The Lord of Servants 5

Vixon was massaging Lady Ludwig's side rib without looking at her body. His face was red out of embarrassment, but he remained stoic as ever while Lady Ludwig closed her eyes, enjoying the massage.

"You've got a powerful grip. You're good at this," Lady Ludwig complimented as she smiled.

"T-Thank you."

"Care to tell me, how can you be good at this?"

"Ah... I-I started learning this when I was younger."

"Oh? Tell me more about it."

"When I was younger, I was interested in massage, so I learned some techniques."

"To message girls at the same age?" she teased as she giggled.

"N-No-!" Vixon replied, embarrassed. "I-It's for my parents."

"For your parents... You must be a sweet and kind boy."

"My parents worked very hard, so I helped them by either massaging them or helping their works."

"Including the housework?"

"Yes."

"But you're a man. Men shouldn't do women's works."

"Who decides that?"

"Everyone."

Vixon said nothing in return.

"Anyway... How about your childhood?" she asked. "You're not socializing with the fellow kids of the same age?"

"I did, but I didn't socialize much."

"I wonder... Among your parents, who works the hardest?"

"M-My mother."

"Your mother? I thought it's your father. Men work the hardest, right?"

"My father only works hard from noon to afternoon while my mother works hard from morning to night."

"I see... So, you massaged her more often?"

"Yes."

Lady Ludwig tilted her head right to left and front to back, trying to relax her neck muscle.

"Vixon, massage my neck next."

"As you wish."

Vixon removed his hands and reached for her nape. He set his hands and stroked her nape, preparing to massage her nape without even looking. He pressed for a bit, trying not to hurt her.

"Is it good?" Vixon asked.

"Add more strength."

He did what she asked and massaged her neck with more force.

"Agh. Ah..." she moaned.

Vixon stopped as soon as he heard her moaned, but she grabbed his hands without turning back.

"No. Continue," she said.

"F-Fine..."

Lady Ludwig sighed and moaned in relief as she felt her muscles relaxed.

"Your mother must be very lucky for having a kind and wonderful son like you," she said.

"You are complimenting me too much, Lady Ludwig. I'm but an ordinary child."

She giggled after hearing Vixon's words.

"Ah... If I have a child someday... I want it to be as good and kind as you, Vixon."

"You don't have any child?"

She lowered her head as she sighed. Her eyes looked sad as Vixon's question killed her mood.

"I... No... Not yet," she replied with her lips quivered.

"Shouldn't have asked that," Vixon thought.

There was silence for a minute until Lady Ludwig gave him another question.

"Can you tell me about your mother?"

"Ah-! S-Sure," Vixon replied out of surprise. "She's a kind and caring woman. She loves her husband and her child. She always works hard every day, even when my father and I are asleep."

"Such a sweet woman... I envy her..." she blurted softly.

"Pardon?"

"Ah! Nothing," she responded in surprise. "Please, massage my shoulders."

"O-Okay..."

Vixon placed his hands on her shoulders and began massaging her shoulder.

"My mother... She must be worried sick of her son now... I never left home more than a day," Vixon said, concerned.

"Because you were held and put into the trial, right?"

"Y-Yes. How do you know?"

"I was there. I was present during your trial."

"You were?"

"In fact, many nobles were there during the trial. I was no exception."

"I see..."

"You're brave. I like that..." she muttered.

Lady Ludwig placed her right hand on the table and accidentally knocked a spoon down with her arm. The spoon fell on the carpet, making no sound. Vixon didn't notice as he was looking away.

"My," she thought as she tilted her body to the right to reach for the spoon and suddenly, she lost her balance and almost fell.

"Ah!"

"Lady Ludwig!" Vixon blurted as he suddenly held her body by her chest with his right arm, preventing her from falling.

Vixon saw her back and shock etched into his face. She wore a black corset and white lingerie, barely covering her back, but much to Vixon's surprise, there were subtle signs of abuse on her lower shoulders, lower back, and the waist barely covered by the lingerie. Vixon stared at those scars for a while.

"What the..." he muttered.

"V-Vixon?" she asked as her face turned red. "C-Can you help me up first? You may admire my body later."

Vixon realized that he was holding her body. He helped her and retracted his arms while looking away with a red face.

"S-Sorry-!"

"It's okay. You saved me."

She fixed her gown, covering her back and the scars.

"You may sit now," she said, and Vixon sat down, facing her.

"What did you feel when your arm touched my chest?" she teased with a smug smile.

"N-Nothing," Vixon replied, trying to keep his cool.

Lady Ludwig reached her right hand to Vixon's and caressed his hand to tease her.

"You don't have to lie," she teased.

