Death, the symbolism of Autumn.
Where the moon wins the timeless battle of the ages. The molten-gold sheets of summer light turn into despairing fingers of moonlight. The straining light of the autumn moon creates a dome of a soft glow above the trees and lends an eerie glamour to their death sleep.
It's finally the season where the leaves wilt on the ground and the flowers perish from the branches. I soaked my body in the freshness of the cool water with the scent of sweet jasmine, before giving my bathrobe to my maidservant, Tylene.
Exhausting, was a word to describe this today's schedule. I spent my time in the morning tending to my grandfather by reading him his favorite books and helping my mother entertain her guests. Before lunch, I was tutored by my etiquette teacher about dancing waltz and table manners.
In the afternoon, I continued to study in the library for our lectures in school. Then at 3 o'clock, I was eventually allowed to stroll through the castle grounds and eat pastries I baked with my younger sisters.
Earlier, my mother introduced me to one of her friend's sons that had led us into a mini argument. I am nearing my 19th birthday and as part of our tradition, any maiden who's about to turn 19 is obliged to attend a party to meet her future groom-to-be.
It was pointless for now because it's still eight months before my natal day. My mother is too excited for her own daughter, it's better yet that she marries herself off to the men that she's trying to matchmake with me. To be frank, I had no intentions of marrying or meeting airheaded fellows.
The idea of a man greeting me as I enter the house while sitting on my bed at night is infuriating, especially when we are both forced into something neither I or him wants to be involved!
"As a woman, it is your entitlement to be the matriarch of your home, take care of what's best for your children, and feed your husband. These countless preparations we have dined in front of you will make you the perfect bride so be thankful," that's what my mother has always told me.
Yet, it didn't sink right to me. I have always believed that I am more than just being an entertainer for the guest or serving a husband.
I am entitled to do greater things ahead.
I embraced my body upon the chillness seizing my skin. I shut my eyes for meditation but was interrupted when someone knocked on the other side of the bathing room. I nodded at Tylene, gesturing her to answer the call. It was only a slight moment before she came announcing what was been said to her.
"M'lady," she didn't meet my gaze," Madam Aurelia Echethier has arrived from her journey in Kestramore. This is a sudden appointment but she said that... she is really eager to see you today because she'll be occupied with plans for tomorrow."
I lifted my head upon hearing the mere mention of Aurelia, one of the palace knights who was designated to serve me since my 16th birthday. She is two years older but since her father has been elected to a much higher position, Aurelia and I have never been seeing each other that much as we always used to.
It's surprising that she came for a visit, especially, at this time of the year when the kingdom required more security from bandits and scammers, surveying the area.
"Would you like me to tell her that you aren't available at this moment, M'lady?" I didn't notice that she had been waiting for my answer for minutes now.
"Ah, no! No need! Very well, do tell her to enter," I commanded, letting out a weak smile. Tylene inclined before leaving to fetch Aurelia outside.
I felt a sudden rush in my heart, almost like I am about to have an outburst of emotions. It was as though I have been longly anticipating for this day to come... but rather than excitement, why do I feel anxious about it? The swoony sensation made me play with my feet as I wait for her to arrive.
Someone knocked at the door; Tylene entered, alongside her, is Aurelia who looked worn out from her week-long travel. The both of us kind of stared at each other, leaving Tylene to watch, amidst the awkward silence.
"I see, you were washing yourself," Aurelia untangled her braid alluringly, revealing a disheveled dark strawberry-brown hairdo that left me in awe. She slowly took off parts of her greyish seemingly impenetrable armor," It would be a waste of time to wait for you outside so I'll just bathe together with you..."
Tylene and I were discomposed by her appealing suggestion. I looked at Tylene whose face was bright red. It may be because seeing two women wanting to bathe together is uneasy as people of the opposite sex doing the same thing.
Yet... come to think of it, why would it be uneasy... it's not like we're going to do something else than just clean, right?
Aurelia glanced at me, a devilish smirk inscribed across her face," Will it be fine, My Lady? It's not like the first time that we showered together, is it?" I clenched my fist with the rapid movement I felt in my chest. Like a child trying to run away to chase after something. There was a feeling that something's holding me underneath, making me act concerned.
