I was about to step into the shower when a sharp knock rattled against the door. My heart leapt in surprise. Who could it be, the housekeeper has just left.
I sighed and hurried back into the bedroom.
The knocking came again, quicker this time, as though whoever stood outside was impatient.
I unlatched the door and pulled it open.
Two girls in neat uniforms swept inside without hesitation, their heads bowed respectfully but their pace brisk. They looked no older than I was, dressed in the dark, fitted attire of servants from the Darkblood Pack. Their hands were full, one carried folded towels and a tray of bottles filled with fragrant oils, while the other balanced what looked like a stack of soft robes.
I froze on the spot.
"W-What the hell…?" The words slipped out before I could think. I had been too dumbfounded to comprehend what was happening.
Without saying a word, the two girls glided straight past me and into my bathroom. My confusion spiked. Instinctively, I followed, my bare feet padding against the cold stone floor.
Inside, the girls moved quickly, almost like they had rehearsed it. One knelt by the bathtub, turning the gold knobs until steaming water began to rush in. The scent of lavender and rose drifted into the air as the other servant poured oil into the bath, swirling it into the water until it shimmered faintly.
I stared in disbelief, my mouth falling open. "What… what are you doing?"
Neither answered. They were focused only on their task. My pulse picked up as I stepped closer to the edge of the tub, watching them prepare the bath like they had been ordered to.
Then, before I could piece it together, the brunette with her hair neatly tied into a bun rose gracefully. She turned toward me with a warm smile, her voice soft. "It's time for your bath, my lady."
I blinked. "Excuse me—what?"
Before I even managed to gather the right words, the girl reached forward and, with practiced ease, began tugging at the dress I wore.
"What the—!" I screamed, instinctively shoving her away with all the strength I had. My body jolted with shock and embarrassment. I stumbled backward and bolted out of the bathroom without a second thought.
My only instinct was to escape. My heart hammered in my chest as I sprinted toward the door of my chamber. The servants' calm footsteps echoed behind me as if they weren't in the least fazed by my outburst.
I wrenched the door open, desperate to get out, and—
Wham!
I crashed hard into something solid, bouncing back from the impact. My nose stung and I winced, hand flying up to cradle my face. Slowly, I lifted my eyes.
It wasn't a wall I had collided with, it was a chest.
My stomach dropped as my gaze traveled upward to see who I had run into.
Alexander.
The breath caught in my throat.
I turned quickly, wide-eyed, and saw the two girls stepping out of the bathroom. They began walking toward me again, calm and dutiful, as though nothing about this was unusual. Panic rose in me like a tide.
Without thinking, I darted behind Alexander's tall frame, clutching his sleeve like a child seeking refuge.
"Tell them to stay away from me!" My voice was panicked, shaky, and far too high-pitched for my liking.
Alexander tilted his head, turning slightly to glance at me. When our eyes met, I nearly gasped at the faint curl of amusement at his lips. That damn smirk.
"What's the problem, Elena?" His voice was calm, measured but laced with that infuriating taunt that always made me want to claw at him.
I gestured wildly toward the servants, words tumbling out in a rush. "They—they just barged into my room! They went into my bathroom, prepared a bath, and then...and then one of them tried to take my clothes off!" My cheeks burned furiously as I forced the words out without stuttering.
Alexander sighed dramatically, like he was tired of hearing a child complain. "I sent them." He smirked again, as if this revelation should have been obvious to me.
I blinked at him, torn between outrage and disbelief. "You… what? Why?"
"I promised your father I would treat you like a princess," Alexander said softly, his voice dipping lower, smooth as velvet.
The words might have sounded kind to anyone else, but I knew better. This wasn't kindness, it was one of his scheme to annoy me and piss me off. My fists clenched, anger bubbling inside me so hot it nearly blinded me. I wanted nothing more than to punch the smirk right off his annoyingly handsome face.
But my brother's warning echoed in my head.
So instead, I forced myself to take a breath. I plastered a strained smile on my lips and replied, "I don't need maids to help me bathe. I am perfectly—"
Before I could finish, Alexander clapped his hands together in realization, his blue eyes glittering with mischief.
"Oh, how foolish of me," he drawled. "I should have sent the male servants instead."
My entire face flamed, blood rushing from my neck up to my cheeks. "You—!"
He chuckled lowly, clearly pleased with himself. My nails bit into my palms as I curled my hands into fists, struggling not to explode at him.
The air between us thickened with unspoken tension. My glare locked onto him like fire meeting ice.
"Elena!"
The familiar voice snapped me from my fury.
I turned, relief washing through me when I saw Kathy walking down the hallway toward us. Her blonde hair bounced lightly with every step and a bright smile tugging at her lips.
She reached me in moments, her face glowing with delight. "I just had the best bath of my life!" she exclaimed. Then she looked up at Alexander with shining eyes. "Thank you for sending the maids to me. It was wonderful. I've never felt so pampered!"
Alexander gave her one of his disarming smiles. "You're welcome, Kathy. I'm glad you enjoyed it. But…" His gaze flicked deliberately to me. "Your sister doesn't seem to share the same sentiment."
Kathy's smile faltered as she turned to me. "You don't like it?"
Heat burned in my face as I tried to keep calm under her curious stare. I forced an awkward smile. "I just don't like the idea of strangers' hands all over me. This is the twenty-first century, Kathy. I can bathe myself."
Kathy tilted her head, then shrugged. "Well, I liked it," she said brightly, giving Alexander a thumbs-up. "Ten out of ten."
Alexander chuckled. "I even offered Elena a second option, but—"
"Alexander," I cut him off quickly, my voice low but edged with warning. My patience was wearing thin. "I am neither crippled nor disabled. I can clearly bathe myself."
For a moment, he only looked at me. Then that insufferable smile spread across his lips again. "If you say so."
He waved his hand dismissively, and the maids bowed before retreating down the corridor. Then he turned his attention back to Kathy. "Why don't I show you around before breakfast? I imagine your pack must be quite different from what you're used to."
Kathy's eyes sparkled. "I'd love that!" She beamed at him, then turned to wave at me before happily following him down the hall.
As they began walking, Alexander's gaze lingered on me briefly. His ocean-blue eyes caught mine, and that knowing smirk returned—just for me—before he turned away.
I released a heavy sigh the second they were out of sight. My hands trembled as I pushed the door shut behind me and turned the lock firmly into place.
For a long moment, I leaned against the door, trying to steady my breath. Then I dragged myself over to the bed and collapsed onto it, staring up at the ceiling.
Living here with Alexander was going to be even tougher than I thought.