As the night wore on, Zilayefa's voice grew hoarse from singing for hours on end. Despite her exhaustion, she couldn't seem to stop. The Duke's peaceful slumber was a testament to the soothing power of her music.
As she gazed at Duke Larry's serene face, Zilayefa couldn't help but wonder why he had appeared so scary and devilish when she first met him. Now, as he slept, he looked almost...human.
She decided to stop singing and try to get some rest herself. The Duke was sleeping soundly, and she didn't want to disturb him. Zilayefa positioned herself on a nearby chair, trying to get comfortable despite the hardness of the wooden seat.
As the hours passed, Zilayefa drifted off into a fitful sleep, her body aching from the long hours of singing. Meanwhile, Duke Larry slept peacefully, unaware of the petite figure slumbering nearby.
Later that night, Duke Larry stirred, waking up from his deep sleep. He looked around the room, his eyes adjusting to the darkness. That's when he saw her – Zilayefa, fast asleep on the chair, her beautiful inky black hair spilling down her back like a waterfall.
He was taken aback by her delicate features, her small face a picture of serenity. Duke Larry felt a pang of surprise; he hadn't expected to feel such a strong sense of admiration for the young singer.
As he gazed at Zilayefa, Duke Larry realized that he was still amazed by the fact that he had slept so soundly the previous night – and now, again. It was as if Zilayefa's music had a profound effect on him, one that he couldn't quite understand.
He carefully got out of bed, trying not to disturb Zilayefa. Duke Larry reached for a nearby peeing bowl and relieved himself, then returned to bed, feeling a sense of gratitude towards the young singer.
The next morning, Zilayefa woke up with a start, disoriented and confused. As she looked around the room, she realized that she was still in the Duke's chambers. But what caught her off guard was the fact that Duke Larry was holding her hand, his fingers intertwined with hers.
She was shocked and amazed, wondering how she had ended up so close to the Duke's bed. Zilayefa tried to gently remove her hand from his grasp, but Duke Larry held on tightly, stirring in his sleep.
As he woke up, Duke Larry looked at Zilayefa for a good minute before speaking, his eyes piercing hers. Zilayefa stiffened, feeling a sense of trepidation wash over her.
"What are you doing?" Duke Larry asked, his voice low and husky.
Zilayefa was taken aback by the question, wondering if she was the one who had taken his hand and moved so close to his bed. She immediately kneeled and apologized, her hand still in his.
"I'm sorry, my lord. I didn't mean to disrespect you," she said fearfully, counting her words.
Duke Larry looked at her sternly. "Why are you trying to take your hand?" he asked, his voice firm but curious.
Zilayefa was shivering with fear, unable to answer properly. "My lord...I...I..." she stammered.
Duke Larry raised an eyebrow. "You what?" he asked, enjoying her discomfort.
Zilayefa felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. "Forgive me, my lord," she pleaded.
Duke Larry looked at her, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. Then, to Zilayefa's surprise, he burst out laughing, his laughter echoing through the chambers.
Zilayefa wondered why he was laughing, feeling a sense of confusion and fear. But as Duke Larry's laughter subsided, he released her hand and spoke.
"Go and get the maids. I want to bathe."
With that, Zilayefa hastily exited the room, scurrying away like a rat being chased by a cat. She felt relieved to be out of the Duke's presence.
As Zilayefa hastily exited the room, she couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. She was relieved that Duke Larry had released her hand and hadn't punished her further, but she was also confused and intimidated by his behavior.
Why had he laughed at her? Was he mocking her fear? And why had he held her hand in the first place? Zilayefa's mind was racing with questions as she scurried through the castle corridors, desperate to escape the Duke's unsettling presence.
When she finally reached the safety of the maid's quarters, Zilayefa collapsed onto a nearby stool, her heart still racing from the encounter. The maids, noticing her distress, gathered around her, concern etched on their faces.
"What happened, child?" one of the maids asked, gently stroking Zilayefa's hair.
Zilayefa took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "I...I don't know," she stammered. "I think I offended the Duke "
The maids exchanged worried glances. "Be careful around him, child," one of them warned. "He's not a man to be trifled with."
Zilayefa nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation wash over her. She knew that she had to be cautious around Duke Larry, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was trapped in a web of uncertainty, with no clear escape.
As she stood up to summon the maids to attend to the Duke's bathing needs, Zilayefa couldn't help but wonder what the day ahead held for her. Would she be able to navigate the treacherous waters of the castle, or would she become the Duke's next victim?