The sun had barely risen when the maid was summoned to Azurel's quarters. She found herself tasked with helping him prepare for his journey. The weight of her duty pressed heavily upon her as she gathered his clothes, her cheeks flushed as she glanced at the door to the bathroom where Azurel was bathing.
She stood by, her eyes resolutely averted, as she waited to hand him a towel. Her heart raced with each sound of water splashing, her mind filled with anxiety and unspoken thoughts. The minutes stretched on until she heard him call for the towel. Taking a deep breath, she walked towards the door, her hands shaking.
The maid stood nearby, trying to focus on her task and not on the intimidating foreigner she had to serve.
He stepped out of the bathing pool, the water glistening around his form, each drop catching the early morning light. His blue eyes were on her now. The intensity of his gaze made her nervous, and she handed him the towel.
Just as she neared him, she slipped on the wet floor. With a startled gasp, she fell forward, their bodies colliding, his warm, wet skin pressing against her, soaking her clothes. She let out a frightened cry, her face burning with embarrassment and fear.
"I'm sorry!" she whimpered, tears welling up in her eyes as she struggled to get off him. "I'm so sorry, please forgive me."
Azurel didn't say anything, his blue eyes fixed on her. His silence was more unnerving than any words could have been. She scrambled to her feet, her heart pounding in her chest, and quickly handed him the towel, looking anywhere but at him.
Once he was dressed, she returned to help him with his journey clothes. Her hands still trembled as she tied his belt, her gaze firmly on the task at hand. Suddenly, Azurel grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer.
"Stop trembling," he said, his voice low and commanding. "It's irritating."
Her eyes snapped up to meet his, and she felt her breath catch in her throat. His vibrant blue eyes bore into hers, and she felt a wave of fear and confusion wash over her. She stood frozen, her body trembling as she tried to comprehend his words.
"I-I'm sorry," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.
Azurel held her gaze for a moment longer before releasing her wrist. "Just focus on the task," he said, his tone softening slightly.
She nodded and stepped back, her heart still racing. Azurel's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer before he turned away, leaving her standing there, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. She wished fervently that she could be serving Ilyas instead. Her crush on Ilyas made her feel safe, whereas Azurel's presence filled her with a mixture of fear and something she couldn't quite identify.
She felt as if she might faint from the intensity of the encounter. The memory of his touch, his eyes, and the fear she felt would linger with her long after he had left for his quest.
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