My Master’s Side
“Why does Master talk that way with me?” She asked as she approached him.
“Because I see you as a woman,” Adolphus’ answer left her in shock.
Did she hear him correctly? “It seems the Crown Prince is still drunk,” she asserted and began walking slowly.
“No, I’m not. I am indeed attracted to you,” Adolphus said, and he moved his hand in the water. He asked her to start her work. “It’s not to build attraction towards a beautiful woman,” he opined.
Three high marble stairs would lead to the pool, and Iris sat on the top of them. Adolphus was on the first step while his arms rested above it.
“Master, but an attraction towards a servant is not good. I am a human who isn’t even allowed to wander around with the werewolves,” Iris said and picked up the mug to pour water over Adolphus’ body.
“Why does it seem you are also attracted to me,” he concluded and tilted his head to peer at her.
“I am not attracted to the Master,” Iris stated and put the mug down. She picked up the scented soap bar and asked him if she should apply soap.
“Hmm.”
Iris gently applied the soap bar over Adolphus’ shoulders and then arms. Every time the soft pad of her fingers touched his skin, it would leave him shivering under that touch. He curled his fingers and realized her touch was different from the servants who earlier helped him bathe.
“Iris, you know that I cannot get the scent of my mate. I am like a normal human, who has to find love or get married in an arranged marriage. However, I didn’t find any women attractive. However, you are different in all the aspects,” Adolphus told her, his heart desires.
What did he feel for her and what did he want from her? He wasn’t the type who would play with women, as the nobles and royals usually did. This was the first time his body had been reacting differently to a woman around him, and he could not ignore it.
Iris’s hand movements slowed as she heard his words.
“I won’t hurt you. However, I want to go forward with what I feel for you. The werewolf inside me gets the urge to kiss you whenever you get close to me. Everything about you is mesmerizing to me,” he affirmed.
Last night, when he lay next to her and embraced her, he felt so secure. The world of his loneliness was filled with warmth, and his heart was giddy. He was burned with jealousy when he saw Iris laughing along with his brother. It didn’t take him long to realize that it was because of his attraction towards her.
“Why have you stopped?” Adolphus asked her.
Iris promptly started and applied the soap bar to his back too. She then asked Adolphus to move in her direction, and he did that. She kept her head down while his burning gaze was still on her. The water was covering his lower abdominal region. She applied the soap to his front body, gently and with slight hesitation.
Her heart was palpitating against her chest, and she didn’t dare to meet his gaze. She didn’t want him to feel attracted towards her and the opposite happened. If anyone found out about it in the castle, she would surely be punished.
The royalty would blame her for seducing the Crown Prince, and she might get into a guillotine.
“Iris, I will return late today,” Adolphus said.
“Yes, Master.” She didn’t ask why he would be late, although she was curious.
“What happened? You are ignoring me,” he asked.
“I am not, Master,” Iris replied, and told him that she had applied the soap.
Adolphus’ calloused fingers rested under her chin, and he made her look into his eyes. “Is it because I told you I felt attracted to you?” he queried.
“Master, can I request something from you? I know that I’m a servant, but I also know that the master is kind, and he will surely acknowledge my request,” she said and waited for his response.
“If you ask to do something which will benefit you, I surely will do it,” Adolphus replied.
“My Master’s attraction towards me can bring trouble for me. I don’t want it to happen. In the castle, humans aren’t appointed to the service of the royals, but I was appointed to His Excellency’s service. I think if he gives me too much attention, then it will not be good,” she didn’t hesitate to make her point.
“You are right. But I am Adolphus. I always do what I feel is right. I will burn the person alive if the person tries to harm you merely because of me,” he proclaimed.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
Iris curled her fingers and knitted her brows.
“Why don’t you wash my body?” He reminded her and she hummed. She moved back and picked up the jug. She washed the soap from his body and then she washed his neck.
Since the soap was foamless, the water in the pool didn’t get dirty. It was a soap bar made naturally with flower extracts and some oils.
Adolphus moved ahead in the pool and took a few dips into the pool of water. Iris looked at him in a daze, and she gulped to see how his back muscles clenched. She didn’t realize that she was staring at him once again. Adolphus turned to face her and flipped his hair. The toned body glistened under the candlelight, and it made her heart race.
“Iris!”
Adolphus’ voice brought her out of her wild imagination, and she looked at him, “Yes, Master?”
“You can come into the pool if you want,” he started to tease her.
Iris gaped at him and promptly looked away from him. “Master, shall I leave?” she asked.
“You have yet to wash my hair,” he went back in her direction. He sat again at his place and asked her to wash his hair.
She hummed when he told her to go to the cupboard on the right side where a rice water shampoo was put. Iris followed his command and returned with the glass bottle of rice water. She washed his hair with that.
“Iris, your family is searching for you,” Adolphus suddenly informed her. Iris stopped massaging his scalp and got scared.
“Now, tell me. What do you want me to do? According to the palace rules, one cannot be free if he or she is bought as a servant. Also, I found out your father is a clergyman. If he was a mere commoner, this matter about your disappearance would not have come out,” Adolphus explained to her.
“I do not leave my master’s side,” Iris pronounced.
Adolphus smiled at her and told her that he would protect her.
“Thank you, Master,” Iris said, and again began her work.