Blissful evening

Melina knocked lightly on the king's chamber door before entering when she heard him answer, carefully balancing a tray of food on her hands.

She was used to the quiet stillness of the room, its grandeur almost familiar after just a few weeks of being assigned as Leon's personal maid.

"Your Highness..." She greeted, dropping the tray on his desk as she closed the door behind her.

She kept her eyes lowered respectfully, her hands steady as she carried a fresh cloth from his wardrobe almost immediately. It was something she had done before so she thought it would be immature to just stare at him when she knew what to do.

Her focus was entirely on the task at hand, unaware of the intense gaze following her every movement.

Leon was still sitting on his plush chair when she entered, his frame outlined in the dimly lit room as he placed his hand on the armrest before crossing his legs just staring at her.

Thereeyes never left her as she crossed the room, his expression unreadable but his gaze unmistakably fixed.

There was something magnetic in his stare, something simmering just beneath his calm exterior. He watched every gesture, every graceful shift of her hands, drawn to her in ways he could scarcely explain.

Meanwhile, Melina felt his gaze settle on her, lingering, almost… searching. But she brushed it off. He was a king, after all, and surely his thoughtful expression had nothing to do with her.

When she was through arranging his nightwear on the bed, she suddenly in her steps, awkwardly staring at Leon.

He raised a brow at her, waiting to see what she will do next when she stuttered, pointing at the bathroom, "I...I—would..." Her voice trailed when Leon suddenly stood up, his height towering her as he walked towards her slowly, staring into her soul.

Melina's heart skipped a bit at the abrupt action before subconsciously moving back until he stopped, taking in her appearance.

Not wanting anymore awkward moment, she quickly cleared her throat, pointing at his bathroom again,

"I...sh–should go prepare your bath," she immediately said with a polite smile that didn't reach her eyes as she bowed curtly, ready to dart into the bathroom when Leon's muscular hands blocked her, pulling her back.

"Why in such a hurry?" he asked, his voice low, almost teasing, though the heat in his gaze told a different story. Melina swallowed, her heart thudding loudly.

She could feel the space between them shrinking, his gaze moving slowly, taking in her every detail, from the strands of red hair that had come loose around her face to the gentle rise and fall of her breath.

"... I...thought you'd like me to prepare the bath quickly, Your Highness..." she managed to say, barely able to keep her voice steady. She took a small, instinctive step back, feeling his nearness like a soft, magnetic pull.

Flashes of the previous morning when she had come here came back to her mind, remembering the embarrassing details and her cheeks flushed pink.

Leon let out soft chuckle, and his hand came up to tilt her chin, forcing her gaze to meet his. The gesture was both gentle and possessive, sending a strange thrill through her.

What was he doing?

"Have you forgotten something you should do before that?" He murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, yet filled with undeniable intent.

"Something...I should do?" Melina narrowed her eyes at him, genuinely confused.

She tried to keep her composure, but her heart betrayed her, its fast beats echoing in her ears.

What else was she supposed to do for him? As far as she knew, preparing his bath was the first thing she did when she came here.

"Forgive me, Your Highness...I don't remember..." She whispered and once again, Leon could smell that intoxicating jasmine scent.

'Heavens!' He cursed under his breath and his hands balled into fists, escaping Melina's notice how much he was putting himself on a leash right now.

What was wrong with him? Since when did he become so feral? He asked himself at disbelief for his behaviour right now.

However, in spite of his efforts to control himself, there was a part of him, his primal instincts that took hold, pushing his morals to the back of his mind.

His lips curved in a slow, almost teasing smile. "Perhaps," he said, his voice like silk, "you could start by helping me here." His hand rose, gesturing to the fastenings of his robe, the fabric loose but still draped over his shoulders.

Her eyes widened as she realized his intention. She blinked, her fingers trembling ever so slightly as her heart raced faster. But he held her gaze, waiting, his eyes glinting with a spark of something she hadn't seen before, something that both drew her in and made her pulse pound in her ears.

"I…" Melina's voice faltered. She could feel her cheeks flush, her breath quickening as she glanced up at him, uncertain yet unable to look away.

"Don't be shy..." He chided her, "I'm waiting..." his gaze remained steady, soft yet piercing, and Melina found herself reaching for the fabric, her hand brushing his shoulder as she began to untie the first knot, her fingers grazing his skin.

Leon's breath caught, the tension between them thick and unspoken. He let his hand rest against hers for just a moment, savoring the warmth of her touch, the closeness of her presence.

Melina fumbled a bit with the buttons. She hated this part of taking care of the elites the most. How did they find it comfortable to just undress in front of people...a different gender at that!

She tried as much as possible to pull it out quickly, wanting to get away from here and fill the bathtub.

"There's no need to hurry, Melina," Leon pulled her from her thoughts, almost startling her, his voice barely more than a whisper. "Take your time."

She stilled at his words, her hands pausing on one of the buttons when she heard that but she quickly continued.

As her fingers worked to undo the clasp, her hand trembled slightly, her skin tingling with every movement, every touch. Leon's breath was warm against her forehead, and when she looked up, she found herself held captive by his gaze, a look that was both gentle and filled with longing.

Finally, she was done taking off his regal outfit as well his chemise, leaving only his tight pants on him.

She looked at him pleadingly.

Lord, no. She didn't want to see that.

"I'd take it from here. You can prepare the bath," he suddenly moved back from her and Melina felt herself breathe well again.

She entered the bathroom and turned the faucet for water to fill the bath. Checking the King's scented oils and soaps, she picked the jasmine oil, pouring it on the heated water before preparing other things in place.

A redundant action that quite frustrated her these days.

"Your Highness, your bath is ready," she informed Leon when she came out of the bathroom only for her to be met with a jaw dropping view of him.

This king had taken off his pants!