The sun had begun its descent beyond the horizon, casting hues of orange and pink across the sky. The air had taken on a gentle chill as evening settled upon the estate.
Katrin found herself still lost in the pages of Azrael's diary, the intricate stories and hidden secrets woven through its pages captivating her imagination. Her eyes grew heavy as the weight of the tome rested in her hands. She closed the diary with a soft sigh, her mind abuzz with the mysteries it held. The room was bathed in a soft, ethereal light as she turned each page, her fingers tracing over the faded ink.
Realizing she needed a break, Katrin stretched her arms and stood up, her muscles protesting after hours of sitting in the same position. She glanced around the ornate room, her gaze falling on the inviting opulence of the bathing area. The thought of a warm bath was incredibly appealing, and she welcomed the chance to wash away the tension that had built up in her.
As she started to unfasten her clothes, Katrin was surprised by a gentle knock on the door. She froze, clutching her blouse to her chest, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. Before she could utter a word, the door creaked open, and two maids entered with a polite smile.
"Forgive us for the intrusion, Miss Katrin," the elder of the two said, her voice laced with a respectful tone. "We were sent to prepare a bath for you, as per the Duke's instructions."
Katrin blinked, taken aback by the unexpected assistance. "Oh, well, thank you," she stammered, her cheeks still tinged with pink. She hadn't even thought of how she'd get the water warm.
The maids moved efficiently, filling the extravagant bathtub with steaming water infused with fragrant herbs. Katrin awkwardly shuffled to the side, giving them as much space as possible. When the maids finished their task, they gave her respectful bows and quietly exited the room, closing the door behind them.
With a sigh of relief, Katrin finally undressed and slipped into the soothing water. The warmth enveloped her, easing the tension from her muscles. She leaned back, her thoughts wandering to her family. She pictured her brother's worried expression, his furrowed brow and how her absence must have affected her mother.
A sudden pang of guilt tugged at her heart. The thoughts of her family and her past began to swirl in her mind. She wondered how her brother and mother were faring, and what lies Marisa might have concocted to explain her disappearance. It was likely that Marisa had woven a tale of her running away with a man or some other fantastical scenario.
Her fingers drifted to the tiny bottle Lucy had given her hanging on the small rope round her neck. a token of hope yet something she didn't know what to do with. Katrin closed her eyes, offering a silent prayer that she would find a way to help Lucy break the curse that bound her. She wondered what it would be to fully embrace her destiny, to unlock the aid powers that lay dormant within her.
She thought of Willow, hoping that she would meet the witch again soon, so she could teach her on what exactly she was meant to do.
As she eventually stepped out of the bath, wrapping herself in a plush towel, her eyes fell on the fresh set of nightwear laid out on the bed. She's surprise at this gesture mingled with a sense of gratitude for the thoughtful attention the workers had to her comfort, even if she was just a slave. She slipped into the nightwear, its fabric soft against her skin and she decided to view outside.
The night air was cool and with a sense of curiosity, she padded barefoot to the balcony, drawn by the allure of the evening scene. The expansive gardens stretched before her, a tapestry of trees laden with an assortment of fruits. She leaned against the railing, her gaze fixated upon the sprawling expanse of trees, each bearing fruits of vibrant colors and enticing aromas
Amidst the familiar fruits, her imagination stirred, conjuring up images of elven delicacies. She had heard tales of mythical fruits from distant lands, ones with flavors and colors beyond the imagination of ordinary folk. Her mind invented names for these wondrous treats She imagined fruits with names like "Moonberry," "Stardew Plum," and "Ethereal Apple," their flavors as enchanting as their names.— Starlight Berries, and Whispering Pears—fruits that sounded as if they belonged in the elven realm.
As she gazed at the gathering of trees, Katrin's longing for adventure and discovery grew. Her fingers brushed the bottle around her neck once more, a symbol of the bond she shared with Lucy and the promise of her own extraordinary journey.
The evening breeze played with her hair, carrying with it the scent of the gardens below. She remained lost in her thoughts and only came back when her legs began to feel the cold.
Her search for her shoes were interrupted by a rhythmic knock on her door. The pattern was playful and interesting, and Katrin's curiosity got the best of her. She went to answer, her heart racing slightly, as she had a guess of who it was.
To no immense surprise, Duke Ethan stood outside her room, a silver tray in his hands. His brow arched playfully as he took in her nightly look, noticing her choice of attire, or rather, lack thereof and a playful smirk gracing his lips. "Good evening, Katrin, May I come in."
Katrin quickly moved aside, forgetting her state of dress, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
Ethan entered, placing the tray on the bedside table before taking a seat on the edge of the bed. He patted the space beside him with a mischievous glint in his eyes an invitation for Katrin to join him. Katrin hesitated before complying, unsure of what to expect.
Suddenly, Ethan leaned forward, his face mere inches from hers. Katrin's heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushing red. She moved back instinctively, surprised by his sudden proximity. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked, "What are you doing?"
Ethan's gaze held hers, his expression a mix of amusement and intrigue. "Do you realize how you're dressed, Katrin? In night robes, alone, in a room, with a man."
Katrin's face turned a deep shade of crimson in realization and turned even redder when she understood what he was intending. She clutched at the fabric of her robe, desperately wishing for a shield of invisibility.
"I, uh, didn't expect... I mean, I didn't realize...", she looked around for something and found a pillow as good use.
Ethan's playful teasing continued, his words a dance of humor and flirtation "What a cute and curious thing you are. No need to be so flustered, Just thought you might be hungry." He reached for her hand and placed a gentle kiss on it, his touch brief yet lingering.
"Take care, little bunny-cat," he murmured, his voice a playful whisper. "Don't forget to eat."
Her embarrassment mingled with a hint of irritation at his nickname for her. Still, her stomach growled audibly, betraying her hunger. She cleared her throat, attempting to regain some composure. "I suppose I could eat something."
He grinned, reaching for a delicate piece of pastry and offering it to her. "you need to eat, Katrin. We wouldn't want you fading away."
As she took the pastry from his fingers, their hands brushed against each other, sending a shiver down her spine. She managed a small smile, a mixture of gratitude and awkwardness playing on her features.
Ethan's expression softened for a moment, his eyes holding a small warmth that hadn't caught her attention. Then, with a final playful peck on her cheek, he stood up, his grin returning. "Well, I'll leave you to your meal and your thoughts. Have a good night, Katrin."
With that, he stepped back, his enigmatic smile intact. Katrin was left stunned, her heart racing as she tried to process the unexpected encounter. He left the room, leaving her in a state of shock and uncertainty. Katrin stared after him, her heart still racing from his unexpected proximity and the fluttering kiss on her hand.
As Ethan walked away from her room, a mischievous grin played on his lips. In his hand, he held strands of long brown hair in his hand, twirling it absentmindedly. His amusement danced in his eyes as he walked away. The game of intrigue and attraction had only just begun.
Meanwhile, Katrin was left standing in her room, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. The whole meeting had left her flustered and unsure of how to react. As she stared out at the elven realm beyond her balcony, she wondered what other surprises this mystical place held in store for her, and how her path would continue to intertwine with Duke Ethan's.