The Scarlet Paladin-Chapter 97: In the Bath

Toni sauntered into the bath, his heart began to race slightly as he entered. He felt a bit nervous since he hadn't met many other boys, which made him anxious. But then they would also be in the bath. He could feel his nerves begin to spike as he undressed.

He took the dress he performed in off, throwing it in a bin beside him. He took a deep breath before taking his veil off and accessories. At least Casseus wasn't here to watch him undress as well.

He stood in his underwear, a towel in his hands, when he called out. "Casseus?"

"Right inside, Master Toni." His voice came from within the room.

Toni took a deep breath before entering. He half expected Casseus to be nude as well, and was a bit disappointed that the boy wasn't. He had taken off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves, revealing those scars. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

He bowed before Toni. "Need help removing your makeup?"

"Yes, please," Toni said, surprised at his disappointment.

He sat before a running fountain and closed his eyes. He waited patiently for Casseus to start. He could hear the stream get interrupted before a soaked washcloth touched his face. He let out a gasp, causing his attendant to stop.

"Are you alright?" Casseus's calm voice called out. He pulled the washcloth away and inspected Toni's face.

"Y-yes... just surprised me," Toni mumbled. He could feel his face heat up and realized he might be blushing. He calmed down as best he could and beckoned Casseus to continue.

"I'll be gentler then, my lord," Casseus whispered to Toni.

He let out a softer gasp when the warm washcloth touched his face again. He didn't flinch away from it and let the butler clean his face. The boy focused on his left side first, wiping away the foundation and eyeliner with a gentle precision. Toni opened his eye once while Casseus was wringing the cloth.

Toni released the breath he didn't realize he was holding. Casseus was focused on rewetting the washcloth, so he didn't notice Toni watching him. Toni gulped upon seeing the faint muscles on the boy's forearms flex as he moved. His rolled-up sleeves and unbuttoned shirt showed off more skin.

Toni closed his eye, shutting it tightly when Casseus moved. He could feel his face redden as he waited for the washcloth to touch his face again. He bit the inside of his cheek to stop his reaction to the gentle touch.

"Am I pressing too hard?" Casseus asked, his voice gentle and quiet. He had noticed how tense Toni looked.

"No," He said, a bit too loud. Toni shook his head and cleared his throat, regaining some of his posture. "No, it's okay. Please continue."

He felt Casseus's precise movements as he finished cleaning the rest of his makeup. His gentle, but firm touch to the eyes, clearing all the eyeliner and mascara. His touch seared into Toni's mind as he held Toni's head in place. Toni didn't understand what was going on.

"There... that should be all the makeup." Casseus's calm voice reverberated in Toni's mind.

He opened his eyes, surprisingly meeting the butler's gaze. He hesitated upon seeing those emerald eyes so close. Casseus was inspecting the dancer's face for any missing spots, unknowing of what he was doing to Toni.

He pulled away from the gaze, setting the washcloth to the side. He gently washed his hands under the running water. Without looking back, he asked, "Do you need help washing your hair as well?"

It took a moment for Toni to respond, his gaze on the back of the brunette's head. His mind was still stuck on their eyes meeting. "Uh... yes, please," Toni asked meekly.

Casseus turned to face him, a gentle smile on his face. It caused Toni's heart to skip. It was the first genuine smile he'd seen from Casseus. This one made it up to his eyes, which seemed so full of life right now.

"Ly back against this, if you please," He said, patting the basin with running water. Toni followed his command, lying his head back and looking up at him. He was starstruck for a moment.

"I recommend closing your eyes, the soap can hurt your eyes," Casseus whispered too close to Toni's ear.

Toni nodded, reveling in the feeling of Casseus's breath hitting his skin. A bit of coolness in this steam-filled room. He didn't understand any of this. He'd been bathed by maids numerous times and hadn't felt this... weird. Why was it different now?

His thought was interrupted by Casseus's touch on his forehead, pushing his head back towards the running water. All thoughts nearly stopped as he pulled his legs close together. Toni could feel his body react to the butler's touch and couldn't imagine him seeing that. He'd die of embarrassment. He held the towel he had clung to previously close to his lap.

"Okay, your hair is nice and wet now," Casseus whispered into Toni's ear, causing him to squirm. He pulled Toni's head up a bit and reached for the soap. He rubbed the soap into another washcloth. "Now to add the soap..."

