Breaking Vows For My Mate

The Thoughtful Duke

"Maid Mae" the unwanted voice that so suddenly made its manifestation was accompanied by the squeaking doors

I sighed after coming to a sudden realization, that it is the start of a new day, and I had not gotten as much rest because of everything that had happened yesterday.

And while I laid in bed, I slowly turned my head towards the guard that executed punishment on me just the day before.

Could there be a better way to start the day?, I muse in sarcasm.

"The duke summons you" he hurriedly said before closing the doors once more to his face.

By this time, I ought to have finished with my bath, oiled up and getting dressed, I groaned as neither of the above was even a quarter complete.

My body grew heavier overnight, and my lids closed on its own. I could so easily give in to my flesh, and it's will to keep me in bed for a little longer.

No matter, I hurled myself upwards and commenced preparations.

And even after bathing, did I feel the need to sleep some more.

I yawned before knocking on his doors "Maid Mae" I blinked furiously as my eyes welled up with water.

No surprise that there had been no reply on his end.

"Duke Edgar"

I continued this for about fifteen minutes. For that long a timespan of knocking, I felt no guilt when I proceeded to entering.

"Duke"

His bed had been empty, but his clothe from his shirt, to his pants traced its way to the bathroom. Something else caught my attention, the there had been a trail of black hair leading to the doors as well.

"Duke" I once more knocked on his doors. The one I had ran to, in search of safety from this man, is the very one I now voluntarily get closer to. "I'm coming in" I yelled, in case he was naked.

Edgar had prepared his own bath and now sank his body in it.

"Why are you here?" He demanded in anger from someone that simply obeys a summon.

I looked at him in a daze, 'Maid Mae, the duke summons you' while mimicking, in my head, the guard that had awoken me from my slumber.

" You called for me... Or did you not want me here?" I had to ask, even if his question obviously holds the answers or if his face clearly wants me gone.

"No, you may return back to your dorm" Edgar said while fixing his gaze elsewhere.

As much as I wanted to follow those orders, my duties as his assigned maid were greater. I did not need a summon before I could show face.

I have to show face, even when I am sick. Or in my dying bed. Moreover, I need to apologize for my careless act.

I steadily walked to his side and grabbed the sponge. I dipped it into his waters and set it on his shoulder. Swaying to and fro, watching as the soapy waters trickled down his inked back.

Edgar had not dismissed me for my disobedience, neither had he dismissed my act of cleansing his skin.

"Duke" I paused, unsure of where to begin "I am sorry for using your name for my lie, I deserve to be dismissed on the spot without a reference "

Even worse than that... I ought to be treated like an outcast by everyone who resides in the dark realm. Death by hanging is likewise, not an exaggerated option.

"And, I never meant to strike you, but with the way you'd trapped me like a rodent, I thought that you might hurt me..." I broke off, hoping he might say something.

"Either way, my well being is not for me to decide over yours is it?"

I washed my way to Edgar's front before settling once more on his shoulders.

"And though I am in no position to give excuses, it's just-... your words reminded me of someone whom I greatly despise... my father" I lowered my voice at the very end.

I never talked about my father to anyone, but for my apology to make sense, I'd have to shine some light on him.

"He ran away with his lover when I was still very young... You see, he treated me poorly, and even sold me for his gain"

Edgar shuffled his body as though he was uncomfortable with my troubles.

" And when you had tagged me as the other woman, I felt offended that even talking about it annoys me" I explained while gradually compressing the soaked sponge.

"I hold no grudge against you, I deserve to be punished. My recent behaviour is unfit to continue working in your service-"

A wheeze escaped my mouth when I had exerted some pressure at a certain point. Causing me to drop the sponge as I wiped his back, into the waters.

I immediately picked it up, before it could sink any lower to his torso, likewise hoping he would not concern himself with what just happened, or learn of my wounded palms.

Edgar instantly lifted his one hand from inside the waters and swiftly held in place my arm that gripped onto the sponge "Are you alright?"

