The sound of the maid's heels faded into the corridor, leaving the room once again submerged in silence. Reinhard ran a hand along his temple, brushing back a stray lock of hair before stretching lazily. His gaze swept across the room once more. The blood on the walls was already beginning to dry, and the metallic scent that had filled the air was now barely noticeable.
"Perhaps I should have killed her a bit further from the bed."
With that thought, he stood up and walked toward the armchair by the window. Taking the wine glass from the table—left unfinished from the night before—he took a slow sip. Warm. He would have to order a chilled one.
Soon, the servants would enter, remove the body, wipe away the blood. Everything would be clean again, as if nothing had ever happened. That was how this world worked. Death was nothing more than another occurrence, erased by the hands of the household staff.
Reinhard smirked and took another sip.
Soft footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by a cautious knock.
— "My lord, may I come in?"
He didn't respond immediately. The wine was worse than he remembered.
— "Enter."
The door opened smoothly, and a young woman stepped inside. She was nothing like the maid who had come earlier.
Reinhard immediately took note of her features—straight blonde hair, smooth, porcelain-like skin, impeccable manners. This girl was noble-born. It wasn't hard to guess how she had ended up here. Many low-ranking noble families sent their daughters to serve in the households of higher aristocracy—some as maids, some as assistants… some as concubines.
— "Where are you from?" he asked, setting his glass aside.
The girl gave a small bow.
— "My lord, I am the second daughter of a baronial house, vassals to the Duchy of Deira."
"A baroness," he noted.
Girls of her status were more than common maids but far less than true aristocrats. The perfect tool—obedient, yet well-mannered.
Reinhard didn't answer immediately, studying her with a steady gaze. She held herself with confidence, but he saw the fear in her eyes. It wasn't obvious—it was hidden, buried beneath a mask of courtesy.
She knew what he was capable of.
She knew that a single word from him could ruin her family.
Her hands were clasped before her, her back straight. Waiting.
— "My lord, please follow me," she said evenly.
He rose, adjusting his cuffs.
— "Lead the way."
They stepped out of the room, and the fresh, clean air of the corridors met him. Unlike his chamber, there was no scent of blood here. The servants worked faster than one might expect.
The girl walked ahead in silence, never glancing back. Her posture remained straight, her steps measured. Even so, Reinhard sensed the tension in her movements.
When they reached the bathhouse, she stopped before the door and turned to him.
— "Would you like assistance undressing, my lord?"
She asked in a steady tone, but he noticed the slightest tension in her lips. She expected him to refuse.
But Reinhard watched her with curiosity.
"Why not have some fun?"
— "Yes," he said calmly.
He saw her breath hitch for just a second.
— "Undress you?"
— "Yes."
She hesitated briefly, then tentatively reached for his shirt. He wondered if she had ever done this before.
Her fingers brushed the fabric as she began to carefully undo the buttons, revealing his chest.
The further she progressed, the deeper the crimson flush spread across her cheeks.
Reinhard observed this with amused interest.
By the time she slipped the shirt from his shoulders, he noticed her breathing had become almost imperceptibly uneven.
— "That's enough. I'll handle the rest," he said unexpectedly.
She stiffened slightly, as if snapping back to reality, and immediately stepped back, bowing deeply.
— "Of course, my lord."
She left as quickly as etiquette would allow.
Reinhard chuckled softly, watching her retreat.
"Amusing."
He allowed himself a brief moment to stretch, rolling his shoulders, then shed the rest of his clothing and stepped into the steaming bath.
The mist rose from the water's surface, wrapping the air in a thin haze.
Reinhard sank in completely, letting the heat seep into his muscles.
The tension of the night slowly dissolved, melting into the warmth of the water.
Closing his eyes, he felt the ache in his body begin to fade.
— "Ha… still so much to do…"