smudges but to no avail since it needs wetness to be removed. “Hmm, back to the point at hand, my love, because I think it would be a great start if we bathed together, wouldn’t you say so?”

“Uhhh…” Malinda flustered with an exhale of arousing air as her eyes flicker quickly, not trying to stare into his eyes of oblivion again. “But… I… I bathe naked, Xe’Reth…”

“Even better,” Xe’Reth whispered smilingly as he leans in with his upper body to be by her one ear. “Ever since I saw you, I’ve wanted to see you buck naked; your breasts, your butt, your curved back, your tight thighs, and everything you have at your disposal to show me… I want it all. In return, I will give you my all.”

He grabs ahold of her one hand, then he transfers it like he had once before in his rundown house. To his body. “My chest is yours, my lips are yours, even this is yours.”

“Aaah! Xe-Xe-Xe’Reth?!” Malinda squealed in total embarrassment upon touching his crotch, but since thick material covers his private part, she doesn’t get the full extent of what truly hides behind the pants. “Youu—So daring, Xe… Xe’Reth… I… I……—” Her eyes roll upwards as she looses her balance.

“Wow there,” Xe’Reth yelped as he catches the tilting Malinda who almost fainted flat on the floor if Xe’Reth didn’t manage to embrace her, but nonetheless, her lights have been blown out. “I guess you’ve had your fill of excitement for today it seems.”

………

……

…

“Mmm…” As Malinda’s eyes flickers to open, the sensation of wetness surrounds her whole body. Warmth, the warmness of water. Yet as her awareness unclouds, her eyes widens because she’s completely naked while sitting in her bathtub in her bedroom, by the northeast side. But then, another feeling touches her back; not the polished material of the tub, no. More of a soft yet firm physical surface as if she’s touching her own skin.

Though as two arms coils around her naked stomach, she gasps in bafflement. Her head turns slightly to stare wide-eyed at Xe’Reth who smiles comfortingly at her, “Well, hello there, my beautiful lover.”

“Xe’Reth…? What… Ah?! Why am I… Why are you… Xe’Reth what… Why… We’re naked?!” Malinda exclaimed as she wraps her light-skinned breasts with her arms to hide them, and crossing her legs too. Being flustered by this sudden situation. She isn’t ready for this yet. She hasn’t even seen him naked yet, she wants to also stare at his body. ‘Did he unclothe me? Has he already seen me fully naked when I was unconscious…?’

When her face grimaces in sadness, Xe’Reth’s eyebrows lower in shame as he apologizes, “I’m sorry, Malinda, did I go to far with this? Tanya gave consent so… Well, I guess I forced you into doing this…”

“No, Xe’Reth… it isn’t that… I just… My heart is not ready for this kind of load… But,” Malinda gulps as she turns her body to sit down in the tub, so the water reaches just below her unveiled bosoms. Her arms shelter them, but even so, her breasts can’t be fully hidden since they’re somewhat large, but not overly large to be abnormal. “I want to see, feel, and hear the words from you Xe’Reth. So… do… Do you think my body is pleasing enough? Am I beautiful? I also want you to see, feel, and hear my own words of your body… That perfect trained…” She gulps, “body of yours…”

“Is that so?” Xe’Reth answered with a raised scarred brow, but he chuckles with a smile, then travels to grip ahold of Malinda’s wrists. As she closes her eyes in submission, she removes her arms from her breasts, to display her upper body to Xe’Reth. “Oh…? Your nipples are inverted…”

“Yes, I’m ashamed of them…” Malinda said, lowering her head in pity.

“What, why? They’re beautiful even if they’re inverted. And your breasts are… Can I touch them?” Xe’Reth asked eagerly with a grin.

“I… Yes you can, but please be gentle…” Malinda answered, tightening her lips and furrowing her brows as Xe’Reth goes in. First he weighs them in his palms, then caresses them while Malinda gasps heavier the further he touches. When her breath starts to shudder, he finishes with a satisfied smile on his lips. Though Malinda without asking, has her own hands on his torso, stroking his flawless skin complexion with a tongue licking her upper lip in stimulation. “No, don’t sto—I, I mean… Uuhh”

“Come, lay your back against my chest. So you can relax more. You’ve indeed had a stressful day, my lovely maiden,” Xe’Reth said calmly, not showing any awkwardness from the caressing. Not even moved by these activities.