Vixon retracted his right hand.

"Lady Ludwig... May I ask you about something?"

"Go ahead."

"Ah..." Vixon hesitated as he looked down. "I think... I shouldn't ask this on the second thought."

"It's fine... You have my permission."

"The wounds on your body... Who did it?"

Vixon's question startled her.

"He saw them?" she thought as she looked down. "I thought the wounds are healed already."

She said nothing with a surprised face.

"I'm sorry..." Vixon apologized. "I—"

"These wounds..." she answered as she gathered some courage to speak up. "My husband, The Archduke, did these..."

Vixon's eyes and mouth opened agape.

"Ah... I'm sorry for making you say this. I—"

"It's okay," she replied as she smiled in relief. "I always want to tell someone about this..."

"The Archduke? But why?" Vixon thought. "Why would he do that to his wife?"

"Let's change the topic. Vixon... When you're older, what do you want to become?" she asked.

"I... I don't want to talk about that."

"Hm? That's not fair. I've answered your question. Now it's your turn."

"It's embarrassing..."

"It's fine. I won't laugh. Promise."

"I-I... I want to be a k-king."

"A king? My, you have such a big ambition there."

"I want to be a king and build a kingdom where commoners could live in peace and prosperity," he explained with a serious face. "Where everyone could live in happiness without oppressions and threats whether from inside or outside. There shall not be injustice or corruption."

Vixon clenched his fists while Lady Ludwig smiled as she admired Vixon's serious face.

"A commoner who wants to be a king..." she muttered. "Interesting..."

"It's impossible, though. I only there's a way..."

"There is. Marry a noblewoman. You can raise your status that way."

"It's impossible. I'm but a common and a low-born. Noblewomen will only marry the high-born men—"

"You're wrong!" she snapped out of blue, startling Vixon. Vixon looked away as his hand went cold.

"F-Forgive me, I meant no insult, Lady Ludwig—"

"N-No. It's my fault. Forgive me. Where's my manner? That was embarrassing for a noblewoman to do that," she replied as she looked away with her face red out of embarrassment.

Once again, there was an awkward silence between them. In that silence, Adar talked to Vixon through his mind.

"She's hiding something," Adar said.

"And what is it?" Vixon replied through his mind.

"Hmph... I can't give the detail. But she wants you for something. On your guard, master!"

"I will... That's why she kept seducing me... I won't fall for it!"

Without them noticing, the sun sunk below the horizon, and the evening came. The maid arrived and bowed before Lady Ludwig.

"Excuse me," the maid said in honor as she collected the plates and cups, breaking the silence.

"Ah! I should take a bath," Lady Ludwig said.

"I will wait here."

"No, follow me."

"Where?"

"Don't ask."

They both stood and Vixon followed her. Lady Ludwig called a maid to prepare both her and Vixon's pajamas. Lady Ludwig then led Vixon into the bathhouse.

The bathhouse was in a separate building from the mansion. It was near the garden, thus designed to have the garden's outdoor view. An enormous wall separated the bathhouse into two sides. One for the nobles and one for the servants (A wall further separated male and female servants' bath).

The bath was vast with four white chiseled columns supporting the building. It had a single bathing pool, complete with a drainage system and naked cherub water fountains.

They arrived in front of the nobles' bath and the maid arrived shortly after, bringing them both towels and pajamas. The maid bowed and left. Without further speaking, Lady Ludwig undressed in front of Vixon, shocking him, causing him to leave the bathhouse in reflex.

"Where are you going?" she asked aloud as she went outside, covering her nakedness with a towel while calling for Vixon.

Vixon was standing with his back to the bathhouse. Lady Ludwig stood behind him as he patted his shoulder.

"Vixon, what's wrong?" she asked.

"I... I can't be in the same bath with a woman."

"It's fine—" she said as she hugged him from the back.

"How is it fine?!" Vixon asked as he released her arms from his body forcefully. His face remained stoic, but he kept raising his voice. His suspicions and cautions reached its peak.

"Ah! Y-You have my permission," she replied softly as her heart skipped a beat.

"It's weird... Why are you inviting another man, a common-born?"

"B-Because..." she muttered with a concerned face, but she didn't finish her words.

"You're trying to seduce me... You want to use me for something, don't you?"

"Huh? I want nothing—"

Her entire body trembled out of confusion. Her eyes and mouth kept quivering in shock.

"Liar," Vixon replied. "You are up to something."

"I'm not—!"

"Then answer me, you sly vixen... Why are you doing these kinds of things to me? Don't tell me, the nobles are planning something on me after I stood for the commons back then... So they sent you..."

