Chapter 97: Thigh Massage
Corvis simply stared at the tall rugged man for a few long seconds trying to process the sheer audacity of a magicless servant issuing orders in the capital estate. The old steward cast a nervous glance toward his mistress expecting her to violently reprimand the insolent brute.
Seraphina did no such thing. She just let out a soft exhausted sigh and nodded her head gesturing toward the grand staircase leading into the dusty manor.
"Do exactly as he says Corvis," Seraphina ordered her voice tight with lingering stress. "We have been riding for weeks and my magical pathways are still aching from the poison. I need hot water immediately."
The elderly steward bowed frantically and scurried off toward the servant quarters shouting breathless commands to the few remaining staff members.
Leon followed the silver haired noblewoman into the massive foyer of the Sterling Manor taking a moment to analyze their new surroundings.
The interior was structurally beautiful boasting high vaulted ceilings and sweeping marble staircases but it was severely neglected. Thick layers of dust coated the crystal chandeliers and the once vibrant tapestries hanging on the walls were faded and moth eaten.
A timid young maid with messy brown hair and a patched apron hurried past them carrying a stack of fresh towels. She kept her eyes glued firmly to the floor trembling slightly as she felt the heavy dense presence radiating from Leon’s towering frame.
He filed the nervous girl away in his mind knowing he would need to start training the local staff to meet his incredibly high standards. Elara and Beatrice had spoiled him back at the main estate and he refused to live in a disorganized house.
They walked up the grand staircase and entered the master suite. The room was spacious and dominated by a massive canopy bed while an adjoining door led into a luxurious private bathing chamber.
Seraphina dropped her leather satchel onto a dusty velvet chair and began unbuckling the heavy leather straps of her traveling armor.
"The water will take a few minutes to heat up," she murmured softly rubbing her tired shoulders. "This place is a disaster Leon. My father poured all our wealth into defending the eastern borders leaving the capital estate to rot."
"A little dust never killed anyone Lady Seraphina," Leon replied smoothly leaning his heavy star iron greatsword against the wall. "I will bring the water up myself. The staff here looks like a stiff breeze might knock them over."
He left the master suite and navigated his way down to the manor kitchens. He found Corvis and the mousy brown haired maid struggling to carry two massive iron cauldrons of boiling water.
Leon gently pushed the old man aside and effortlessly hoisted both boiling cauldrons into the air carrying them up the stairs as if they weighed nothing more than empty wooden cups.
He returned to the bathing chamber and poured the steaming water into the deep white marble tub.
Seraphina had already stripped down to her undergarments wrapping a thin white silk sheet around her athletic curves. Her pale flawless skin was glowing slightly in the warm humid air of the bathroom.
She stepped delicately into the steaming water letting out a deep breathtaking moan of pure relief as the heat seeped into her aching muscles. She rested her head back against the marble edge closing her beautiful violet eyes.
The crystal bell violently chimed in his skull shattering the peaceful intimate silence of the room. A glowing pink text box projected directly over the steaming water.
[Quest Issued: The Deep Tissue Specialist]
[Objective: Roll up your sleeves, kneel beside the tub, and firmly massage her tired thighs while telling her she overworks her beautiful legs.]
[Reward: +15 Agility, Skill ’Vitality Reading’, 500 Shameless Points.]
[Failure Penalty: The Host will suffer a highly specific localized curse causing his sweat to smell strongly of rotting fish for the next fourteen days ruining any chance of romantic progress.]
Leon read the penalty and felt a cold shiver run down his spine.
He rolled up the sleeves of his dark tailored tunic and knelt gracefully beside the deep marble tub.
He reached into the warm water and gently placed his large heavily scarred hands directly onto her smooth wet thighs.
Seraphina gasped sharply her violet eyes flying open in pure shock. The sudden searing contact of his rough palms against her bare legs sent a massive jolt of blinding electricity shooting straight through her nervous system.
"Warden," she breathed heavily her voice trembling with a chaotic mix of noble pride and fierce unspoken hunger. "You are pushing your boundaries again."
"You overwork your beautiful legs Lady Seraphina," Leon whispered in a deep resonant tone that echoed softly off the tiled walls.
He ignored her weak protest and began slowly kneading the tense muscles of her thighs applying the perfect amount of firm calculated pressure. He used his Tactile Enhancement to send small sparks of soothing kinetic energy deep into her aching joints.
Her lie detector aura flared wildly in the humid air projecting a dense confusing wave of pure submission and intense romantic heat. She bit her lower lip to suppress a highly scandalous whine sinking slightly deeper into the steaming water.
His large hands slowly moved higher up her thighs brushing dangerously close to the thin silk clinging to her hips. The heavy intoxicating tension in the small room reached a boiling point making the very air feel incredibly thick and hard to breathe.
He leaned forward letting his dark magnetic eyes lock onto her flushed face preparing to close the final distance between their lips.
A massive deafening crash echoed from the courtyard below followed by the sharp sound of splintering wood and a man screaming in terror.
Seraphina jolted violently in the water her romantic haze instantly vanishing as her fierce combat instincts flared to life.
[Quest Completed Successfully!]
[Your natural masculine scent remains perfectly preserved.]
[Distributing Rewards: +15 Agility, Skill ’Vitality Reading’ Acquired, 500 Shameless Points.]
Leon slowly pulled his hands away from her burning skin masking his deep frustration behind a cold calculating smile.
"Stay in the water," Leon commanded softly his voice shifting from a gentle lover to a ruthless warlord in a fraction of a second. "I will go introduce myself to our new guests."