Chapter 8: The Royal Bath

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Chapter 8: The Royal Bath

Aurora stood in Lucas's bathroom, her breath catching as she took in the grandeur of the space. It was unlike anything she had ever seen. The floors were polished marble, cool underfoot, and the walls were adorned with intricate carvings depicting mythical creatures and royal emblems. A golden chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, warm light over the room, while delicate curtains framed a tall, frosted window.

In the center of it all stood the bathtub, more a work of art than a mere vessel. Its sculpted edges gleamed, and its size seemed almost absurd-large enough to fit several people. Aurora's eyes roamed the room, from the shelves of luxurious oils and perfumes to the folded silk towels stacked neatly nearby. She felt out of place, as though she had wandered into a forbidden sanctuary.

Her fingers brushed against the rim of the tub, and she bit her lip, unsure of where to begin. She had no idea how to prepare a bath for a prince, and there was no one around to guide her. "Just do whatever makes sense," she muttered to herself.

She eyed the two taps near the tub. One was adorned with a small snowflake symbol, while the other bore the image of a sun. Hesitantly, she turned the snowflake tap, and icy water gushed out, splashing her hands. Aurora yelped and quickly turned it off, shivering from the sudden chill.

Switching to the sun-marked tap, she was relieved to feel warm water cascading into the tub. Steam began to rise, curling into the cool air and filling the room with a comforting heat. She smiled faintly, glad to have figured out at least this much.

As the tub filled, Aurora turned her attention to the shelves of bottles and jars. Her eyes scanned the labels, though many were written in an ornate script she couldn't read. She uncorked one at random, its scent hitting her like a summer breeze-floral, sweet, and calming.

"This should work," she murmured, pouring a small amount into the water. The fragrance spread quickly, blending with the steam to create an inviting, soothing atmosphere. Aurora added a little more, marveling at how the simple act transformed the space.

Once satisfied, she wiped her damp hands on her skirt and stepped back to admire her work. The water shimmered under the soft light, the scent of lavender and rose filling the air. For a moment, she felt a small sense of accomplishment.

She returned to Lucas's room, her nerves flaring as she approached him. He was seated on the edge of the bed, his posture relaxed but his presence imposing. A book lay open in his hands, though he seemed more absorbed in his thoughts than the text.

"Your bath is ready, Your Highness," Aurora announced softly, her voice trembling slightly.

Lucas looked up, his icy-blue eyes locking onto hers. Aurora felt as though she'd been caught in a trap, unable to move under his gaze.

"Step forward," he commanded, his tone calm yet firm.

Aurora hesitated, her heart pounding. What now? she wondered, but her legs betrayed her, moving her closer to him as though pulled by an invisible force.

Lucas closed the book and set it aside, rising to his full height. Aurora's breath caught as he loomed over her, his gaze never leaving her face.

"Help me out of these clothes," he said casually, as though it were the most natural request in the world.

Aurora's eyes widened. "I... I don't think... I mean, shouldn't-"

Lucas arched an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You're my personal maid for tonight. This is part of your duty."

Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she swallowed hard. There was no way out of this without offending him. "Of course," she managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Avoiding his gaze, she stepped closer, her hands trembling as they reached for the first layer of his clothing. The outer garment was heavy, adorned with intricate embroidery and metallic embellishments that sparkled in the lamplight. Aurora struggled to remove it, her nervous fingers fumbling with the clasps.

"Careful," Lucas said, his tone laced with amusement.

Aurora bit her lip, determined to get it right. She peeled away the garment and set it aside carefully, her hands brushing against the soft fabric of the second layer. This one was lighter, more fitted, and she worked meticulously to unfasten it.

Her heart raced as she worked, her fingers brushing against his skin more than once. Each accidental touch sent a jolt through her, and she silently scolded herself for being so clumsy.

When she reached the final piece of his shirt, she froze, unsure if she should continue. Her gaze flicked upward, meeting his piercing blue eyes.

"Why did you stop?" Lucas asked, his voice low and curious.

Aurora quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks burning. "I... I thought it might be improper," she stammered.

Lucas chuckled softly, the sound rich and teasing. "Finish," he said simply.

Aurora nodded, her hands trembling as she removed the last layer. When the shirt slid off his shoulders, she couldn't help but stare. His bare chest was a masterpiece-muscular, chiseled, and flawless. She had never seen anything like it, not even in her wildest imagination.

Her fingers itched to touch him, to feel the strength beneath his skin, but she quickly shook the thought from her mind.

"You seem distracted," Lucas said, tilting her chin upward with a single finger.

Aurora's heart skipped a beat as their eyes met. His gaze was intense, almost playful, and she felt as though he could see right through her.

"I-I'll get your robe," she blurted, stepping back in a rush.

Lucas watched her with mild amusement as she hurried into the bathroom, her footsteps echoing against the marble floor.

When she returned with the robe, she handed it to him without meeting his gaze.

"Follow me," he instructed, walking toward the bathroom.

Aurora trailed after him, her nerves on edge. When they reached the bathroom, she hung the robe on a nearby hook and stepped back, unsure of what to do next.

"You can go now," Lucas said, his tone dismissive.

Aurora bowed her head, grateful for the reprieve. "Goodnight, Your Highness," she said, her voice trembling slightly. She turned and left the room, her heart still racing.

---

The walk back to her room was a blur. Aurora kept her head down, ignoring the glances and whispers of the other maids. None of them seemed particularly shocked by her presence in Lucas's chambers, which surprised her. It dawned on her that this was probably routine for them-serving the prince in such intimate ways.

When she finally reached her room, she shut the door behind her and leaned against it, letting out a shaky breath. The day had been a whirlwind of emotions, and she felt as though she'd aged years in just a few hours.

Collapsing onto her bed, she stared up at the ceiling, her thoughts racing.

She couldn't take out the image of Lucas bare chest, once again she found herself blushing.

Aurora couldn't help but wonder where she will stay when tomorrow comes, but she was too tried to think about anything, she had to rest because her day has been very long and stressful.

Sleep finally took her, pulling are into its embrace has the moonlight watched over her, and the Palace settle into it's quite slumber.