Court Of Shadows and Lies

20. A Scent of Kindness

I stood by the door, waiting for Elliora to return. Serene's hesitant nod from earlier lingered in my mind. It was strange-his obedience and vulnerability despite his strength. He had endured so much, yet something as simple as taking off his pants made him blush. An odd mix of amusement and pity twisted in my stomach.

The soft sound of fabric hitting the floor told me he was undressing, and I heard the quiet splash as he stepped into the bathing pool. I remained with my back turned, giving him the space he seemed to need. The marbled room was filled with the gentle sound of water lapping against the edges of the pool.

I should be used to this. Commanding others has always been second nature to me. But he was different. He wasn't just another servant or guard I could order around-he was fragile, marked by suffering.

I don't need to feel anything for him. He's just another tool to wield. Yet something about his quiet compliance, his broken demeanor, made it difficult to view him that way. Perhaps it was the sheer weight of what he had survived, a burden no one should ever have to bear.

Where is Elliora, anyway? My irritation flickered.

"Are you settled in the water?" I asked, still not turning around.

A faint splash followed by a quiet, "Yes," reached my ears.

"Good," I replied, finally allowing myself to glance back over my shoulder. Serene was seated in the pool, the water lapping at half of his torso. His eyes, an unsettling amber, were fixed on me, as they always seemed to be, watching my every move.

"Clean yourself up. Use the oils on the side. I'll come back to check on you," I ordered, still avoiding direct eye contact. Those eyes unsettled me, as if they saw more than I was comfortable revealing.

"Stop!" he called suddenly.

I halted, turning back to him. "What now?"

He pointed to an oval soap bar made of olive oil and infused with sandalwood. "How to... use these?"

I frowned, realizing the implication. "Have you... never used soap?"

He shook his head. "I used to bathe with the ash of plants..."

Oh right. Not everyone is born with a silver spoon.

"Do you want me to help you bathe?" I asked, surprised at my own offer.

He nodded, looking away, sitting in the pool with his knees pulled tightly to his chest, his hands fidgeting nervously with his toes.

I took a breath, steeling myself. This was not the usual arrangement, but it was necessary. I stepped closer, forcing myself to keep my expression neutral. "Alright then. Just relax."

As I approached, the scent of sandalwood filled the air, mingling with the warmth of the water.

I knelt beside the pool, my hand breaking the surface of the lukewarm water. The gentle waves rippled outward, a soft invitation to the moment. I reached for a glass bottle, its lid shaped like a delicate rose, and uncorked it, releasing the fragrant scent of rose water into the air. I poured a generous amount into the water, the liquid swirling together, creating a fragrant embrace of warmth and comfort.

As I stirred the mixture with my hand, I felt Serene's gaze on me, a mix of curiosity and apprehension in his amber eyes. "It smells nice," he said quietly, his voice almost lost in the gentle lapping of the water.

"Good," I replied, forcing a smile. "It's meant to be soothing. Now, let's wash your hair." I reached for a small jar of herbal shampoo, its earthy scent blending with the roses. "This is made from plants. It will help cleanse and nourish your hair."