Bathing Me?!

"Strip!"

All the warning signs in my head instantly resurfaces, the true meaning of why he purchased me, this was the reason, he was going to defile me right here and right now!

"Strip… I must cleanse you of the mortal realm filth"

Okay, what?

He dropped the walking stick on a nearby wall and approached me with his loud steps and instinctively I drew back but for how long? There was no one here to help me, I wasn't so sure anyone would, he looked like he was the master of this house... well he IS the master.

I stopped and stretched my hand out to him and he halted his step instantly. I really wish I was able to talk right now but I can't do that... that will mean my death.

"Is there something you wish to tell me..."

I gulped.

"Then say it"

Huh? Doesn't he believe I was mute? Dear gods, I'm in trouble now.

"Do your sign gesture, I will understand... I'm a man of knowledge I understand all languages for I'm knowledge itself" he spoke in that confident tone of his and if his so-called mask wasn't on I swore a smirk would have followed, I shivered just at the mere thought of it.

There was one problem... I don't know any sign languages because there was no need for them.

"Or perhaps you weren't taught any sign languages in the mortal realm?"

I nodded quickly, hoping he would buy that.

"Mortals... such savages" he mumbled. "How will I understand you now?"

I bit my bottom lip, and he tilted his head to the side and waited.

"I will ask questions and you answer with either a nod or a shake of your head" he concluded right after not putting much thought into it, this wasn't a suggestion from him, it was more like a command and it caused me to gulp once again.

"I will bathe you right now Ava"

I froze, gripping the jacket around me tightly, I quickly shook my head and he tilted his head to the side. Staring at his blank mask right now was tiring.

"Why?" he came off.

Why? Was he even supposed to ask me that right now? I know nothing of this man and yet he wishes to bathe me? To let me strip under his gaze and bathe me? Is he sick or something? Yet he asks why?

"I wish to bathe you and you don't approve it, you're confusing"

I frown at him. He was the one being confusing right now... how could he expect me to straight up tell him yes for him to bathe me? Doesn't he know about etiquette?

"If what is going through your mind is etiquette then I suggest you rethink that"

So what can he read my mind now?! I panicked mentally.

I tensed when he took a step closer to me and leaned to me and I bent backward slightly.

"Things such as etiquette do not exist between us... because you're my bride," he said the words slowly and sternly. "So I won't repeat myself again," he added.

I opened my mouth but I restrained myself from letting words come off, he was impossibly close right now and I got more of that earthly scent off him than his jacket. It smells so good.

I had a feeling he wasn't gonna let this slide off as just a 'no' . I had nothing against him right now, he was the one making the orders and he saw me as someone who should just obey, but is that me? Why was I caring about whether he sees me naked or not? I thought I have given up on that part of myself, not caring about what happened to me, for I have given up hope in life itself, I was ready to end my life back in that cell not until I was sold to this man.

So why? Why was my body trying to fight back? Maybe because I wanted to keep even the smallest dignity I had to my body... my voice and my body, those two things were the only precious things I had, those were my comfort and what I cared about.

I raised my hand and placed it on his chest, I felt his heartbeat and it was... slow? Was that possible? But I shove it aside and focus on my goal. I gripped his clothes hard and I gave a hard shock of my head and allowed a whimper to escape me. Maybe if I seemed helpless and hurt he would get me, he said he was a man of knowledge after all.

He just faced me as I continued my action and I pondered how long before he understands me, or maybe he does and doesn't want to comply, that thought alone scared me. Was I really just bound to his orders?

"Bathing you will hurt you," he said firmly like he was trying to understand what he just complies with, not of what I was trying to convey but as if he was trying to understand my... feelings.