The Expedition

<Duke's Mansion, Early Morning> 

The air in the bathing chamber was warm, the scent of lavender and herbs lingering in the steam that rose from the water. Aeliana sat still in the large, ornate tub, her slender form submerged to the shoulders as she endured the gentle ministrations of the maids. The water swirled softly around her, its heat soothing the ever-present ache in her muscles, but her mind was far from at ease. 

The maids moved with practiced precision, their hands working carefully to cleanse her without hesitation. Their eyes, however, remained closed, as per her explicit instructions. They had learned early on that to disobey this rule—to so much as glance at her skin—was to face her wrath, a punishment no one dared provoke.