Sunlight streaked into the room, gently kissing the beauty on the bed. She looked gorgeous and weak. The love bites on her neck and back were a testament to the intense exercise she had been up to last night. Her skin was pale, making the marks increasingly obvious.
She blinked softly and rubbed her eyes drowsily, getting up from the bed. She was so tired; she didn't want to get up, but she had to. There was a lot of work to do. She headed for the bathroom, one of the benefits she had in the Duke's mansion. She had her own bathroom and didn't have to share with the other maids. Looking in the mirror, she could see the red marks all over her neck. She couldn't help but smile. Yesterday had been her first night with the young master. It was wonderful, the way he caressed her and reassured her each step of the way. He had even promised to marry her. She couldn't help but blush. But she would have to wear something that could cover all the marks on her neck.
As she stood there, she thought about the events of the previous night. The young master had been so gentle and kind, making her feel special and cherished. His touch had been soft, yet firm, guiding her through the night with a tenderness she had never experienced before. The memory of his words, promising her a future together, made her heart flutter with excitement and hope.
She turned on the tap and splashed some water on her face, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. The cool water helped to wake her up, and she felt a bit more alert. She knew she couldn't afford to be sluggish today; there were too many tasks waiting for her. The Duke's mansion was always bustling with activity, and as one of the maids, she had to be on her toes.
After freshening up, she chose a dress that would cover the marks on her neck. It was a high-collared gown, elegant yet modest, perfect for her duties. As she dressed, she couldn't stop thinking about the young master. His promise to marry her was a dream come true. She had always admired him from afar, never daring to hope that he would notice her, let alone fall in love with her.
She made her way to the kitchen, where the other maids were already busy with their morning chores. They greeted her with smiles and nods, but she could see the curiosity in their eyes. They must have noticed the change in her demeanor, the glow on her face. She tried to act normal, not wanting to draw too much attention to herself.
As she worked, she overheard snippets of conversation between the other maids. "Did you see her this morning? She looks different," one of them whispered. "I heard she spent the night with the young master," another replied, her tone dripping with envy. "Why does she get special treatment? It's not fair," a third maid added, her voice tinged with bitterness.
She tried to ignore their words, focusing on her tasks. But it was hard not to feel the sting of their jealousy. She knew that her relationship with the young master would cause gossip and resentment among the other maids. They didn't understand the bond they shared, the promises he had made to her.
Throughout the day, she went about her tasks with a light heart, despite the whispers and glances from the other maids. Cleaning, cooking, and attending to the needs of the household felt less burdensome now that she had something wonderful to look forward to. The young master's promise gave her a sense of purpose and joy that she had never felt before.
As the day drew to a close, she found herself eagerly anticipating the next time she would see him. She knew that their relationship would have to remain a secret for now, but she didn't mind. The thought of their future together was enough to keep her going. She was determined to prove herself worthy of his love and to make him proud.
With a contented sigh, she finished her last task of the day and headed back to her room. She couldn't wait to see what tomorrow would bring. The young master's promise had changed everything for her, and she was ready to embrace whatever the future held.