When Zafron re-entered the room with the oil, he was momentarily taken aback by the sight before him. Lady Matilda had efficiently prepared herself for the massage during his brief absence.
She had moved from her armchair to the large, ornate bed that dominated one side of the room. Lady Matilda now lay face down on the bed, her head resting on her folded arms. She had removed her outer garments, leaving her back exposed. A soft, plush towel was draped carefully across her lower body. Zaphron however could still see her breast pressed against the bed, showing glimpses of her side breasts.
'Focus, you are not here for that. Just massage her and go!!' he said as he caught himself staring at the bare skin of his mistress.
Her long hair, usually perfectly styled, had been packed aside, revealing the graceful curve of her neck and the expanse of her shoulders. The flickering light from nearby candles cast a warm glow on her skin, highlighting its smooth, unblemished surface.
Lady Matilda turned her head slightly as Zafron entered, offering a small, reassuring smile. "I'm ready whenever you are," she said softly, settling back into a comfortable position.
Zafron hesitated for a moment, taking in the scene and gathering his composure. He approached the bed, uncapping the bottle of massage oil as he prepared to begin the treatment.
He approached the bed, gently uncapping the bottle of massage oil. He poured a small amount into his palms, warming it between his hands before carefully applying it to Lady Matilda's shoulders.
"Is the pressure okay?" he asked softly as he began to work the tension from her muscles.
Lady Matilda sighed contentedly. "Perfect, thank you. You have quite skilled hands, Zafron."
As he continued the massage, working his way down her back, Lady Matilda spoke again. "Tell me, how are you finding Blackthorn Mansion? I hope your quarters are comfortable."
Zafron's hands moved methodically, easing out knots of tension. "It's... impressive," he admitted. "I've never lived anywhere so grand before. My room is more than comfortable - it's luxurious compared to what I'm used to."
"I'm glad to hear that," Lady Matilda said, her voice muffled slightly by the pillow. "And the gardens? Have you had a chance to explore them?"
Zafron's movements slowed as he considered. "I've seen them from my window, but I haven't ventured out much yet. They look beautiful, though."
Lady Matilda chuckled softly. "You must take some time to enjoy them. The rose garden is particularly lovely this time of year."
As Zafron worked on a particularly tense spot, Lady Matilda winced slightly. "Ah, right there. That's been bothering me for days."
Zafron focused his attention on the area, applying careful pressure. "I'll do my best to work it out, my lady."
They lapsed into comfortable silence for a few moments, broken only by Lady Matilda's occasional sighs of relief as the tension left her body.
"Zafron," she said after a while, "I hope you know that while you're here to work, I also want you to feel at home. You're not just a servant, but a part of this household."
Zafron's hands stilled for a moment, touched by her words. "Thank you, Lady Matilda. That means a lot to me," he said.
The older woman smiled contently as she enjoyed how Zaphron's hands although young were strong and worked their way on her back.
As he resumed the massage, a sense of peace settled over the room. For Zafron, it was another small step towards feeling truly at home in Blackthorn Mansion.
He continued the massage, his strong hands moving with practiced precision. He applied firm, steady pressure to Lady Matilda's shoulders, using his thumbs to work out the knots in circular motions. His fingers kneaded the tense muscles along her spine, gradually easing the stiffness.
As he worked, Zafron paid careful attention to Lady Matilda's reactions, adjusting his technique when she tensed or relaxed. He moved down her back, using the heel of his hand to apply long, smooth strokes along the muscles on either side of her spine.
"Your technique is impressive," Lady Matilda murmured, her voice heavy with relaxation. "Where did you learn this?"
Zafron's hands moved with a natural fluidity, as if guided by some innate knowledge. He worked his way down Lady Matilda's back, his fingers seeking out areas of tension almost unconsciously.
"It's more instinct than anything, really," Zafron explained softly, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I just... feel where the tension is and try to ease it."
"You have quite a gift," she said. "I haven't felt this relaxed in ages."
Zafron smiled, though Lady Matilda couldn't see it. "I'm glad I can help, my lady," he said, his voice warm with genuine pleasure at being useful.
He continued the massage, his movements slow and deliberate, ensuring every muscle was attended to. The room fell into a comfortable silence, broken only by the occasional sound of Zafron reapplying oil to his hands.
His strong hands glided over her shoulder blades, thumbs pressing firmly into the tight muscles there. He could sense the knots beneath his fingers, and his hands seemed to know just how to work them out. Zafron applied steady, circular pressure, feeling the tension slowly release under his touch.