"Indeed, it's fine, Lila," I called by a nickname that I used to address her," Tylene?"
"Yes, My Lady!" she responded after being distracted by Aurelia's undressing, that I admit, I'm guilty myself too.
"You can leave now with the rest of the maidservants outside. Lila and I would like to be alone until we finish our bath together. You are dismissed for today..." I took a glimpse at Aurelia who was also peeking at me as she strips.
"Of course, My Lady!" Tylene acknowledged before gushing outside of the bathing chamber. I even heard her loud command to the people waiting outside that made me laugh for a split second. Well, not until, I noticed Aurelia again who was busy eyeing me.
We were both bound in perplexing speechlessness. It was weeks since I last saw her and even though she pays small visits it wasn't enough to hurdle this baffling sensation. Whenever Aurelia drops by to make reports to my Father, we would only exchange pleasantries or discreet kisses to each other in the library before it'll take her to leave again.
"So how's your travel in Kestramore? I was unable to send you letters due to my brother who was also there..." I gained the courage to initiate the conversation first.
Aurelia was already finishing undressing her armor and other apparatus. I turned around after the mere sight of her naked body that made me sway slightly in the opposite direction. She descended down the stairs of the pond-like stoned jacuzzi, surrounded by plants and flowers.
I walked towards the end of the tub to reach for my barrette when Aurelia embraced me fondly from behind. There it was again... my naughty heart pounding faster than it had before. She gently placed my hair at the front kissing the back of my neck, her plump breasts were touching my skin. Aurelia playfully stroked my abdomen downwards before I stopped her.
She snickered at my gesture, sorrow was apparent in her voice, "Querida, I have been longing for you... do you not miss me as I do?" Her hands still roaming in my body.
"Ah w-well, I am... it's just —" I whimpered," There are people outside who might hear us..." Even I know that it's a stupid explanation.
Aurelia lightly brought me to face her. Her naked appearance screamed eroticism as I forced myself not to pay attention to it. She carried my arms to embrace her neck," Well, I don't mind having an audience to entertain... besides, you'll have to make up for the letters you failed to send me, darling."
She moved her head closer to mine before I initiated the kiss.
The heat rose in my cheeks as my lips touched Aurelia's lips, quick delicious, then firmer, more determined, more curious about the heat that lay within, appealed to chase down that elusive liquid lightning that reached through both of us.
"Aurelia..." I moaned in between our passionate kiss. She traced my jaw to my chin, slipping through my collarbones and my breast. We made a slight moment for eye contact as her fingers caressed my nipples, lovingly.
I knew my face was bright red. I laid my head on her shoulders to cover up with the electrifying feeling on my spine. My knees gave in as Aurelia weakens my core. I grabbed her arm for support," You are especially sensitive today, darling, we haven't formally started yet."
Aurelia was fondling my breast while her other hand traveled downwards reaching in between my thighs but she only stopped there, like she's waiting for me to beg more and more. Aurelia made her presence known just for me to realize that only she can bring me to salvation...
Her tongue made its territory inside of my mouth, I pulled her hair gripping on the urge to let out a loud moan," Please, Aurelia... stop teasing... I want you —"
"What do you want me to do for you, My Lady?" she asked, erotically, pressing my body against the edge of the tub. Her wondering hands held my butt before spanking it," If you don't tell me, I won't be able to help you." Aurelia kissed my nose.
"Please, Aurelia, don't leave... play with me for the rest of the night," I pleaded before claiming her lips for a kiss.
She let out a heavy sigh," How can I possibly reject your appeal, Querida? If that's what you want..." Aurelia smiled before lifting me on the edge of the tub. I shivered at the fact that she's facing my womanhood.
"Aurelia, this is —" she didn't let me finish talking about our awkward position. Aurelia took the back of my hand before kissing it.
"Come on, Sabina, don't dwell on it," Aurelia looked at me as she leisurely spreads my legs apart," There will be a lot of other things you'll beg from me tonight."