His hand that still dribbled drops of water had been sucked up by my attire till it could not more.

"No I am not" I sighed in fury as I thought two things to myself, lying was what got me punished... And this man that asks me if I am alright was who gave the heads up to have me made an example of.

"I cannot focus with all your stirring" I muttered before enduring the pains as I continued to scrub with his hands still clutched to mine.

"Let me see" Edgar had begun to turn his head. He tugged my wrist with remarkable force, compelling my whole body to move closer to his line of sight and the sponge to fall out of my grasp.

My palm had now been facing him, however, I had forced it close immediately after the sponge fell out.

If he were to see this, I thought, then guilt might bound him... The guilt he deserves to feel when he pretends to care even though he knows, that he is the cause.

What the heck! If he wants to see, then let him.

I opened the palm he is so eager to set gaze upon and as expected his face bore a repenting look and for some odd reason, he gradually draws his lips till it kissed the dark bue discoloured area.

"Duke" I refrained from saying 'my' as it would only make me sound possessive of him "This is unacceptable" I bluntly spoke while pulling away the palm that had been caged in his.

Edgar abruptly arose. The foams no longer aided in hiding his full nakedness as they dissolved to hang onto several body parts "Forgive me if I hurt you-"

"I had lied with your name, and that was what put me in that position"

I trembled in fear, that his lustful self might be back... And once again, we are all alone.

He took a step out of the tub and dodged his slipper... His leg went straight for the floors. He had done likewise for his next step before then grabbing a towel.

I watched as the tall figure bypassed me, and disappeared behind closed doors. I followed en suite after trying to fit the pieces together but ending with nothing that could explain his odd behaviour.

Unlike the domineering beast he took form of yesterday, today, he seemed warm, yet weak.

Edgar had lowered himself as he searched for something in the drawers... "Sit" he ordered after a while of tossing objects out of place.

I obediently did as told, watching how he furiously marched forward to my side and once more took my hand in his.

He was wrapping a gauze on both my wounded arms. I should have objected, but something in the way he was subtle about it relaxed my tensed self.

However, he greatly aroused my curiosity.

I was literally lost for words as I watched the handsome duke, on his knees, whilst treating my unpleasant hand, like fragile glass.

"Thank you" I offered in admiration, as well as confusion.

He had looked at me with a grin, that I could not help but wonder if this man is mentally ill considering what had happened the day before and this sudden show of kindness.

It was probably to redeem himself from the guilt, I suggested. It was the only reason that could make sense out of this.

Edgar now rose on his feet to face his wardrobe. He hand picked his attire for the day and got into them while I glued my eyes to his every gesture.

And his every potruding muscles that fascinated me to ecstasy for the very first time in four years.

I then got up once I noticed he was almost done and behaved like I had been busying myself with straightening his bedsheets.

"Do not touch that" he packed my tiny arms into one of his "Your hands need some rest" he advised in a stern tone while driving me out of his chambers.

"I will get someone else to fix the bed" Edgar casually said, unaware of how much troubles just thinking about sending in a random trashtalking maid already brought me.

"But I am the only one assigned to fix the duke's bed" I squint my eyes at the man who now opens the doors, disregarding my every words, the panic behind my voice, and my sake.

Apart from tasking my duties to someone else, it would be a greater flight risk to be seen so intimately involved with the duke.

No one would mock the duke if he's seen with a maid. But as for the servant, it depends if you are me..

"I doubt that it is a good image for an engaged duke to be seen holding the hands of a maid"

"A wounded maid" he corrected after moving past one of the many maids who are still up ahead the direction of the dining room "Besides, let them gape... I care the less"

It was now safe to assume he has some sort of mental illness. Just some hours ago, I had literally combated and he, showed some manner of hate towards me.

And now, he is as unpredictable as the future.

This is a man with different personalities. A man I will never understand... How his mood swings?, I know not. Can I get away from this present situation?, I doubt that.