They carefully tested the water temperature and used cloth from the Empire, because they were instructed to only use products from there until Ilyin was healthy.
“Please tell us if you are uncomfortable,” Etra asked.
The maids seemed to have decided that their mistress was a frail lady since she was sick so often and even placed a soft cloth under her feet when she got out of the bath.
Then, another maid helped her walk back to the room where she was pampered, while they rubbed essential oils into her hair and brushed it until her thick blonde hair looked revived and lush again.
When it was time to eat, they also worried about the food and Etra said:
“That’s really cold.”
She checked each dish before it was served to Ilyin, even after she told her not to worry because she was starting to feel like a burden to everyone.
However, Etra continued to check them regardless and Ilyin couldn't help but smile as he watched her do so.
“I’m not that sick.”
“You still have to be careful,” Ves said.
“I'm fine, honestly.”
As Ilyin tried to stop Etra from doing the extra work, Ves gently pleaded:
"We're going to die if we don't take care of you properly, Mistress.
And please, call on us whenever you need."
All the maids left with Ves and Ilyin was left alone with her thoughts, not knowing how cold the mansion had been during her sleep, she looked up at the immaculate ceiling and saw that there were no shadows.
Ilyin felt no fear when the door to his room opened here and he could not refuse the maids since they were so different from those at the Arlen Estate.
She wondered if she deserved to be served like this, but they were so eager to do so, even if it was to save their skins.
She was a little sad that she couldn't refuse their help and the only saving grace was that they didn't seem to hate what they were doing.
Ilyin looked down from the ceiling and his thoughts turned to Den.
She thought about Aden and now the answer to the question she had asked him seemed to be staring her in the face, but she wasn't completely sure.
That's why she asked Aden if he had a secret, but he said he didn't have one.
Looking dreamily out the window, she suddenly saw a black stallion approaching the mansion and the man riding the black beauty was someone familiar as she recognized his black hair that stood out against the white snow.
He wore light clothing despite the cold, and there weren't many people who would be able to tolerate the freezing air without a thick winter coat.
Ilyin felt as she had on the night of her arrival and was now almost certain who Den was.
The rumors about the Duke's eyes freezing people were probably inflated, but they were spread to make the Duke seem like a formidable presence.
That would have been enough to keep the other three powerful families in check and few would want to risk seeing the Duke's eyes, even if it was just a rumor and she feared it.
However, there were Delrose's knights and maidens who came into contact with him frequently and this made her suspicious.
The Duke seemed to move a lot so that the other families didn't know if he was inside or outside the mansion.
How could the Duke move so freely when the servants and knights had to avoid his eyes to avoid death?
He could hide his face with a cloth, but there were limits to that.
Therefore, the only conclusion she reached was that there was a strong possibility that he had another identity.
It was then that the room became dark and Ilyin's gaze remained locked on the window, she believed she already had her answer.
“Are you feeling better?” His voice was low and gentle as always.
Ilyin nodded slightly:
“I'm fine since everyone is looking out for me.” She raised her hand, thinking Aden would take it, but he hesitated.
“My hands are still cold.”
She remembered he was outside and just said:
“Please.”
Aden was silent for a moment before placing his hand on hers, which was cold and she rubbed it like he had done for her, to warm her up.
Ilyin felt him shiver as her hand rubbed the flesh between his fingers and she warmed him before reaching his wrist.
Aden stopped her fingers with his now warm hand.
“Aden, what’s wrong?”
"It's hard to concentrate.
It tickles."
A small laugh escaped Ilyin's lips and it felt good to relax a little, Aden seemed to have taken off his coat before sitting on the bed and she breathed in the aromatic oil he must have used while bathing.
Then, Ilyin took off her cloak and placed it beside her, instantly feeling the heat of Aden's body.
Roxi: I'll be reviewing this novel soon...
I think it's the first +18 novel I'm working on lol