“O-Okay…” Malinda said with pouting selfish lips that want to be touched. “Ahh… Mmm, yes, right there Xe’Reth…”

However, as Malinda’s moans escape from behind the screens that cover their bathing time, Tanya sits on a chair by a small rectangle table while folding their used clothes all nonchalantly beside Cerinn who cringes from every noise Malinda makes.

Though as Tanya catches Cerinn’s furrowed brows, she whispers silently to her, “You’ll have to get used to this, because a handmaiden may also be in the same room when they have sex, but, Malinda won’t have us when she does such an act… She doesn’t even like to be watched when she bathe. Thus, you can be at ease as this will probably be the extent of her boldness, though be silent, so we can continue with our folding…”

‘Horny woman, keep your thoughts to yourself, humph!’ Cerinn thought sourly, then places her palms on her ears to keep the noise out, but to no avail. She continues to help Tanya.

Taryna, nowhere in sight. Because when Malinda fainted before, she screamed for Xe’Reth to let go of her Miss in a frantic way with hands gripping Xe’Reth’s wrists to make him let go of her. But before any further rudeness came from Taryna, Tanya, her sister, said a single sentence. Which Taryna utterly grimaced at as she couldn’t possibly let that filthy man know her secret, so she fled in defeat. Into the main room of relaxation, to order the cleaning servants to labor harder.

“Oh, they popped out!” Xe’Reth exclaimed in exhilaration as he fondles her breasts rather boldly, too.

“Xe’Reth…!” Malinda wailed in disapproval of his sudden embarrassing high voice. Her blush flustered face wants to turn to scold him, but as he continues to massage, she relaxes while leaning onto his torso. “D-Don’t say that, it’s humiliating…”

Xe’Reth nips on her one earlobe while he continues. Her hair has been let loose and her face doesn’t have any more smudges or eyeliner tarnishing her face. Which Malinda had gotten to know when she stroked with her fingers, to realize that someone has cleaned her up.

“Mmm, oh Xe… Xe’Reth… I’m getting dizzy. We, we better stop for today…” Malinda said, breathing heavily, in and out.

She takes his hands away from her breasts to place them around her collarbone to be embraced. Never would he have thought that she can be this daring in letting him do whatever he wants with her, yet, he doesn’t take it too far. He’s gentle, so gentle that her conscience wants to experience more of these activities, but alas, her strength have been drained completely.

“All right. And I’m feeling a little under the weather too. I have this constant headache that won’t stop pulsating, though, spending my time with you, has made me calm down immensely,” Xe’Reth agreed, kissing her turned cheek, which sprouts forth a bite-lipping smile. “Oh, while you were unconscious, I cleaned you up somewhat. Though I didn’t look at your private parts, I promise. I want to see them when you’re ready to let me. But anyhow, let’s wash up and head to bed.”

“Mm,” Malinda nodded, being relieved by his promised words. However, as her eyes travel to his dark orbs, she boldly asks, “Can you wash my hair, Xe’Reth?”

“Well, I’ve already done it, Malinda dear. Because you had been asleep for almost twenty minutes. Though Tanya had already told me that you washed before you went to dinner, therefore we’re actually finished. Or you could wash my hair? If you don’t mind, of course.” Xe’Reth asked, tilting his head somewhat to peer into hers glittering azure globes which widen in joy.

“I would love to! Come, sit in the middle, and I’ll be behind you,” Malinda excitedly replied, moving forward with her buttocks for Xe’Reth to spin his body around. “I’ve always been fascinated by how your hair can be so naturally slicked back, like an eagle’s head. It suits you, and I love it.”

“Haha, is that so?” Xe’Reth chuckled as Malinda runs her fingers through his hair, then she fills water in her bowl-formed hands, to wash his pure blackened hair…

………

……

…

“Here, Miss, and no looking, Sir Xe’Reth,” Tanya warned with a smile while holding a towel for Malinda to be wrapped up in. She holds it so her lower body doesn’t show, only her upper, which’s turned away.