"No! I'm not doing such a thing!" she replied, devastated.

"So... What is the reason?"

"Because... I..." Her lips quivered as she looked away. Her limbs were shaking while her eyes were teary. "I fell in love with you, Vixon."

"I'm in no mood for jokes."

"I'm telling you the truth! I admire your bravery and a strong sense of justice. When you stand for the commons, it deeply moved me. I... I fell in love at the first sight at you..."

"I'm a commoner and a criminal. I have no value for the likes of you. There's absolutely no way in hell that a high-born noblewoman is genuinely fell in love with me."

"My feelings are genuine—!"

"We just met less than a day. How is that possible? You're an archduchess. You're a married woman. You, falling in love with me, sounds suspicious enough."

"How? How can I convince you then? I'll give you everything!" Lady Ludwig pleaded as tears fell from her cheeks to the ground.

She hugged Vixon from the back as she cried her heart out.

"Everything... Even my body..." she said.

"No," Vixon replied coldly as he removed her arms. "I trust no nobles and you're no exception."

Lady Ludwig fell on her knees, weeping heart fully. Her towel fell on the ground, uncovering her body, but she didn't care while Vixon just stood without a word, staring at the night sky while Lady Ludwig's cry filled the deafening silence.

"Y-You remind me of him... You are truly the replica of him..." she muttered with tears. "A-And I-I lost him... My beloved..."

"Those tears... Could it be genuine tears of sadness?" Vixon thought as he listened to her words.

"I've been living in hell since then! Living in a loveless and cold marriage... I've closed my heart and sealed my feelings! But when I saw you during the trial... When you stood for justice fearlessly... I saw him... I saw him inside of you... That's why... I just want to relive my moments with him through you... I love you, Vixon..."

Out of guilt, he clenched his fists and bit his lips hard enough to draw blood.

"She... She is telling the truth... But... What could I do for her? I'm but a common man and I don't love her either..."

He turned back and knelt to help her. He looked at her crying and devastated face as he offered her his help to stand.

"I'm sorry, Lady Ludwig... I... I'm full of resentment towards noble because of their oppression and injustice... I thought every noble is the same..."

She grabbed her right arm and stood. She took the towel and covered her nakedness. Vixon escorted her, and they returned to the nobles' bath, saying nothing on their way.

"I'm sorry," he muttered.

She wiped her tears and stopped crying.

"No, I'm being too forceful... I'm too egotistical for forcing my feelings..."

Lady Ludwig entered the bath alone while Vixon waited outside.

"Well... Everything escalated quickly. Don't tell me this is what she's been hiding all along?!" Vixon thought.

Lady Ludwig called for Vixon from inside.

"Vixon?" she called aloud.

"Yes, Lady Ludwig?"

"Can you do me a favor?"

"Y-Yes. Just say it."

"Please... Take a bath with me. If it's okay for you."

"Very well..." Vixon replied without further thinking.

He didn't look at her and began undressing. He entered the bath with his back to her and keeping 10 meters distance.

"What am I doing?!" Vixon thought as his face turned red. He couldn't keep his stoic face for long.

Lady Ludwig admired Vixon's body from afar. She saw scars and bruises on him from the abuses before. She got closer to him and caressed his scars, surprising Vixon.

"L-Lady Ludwig-!"

"These wounds... It must be from the guards, right?"

"They are. Not only I have the wounds... All the commons have these."

"I'm sorry. If only I could do something..." she muttered sadly.

"You are The Archduchess. What can't you do?"

"Disobeying him..."

"Him?"

"My husband... The Archduke. He... He's not a man you think he is..."

Lady Ludwig told Vixon about her husband, Archduke Ferdinand Reis von Ludwig.

"My husband... He loves me not... For him, my marriage is but a tool for him to gain his archduke title. He always vents his rage on my body and sleeps with other women. I'm just a woman desperate for a lost love. When I saw you for the first time... I can't help it...

"He's misusing and abusing his political power to commit corruption everywhere. The reason corrupt nobles never got punished is that of his doings. If I only I hadn't done that... I might do something for the commons..."

"Done what if I may know."

"I-I made a grave mistake... I..." Her lips quivered in shame and anxiety. "I... I had an affair... He knows about it because he set it up. He set it so I can't fight back. Even if I try to expose his wrongdoings, he could set false testimonies against me and use his authority to manipulate all evidence against him."

"Don't tell me... He will release Baron Yuwain?"

"Sadly, yes."

"Damn it!" he punched the water out of rage. His face was now red with rage. "Where is that damned Yuwain then?"

"Stop it... It's best for you to not be involved with this matter."

"I can't just sit idle."

