The morning sun streamed through the tall windows of the royal dining hall as Rayan and Elena made their way to breakfast. The hall was a testament to elven craftsmanship—carved wooden pillars twisted like living trees, their branches forming an intricate canopy overhead. Tapestries depicting the clan's history hung between stained glass windows that cast colorful patterns across the polished floor.
Queen Maria sat at the head of the long table, her silver hair braided with small crystals that caught the morning light. She looked up as they approached, and Rayan caught the knowing smile that flickered across her face as she took in Elena's slightly unsteady gait and the faint flush that still colored both their cheeks.
"Good morning, Your Majesty," Rayan said, bowing respectfully as he pulled out Elena's chair.
"Good morning, children." The Queen's voice carried gentle amusement. "I trust you both slept... well?"
Elena's face turned crimson. "Mother!"
"What? I'm simply concerned for your rest. After all, today begins your real duties as princess." Queen Maria's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Though judging by that glow, daughter, I'd say you're adjusting to married life quite nicely."
"Can we please focus on breakfast?" Elena muttered, burying her face behind her cup of morning tea.
Rayan couldn't help but grin. Despite her royal bearing, Queen Maria had the same playful streak he'd glimpsed in Elena. "The palace is magnificent, Your Majesty. I was hoping to explore it more today."
"Of course. Elena can show you around after you've eaten." The Queen's expression grew more serious. "There are also some... administrative matters we need to discuss. About your household."
"My household?"
Elena and her mother exchanged a meaningful look. "We'll explain later," Elena said quietly.
After breakfast, Elena led Rayan through the palace corridors. The rebuilding efforts had been remarkable—what had once been a simple village hidden in the forest had grown into something approaching the great elven palaces of old. Carved doorways opened onto rooms filled with books, artifacts, and magical implements. Gardens bloomed in interior courtyards, tended by women who smiled and bowed as they passed.
"It's incredible," Rayan said, running his hand along the smooth bark of a pillar. "How did you manage all this?"
"A hundred years of careful work," Elena replied. "Mother has rushed to create a proper palace again thinking it'll kindle hope within elf race as a whole."
They emerged onto a balcony overlooking the main courtyard, where the Great Tree's massive canopy provided shade for the buildings below. Rayan was admiring the view when Elena called out behind him.
"Ladies, please come forward."
Rayan turned to see ten young women filing onto the balcony, each dressed in elegant but formal clothing that marked them as palace staff. His breath caught as he recognized two familiar faces among them.
"Natasha? Toha?" His voice cracked with surprise.
Natasha stepped forward with her characteristic confident grin. "Surprise, Your Highness."
Toha, more reserved as always, offered a gentle smile. "Hello, Rayan."
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the academy?" He looked between his childhood friends in confusion.
Elena cleared her throat diplomatically. "Allow me to introduce your personal staff. These ten women have volunteered to serve as your... personal maids."
The way she emphasized the word 'personal' made Rayan's cheeks heat up.
"Personal maids," he repeated slowly.
"It's a traditional position," Elena continued smoothly. "They'll attend to your needs, help manage your schedule, and ensure your comfort." Her eyes met his briefly, conveying meanings that couldn't be spoken aloud. "Of course, their duties will expand as needed for the good of our people."
Rayan's gaze swept over the group of women. Besides Natasha and Toha, there were eight others he didn't recognize well, though their faces were familiar from village gatherings.
A petite brunette with bright green eyes stepped forward with a shy smile. "I'm Aria, Your Highness. I used to help my mother with the village seamstress work—I know all about fabrics and looking presentable."
A tall, elegant woman with auburn hair gave a small curtsy. "Luna. I learned massage from the healers when they treated injured villagers. My hands are... very good at relieving tension."
"Celia!" announced a cheerful blonde with dimpled cheeks. "I've been organizing village festivals since I was two hundred. I can keep track of anything—schedules, people, whatever you need."
"Rose," said a quiet redhead who blushed as she spoke. "I grow herbs in my family garden. Good for cooking, healing, and... other remedies."
"Ivy," declared a confident brunette with striking blue eyes. "I trained with the village guards before. I can protect you. You can always count on me."
"Maya," offered a soft-spoken woman with intricate braids. "I play music and tell stories. Everyone needs entertainment, right?"
"Nora," said a sharp-eyed blonde who looked like she could count coins in her sleep. "My family managed the village trade accounts. I'm good with numbers and negotiations."
"And I'm Lily," concluded the last woman, a petite beauty with silver-streaked dark hair despite her youthful appearance. "I... coordinate things. Special arrangements. You'll understand eventually."
They all gave their introductions as if they prepared it beforehand.
Rayan felt his head spinning from all the introductions and the obvious hints everyone kept dropping. "This is all very generous, but I'm not sure I need ten—"
"You do," Elena interrupted gently. "Trust me, as your responsibilities grow, you'll need all the help you can get."
