บท 7: A Maid's Risky Mission
As Madison gently scrubbed Wald's muscular back, she tried to push aside the treacherous thoughts that threatened to consume her. This was merely a means to an end, a way to get closer to her target and uncover his weaknesses. She couldn't afford to be distracted by his disarming charm or the undeniable physical attraction she felt towards him. And yet, some primal part of her was utterly captivated by the sight of his powerful, naked form in the steaming bath water.
Wald let out a contented sigh as the washcloth glided over his skin. "You have a gentle touch for a maid," he murmured. "Tell me, have you served in many noble households before coming here?"
Madison tensed, quickly composing herself before replying. "No, My Lord. I've had no prior experience as a maid. This is my first post." The lie rolled smoothly off her tongue, though she felt a pang of guilt at the deception.
He turned his head slightly, raising an inquisitive eyebrow. "Is that so? Then you must be a fast learner. Your technique is quite impressive for a novice."
A flush crept up Madison's cheeks at the prince's words. She focused on the task at hand, determined not to let his compliments fluster her. "You are too kind, My Lord. I merely aim to please." Though in truth, her true aim was to get close enough to end his life.
A low chuckle rumbled from Wald's throat. "And please me, you do." He twisted around suddenly, grasping her wrist and pulling her flush against his wet, chiseled body. "Perhaps a bit too well."
Madison's breath caught in her throat as she found herself pressed against the prince's hard, naked form. She could feel the heat radiating from his skin, the rapid thump of his heartbeat against her chest. His face was mere inches from hers, close enough for her to see the flecks of amber in his intense blue eyes. Up close, he was even more devastatingly handsome, exuding an aura of raw power and masculinity that made her feel uncomfortably disarmed.
"M-My Lord..." she stammered, suddenly very aware of her own state of undress and the way her body was reacting to his proximity. "This is highly inappropriate."
"Is it?" Wald murmured, his gaze drifting down to her parted lips. "I am the prince. I'll decide what is appropriate and what is not." He leaned in closer, his breath hot against her skin. "And right now, I find myself wanting things that would be considered highly inappropriate by most."
Madison's heartbeat thundered in her ears as Wald's thumb traced the curve of her jaw. She knew she should pull away, and put an end to this madness before it went too far. But some primal part of her didn't want to, was utterly captivated by this powerful male specimen holding her in his arms. His rugged handsomeness, his intoxicating scent, the naked desire burning in his eyes - it was all proving far too alluring to resist.
Their lips were a hairsbreadth apart when a sudden, insistent knocking at the door broke the heated tension. Wald cursed under his breath, reluctantly releasing Madison as a maid's voice called out.
"Your Highness? Lord Baros requests your presence in the Strategy Hall immediately. An urgent matter requires your attention."
Anger flashed across Wald's chiseled features, the muscles in his neck taut with irritation. "Tell that fool I'll be there shortly," he barked, his voice laced with barely restrained impatience.
"At once, Your Highness."
As the maid's footsteps retreated, Wald turned back to Madison, his eyes glinting with a predatory gleam. "This isn't over," he growled, reaching up to tuck a damp strand of hair behind her ear, letting his fingers linger against the exposed skin of her neck. "Not by a long shot."
A shiver raced down Madison's spine at the clear promise in his voice. Part of her feared what might happen when they inevitably resumed this dangerous game they were playing. But another part felt a perverse thrill, a twisted sense of excitement at the forbidden nature of her actions.
With that, Wald hauled himself out of the bath, water sluicing down his sculpted form. Madison couldn't tear her eyes away as he dried himself with a plush towel, drinking in every glorious inch of his body. When he had secured the towel around his waist, he leveled her with a smoldering look that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Get dressed," he ordered gruffly. "You're coming with me to the Strategy Hall."
Madison's eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and trepidation. "M-Me, My Lord? But why? I'm just a lowly maid..."
"And I am your prince," Wald stated, his tone brooking no argument. "You will do as I command without question. Do you understand?"
Though every rational part of her mind screamed at her to refuse, to maintain her distance and not get any more entangled in this dangerous web she was weaving, Madison heard herself murmur, "Yes, My Lord. I understand."
As she hurriedly dressed, her hands trembling slightly, she couldn't help but wonder what new peril awaited her in the Strategy Hall. And why the prince insisted on bringing her along. Was this all part of some twisted game he was playing? A test of her loyalty, perhaps? Or did he suspect her true motives and intend to keep her close, like a hawk watching its prey?
Either way, Madison knew she was treading down a precarious path, one that could lead to her undoing if she wasn't careful. The strange, heated tension between them was like a tightly coiled snake, ready to strike at any moment. One wrong move, one slip up, and her entire mission could unravel before her eyes.
But the thrill of the risk, the allure of getting closer to the enigmatic prince, was proving difficult to resist. Being so near him, inhaling his masculine scent, witnessing the raw power and dominance he exuded - it was utterly intoxicating. Like a moth drawn to a flame, perilously unable to resist the light despite knowing it could be her undoing.
She was in dangerous territory now, dancing on the edge of a blade. One wrong step, and everything could come crashing down around her. But perhaps that was all part of the intoxicating thrill, the delicious sense of danger that came with her mission.
As she followed the prince out of the baths and into the dimly lit corridors, Madison steeled herself for whatever awaited her in the Strategy Hall. She was a maid on a deadly mission, risking everything for the chance at vengeance and redemption.
And she had no intention of failing.
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