As they walked along a narrow hallway, Oriana and Butler Smith stopped in what appeared to be the common area of the servant quarters inside the second guest mansion.
An old but stern-looking woman greeted Smith. He introduced Oriana to her. "Janella, this young man is Orian, and he will be Lord’s valet. Explain to him the things he needs to know." He then looked at Oriana, "Orian, this is the Head Maid of this mansion and she will be your direct superior."
Oriana politely bowed to her, "I will be in your care now, Miss Janella."
The old maid looked at her and said in a low voice, "Hurry up and start working. The Lord ordered a bath to be drawn."
Without a word, Oriana followed Janella as she could see everyone was on their toes to serve this said Lord.
’Who the hell is this lord and why do I have to prepare a bath for him the first thing in the morning? Is this the same man Young Master Rafal greeted last night? A high-ranking palace official? I hope he is not a stinky perverted old man. Last night I could not see that person. The way all these servants are so tense, it feels like someone who they cannot even breathe in front of.’
Oriana was led towards the servant entrance of a large side chamber, where she found a large stone tub made of white marble similar to the one in Rafal’s mansion. This bath though appeared recently renovated as its appearance was more elegantly furnished, with ornate lamps illuminating the room.
"The bathtub is already filled with hot water. Stay to help the Lord with his bath."
Oriana stiffened. "What exactly do I need to do, Head Maid? Apologies. This is my first day as a valet. I humbly ask for your guidance."
The stern-looking maid eyed her with suspicion, but still, she patiently explained, "All you have to do is to add flowers in the water. Burn essence on the side depending on the fragrance the Lord likes. Use oil and soap and help the Lord with his bath. Understood?"
Janella then turned around. "The rest, ask the Lord himself. I have to take care of other important work. Good luck, boy."
The old maid looked like she was in a hurry to go somewhere.
"But..."
Janella was already gone, leaving Oriana with many questions and confused about what to do.
"Where is the oil kept? Which soap? Where are the towels?"
She started to search around and found various bottles with all sorts of oils and boxes of soaps with different fragrances kept in separate containers by bulk.
"So many? How would I know which one that said Lord would like? Lavender? Sweet Orange? Rose? Sandalwood? What do I know about scented oils and fragrant soaps? Besides, I heard only rich young ladies bathe this way. Aren’t guys supposed to only wash dirt and sweat off their bodies...?"
In the large cabinet at the side, Oriana found tens of clean folded towels placed along with bathrobes ranging from child-sized small to giant ones that could cover two Rafal-worth of bodies.
Oriana took out a clean towel and a bathrobe about an ordinary adult man’s size and put it on the table near the tub.
She was still confused about the oils but then decided, "Let’s put whatever smells good."
She picked several bottles and uncorked them one by one. She singled out one bottle.
"Lavender," she smiled widely. "It really is the best scent. No wonder it’s my favorite. Same for the soap as well. Only an ignorant stinky old man would not like this scent."
Just then, the door of that lavish-looking bath opened and Oriana immediately lowered her head and stood in place, like an obedient little servant girl.
She watched the pair of bare feet walk past the door, the hem of long black robes moving along with each step.
Given the repeated warnings she received, Oriana didn’t not dare raise her head, even though she was dying of curiosity about this so-called ’Lord’ feared by the servants of this mansion. However, she feared the repercussions of looking at the man who just entered the side chamber.
’What should I do? Do I pour the lavender oil in the water? Do I rub it on him? The petals, what did the Head Maid say again about flower petals? Waah!’ Oriana was inwardly panicking. ’Oh, oh! I think I have to help him remove his clothes first—’
But then, another thought came to her mind.
’Wait, I have to see this man naked?’
Only now did reality sink in her mind. Oriana could imagine her innocence waving at her with a tear-jerking farewell.
’What have I got myself into? Am I going to help a complete stranger—a man at that—wash his naked body?’
"Aren’t you going to help me take my clothes off?" she heard a suave male voice, a familiar one but she was too panicked for her to pay attention to that.
"Ah, yes, yes! Apologies!"
With her head still lowered, she approached him like a naive bunny jumping towards a wolf, her fingers trembling as she began to undo the knot of the belt keeping the long fabric of that dark robe together.
’A man’s naked body...at least this Lord’s body is fit and does not have a pot belly...?’
Just as she pulled the belt out, her other hand moving to grab the robe, she heard the man in front of her speak again.
"I didn’t expect to meet you here, Shortie."
Her hands froze. No, her entire body froze.
There was only one person who called her ’Shortie’, not to mention this playful voice...?
’It...It can’t be...’
Time seemed to crawl as she lifted her gaze, only for her hazel eyes to meet with a pair of deep sea blue eyes, the handsome face of their owner having a pair of lips curved into the most evil smirk.