She continued to watch my body with an eager gaze. I sighed helplessly. Back in the village, most of the girls were always eager to help me, especially when it came to washing by the riverside. So, I was used to it—it didn't bother me too much.
But her touch… it was different. Every gentle brush of her hand against my skin sent a strange tingle through me. It wasn't unpleasant, but it wasn't something I was used to either. She washed every inch of my body with meticulous care, as if trying to memorize every detail. By the time she was done, my face had flushed a deep red. She gave a satisfied nod and began drying me off with a soft towel.
Feeling awkward but curious, I broke the silence, my voice barely above a whisper, "Your Majesty, could you perhaps tell me… why did you help bathe me?"
My eyes met hers with innocent curiosity, and I could tell she felt it—my sincerity was palpable.
Her cheeks turned pink, and she looked away for a moment before gently putting some clothes on me. "Hmm… don't ask questions unless I give you permission, okay?" Her tone was calm, but I could sense the embarrassment behind it.
I simply nodded, choosing not to press further. Once she finished dressing me, she didn't waste any time. Taking my hand, we walked through the hallways toward her private chambers.
As we passed maids and servants, I could feel their amused stares. Their eyes lingered on me with a mixture of curiosity and mischief, making me feel self-conscious. I tried to keep my gaze low and make myself as small as possible.
While walking, I realized that I barely reached her shoulder in height. That annoyed me slightly, but I kept my feelings to myself.
When we finally reached her room, she closed the door behind us and turned to face me. Her cheeks were flushed again—this time with anticipation. Without warning, she pushed me gently onto the bed and began undressing me once more.
"W-What are you doing, Your Majesty?!" I asked, my voice rising with panic.
She gave me a slight smile, though there was a hint of irritation in her expression. "Didn't I tell you not to speak unless I allow it?" Her voice took on a more authoritative tone, one that didn't leave room for disobedience.
Soon, she had stripped me down to just my undergarments. I shivered slightly, trying to cover myself from the sudden chill. She didn't seem to notice—or maybe she did—and merely smiled again.
Then, to my confusion, she grabbed a maid's uniform.
"What...?" I couldn't finish my sentence before she started dressing me in it.
My face turned bright red as she slipped the outfit onto me. The fabric was soft, yet the humiliation was hard to ignore. Still, I let her do it, helpless in her presence.
Once I was fully dressed as a maid, she stepped back to admire her work. Her eyes sparkled with satisfaction before she pulled me into a tight embrace, her arms wrapping around me possessively.
Minutes passed, her body pressed against mine, her warmth overwhelming. I felt increasingly uncomfortable, yet I couldn't move. Her face still carried that flushed expression of excitement.
Eventually, night fell. Moonlight poured into the room through her window. Finally, she released me from her grasp, stretching with a soft yawn, her body moving in a way that was both elegant and provocative.
I groaned softly, my muscles sore from how tightly she had held me. She glanced at me with a look that said she wanted to hug me again, but instead, she spoke gently.
"Can you tell me what happened?" she asked, her voice sincere. "Why did you become a slave?"
That question hit me harder than I expected. I couldn't hold it in anymore.
Tears welled up in my eyes and started streaming down my face. She was startled, clearly not expecting such a reaction. Without a word, she pulled me back into her embrace, softer this time, warmer.
"It's okay," she whispered. "You can tell me everything—your sorrow, your pain, your sadness. I'll listen."
Her words pierced through the emotional wall I had tried so hard to maintain. As my crying slowly subsided, I began to speak—haltingly at first, but then more clearly.
I told her everything. About the peaceful days in the village. About how, one night, everything turned to ash. How fire consumed our homes. How screams filled the air. And how, in the end, I was taken—alone and afraid.
Lucy listened quietly, her hand gently stroking my back as I spoke. When I finished, she let out a quiet sigh, her eyes full of pity.
"You're quite unfortunate, aren't you?" she murmured. "But don't worry. You're in good hands now."
Her words held a warmth that I didn't know I needed. My heart, once heavy, began to lighten. Bit by bit, the clarity in my eyes returned. A faint hope flickered inside me.
She smiled with satisfaction. Originally, her plan was simply to relieve her stress from the intense pressure of Expectations of others was really take a toll on her. She had grown cold from isolation, distant from everyone around her.
But then I appeared—an innocent boy with a painful past. And unexpectedly, she found solace in me.
Eventually, she let me go and gestured for me to wait. A few minutes later, a maid entered, carrying a tray of food.
The maid's eyes widened when she saw me. Dressed in a maid's outfit, my face still damp with traces of tears, I could feel her gaze soften with affection. A mix of curiosity and something else lingered in her expression.
Lucy noticed too. Her face flickered with a bit of annoyance—possessiveness even—but she said nothing. With a small gesture, she ordered the maid to leave. The maid obeyed, though reluctantly.
Once alone, Lucy sat beside me, her cheeks pink with excitement. She began feeding me gently, her fingers occasionally brushing my lips.
"Good boy," she whispered, nuzzling my hair softly.
I didn't say anything. I was too hungry, too tired. I simply ate, savoring the warm food and the momentary peace.
After the meal, she lay down beside me and pulled me into her arms again. This time, I didn't resist. I returned the embrace, feeling a strange but welcome comfort.
That night, for the first time in what felt like ages, I slept peacefully.
As morning came and sunlight filtered into the room, Lucy stirred beside me. She stretched her alluring form with a satisfied sigh and smiled.
Slowly, I opened my eyes too, feeling a little less broken than I had the day before.