Natasha stepped closer with her familiar mischievous expression. "Come on, Rayan. You're not getting rid of us that easily."
"But your studies—"
"Are boring compared to this," Toha said with an uncharacteristic grin. "We want to be here. Besides, someone has to make sure you don't mess everything up."
"As far I'm aware, you two mess around more than me," Rayan said, but he couldn't help smiling at their familiar teasing.
"Well... thank you," he said, looking at each face in turn. With slight bow he said, "I'll be in your care from now on."
Elena clapped her hands together. "Wonderful! Now, since it's been a long morning and my back is aching, I think we could use some relaxation. Ladies, perhaps you could prepare the baths first, followed by massages?"
"Of course, Your Majesty," Luna replied with a professional smile.
As the group began to move inside, Elena caught Rayan's arm. "Let's head to the bath room. We can have baths first. Then massage." Her cheeks pinked slightly at her own boldness.
"Elena, I don't think—"
"It's perfectly normal for royalty to receive help from maids while bathing," she continued, though her voice grew quieter. "And it would be good for you to become more comfortable with your staff."
Rayan's cheek flushed as he thought about bathing along with these young girls but he couldn't deny the fact that he felt excitement in his vein.
Elena teased with a slight smile, "you're going to need to get used to having girls around. Lots of…" Her cheeks turned pink. "Don't act shy and enjoy when you have the chance."
The bath room was a marvel of elven engineering—natural hot springs had been channeled into carved stone pools, surrounded by soft cushions and draped with silk curtains. The air was scented with lavender and eucalyptus, and soft music played from hidden crystal chimes.
Elena began unlacing her gown without hesitation, clearly comfortable with the arrangement. "The mineral water is excellent for muscle tension," she said conversationally as she stepped into one of the pools, seemingly oblivious to Rayan's shocked expression.
The maids began efficiently preparing oils and towels around them. One of them came forward to undress him. But he just let his coat and shirt off exposing his abs.
"What?" she asked innocently, though her eyes danced with amusement. " Don't tell me you are embrassed about being naked in front of those young maids." She teased him intentionally.
Natasha snickered from across the room. "Princess has a point. We've seen you naked while we're kids."
"That was different!" Rayan protested, clutching his shirt protectively.
Toha approached with a gentle expression and a warm towel. "Rayan, you should at least put something else. Take this short and change " She gestured around at the other women, who were all giving her a cold stare.
"I suppose," he took the short and quickly went to the corner to change.
Elena undressed completely with the help of maids and entered the pool. When Rayan returned, he couldn't help but stare at her bare skin. If they were alone, his lust might've taken over him. But in front of all these maids, he couldn't do anything but feel embarrassed. Extending her hand toward him, Elena said, "Now you are becoming embarrassed by your own wife, prince!" She couldn't help but compare the bold personality he showed yesterday.
As Rayan slipped into the warm water, still clad in his shorts, the maids moved with graceful efficiency. Luna and Aria approached first, their expressions professional yet tinged with a hint of playfulness. "Allow us, Your Highness," Luna said, her voice smooth as she knelt by the pool's edge.
Rayan tensed as Luna's hands dipped into the water, lathering a scented soap between her palms. "This is... unnecessary," he muttered, his face burning as she reached for his back. Her fingers glided across his skin, firm yet gentle, washing away the morning's tension. The touch was intimate, her thumbs tracing the muscles along his spine, sending unexpected shivers through him.
"You're so tense, my prince," Luna whispered, her breath warm against his ear. "Let me help." Her hands moved lower, brushing the edge of his shorts, and Rayan's breath hitched, his embarrassment deepening as he felt his body respond. Elena watched from across the pool, her smile knowing, while Natasha stifled a giggle.
Toha joined in, her gentle touch contrasting Luna's boldness as she washed his shoulders. "It's okay to relax," she said softly, her fingers lingering with a tenderness that stirred something deeper. The combination of their attentions—Luna's confident strokes and Toha's caring caresses—created an electric atmosphere, the steam from the water amplifying the erotic undercurrent.
As the bath transitioned to massages on the cushioned lounges, Luna took the lead. Rayan lay face down, a towel draped modestly over him, but the sensation of her oiled hands kneading his back was anything but modest. She worked the knots from his muscles with expert precision, her palms sliding down his sides in long, sensual strokes. "Feel that?" she murmured, her voice husky. "All that built-up stress... let it go." Her fingers dipped lower, grazing the curve of his hips, and Rayan buried his face in the cushion, his heart racing from the intimate contact.
Natasha hovered nearby, her teasing grin evident. "Enjoying yourself, Your Highness? Don't forget, we're all here to serve." The room filled with soft laughter, but the air hummed with unspoken desire, Rayan's growing confidence warring with his lingering shyness.
By the time the session ended, Rayan felt both relaxed and flustered, the erotic moments leaving him eager for more. As they dressed, he realized his quiet life was officially over—replaced by a world of temptation and duty beneath the Great Tree.