As the sun rose over the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant hues of pink and orange, Rania stirred awake from her deep slumber. The birds outside were chirping cheerfully, signaling the start of a new day. She let out a contented sigh as she stretched her limbs, relishing in the comfort of the soft silk sheets that enveloped her body.
Just as she was about to drift back into another sleep, there was a sudden knock on the door that jolted her awake. Confusion clouded her mind for a moment before she remembered that she had just gotten married, and with a quick scan of the room, she recognized where she was, recalling that this was now her husband's chambers. Her eyelids felt heavy as she let out a slight yawn and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
As another knock resounded through the room, she realized that someone must have been at the door.
"My lady, may I enter?" a woman's voice calls out. Rania hesitates, still processing and remembering everything that happened last night. But before she could respond, the maid spoke again, this time with a sense of urgency in her tone. "Lord Asher has commanded me to get you ready for the day." Rania's head spun at the mention of her husband's name and she struggled to focus on what the maid was saying.
Still trying to process everything, Rania hesitated before finally responding with a quiet "Come in." She didn't want to keep the maid waiting outside, but her mind was still reeling from all the changes that had occurred in such a short time.
As soon as the door opened, Rania was met with the sight of a young woman dressed in a crisp white uniform. The maid entered with a gentle smile and greeted Rania with a formal bow. "Good morning my lady," she said, "Did you have a good night's rest?" Rania nodded and replied softly, "Yes, thank you." The maid's expression softened as she gave Rania a curious look, making Rania feel slightly nervous. She had never been attended to by anyone before - always left to fend for herself - so having a maid was a new experience for her. She wasn't sure how to act or what was expected of her, but she welcomed the help nonetheless.
The maid smiled warmly, sensing Rania's unease. "My name is Lila, my lady. I've been instructed to help you dress and prepare for breakfast with Lord Asher and his family."
Rania nodded, her fingers nervously playing with the edge of the silken bedsheet.
"Of course, thank you, Lila." She paused, glancing around the opulent room. "I'm afraid I'm not quite sure where my clothes are..."
Lila moved to a large wardrobe in the corner of the room. "Not to worry, my lady. Lord Asher has provided a selection of gowns for you." She opened the doors, revealing an array of beautiful dresses in various colors and styles.
Rania's eyes widened in surprise. She had never owned so many fine clothes in her life. She also wondered how she did not take note of the wardrobe the previous night when she was looking for what to cover up with. "They're... they're all for me?" she asked.
"Yes my lady, Lord asher instructed me on what to do, and I'll also be attending to your needs from now on. Shall we start with your morning bath?"
Rania nodded, still feeling a bit overwhelmed.
As Lila bustled about preparing the bath, Rania's gaze drifted to the empty space beside her in the bed while the thoughts of her husband came to mind. She also noticed that she was dressed in her nightgown again, she remembered Asher taking it off her and throwing it to the ground the night before, which made her give off a slight blush as thoughts of Asher caressing her body flooded her mind. She wondered if he came back to the room and helped her with her nightgown while she was asleep.
As Rania's maid, Lila entered the bathroom, she created a serene ambiance, lighting candles and scattering rose petals in the bathtub. The air filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the soft glow of the candles danced across the walls. She carefully prepared the luxurious bathroom for her mistress. She also filled the clawfoot tub with warm water, adding a few drops of lavender oil for relaxation. The steamy room was scented with the delicate aroma as Lila laid out plush towels and a soft robe for Rania to use after her bath.
Rania entered the room, her wavy red wine hair cascading down her back in gentle curls. Her clear skin glowed in the warm light, giving her a delicate yet apparent beauty. Lila helped her undress, admiring the soft curves of Rania's body as she removed each handle of her nightgown. With gentle hands, she guided Rania into the tub and began to wash her body with a fragrant soap.
The warm water and gentle scent of lavender helped soothe Rania's nerves as she soaked in the tub.
As Lila lathered suds onto Rania's skin, she couldn't help but marvel at how soft and smooth it was. She began to wash Rania's body with gentle strokes, starting at her shoulders and working her way down to her toes. Each touch felt like silk against her fingertips. Rania closed her eyes and let out a content sigh, relishing in the feeling of being pampered by her maid.
Lila took extra care with Rania's long hair, massaging her scalp and working out any tangles with a gentle touch. Rania's face relaxed, her features softening as the maid worked her magic.
After thoroughly cleansing every inch of Rania's body, Lila helped her out of the tub and wrapped her in a fluffy towel, and she emerged with skin even more radiant than before. Her hair shone with a subtle glow, and her eyes sparkled with a hint of relaxation. Lila gently patted Rania dry before helping her into the robe and brushing out her damp hair.
With a small smile, Rania turned to Lila wanting to thank her for taking such good care of her.
Her smile was a gentle, gracious curve of her lips. "Thank you," she said, her voice clear and soft. "You've been very kind to me." Her eyes, though, held a hint of wariness, a subtle tension that betrayed her uncertainty in this new environment.
As she spoke, her hands moved with quiet purpose, tying the sash of her robe with a confident touch that belied a hint of nervous energy. Her fingers fluttered briefly over the fabric, a tiny betrayal of her uncertainty, before settling into a steady rhythm. She sat down, her movements fluid and graceful, settling into a familiar pose, though her gaze darted around the room with a hint of curiosity.
The maid beamed with pride, her face warm with a genuine smile. "It's my pleasure, milady," she said, her voice sincere. "I'm here to help you in any way I can."
Rania's nod was a gracious acknowledgement, her head tilting slightly in appreciation. Her eyes, though, still held a hint of reserve, a quiet strength that suggested she was more than just a timid, trembling maiden.
As Lila helped Rania into a stunning blue gown, the soft silk rustling against her skin, a knock at the door broke the silence. Rania's heart skipped a beat as she smoothed out the delicate fabric, her mind racing with anticipation. This time, a man's voice, deep and resonant, echoed through the door, "Excuse me, is Lady Rania ready? Everyone is waiting for her." Lila smiled and replied, "Just a moment, sir. We'll be right out." The sound of Lila's voice was like a gentle breeze, but Rania's nerves were on edge.