"Oh yeah, right there," Aidan breathed, sinking into relaxation as the maid behind him massaged his shoulders.
"Tell me, what's your name?" he asked, melting under her soft, tender hands as they worked away the tension in his neck.
"I am Alexie, young master," she replied, her soft voice slipping from her pretty pink lips and planting a seed of desire in Aidan's mind.
'This is the life…' Aidan sighed in bliss. With two other beauties assisting him in a warm bath, he felt more like royalty here than he ever had back on Earth. 'With power like this, the world is mine.'
"Alexie, tell me—has Valery been courted?" Aidan asked, catching himself before saying "single" and opting for a more refined tone.
"No, young master. Many nobles and men from renowned families have tried to court her, but all have failed," Alexie explained, her fingers expertly working the knots in his shoulders.
"Hm, be honest—do you think I could court her?" Aidan couldn't get Valery out of his mind, and the question slipped from his lips before he could stop himself.
"The madam appreciates a man with power—not just in standing, but in physical might as well, young master," Alexie elaborated, her tone gentle yet matter-of-fact.
"Well, I'd say I'm pretty strong—don't you agree?" Aidan flexed his arm in front of Alexie, earning a sweet giggle from her.
"Yes, you are—but not in essen, young master. That is the strength the madam values most," she said with a knowing smile.
"Essen?" Aidan blurted.
"Yes, young master—the mystical energy of our world." Alexie paused her massage and extended her delicate hand toward him. "Please hold my hand, young master," she requested.
"Okay." Aidan raised his large hand, gently clasping Alexie's smaller, softer one.
"Through the grueling process of acclimating, one learns to wield essen," Alexie explained, her tender palm gradually hardening in his grasp. "With the power of essen, you learn to control your natural elements and gain extraordinary abilities. Such as this one, young master."
Alexie demonstrated as her entire hand hardened, its texture transforming. Aidan's eyes widened, curiosity flickering in his auburn gaze as his chest burned with excitement.
"So then, how strong would I have to be to appeal to a woman like Valery?" he asked, his voice tinged with determination as Alexie's hand softened once more.
"Well, I'm merely an Acolyte, with the realms above that being Adept, Mage, Great Mage, and Grand Mage. The madam has a fond respect for Grand Mages, young master."
"Then that's what we'll do!" Aidan rose abruptly from his bath, splashing water on Alexie and the other maids. They averted their eyes from his nude self as he proclaimed, "I won't just become a Grand Mage—I'll go further beyond!"
"Are there realms above Grand Mage, though?" he wondered aloud as one of the maids handed him a towel.
"Yes, but I have no information regarding those realms. I apologize, young master," Alexie answered, her tone tinged with regret.
"No matter." Aidan wrapped the towel around his waist and stepped out of the bathtub. "I'll figure it out. Oh, and Alexie," he addressed her.
"Yes, young master?" Alexie looked up at him, concern flickering in her blue eyes.
"I like you. You'll be my personal maid from now on," he instructed.
"It would be my honour, young master." Alexie's heart fluttered as she bowed deeply before him.
"Good." Aidan smiled broadly.
…
Whip!
"Darcey!" Devin struggled against the heavy chains holding him in place.
Whip!
"Stop it!" he screamed, forced to watch as Darcey endured lash after lash.
Whip! Darcey flinched with every strike, her muffled wails cutting through the void.
"Come on, Darce—scream for me. How else will Devin know you're suffering?" The dark entity wearing Devin's face chuckled, bringing the whip down again.
Whip!
"Why are you doing this?" Devin's voice cracked with desperation.
"You know why," a disembodied voice echoed, cold and unyielding. "You are weak."
Whip! "Ah!" Darcey cried out.
"Pathetic," the voice sneered.
Whip! "Dev!" Darcey's voice broke as she called for him.
"Absolutely powerless, as the world has its way with you," the voice concluded, its tone dripping with disdain.
Whip!
The sound faded, replaced by the hushed whispers of maids in the bathing chamber.
"How long has he been like this?" one maid whispered, concern flickering in her hazel eyes.
"Since he got here," another replied, her voice tinged with unease.
"Aren't we supposed to dress him?" the hazel-eyed maid asked, glancing at Devin's motionless form.
"I'm not touching him. Look at his blood eyes," one of the maids muttered, backing away. The other shook her head in agreement.
The hazel-eyed maid sighed, stepping forward despite their protests. "What are you doing?" one of them exclaimed.
"My duty, as assigned by the Madam," she replied firmly. Reaching the bathtub, she picked up a hand towel and began to wipe the drool from Devin's mouth. Her touch was gentle yet resolute as she bathed him, her movements steady despite the tension in the room.
Devin sat motionless in the bath, his crimson eyes staring blankly ahead, as though trapped in a world only he could see.
…
In the spacious living room beneath a deep beige ceiling, crystal chandeliers cast flickering light across the earthy brown walls. The soft glow danced over graceful gold reliefs, etched into the stone. Aidan and the others sat on crimson and gold armchairs and sofas, dawning their formal attire—a combination of golden brown tunics and pants, with knee-length skirts for the ladies.
"You all look so lovely," Valery said, a warm smile gracing her succulent lips. She stood before them with poise, her gaze sweeping over the group. "Douglas will arrive shortly to escort you to the dinner table, where his highness awaits."
"What should we expect?" Angel asked, his deep blue eyes narrowing slightly.
"Well, his highness is bold and strong but magnanimous. In his presence, you will learn everything you need to know—and be free to form your own thoughts," Valery answered, her words calm yet tinged with reverence. She subtly nodded her head, signalling the moment's conclusion.
"It seems our time together has ended for now," she said, bowing deeply to the five. Just as she straightened, the sound of knocking echoed into the room.
Valery moved with grace, opening the door to reveal Douglas. His towering presence filled the threshold as his deep voice lingered in their ears. "Are they ready?" he asked, each word deliberate as the temperature in the room dipped subtly.
"Yes," Valery replied, her smile unwavering as she turned to the group. "They are ready to meet his highness."
End of Chapter 24