Toni's toes curled, feeling Casseus's fingers run through his hair. His touch electrified the dancer's body as he lathered soap all over his golden hair. He massaged Toni's scalp with practiced ease while Toni felt like he was melting.

"Are you doing all right?" Casseus asked softly. He stopped moving his hands, worried about Toni's state.

"Um, yes... just sleepy..." Toni said meekly. He barely heard his own voice over the basin.

"That makes sense after that performance," Casseus said, resuming his movements. For some reason, this compliment felt different compared to all other compliments he had received. It felt special.

"I do have one question, if you don't mind," Casseus said, slowing his hands slightly.

"Yes?" Toni asked.

"You're a bestowed right? I heard Lilith talking about it with my Lady and I've always been curious about them..." He asked, pausing all movement.

"I am, yes," Toni said, shifting slightly. He pointed to his mole near his mouth and continued. "My Goddess, Anka, marked me with her blessing. She granted me her beauty."

"I see... the beauty makes sense," Casseus mumbled to himself. He continued moving his hands, unknowing of what he had just done. "Have you met others like you?"

It took a moment for Toni to respond. His mind was too occupied with Casseus's words. "Uh... No... but I briefly met a woman who was a Goddess's champion."

"What's the difference?"

"Um, Bestowed embody an aspect of their Goddess," Toni explained, "like with me it's Anka's beauty. While a champion is different. They're more like a Goddess's sword, sent out on a divine quest or task. If that makes sense..."

"I think so, master Toni," Casseus replied. He idly massaged Toni's head while he spoke. "She must have her work cut out for her..."

"Mhmm, my mom told me about it," Toni said, remembering the redheaded woman he briefly met. "Her Goddess wanted to end the commodification of men or something like that... I think her name was Claire, but I don't quite remember."

Casseus's hands paused for a moment. Long enough for Toni to open his eyes, the boy was staring off into nothing, the emptiness back in his eyes, before he shook his head. His hands resumed, "Sounds like a noble mission..."

There was a moment of silence between the two while Casseus massaged Toni's scalp. "I do hope she succeeds. Seeing those scars on you makes my stomach turn..."

He felt Casseus's hands stop once more, before he gently pressed against Toni's forehead. He pushed the dancer's head back towards the water, rinsing his hair. Toni could feel the running water hit his skin as he thought about his reaction to Casseus's words.

"All done, my lord," Casseus said softly. He helped move Toni's head back and inspected him. "Seems like all the suds are gone too, you may open your eyes."

Toni did as he was told, staring into those bright green eyes again. His heart fluttered again as those eyes traced over his face. The butler was dutifully inspecting Toni for any leftover soap or makeup.

"Would you like help with your back as well?" Casseus asked, pulling away from Toni.

Toni's entire body wanted to say yes. It was practically crying out for Casseus to continue touching him, but his mind knew better. He knew he couldn't even move from this spot while Casseus was here. "Um, no... I'll be okay."

"That's a shame..." Casseus said without thinking. "I wanted to give back after your performance. It was truly captivating."

His smile widened, causing Toni to feel a bit dizzy. Toni took a deep breath and held his hands to his chest. "Thank you. That means a lot... but I've got it from here."

"Yes, Master Toni," Casseus said, standing up. He adjusted his shirt and pants. "I'll be right outside with another towel and a robe, just call if you need anything."

Toni watched the butler leave the bathroom. His eyes seemed magnetized to him walking away. It took a solid minute for him to even move his eyes away from the entrance. He looked down at his lap, where his arousal pressed against the towel.

"What the fuck was that?" He asked himself. His thoughts were repeating the last ten minutes, going over every little detail. He felt his face flush as he stood up. He looked down to see his underwear tenting.

He pulled them off, freeing his cock from its confinement. It wasn't his first erection in his life, but it was definitely the first one caused by another person. He threw them to the side, unbothered that they'd get wet. He dipped his toe in, feeling the warm water.

He entered the warm bath, letting the tension from the last encounter leave him. He could feel his throbbing member ache for attention, but he just couldn't. Not with Casseus just outside. He would die if he walked in on that.

He submerged his head under the water and let out a scream. The water bubbled up from his mouth as he let out his frustration. He had never felt this way before, not around women, many of whom would be considered attractive. But this random butler from a noble's house was different.

He came up for air, taking a deep breath. He took a few rapid ones after that, trying to get his mind to calm down. He leaned back, looking up at the ceiling decorated with cherubs and flowers.

"Anka... is this love?"