The Villainess's Secret Bedroom Service
Chapter 95: Illai

Chapter 95: Illai

Rosalie winced, her face tingling as the warm rays of the early autumn sun gently caressed her slumbering face. After what seemed like an endless rainy season, the sky had finally cleared.

Slowly, she blinked open her eyes, only to find herself nestled against Damien’s sturdy, motionless body. He lay there, still lost in deep slumber, emitting the occasional soft snore, his back snugly pressed against the plush sofa. The comforting embrace of sleep still clung to Rosalie, making it hard to rouse herself. But as sensation gradually returned to her body, she realized that both her hands were firmly held by others.

One hand rested within the duke’s large, weathered palm, its calloused texture a testament to a life of responsibilities. The other hand was clasped securely by the rescued boy, who had forsaken the bed for the floor and sat there, wide awake, swathed in Rosalie’s warm blanket, peering out from his improvised cocoon.

The boy’s gaze finally met hers, creating a silent connection that needed no words.

Lady Ashter gently freed her right hand from Damien’s lax grip, turning her attention towards the child. A tender, affectionate smile graced her lips, and her words emerged as a hushed murmur.

"Hello there. Did you manage to rest well? Are you feeling any better now?"

The boy responded with a mere nod, one of his tiny hands clutching the blanket wrapped around him, covering his face.

"I’m delighted to hear that. I imagine you must be quite hungry. Would you care to join me for breakfast? Let’s leave His Grace to rest some more."

In response, the boy offered another shy, yet subtly excited nod and it was a response that brought a flicker of brightness to Rosalie’s demeanor. Slowly and carefully, she rose from the sofa, ensuring her movements would not disturb Damien’s slumber. With a graceful gesture, she beckoned for the boy to follow, which he did, still clinging to the blanket that enshrouded him, his face hidden beneath the curious veil of white.

’Is he concealing his face because of his scar? I’d like to assure him there is no need to worry about it, but perhaps it’s best not to broach the subject just yet... Let’s leave it be for now."

As they emerged from the lady’s bedroom, they were immediately greeted by Aurora. Her smiling face and cheerful voice radiated through the hallway, much like the long-awaited return of the sun after a gloomy rainy season.

"Good morning, My Lady! I was just on my way to rouse you! And who is this young gentleman standing beside you?"

Despite the maid’s exuberant greeting, the boy’s apprehension resurfaced, causing him to seek refuge behind Rosalie’s skirt, his grip on her hand tightening. Rosalie placed her other hand on the child’s head and offered him a gentle pat, her voice taking on a soft yet reassuring tone.

"Don’t be alarmed. Aurora is my friend, and just like everyone else in this mansion, she will never harm you. You have my word."

Aurora offered another reassuring smile and nodded, affirming her lady’s assurance. It was then that Rosalie realized neither she nor the child knew each other’s names yet. She swiftly turned her attention to the boy, her face lit up with anticipation.

"You know, we did not even get a chance to introduce ourselves! I am Rosalie, and this is my friend Aurora. What’s your name?"

A moment of hesitation hung in the air as the child mulled over the question. He averted his big green eyes, gazing at the empty space before him before finally returning his eyes to Lady Ashter, answering in a soft, timid voice,

"My name is... Illai."

"Illai is such a lovely name! It suits you perfectly. Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Illai. I hope we can become good friends in the future."

Perhaps it was the soothing tone of Rosalie’s voice or the way she said his name with such warmth and friendliness that finally eased some of his tension. Illai took a small step away from the folds of Lady Ashter’s dress, and his bright emerald eyes began to warm up even as he looked toward Aurora.

"It’s... Nice to meet you, Rosalie."

"What a well-mannered young man he is! Now, My Lady, breakfast is ready, so please follow me to the dining hall."

As the maid led them towards the dining hall, Lady Ashter kindly assisted the boy in taking a seat right beside her. Even though she could not help but notice his persistent habit of wrapping the blanket around his head, she chose to set aside her uneasiness with a subtle sigh and carried on,

"All this delicious food is here for us to enjoy together. If you spot something you want, just point it out, and I’ll gladly get it for you. However, I would suggest taking your time with the food for now. We wouldn’t want your day to start off with any unpleasant indigestion, would we?"

