Villains also get Second chance

Marianne pov contd

When we entered through the small door, I had expected it to be just a small house, but it was a complete village hidden within. There was a huge marketplace and garden-type open area in the middle, and small huts were on both sides.

Women were moving leisurely in the market while kids were playing around.

It was like any other village, except the people guarding the area. And they were living hidden, it was clear that most things were gained from faulty methods.

"You took such a long time, brother... You should think about your sister's hand condition too," said the man chuckling, and I felt too embarrassed.

Kai came with a man moving towards us, "You should go to the herbalist and show your wounds, we don't have physicians, but our herbs are more effective than their modern methods.'' Cassius and I nodded. A girl came running towards us and took us with her.

She guided me to a room where an old woman checked my wounds and then used some herbs and leaves on them and bandaged them.

"Your right hand's bone is broken. It will take a month to get it fixed. Don't move it further. Otherwise, it will cause more damage.'' She took some other liquid and passed it to me. It was worse in taste than the one made by a physician in the palace, but I drank it all without complaints. There were so many young girls looking at me. It was a matter of pride, I couldn't let them look down on me.

It took me a long time to finally come to what seemed like a hat stick hut. It was small and made up of mud or some stones.

When I went, Cassius was already in. He was still standing there, bare chest and dirty pants. 

The man's shoulders dropped as he ran his fingers through his hair before putting his hands inside his pockets. He walked elegantly towards me.

"How are you feeling now?" He asked as worry filled his voice. 

"I am much better now. But I still feel too much dirt and want some fresh clothes if it's possible.'' I said as I was still clad in that dirty clothes and his shirt. My body was smelling like a rotten egg.

I just wanted some cold water over my body, even if it's not filled with flowers or fragrance.

He looked at me hesitantly, and I fumbled, "Don't tell me there is no way to wash?" I asked as he was looking guilty.

"No, there is enough water in the bathtub there," he said, pointing at the corner, and then he pointed at some fresh clothes. 

"We have clothes too, but..." He stopped again.

"But there is no maid, Marianne... Shall I assist you in taking a bath?" The first words he said made my heartbeat so fast.

"I think I will manage to bathe myself, Cassius," I said, cutting him off, and he shook his head.

"You can not. Your hand is badly injured, and you can not move it. And since you have just bandaged it. I think you should keep it away from the water, and you have to take my help in changing your clothes too." He said, and I flushed red.

"And most importantly, there is only one bathtub of water for both of us. We have to share it, so it's better for us to take a bath together," he said so nonchalantly as if it was like sharing a horse. 

"W-what are you saying!" I exclaimed, my face turned red hearing him.

"Why are you so flustered? We've already seen each other, Marianne. There's no need to be shy," he smirked playfully as he rubbed my chin, "I feel sticky as well due to all the journey, so I need a bath too," he continued.

He smiled at her, that oh-so-devastatingly gorgeous smirk that froze her mind.

And then, before I could even say anything more, the man started undressing himself. He began with his tie, loosening it up and then pulling it over his head and throwing it on the floor. Next was his shirt as his hands deftly unbuttoned it from top to bottom, slowly revealing his toned, yummy chest and then his rock-hard abs. He then pulled his shirt open, and as he shrugged it off, I could see his muscles move as they tensed during his movements. The food on the dinner table paled in comparison to the feast that was laid out before my eyes at that moment.

I could no longer find my tongue. I was utterly speechless, shocked, and dazed. It was true that this man had already seen every part of my body, but it was an accident, and he had seen little of my body apart from the upper body, as I had worn a towel soon enough, so showering together felt a little too much for me to handle!

As I felt like my soul was leaving my body, Cassius suddenly leaned on my face and raised his right hand as I felt a little force squeeze the tip of my nose in a teasing manner.

"I'm not asking you to get completely naked, Marianne. If you're not comfortable, you can continue to wear my shirt," he said with an obvious look of hint in his eyes, and I somehow registered bits of his words.

I remembered that day, and a small shiver quickly ran down my spine at the thought of it. I was extremely brave that night that I almost couldn't believe where I had gathered all that courage from, maybe because I was so injured at that time that I did not have any other choice.

"You don't have much of choice today, either! You can not wash yourself, Marianne. Don't be stubborn. It's just a matter of a day," he emphasized, but his hands washing me was something I had not thought of recently.

I was getting conscious.

"But.." I wanted to say, why don't we ask for help from the villagers since they know my condition, but he added before I could tell.

"I will close my eyes when I disrobe you."