Episode 17 Finale - Her Butler, Understanding
"Master," I said as I finished buttoning her night shirt, "you're ready for bed now, come."
She remained silent, staring at my chest.
I watched her for a moment, lashes lowering.
But I just caught under her armpits, lifting her up as she let out a grunt of surprise.
She listened, though, wrapping her arms around my neck, and locking her ankles behind my back.
A full-bodied hug.
She buried her face in my neck when I carried her out from the bathroom and to her bed.
I lowered her down with me, so her back set against the mattress, and she let go immediately.
I just pulled the covers over her, feeling her breathe softly.
Afterward, I set my forehead against hers, making her gaze up hazily.
"They're gone..." she said quietly.
I just sat on the bed, pulling away so my face hovered over hers. "They're gone." I lightly leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead and pulled away. "Just like my master ordered."
She kept staring at me when I pulled the sheets higher, trying to get her more comfortable.
I then got off the bed, about to leave.
She caught my arm.
I gazed back at her. "Master?"
She just stared at me, her eyes glistening with a demand.
I watched her expression for a moment before smiling. "Of course, my lord."
I turned back toward her and knelt by the bed, settling on my knees as the flame in the lamp next to me swished around, reflecting in her dark eyes.
I then rested my cheek onto the bed, face inches from hers. "Go to sleep. I'll stay right here."
She shut her lashes then, breaths softening as her cheek pressed into the pillow.
Her face was inches from mine, but she didn't seem bothered by it.
"Your walls are weakening," I said then, smiling. "I wonder how much longer you can manage to keep them up."