As Cerinn stands on the other side of the tub, she stretches out her own hands with a towel for her Master. She says innocently with an adorable fake smile, “Here is your towel, Xe’Reth.” And as he stands up, her eyes go wide in shock as she gazes at his junk like the bath servants did. ‘Wow, I’ve never seen a man’s thing before… Lady Malinda is going to touch that…? Oh no, I wouldn’t want to be in her shoes. Though, aren’t men supposed to have hair down there, hmm, I read that when they’re adults they get p-pubic hair like women…’

“Something the matter, Cerinn?” Xe’Reth asked, raising his scarred brow at her non-moving hands.

“Wah? Ah, no, nothing, here,” Cerinn offered the towel in panic, which he takes to wrap his waist, then he steps out of the tub to put his wet feet on the hardened gray stone floor that tilts a tiny bit so water can flow to the corner of the wall where a hole is built. A drain that leads all the way down to the sewers of the city. ‘How can he be so shameless to not be moved when I look at his… his thing?! Humph. Shameless!’

………

“Here, Sir Xe’Reth, put these shorts on. Cerinn and I will be buying merchandise for you tomorrow. Clothes and anything you want, just tell Cerinn tomorrow to note it down on a piece of paper, okay?” Tanya said as she gives Xe’Reth the shorts, which he puts on nonchalantly by removing the towel right in front of Tanya though while she has her head turned away, for it would be rude to stare.

“Oh, all right,” Xe’Reth responded with flickering eyes since he didn’t expect that.

While Malinda stares at the newly purchased scarlet colored nightgown with black rims, she grimaces. Such a revealing piece of clothing that ends a little bit under her thighs. Underwear, too, lays on the table in front of her. Stark black with lace patterns.

As she puts them on, a piece at a time starting with the nightgown, her nervousness grows yet again inside her. She’s going to spend her first night sleeping with a man, her man. But as she licks her upper lip, she hurriedly pulls up the black panties to finish everything for her slumber.

A screen had been placed so she could have some privacy, and as she steps out from behind the screen, she walks toward Xe’Reth whose eyes, wide. Because what she’s wearing isn’t for sleeping, it’s to arouse the woman’s partner. But Tanya had no idea when she bought them, so Xe’Reth can only sigh inwardly at Malinda’s innocent swaying legs that stride on the crimson carpet.

“You look absolutely stunning, Malinda,” Xe’Reth praised with a hand raised for her to take. Which she does by gently putting her palm against his. To be guided to her own bed that she has slept in countless times.

“Miss. We’ll leave you two for tonight. Please have a pleasant time together,” Tanya curtsied elegantly, then, without waiting for her response, she leaves with Cerinn who gazes with a turned head to stare at the lovers.

As she goes out the opened bedroom door, Tanya closes it, to leave them in peace…

But what both Malinda and Tanya didn’t see was Xe’Reth’s sudden smirking curve that colored his face with utter triumph. Though right as the door closed, he had returned to normal in a split second, to reveal a mask of gentleness…

Their first night together.

Xe’Reth guides her while she follows with her outstretched hand. And as they reach the top of the steps, both of them climbs up on the bed, to drag the cover back, then with a heavy breathing Malinda, she turns her back against him to lay in a sideway position. Which Xe’Reth responds by spooning her. Pressing his chest, his legs, and wrapping his arm around her waist, to pull her closer to him, making her gasp in surprise.

The lights which brighten up the room gets put out. A mechanism that has been built into the walls to blow air through holes to turn off the flaming lights. Tanya had also put out the hearth personally. And as the darkness settles in, the spooning Xe’Reth whispers into her flustered ear, “Goodnight, my love, my gorgeous Lady Malinda. For tomorrow night, you’ll experience our true union.”

No response, nothing, only the gulping throat from Malinda resounds…

The night of sleep finally takes Malinda after a couple of minutes, surprisingly, because somehow, she feels a sensation of utter comfort by being held by Xe’Reth, her love, her man…

………

The darkness continues…

………

……

…

Thanks for reading, see you next Wednesday!

And so, a new day will begin when they wake up. What will happen? Will it be filled with events like this day? Who knows... :D

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Well then... Until Next Time.

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