As he moved lower, he encountered a particularly stubborn area of tightness in her mid-back. Without thinking, he adjusted his technique, using the heels of his hands to apply deep, sweeping strokes along either side of her spine. Lady Matilda let out a small gasp of relief as the knot began to unravel.
"That's remarkable," Lady Matilda murmured, her voice muffled by the pillow. "It's as if your hands know exactly where to go."
Zafron nodded, though she couldn't see him. "It's hard to explain," he said, his voice low and focused. "I can almost feel the pathways of tension, like rivers beneath the skin. My hands just... follow them."
"Mmph...I see," lady Matilda purred.
He continued his ministrations, moving to her lower back. Here, he instinctively knew to use a lighter touch. His fingers danced across her skin, applying gentle but firm pressure in a rhythmic pattern. He could sense the muscles relaxing beneath his hands, the tension melting away like snow in the sun.
Time seemed to slow as Zafron worked, his world narrowing to the task at hand. He lost himself in the rhythm of the massage, his breathing syncing unconsciously with Lady Matilda's. His hands moved in long, fluid motions, from her lower back up to her shoulders and down again, as if tracing the flow of energy through her body.
As he neared the end of the massage, Zafron's movements became slower, more deliberate. He used the pads of his fingers to apply gentle pressure along her spine, from the base of her neck down to her lower back. It was a soothing, calming motion, designed to settle the newly relaxed muscles.
Finally, Zafron stepped back, his hands tingling slightly from the extended use. He took a deep breath, coming back to himself. The room was quiet, filled only with the sound of Lady Matilda's deep, relaxed breathing.
"I... I think I'm finished, my lady," Zafron said softly, his voice slightly hoarse from the long silence. "How do you feel?"
Lady Matilda stirred, taking a deep breath as she slowly pushed herself up. She adjusted the towel around her body and stood, stretching languidly.
"I feel absolutely wonderful, Zafron," she said, her voice warm with gratitude. "You have a true gift. I haven't felt this relaxed in years."
She walked over to Zafron, her movements fluid and graceful. As she passed him, she reached out and patted his shoulder affectionately. "Thank you, dear. You've done an excellent job."
As Zafron stepped back, he couldn't help but notice the quality of Lady Matilda's skin. It was remarkably clear and smooth, free from the blemishes and roughness he was accustomed to seeing. The massage oil gave it a subtle sheen in the soft light of the room.
He found himself marveling at the sight. 'Is this how all noble look?' he wondered.
'Probably a result of a life of luxury and the finest skincare? Or is Lady Matilda uniquely blessed with such flawless skin?' he thought.
Zafron quickly averted his gaze, realizing it wasn't appropriate for him to stare. Still, he couldn't help but reflect on the stark contrast between Lady Matilda's appearance and that of the people he had known in his previous life.
Unsure of whether to leave or not since he was done. Wouldn't it be rude to ask if he could leave already? She might ask him if he had other important things to do. While he waited for her to dismiss him, his mouth opened.
"Your skin is... very healthy, my lady," Zafron said hesitantly, unsure if it was his place to comment but feeling compelled to express his observation. "I've never seen anything quite like it." He said almost in a mumble.
He however busied himself with recapping the massage oil, trying to maintain a professional demeanor despite his wonderment. He wasn't expecting a response anyways. She probably didn't hear and thankfully so. Now that he had said it, he realized it was out of place for him to say so.
Lady Matilda however stirred slightly at Zafron's words, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. She carefully adjusted her towel around her chest as she turned her head to look at him, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
"Why, thank you, Zafron," she said, her voice warm with a mix of amusement and genuine appreciation. "That's very kind of you to notice. I suppose it's a combination of good fortune and the luxuries afforded by my position."
Lady Matilda sat up slowly, keeping the towel securely wrapped around her. The blush on her cheeks deepened slightly as she added, "It's refreshing to receive such an honest compliment. Most people in my circle are too concerned with social niceties to speak so frankly."
Zaphron nodded, aware that she was happy with his compliment. Matilda genuinely was beautiful. He tried to avert his gaze from her because of how her breast hung on her chest even with the towel around it.
She smiled at Zafron, her expression a mixture of gratitude and something harder to define - perhaps a flicker of vulnerability rarely shown to others. "Your directness is quite charming, dear. Don't ever lose that quality."
"Thank you, my lady" Zaphron said sheepishly, flushed with joy. The way Matilda seemed to smile and brush her hair while speaking to him made him feel strange foreign feelings.
Matilda stared at him for a second, almost as though she could read his mood at that point. Her eyes twinkled with a hint of self-deprecating humor. "Though I must say, your skilled hands have certainly contributed to my skin's glow today. Perhaps we should make this massage a regular occurrence?"