Castle Savoyar. Part 4.

Sebastian.

After bidding farewell to Alex, I started getting worried about her after an hour and a half. Pacing my room, I wondered if I should check on her and make sure everything was alright. After the battle, when the adrenaline had subsided, she might not be feeling well. Perhaps she had lost consciousness?

Agreeing with these thoughts, I stepped out into the corridor. The Duke and Duchess's chambers were adjacent, and there was a direct passage from my room to Alex's. However, I decided to maintain decorum and approached her room from the corridor. I knocked on her door, listening, but there were no sounds coming from inside. I waited for another minute and turned the doorknob. The door was unlocked, and the room was empty. The door to the bathroom was ajar, and light was coming through.

Closing the entrance door and turning the key in the lock to avoid being caught in the young Duchess's room, I headed towards the bathroom door and knocked.

"Alex, are you alright?" I asked, listening at the door. It was quiet in the bathroom too, and I didn't hear the sound of water. Taking a deep breath, I decided to enter. If I got thrown out with screams, it was better than agonizing in uncertainty.

I opened the door slightly and walked in. Alex was lying in the bathtub, leaning her head against the edge and covering her eyes. The water barely covered her chest. Her arms were spread out, and her hands hung over the side of the tub, visible up to her knees. The water was dark, probably washing away the blood.

Approaching closer, I touched her hand. "Alex, are you alright?"

She opened her eyes, and it was evident that it was an effort for her. "Sorry, I don't even have the strength to move," she whispered weakly, slightly turning her head towards me.

I approached and stroked her hair, looking into her sleepy eyes. There were traces of blood on my hand. I looked at it and realized that I should wash away all the blood first.

"I'll help you, if you don't mind," I offered to Alex, showing her my hand. She didn't answer, just looked at my hand, then into my eyes, and nodded.

Alex sat up, pulling her knees to her chest, and lowered her head, covering her face, shoulders, and half of her back with her hair. She pulled the plug out of the tub, allowing the dirty water to drain away. I activated the water supply artifact and directed a clean stream towards her. Rolling up my sleeves, I gently rinsed Alex's hair with clean water first, and then she pointed to a bottle of aromatic orange blossom-scented hair treatment. That particular scent was the one most associated with Alex in my mind - delicate, light, and sweet, but not overwhelming.

Then she closed the drain again, and we refilled the bathtub, adding bath powder to create a pleasantly scented foam. Alex leaned back against the edge of the tub and looked into my eyes. Her gaze was no longer sleepy, rather relaxed and tired. "Thank you, Sebastian. I'll manage from here. I'm feeling better now. I'm sorry, I won't be able to escort you to the kitchen. It's downstairs, opposite the living room, you'll find it easily. See you in the morning," she said, closing her eyes again.

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At first, I thought of leaving, but I couldn't bear to leave her in such a state. Her naked body aroused me, but the situation wasn't conducive to frivolous thoughts. I took Alex's hand and knelt down next to the tub: "Do you really think I'd leave you alone in this condition?" I said, and she opened her eyes wide and flinched when my hand with the washcloth passed over her leg. However, she quickly realized that the foam in the tub hid her, and beyond it, she would be completely exposed.

To avoid making her uncomfortable with my touch, I placed the washcloth in her hand and held it with my hand, guiding it over her body. This created some tension between us. I proceeded to wash her back, and she obediently turned around, allowing me to move my hand along her back. She only flinched slightly at the first touch.

After finishing, I grabbed a towel and unfolded it, inviting her to stand up. "I promise I'll only look into your eyes," I said in a slightly hoarse voice due to the growing tension.

Alex didn't say anything but kept her gaze steady. She stood up, stepped out of the bathtub, and came to me, allowing me to wrap her in the towel and dry her hair with a spell. I took Alex in my arms and lifted her gently, wrapped in the towel. We slowly made our way to the bedroom, where I carefully placed her on the bed and covered her with a blanket.

She lowered her head and asked in a soft voice, "Do you find me repulsive?"

My heart ached at her question. I gently lifted her chin with my finger and looked into her eyes with utmost sincerity. "No, Alex, not in the slightest. You are beautiful, and you've shown tremendous strength and courage today. I admire you," I said with sincerity and tenderness.

I paused for a moment, looking at her in surprise: "Where did you get such a thought, and why do you think you could be repulsive to me, my dear?" I stared intently at Alex, but she continued to avoid my gaze, fixing her eyes on the blanket or the bed.

I stepped closer, took a deep breath, and showed her that I was ready to listen: "Tell me what happened."

"There, in the field, I looked like a mess, and then there was all that blood. And I thought... After everything I learned at the castle..." Alex still avoided my gaze, but her words stirred confusion and mixed feelings within me.

A mix of laughter and sadness welled up in me as I realized how often I forget just how fragile and young Alex is, inexperienced in romantic relationships with men. But at the same time, she was a strong and brave Keeper. I barely suppressed my laughter to avoid hurting her feelings.

With a smile on my face, I gently lifted her chin to make her look into my eyes. "My beautiful princess, when I saw you in that state, I was afraid for you, not of you. As for my restrained touch, I simply didn't want to hurt you. I understand that men rarely engage in such bathing procedures with you. If you desire a different kind of touch..." My words made Alex blush; she remembered our passionate night in the gazebo.

I smiled wider and leaned closer to her ear, whispering, "I will certainly satisfy your desires, but not today and not in this condition. Right now, you've reached your limit of passion." I gently kissed her forehead and temple, running my fingers through her hair, and then pulled away.

Alex looked surprised and whispered my name, "Sebastian?"

I couldn't help but laugh, "Goodnight, my little warrior," I said as I turned and headed for the door.

As I left the room, I heard a slightly offended, "Goodnight," from Alex, who was still sitting on the bed.

The laughter still lingered in my heart as I closed the door behind me. I felt a mix of emotions after our exchange. Alex was a unique woman, a delicate and fierce combination of strength and vulnerability. She had a way of surprising me at every turn, and I cherished every moment we spent together.