dressing the wound(1)

Was there anything to be glad about when someone sees a dead body? She asked herself while skeptically looking at Lucas who came to stand in front of her. Once they were a few inches apart, Lucas bent down and took the first aid box. "Aren't you hungry?"

His question was more of a statement and with how intimidating he was, rose quickly replied with a no. Ever since she got to know him, she had not seen this side of him that was in some way scary and unapproachable.

His hawk like gaze lingered on her before he turned and walked towards the bed that was not made yet. This was who he was. A murderer who cared less about how anyone took it because he took pride on it.

He was surprised that all this time Rose had not thrown up upon seeing the gore in front of her which made her wonder if she had seen such a scene before and breaking her free out of her trance, he ordered her to go and prepare a bath for him and she hesitantly walked towards the bathroom.

After she had gone to the bathroom, Lucas who had removed his night shirt rang a bell and after a minute, a soldier came in. Seeing the dead body, he quickly bowed. "Your highness."

"Get rid of this body. You can tell Gael to assist you and also make sure that no one sees it."

"Yes your highness." With that, the soldier walked out and Lucas who did not stay there any longer headed towards the bathroom.

It was still morning but so much had happened and Rose who had seen all of it did not know if it was wise for her to be here anymore. But how could she leave past the palace gates which were heavily guarded.

Her mind was so occupied that she did not realize that the water was about to overflow but luckily, Lucas who had just entered the bathroom saw it and closed the faucet.

"If she continued to live she would have killed you before you knew it." She heard him say to which the hand that was on the edge of the tub slowly moved and only to rest on her side.

"Some of us have compassion and we always give people a second chance because they might change." With her words, a tear that was threatening to come out finally did and flowed on her rosy cheek. Death was the harshest punishment and she never liked it. Nobody was allowed to take someone else's life but some heartless people took liberty in doing so.

"Might." He stressed the word that she had just used before removing his pants and in as shocked as she was, her mind was still sane whereby she quickly turned around.

"Roselyne, maybe you believe in possibilities but I don't."

The way that he was using her name casually, even Rose herself had noticed but she never commented on it.

"But killing her... I want to go back to Dawson's mansion." She had been hungry a few minutes ago but upon seeing a lifeless body, she lost her appetite.

"I don't recall asking you what you wanted Roselyne."

He did it again. Using her name casually as if they belonged to the same status and after his words, she heard the water splashing which meant that he was getting into the bathtub.

I will. Rose internally assured herself while findling her fingers and then quickly apologized, "I'm sorry your highness. I was just shocked by what I saw." Though she wondered what happened to the scary creature, she dared not to ask. Slightly turning her head, she added, "I will leave you to take your bath your highness."

"Come over here Rose." His voice was neither too loud or too low. It held authority and it was somehow eerie and being a maid, she could not say no but how could she stand in front of a naked man who had killed someone not so long ago.

"Do you know what happens to people who don't follow what they are told in this palace.._?"

Rose who could tell what he was talking about took quick steps and came to stand before him. Her eyes were staring at the marbled floor and she did not dare to lift her face. "Your highness, how could I be of service to you."

"I want you to help me clean up." With his unexpected order, Rose quickly lifted her face and with the way he was looking at her, the words that were about to come out got stuck in her throat. She had cleaned ladies at Dawson's mansion but never had she helped a man in cleaning. Her hands that rested on either side formed into a loose fist and gothering all her courage, she took few steps up to where the wash cloth was placed and gingerly headed to the other side in which his head was leaning against the edge of the tub.

"I have no experience in this." She admitted truthfully, her eyes did not roam about but she had vaguely seen that the colour of water had slightly changed due to the blood that was on him.

"I will be sure to tell you where you go wrong." There was a hint of amusement in his voice but Rose who was still in thought of where to start and how to do it did not notice it.