A Naked Woman

"Then I have a perfect job for you, lady Elara Brentwood." His sparkling eyes made Elara uneasy, for she was sure she was not going to like what would come afterward.

"As you know the house had suffered the death of the duke and duchess and the young lord was left alone in the house. 

The younger brother of the duke had returned as guardian of the young lord but lord Frostbane had never spent much time in the capital. He had spent most of his time in the countryside." Elara knew that he was trying to paint Cedric ignorant to hide his crazy attitude but why?

Why did he need to explain all this to a mere maid that would be too busy in cleaning the house and following commands.

"The child.. He is too poor to lose everything all at once. I was looking for a governess but they could not stay here for full time. A nanny would have been a better choice, but I do not want an elderly woman who reminds the child of his loss." The man sighed exasperatedly, looking pained and exhausted at the same time making Elara uncomfortable.

"But I am.."

"You are young yet experienced and if i go with the words of viscountess.. You have been perfect in every task given. I am sure you would be a good governess and nanny at the same time. All you need to do is teach him language and numbers. And bring him out of his shell." he spoke rapidly as if he was afraid Elara would cut his offer and refuse. 

Looking at her mortified face, one did not need to open her mouth to know what she was thinking.

"We will offer better pay of course. Thrice the amount a normal maid can make. Lodging on the third floor where the members of the family can stay and better food, clothes, comfort." Elara was sure the man would offer her treasure if it was in his limit but why?

This was the family of the duke they were talking about? He could have as many nannies and governesses as he wanted and the women would swarm like bees to get the offer.

"But.." the man took another hard sigh, making her heart heavy. She had to do something with her weak will against old and weak persons. Not that she was better with kids!

"I understand your hesitation, miss Brentwood. But trust me, the child is sweet and shy. The work will be easier than cleaning the long banisters for stairs. And you will be respected well.'' Yes! It was a much better offer than she had hoped for.

But it would not hide her in the dark as she had expected. If nobles come to meet the child, they would notice her. What if any of them.. She took a deep breath, she was being too sensitive. There would be thousands of golden-haired and green-eyed girls in the capital. There was no way they would connect her with others.

"I think I will accept it then. But I do not have thorough knowledge of the empire's history or political affairs. Shouldn't the future duke need better tutors." the man gave her one agonizing look as if she had asked for his life..

"Of course, we would arrange them once the child will be out of his shock. For now, his grace would handle all that for the child. After all, he is the guardian." She could feel the sour taste of his mouth spreading on her lips but she nodded dutifully as a maid should.

"You would be paid sixty gold coins per month, which is twice the income for a normal maid. More than that, I will arrange three dresses for you and your necessities. Let me show you your room." Elara was surprised that he did not call maids but showed the room himself.

The third floor was dark which was normal for mourning halls but it gave an ominous aura that left a shudder down her spine.

But if that was not enough to scare the poor old man, a screeching sound did.. Just as they crossed the hall, someone threw a vase and it came flying toward them. It would have hurt Elara on her shoulders, but she took a quick spin and dodged it.

"You.. oh my! You have a good reflex, miss Brentwood." Elara paused, embarrassed because a maid could not spin like that. 

"That is because.. I love dancing." She flushed! The dancers spun like that, but she was relieved that another screeching sound took the attention of the butler.

The door of the other side swung open and a naked woman holding the bedsheets around her body ran out of the room.

She looked battered, disheveled and scared. She did not turn to look at us as she ran for her life.

Behind her, there was a man only wearing a loose robe around his strong body smirked.

"Hey, I thought you had a strong stamina when you visited my room at night. Are you running already… we have just started darling!" The voice ran in Elara's ears like drums and her whole face went crimson. 

Was this the new lord of the duchy, the young duke of Assedon Cedric Frostbane? 

Her eyes stared at him despite the warning bells around her. The man had hair darker than night. Didn't every royal have golden hair like her?

And his eyes… They were so dark that it looked like a vortex that could suck lives around them. And now, she was losing her breath.

"My lord…" the man bowed and only then did she remember she was blatantly staring at him.

"Your grace." she curtsied when she heard the strong bang only to see that the door was closed and lost in his darkness again.

"I.. I assure you that it did not happen often." He was so disheartened in his lie that Elara felt sorry for him. She wanted to assure that she had faced worse. But which maid would ever have…

"Haha! I am sure as long as we do not find a naked woman in his room."