Vierva startles awake at the sound of the door opening, her eyes snapping wide open as she sits up abruptly in the bed. She hadn't realized how deeply she'd drifted off, her body still heavy with exhaustion from the long and trying day. As she turns to face the intruder, she sees a middle-aged woman in a crisp black and white uniform entering the room, a pile of clothing draped over her arm.
The woman startles slightly at Vierva's sudden movement, but quickly recovers, giving a small curtsy. "I apologize if I startled you, miss," she says, her voice soft and respectful. "I am Mrs. Henley, the head maid here at the estate. Mr. Dante sent me to prepare a bath for you and to help you dress for the evening."
She gestures to the steaming tub of water behind her, already filling in the large, ornate bathtub. The scent of lavender and vanilla wafts through the air, soothing and calming. On the bed beside her, she lays out an exquisite gown, made of a shimmering emerald green fabric that seems to glitter in the light. The bodice is fitted and adorned with delicate lace, while the skirt flows out into a elegant A-line cut, complete with a short train at the back.
"It's beautiful," Vierva breathes, reaching out to touch the soft fabric almost reverently. She's never owned anything so fine, so luxurious. The rough, coarse fabrics of her past life feel like a distant memory compared to the buttery softness of this gown.
Mrs. Henley smiles warmly at her reaction. "Mr. Dante has excellent taste," she says, nodding in approval. "He wanted to make sure you had only the best for your first night here."
She pauses, considering Vierva thoughtfully. "If you're ready, miss, I can help you into the bath, and then we can begin the process of getting you dressed. I'm here to assist you in any way I can, so please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything at all."
Even if I don't know what I need yet, Vierva thinks to herself, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. Everything is so new, so different from what I'm used to.
She takes a deep breath, steeling herself for the unfamiliar rituals and customs that await her.
As Vierva sinks into the warm, fragrant water of the bath, she can't help but let out a soft sigh of contentment. The heat seeps into her muscles, unknotting the tension and stress that has built up over years of hard labor and abuse. Mrs. Henley gently scrubs her skin with a soft, luxurious cloth, working the lavender-infused soap into a lather.
I can't remember the last time I felt this clean, Vierva thinks to herself as she watches the grimy water swirl down the drain, revealing the pristine porcelain of the tub. Maybe never. Certainly not in the filthy bathhouses and washrooms of the brothels.
As Mrs. Henley works, she can't help but admire the delicate beauty of Vierva's body. Beneath the grime and dirt, she has a figure that is breathtaking - full, womanly curves in all the right places, and a grace and elegance that speaks of a natural dancer's physique. Her skin is like alabaster, smooth and unblemished save for a few faint, silvery scars that hint at a troubled past.
She's absolutely stunning, Mrs. Henley thinks to herself as she rinses the last of the suds from Vierva's hair, the dark blue locks glistening like a raven's wing in the candlelight. No wonder Mr. Dante was so eager to have her here. With a face and figure like that, she could grace the covers of magazines.
As the bath draws to a close, Mrs. Henley helps Vierva out of the tub, wrapping her in a plush, heated towel. She guides her to the vanity, brushing out the damp locks until they fall in soft waves around her shoulders. As she does, she can't help but admire Vierva's reflection in the mirror - the high, elegant cheekbones, the full, pouty lips, the eyes that seem to hold entire galaxies within their depths. She's a vision of ethereal beauty, a fairy princess come to life.
He's going to be beside himself when he sees her, Mrs. Henley muses, a secretive little smile playing at the corners of her mouth. I almost feel sorry for the poor man. She's going to be the death of him, and he won't even care.