"Please, don't get involved with them!" she begged as she hugged him from the back. "I don't want to see you harmed! Please consider this! For you and your family..."

"Don't worry. I will never let them hurt me or my family."

"No one can oppose him, no one has the power to oppose his authority! Even the king becomes his puppet—"

"No, I have the power I need."

"You have?"

"When the time comes, you'll see it."

"I'll patiently wait until then."

Vixon finished his bath earlier and dried himself with the towel. He wore his tunic and left the bathhouse. He stood and waited outside while sinking into his thought.

"I have to get back soon," he thought.

Lady Ludwig finished her bath and wore her pajama. She went outside, standing next to Vixon. Vixon was deep in his thought, not realizing that Lady Ludwig was standing right next to him.

"Something on your mind?"

"N-Nothing."

She stood in front of him and looked into his eyes.

"Don't lie. What's on your mind?"

Vixon closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"I... I'm worried about my parents," he answered. "They receive no news about my whereabouts. My mother must be worried sick about me. I want to go back soon..."

"I'll return you to them as soon as possible. Maybe tomorrow. And after that, you will return and start working for me," she promised as she clung to Vixon's arm.

"O-Okay. Thank you, Lady Ludwig."

"Let's head back."

Both of them entered the mansion to the dining hall at the left part of the mansion. Red carpets covered the floor. Several candles and lanterns lit the hall. The smell of roasted steak and wine was strong there. Large stained-glass windows and realistic family paintings depicting the late heirs of the Ludwig family decorated the room.

A wide rectangular wooden dining table painted in gold complete with the fancy dining chairs was in the middle of the dining hall. The table fitted for twenty people. One on each end and nine on each side.

Lady Ludwig took a seat and ordered Vixon to sit next to her. A butler brought two plates of food hidden with steel cloches, a bottle of red wine, and empty cups. He served the food and poured the wine for them.

The butler removed the cloches, showing both of them the food. They were having sirloin steaks with crushed potatoes and spices for the dinner. The butler poured the sauce on the steaks and put a single parsley leaf on each.

"What's this?" Vixon asked.

"It's a sirloin steak, Mr.," the butler answered.

"Sirloin steak?"

"It's beef. Have you ever eaten steak before?" she asked.

"Pardon me... I-I have never eaten meat before, Lady Ludwig."

"Oh? Then this will be your first."

Lady Ludwig began eating the meat using a dining knife and a fork while Vixon mimicked her manners. Vixon tasted the meat and felt his tongue burning.

"Ah, it's too hot."

"Hm? It's not that hot. It must be spicy because of the sauce. It's a mix of red wine and Anguxia's soy sauce."

Vixon drunk the red wine and felt the burning sensation increasing in his mouth.

"Ah, even the drink is spicy," Vixon said as he covered his mouth with his backhand while his face became red from the alcohol.

"Ah, it's also red wine. An alcoholic beverage."

"A-Alcohol?" Vixon muttered, surprised.

"It is."

"It's my first time tasting alcohol. My mother said that alcohol is bad," Vixon said as his face become reddish. He lost his stoic face and looked panicking.

"Vixon... His alcohol tolerance is low?" she thought as she smiled.

"I-I think I have enough," he said as he cleaned his lips and cheeks with the handkerchief.

Lady Ludwig helped Vixon to eat. She cut the meat into small pieces and fed Vixon herself.

"Come on. A big and healthy boy like you should eat much."

"P-Pardon me, but—" Vixon declined, but Lady Ludwig shoved the meat into his mouth.

"Come on now. Be strong," she teased as she giggled. She kept feeding Vixon and laughing wholeheartedly at his reaction.

The maids and butlers were seeing them both from afar. They felt happy seeing their mistress laughs.

"I've served Lady Ludwig for over twenty years, but I have never seen Lady Ludwig this happy before," an old butler in his late 40s said.

"She is happier with somebody else instead of his own husband... It's ironic..." a maid in her early 20s commented.

"We've seen Lord Ludwig abused her physically and verbally. No wonder why she is happier with another man," an old maid in her late 40s said.

"She's smiling and laughing wholeheartedly. It's beautiful," a butler in his early 30s said with a smile.

"This mansion was grim and silent, devoid of happiness and love. But it feels like a miracle seeing her like this," the old butler said as he smirked.

Lady Ludwig ended by giving Vixon the rest of her portions. The alcohol he took was too much, causing him to pass out on the dining table, much to Lady Ludwig's surprise.

"Oh, my!" she said in surprise. "I gave him too much alcohol!"

But she smiled, knowing her plans went smoothly. He ordered the servants to bring Vixon's unconscious body somewhere else.