To Rosalie’s surprise, the boy attentively heeded her advice, opting only for a glass of juice and a couple of dry toasts. Despite Lady Ashter’s gentle insistence that he should consider something heartier, he simply shook his head with enthusiasm, indicating his contentment with his selections.

’Perhaps he’s been accustomed to a diet of plain bread for most of his life... Well, at least he’s paired it with some juice. I’ll need to gradually build up his appetite in the days to come.’

***

"So, what do you think about the idea of a refreshing bath and some clean clothes? We can’t have you wandering around wrapped in a blanket all the time, you know. Let’s head over to the bathroom in the other guest room. Aurora will help you freshen up."

Once more, the boy tugged at Rosalie’s hand, his reluctance evident in his bright eyes, which conveyed a mixture of fear and insecurity.

"Rosalie, um... Could you stay with me, please?"

Lady Ashter experienced that familiar tug in her chest once again. It was undeniably heartwarming to have someone place such unwavering trust in her. However, the knowledge that someone could be so profoundly terrified of everything and everyone new still shattered her heart into countless pieces.

With a faint smile, she nodded in agreement and assured the boy,

"Of course, I’ll stay with you."

In the guest bathroom, the two of them stood as Aurora readied the bath, yet the boy remained hesitant to disrobe. Rosalie could not discern if it was simple childhood bashfulness or something more troubling that concerned him. Regardless, she understood it was definitely a matter that needed some careful attention.

However, it appeared that she did not need to exert much effort. Keeping a firm grip on Rosalie’s hand, the boy finally released the white blanket, revealing his petite form. At last, Lady Ashter could take a more detailed look at him. Despite the starkness of the long, pinkish scar that bisected his face, Illai possessed strikingly beautiful features. Alongside his uniquely vibrant green eyes, his complexion was flawlessly smooth and unblemished. His lips were beautifully shaped, sitting beneath a slender, elevated nose, and he boasted thick, somewhat disheveled eyebrows of a fiery red hue that perfectly matched the color of his shoulder-length, straight hair.

’Impressive... With that fiery hair, he bears a striking resemblance to Sir Logan. That scar marred an otherwise remarkably handsome face.’

Then, briefly releasing Lady Ashter’s hand, Illai swiftly removed his long, tattered, and soiled brown robe, revealing a pair of short pants underneath. His face dropped toward his chest, clearly overwhelmed by embarrassment from baring himself even further.

However, neither Rosalie nor Aurora felt discomfort or embarrassment. Instead, an entirely different emotion enveloped them. Gazing upon the boy’s slender frame adorned with numerous scars sent icy shivers down their spines, constricting their hearts and forming a lump in their throats as they battled to contain their tears.

"Well... The bath is ready. Allow me to assist you in getting in."

Aurora extended her hand to Illai, and with Rosalie’s encouraging nod, the boy accepted it, gingerly stepping into the bath. The warm, fragrant water enveloped him, accompanied by frothy, white bubbles and a sprinkling of dried flowers, a thoughtful touch that Aurora had somehow managed to provide without prior preparations.

Lady Ashter observed a remarkable transformation wash over the boy’s once somber countenance. A blend of genuine fascination and delight replaced his previous solemnity as he continued to explore the pleasures of a soothing bath. Her heart shrank once more. Though she could not determine Illai’s exact age, one thing was unmistakable—he was yet another lost soul, a child robbed of his innocence, much like many characters she had encountered in this novel.

Yet, even though both Damien and Rosalie had managed to surmount such hardships and move forward in their lives, Illai did not really have to. And she was resolute in her determination to use every means at her disposal to prevent adults, no matter how affluent or influential, from depriving other children of those precious moments of innocence that could never be reclaimed.

"Illai, would it be alright if I left you in Aurora’s care for just a few moments? It seems the maids did not provide any shoes, and I will try to find something suitable for you."

Initially hesitant, the boy eventually nodded and softly uttered an affirmative "Alright," conveying a newfound confidence that assured Rosalie he could now manage without her constant presence.

With that settled, Lady Ashter left the guest room and began making her way toward the stairs. Suddenly, she heard faint footsteps emerging behind her, accompanied by a low, feminine voice calling her name.

"Lady Rosalie?"

Startled at first, she paused and then, as recognition set in, she turned her entire body around and nearly exclaimed,

"Laith?"