12. Draknir
Iring a bell for my head butler and issue a firm command, instructing him to assist Kathleen in preparing for the day. The old elf"s eyes widen in surprise, his wrinkled face showing a mix of shock at my decision.
"She is to be treated as the lady of the house from now on," I declare with authority. "See that the other servants attend to her every need."
I can see the wheels turning in his mind as he quickly begins to plan out the arrangements for Kathleen"s new role in our household. The thought of this frail and timid girl taking on such a position must be overwhelming, but I have faith in her and know that she will rise to the occasion.
As for myself, I cannot wait to see how she will embrace this new role and make it her own.
The assembled staff gasp and whisper among themselves, their eyes wide with shock. But I stand tall and meet their gaze with a steely determination. "You will serve and obey her just as you do me. Is that clear?"
The butler"s voice trembles slightly as he responds, "Y-yes, of course, sir." The rest of the staff quickly scurry away to prepare a lavish bath and find suitable attire for Kathleen, their new mistress. The air is charged with anticipation and uncertainty, unsure of what this unexpected turn of events will bring.
"Well? Get a move on, the lady doesn't have all day."
"Right, very well, of course sir," he replies, bowing out.
I know tongues will wag about my mysterious new mate, but let them talk. I can already hear the whispers and see the curious glances directed at my new mate, but I pay them no mind. Maintaining our illusion is all that matters. The grand doors of the dining hall swing open thirty minutes later, and a freshly bathed Kathleen gracefully enters. My eyes are drawn to her immediately – and I am frozen in place.
Her skin has been scrubbed clean, giving off a radiant glow that catches the light. Her short hair is pulled back, showcasing the delicate bone structure of her face. The elegant dress she wears drapes perfectly over her willowy frame. But it is her eyes that captivate me. Clear and innocent, they radiate goodness and warmth.
The elegant dress she wears highlights every curve of her slender frame, making her appear even more delicate.
In the eyes of most elves, she may be considered plain, but to me, her delicate features exude a fragile beauty that stirs protective instincts within me. I am overcome with the urge to shelter her from any harm.
Despite her vulnerability, she carries herself with a quiet grace that demands respect. It is clear now why her devotion to her grandmother runs so deep – she possesses a capacity for love that must be guarded at all costs.
As Kathleen catches my gaze, she smiles shyly and I am taken aback by the transformation in both her appearance and my own feelings. No other woman has ever struck me so profoundly.
I take a long, cool sip of water, willing it to calm my racing heart. My mind feels like a tangled web, caught in the spell of this scrawny human girl before me. I scold myself for acting like a fool, but there is something about her that has captured my attention. Summoning all my composure, I gesture towards the lavish spread laid out before us.
"Eat," I say with forced nonchalance. I can feel my cheeks flush with irritation, but I mask it behind a forced nonchalance. I don"t want her to see how flustered and annoyed she"s made me.
The table is adorned with ornate silver platters, overflowing with mouth-watering delicacies. The scent of herbs and spices waft through the air, tickling my nostrils and tempting my taste buds. Despite my frustration, I can"t help but appreciate the effort put into this meal. But my focus remains on her.
She takes my offer and fills her plate obediently. I can"t help but notice how thin she is beneath the fine dress. Her delicate frame is marked with the signs of hardship, etched into her young face.
"Bring more food," I order the servants. Kathleen"s days of deprivation are over.
In my ruse, I will ensure she is properly nourished and tended to. And when the charade comes to an end, I will repay her for her efforts.
A man"s integrity must be upheld.
Despite my best efforts to remain composed, my thoughts are a tumultuous whirlwind. How can this fragile girl have such a profound effect on me? I steal glances at her as she daintily savors her meal. Against my own desires, I am inexplicably drawn to her, consumed with the urge to protect and provide for this captivating creature fate has placed in my care.
Despite the frantic pace of my thoughts and the thunderous beating of my heart, I make a conscious effort to savor every bite of the decadent meal spread out before me. Across from me, she tentatively pokes at her food with her fork, clearly uncomfortable with the array of unfamiliar utensils.
I do my best to maintain an air of composure as we dine, but my eyes are continuously drawn to her, studying her every move. She seems unsure and hesitant as she clumsily navigates through the elegant cutlery, clearly not used to such luxurious dining. I break the tense silence with a soft question.
"What are you doing?"
She looks up at me, her delicate features twisting into a frown. Her eyes dart nervously around the table before settling back on me. "I-I...I"m not sure."
The vulnerability in her voice tugs at my heartstrings, which just pisses me off even more. With a sigh, I push my plate away and rise from my seat. "Making a fool of yourself is what you're doing."
She flinches back, and I sigh. "I didn't know any of this shit either." I force myself to soften my voice.
She looks puzzled at that, but I stand behind her and guide her hands to the various forks and knives before she can ask any questions. I'm not in the mood to talk about my past, not with it lurking near my doorstep. As I reach around her to adjust her grip, the heat radiating from her body is almost palpable. A tantalizing warmth that comes as a shock.
My heart suddenly pounds against my chest like a wild animal trying to escape its cage. I frown, taken aback by the strong physical reaction coursing through me. Her nearness affects me profoundly, stirring up unfamiliar desires I never knew existed.
Feeling flustered and out of control, I pull back abruptly, placing some distance between us. "You will learn quickly," I manage to say in a gruff voice, my body still humming with energy. Returning to my seat, I avoid her intense gaze as I struggle to regain my composure.
What has come over me? No woman has ever elicited such disconcerting responses from me before. Taking a deep breath, I try to calm the racing beats of my heart as I take a sip of my drink in agitation. There is so much about this beguiling creature that still puzzles and intrigues me.
"You must learn such skills yourself," I say abruptly. "Study how the butler handles the cutlery and etiquette. He will guide you in noble manners befitting your new station."
Kathleen"s expression shifts, her wide eyes conveying surprise at my sudden change in demeanor. I push my nearly untouched plate away with a frustrated grunt, my appetite vanishing as quickly as it had come.
"I have pressing matters to attend to," I declare with a hint of irritation in my tone. "Elfred will be your guide in navigating the intricacies of aristocratic society."
"T-thank you, sir. For everything..." she says, her cheeks starting to flush. I try to imagine what it"s like from her perspective to be experiencing this.
And it makes it worse.
Much worse.
"Y-yes. Of course. Now tighten it up. You need a lot of practice..." Her face starts to twist like I just struck her and I stop myself. It's like I hurt her without even trying. Why can't I just keep my mouth shut? "Nevermind."
My movements are quick and abrupt as I rise from my seat, the need to flee before succumbing to rash actions overwhelming. With a curt nod of my head, I spin on my heel and make a swift exit from the elegant dining hall, eager to escape the stifling tension that lingers behind me.
My heart races erratically as I hastily retreat to the sanctuary of my study, seeking solace and a momentary respite from the overwhelming thoughts that plague me. My mind is in disarray since crossing paths with this girl, leaving me feeling out of control and consumed by a mysterious situation I cannot fully comprehend.
I must take back the reins of my emotions and unravel this perplexing… problem before it consumes me completely.