The next morning, the maid pulled herself together, wiping the last traces of tears from her face before heading to her duties. Her heart pounded with anxiety, unsure of what awaited her after last night's disastrous attempt to seduce Ilyas. She had half-expected to be thrown out immediately, but instead, she was summoned to help him dress. A small relief, but still, the tension between them hung in the air like a storm cloud.
As she entered Ilyas's chambers, her eyes barely met his. He was tall and imposing, his silence unnerving. He stood rigidly, looking away, his face turned from her as if disgusted by her presence. The memory of her failed attempt to seduce him burned in her chest, but she forced herself to keep moving, focusing on her task.
As she helped Ilyas bathe, her touches lingered a little longer than necessary. When she dried him, her hands brushed his skin with a softness that made him pause. She dressed him slowly, her fingers grazing his body, each touch a deliberate invitation.
Her hands worked quietly, fastening his belt and adjusting the fine fabric of his tunic. He didn't speak. He didn't even acknowledge her, the coldness between them like ice. She glanced up briefly—his jaw was clenched, his eyes fixed on the wall. His avoidance felt like punishment, but she was grateful he hadn't thrown her out. That fear still lingered in the back of her mind.
As she knelt to help him with his footwear, she made sure her loose clothing revealed glimpses of her skin, teasing at what lay beneath.
Then, she saw it.
Ilyas's eyes darkened with desire. His gaze, for just a fleeting second, dropped to the exposed skin. He stared at her breasts before immediately looking away, his jaw tightening—but not before she noticed the change. It was a look she had never seen in him before.
Her heart skipped a beat, a flicker of hope sparking in her chest. He had looked. For all his stoic coldness, Ilyas had noticed her. Maybe she wasn't as powerless as she thought. Maybe, just maybe, she had an effect on him.
A mixture of triumph and relief washed over her. If she could make him want her, she might just avoid the fate that terrified her the most.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZuWZObcb7
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