Before a fight could erupt, a voice echoed through the room, a voice that entered the fray only after witnessing Lucas lose his temper. "Lucifer, you should be wise with your choice of words, one could easily get offended by their bluntness," The incredulous tone belonged to none other than Lucifer's aunt, Rosalina.
Seeing his mother come to defend her son, Lucifer couldn't help but smirk. He had known she was eavesdropping, yet she'd only felt the need to intervene when Lucas had nearly started a brawl.
Rosalina, with her ambition to secure the Duke position, had little love for anything beyond her own desires. She had returned to the dukedom to maintain her power and status after it had regained its former glory. Her feelings toward Lucifer were far from warm; in fact, she had made multiple attempts on his life, leaving not just physical scars but also emotional turmoil within him.
Because of her, Lucifer had to keep his distance from Lucas to avoid trouble, even though he had wanted to grow closer to his cousin.
So, he harbored no guilt going against her. "I apologize if my words seemed blunt, but when do you plan to move back to Count Rosenthal's mansion? I'm sure it must be challenging for the count to manage everything alone. If you delay any longer, I am afraid he might really find a mistress to replace you, dear Aunt," Lucifer's words hit a nerve, and her anger flared.
Lucifer gazed at her, waiting for her response. Rosalina scoffed, attempting to soften the situation. "I'm sure our dear youngest meant well for his aunt, right?" She tried to twist his words.
Before Lucifer could reply, a gruff voice sounded from the other end of the hall. "I didn't know I needed your permission to let my daughter stay in the mansion."
Climbing the steps slowly, Lucifer's grandfather, Augustus Lysander, came to support his daughter, Rosalina. A wry smile formed on her lips, and while it hadn't been her intention, this could work in her favor. The old man might once again be disappointed in his grandson, strengthening her position.
"Father, don't be too hard on Lucifer. He's still young and grew up without parental guidance. So, forget his choice of words; he still has much to learn," she played the victim card, targeting the weak spots of both grandson and grandfather.
The mention of his son reignited the old man's pain and suffering, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't be lenient with his grandson. "She came here out of filial pity to take care of this old man's health. Leaving her husband and family behind is already tough for her. You don't have to understand her, but don't mistreat her with your ill thoughts," he scolded Lucifer, standing firmly by his aunt, as always, as someone who always only looked at one side of the picture and concluded it's Lucifer's fault.
" If it's only for your health, I'm quite certain there are many capable doctors in the capital to care of you grandfather, " Lucifer stood his ground this time, refusing to back down.
The old master was taken aback by this sudden change in Lucifer's behavior. Normally, Lucifer never dared to talk back to him. He couldn't decipher what had caused this shift, but he couldn't let Lucifer's defiance slide.
"You killed my son, and now you want to keep me away from my daughter? Are you seeking my death as well?" The old master delivered the final blow, using Lucifer's parents as leverage.
Lucifer's composure wavered for a moment, but he quickly regained it. "Of course not, Grandfather, but your health hasn't improved even with my dear aunt's care. So, I hope you reconsider having a doctor attend to you instead of my aunt," with that, Lucifer turned and headed to his room, unable to tolerate the stifling atmosphere any longer.
Watching Lucifer's retreating figure, the old master fell into contemplation. He questioned whether he had been too harsh, but in the depths of his heart, he harbored no regrets for his stern words to the 21-year-old Duke.
"That insolent brat! How dare he run away while I was speaking? He's been spiraling out of control lately," the old man scolded, sinking into the sofa in a fit of anger.
" Well, turns out he isn't a brat anymore, maybe he would listen if you change ...." Lucas, who had been observing silently from the sidelines, finally voiced his thoughts, though they were cut short by a stern glare from his mother.
"Father, please, let not your anger consume you. He is still in his youth and will learn with time," Rosalina consoled, attempting to pacify the old man's rising rage.
"Only if he were half as good as you, my dear. All he excels at is instilling fear in others with his power, hmph!! that arrogance of his, " the old man continued, expressing his disappointment.
Although Lucifer could overhear their conversation, he chose not to engage. He was well aware of the predictable nature of the old man's words. Regardless of his accomplishments, he understood that his grandfather would never acknowledge his merits or offer praise. So, he continued walking towards his room, leaving the familial tension behind.
Upon opening the door, Lucifer was greeted by Astrid, who stood patiently outside the bathroom, awaiting his arrival.
His nostrils were immediately greeted by a soothing wave of medicinal herbs wafting through the air.
These were the aromatic herbs and oils infused in the bathwater, known for their calming effects.
Noticing his presence, Astrid warmly greeted him with a smile, her eyes reflecting genuine care. She is well aware of his insomnia, and its severity, and knows there's nothing these medicines can do when it's his brain that is at fault.
As Lucifer stepped closer to the bathroom, the fragrant oils worked their magic, easing the tension in his muscles and offering a moment of respite.
This was the medicinal bath, a ritual that had become a regular part of Lucifer's life, a form of aromatherapy, and a last resort in his ongoing battle with relentless insomnia, though it also seems to have no results up until now.
No matter how hard he tried, sleep remained an elusive mistress, slipping through his grasp like a wisp of smoke.
Over the years, Lucifer had embarked on countless journeys to find relief. Sleepless nights had driven him to overwork, in the hopes that mental fatigue would eventually lead to slumber. He had experimented with meditation, sipped countless herbal teas, and even tested various prescribed medications, all to no avail.
Despite his tireless efforts, nothing seemed to calm his restless heart except for the girl who now stood before him.
Looking at Astrid, a softness enveloped Lucifer's heart. "The bath is ready," her voice gently flowed into the room, though he was momentarily lost in his thoughts. Clearing her throat, she spoke louder, "Master Lucifer?"
"Hmm," he responded, walking toward the bathroom.
Just before he untied his cape, he turned to see her standing just outside the bathroom. "What are you doing standing there?"
Astrid's eyes met and she couldn't stop the small drums beginning to thud which she wasn't sure if it was her imagining it as she could hear it through her ears.
Lucifer didn't miss the way her breath caught, and her senses seemed to be on high alert as he turned to face the tub, his back to her.
When Lucifer pulled the coat off his body in slow motion, Astrid couldn't help but look at the way the coat began to first fall off his broad and taut shoulders. The black coat cascaded down to his feet, revealing the muscles it had concealed until now.
Astrid took a sharp breath, her eyes fixed on his back. Her breathing grew shallow at the mere sight of his naked back, his skin as pale as hers, covered with black marks, which are a result of the curse. Even though she hadn't touched his skin, she imagined it was as smooth as the clothes that lay on the ground.
His broad back tapered down to a lean waist, and the muscles of his lower back were firm, causing her cheeks to redden with embarrassment at her unintentional ogling.
Removing his remaining clothing, he stepped into the bathtub, spilling water onto the floor as he settled in comfortably.
Astrid, on the other hand, did nothing but stand in the spot she was in, her nerves all over the place which spiralled one after the other at the thought of a completely naked Lucifer in the tub.
"What? Are you too stunned to breathe after witnessing my body? Am I so mesmerizing that you can't control yourself?" he teased her, earning a blush in response.
"I've seen better," she retorted, trying to irritate him.
Lucifer chuckled, amused by her response. "Then I suppose you won't have any trouble washing me up," he said playfully, waiting for her to begin.
Without making eye contact, Astrid went to the stand where the bath amenities were placed. She picked up the soap and, came to the tub with her eyes glued to the soap in her hand. She didn't dare to look at him as she pulled a small stool closer to sit beside him.
"Where do I start?" she asked, her voice quivering slightly.