(Erik's POV)
"Is this a good temperature, My Master?" Naerys said as she was adding more water to the bathtub, "Your comfort is my top priority."
I had a frown on my face, "There is no need for you to be here." I said with an annoyed tone, "You can leave now, do some other chores."
She was to my right, sitting on a stool as she set the bucket of hot water to the side, "Nonsense." She said with a neutral expression, "My Master's baths are always at the top of my list. I must be present for them; to provide the best service and ensure you are properly cleaned."
My lower body was hidden by the water, which was something I was grateful for. I didn't want some woman I had just met to see my naked body.
"Hm...." I said
She looked at me, "How is the water?"
I sighed and nodded, "Good." I said, "It's good."
"Perfect." She said, "Allow me to scrub your arms first. I will move to your shoulders and I will work on your body afterwards."
"I am not a baby, I can clean myself." I said
She stood up and had a brush on her hand, "Do not be stubborn." She said, "I am sure your journey left you exhausted. The more you rest, the better. Let me take care of everything."
She dipped the brush on the water and began to scrub my arm gently with it, ensuring that it was getting clean. The way she scrubbed it was so gentle and cautious, making my arm tingle as it was feeling quite good.
Combined with the feeling of the water, my entire body softened up a bit, relaxing completely. It had been some time since I had a nice and hot bath, my entire body relaxing. The Reach was a pain in the ass to explore, dealing with Forsworn and other threats. The two dragons I encountered there weren't any help so I had to make sure I took care of them.
Now, this hot bath was making sure my body was completely at ease. And I won't lie, the way this woman was scrubbing my arm was making the sensation even better.
I felt as she moved the brush up towards my shoulder, her soft hands were holding my forearm as she leaned closer.
I noticed that her top was unbuttoned a bit more, revealing more of her cleavage, "Whoa." I said as I looked away, "Your button is undone, fix it."
"I am aware." She said, "It is done on purpose."
I frowned, "Why?"
"It is quite hot in here; the steam is making me sweaty." She said as she began to scrub my shoulder, "Is that a problem?"
"Well...." I said
"Do not be shy, Master Erik." She said with an alluring tone, leaning in to my ear and whispering, "Whatever you wish to do to me, I am all for it."
I looked at her, "Enough of that." I said, "I have no interest in such things."
"So you say. But there is a reason why I am here with you." She said as she moved over to behind me, "And that is because I am meant to satisfy your desires, My Master. I am your personal Servant, after all."
"Yea yea." I said, "If you're going to insist on giving me a bath, then hurry up. I want to eat something and sleep already."
I felt as she stopped scrubbing, "Interesting." She said as her finger was on my shoulder, tracing along a scar, "What enemy did this?"
I looked at my right shoulder, seeing it was a scar caused by some sort of claw. It was one of the first prominent injuries I've suffered in my teenage years. It was around six inches long, running from the top of the shoulder down to the front.
"Sabre Cat." I said as I reached for the bottom part of the scar, "A long time ago, I was hunting with a friend of my Mother's and we were ambushed by one. It nearly killed him and I was able to draw its attention. A single swipe of its claws was able to take me down to the ground, blood everywhere. I composed myself and shot an arrow in its eye, killing it."
"A Sabre Cat..." She said softly, "What kind of beast is that?"
"It's a large feline beast, with sharp fangs. They're very dangerous creatures." I said, "Nowadays, they're not a problem. But when I was much younger, they were terrible dangers."
"I see." She said as she leaned over my shoulder and looked at my chest, "You have other scars. Mayhaps wounds from battles?"
I nodded, "Something like that." I said, "I've been fighting most of my life. But it was not until a year or so ago that I entered a long war against Dragons. Every day, I am fighting another one, risking my life to obtain its power."
"You fight dragons, you say?" She said, "My Master is quite formidable."
I felt her hand on my left shoulder, gently rubbing it as she leaned closer.
"Hm, You could say that." I told her, "Who or what I am is quite complicated for someone like you. But you could say that I am quite formidable."
"My Master is very strong. Big....and strong...." Her breath was closer to my ear, "I am quite fortunate to have such a Master."
I sighed, "I know what you're doing." I said, "It's not going to work."
"Hm." She leaned away, "Very well. I shall continue bathing you. I will ensure that your lower body is properly cleaned as well, worry not."
"There is no need for that one." I said while waving her away, "I can handle that."
"No." She said, "That is what I am here for."
"Naerys, listen." I said with a frown, "I can-"
She held my forearm firmly and lean closer to my face, giving me a serious look, "I will thoroughly scrub every one of your crevices." She said, "Or you will not eat anything tonight, Master."
I blinked, "You're serious?"
She didn't blink nor stutter, "I am."
I was not looking forward to Jasker's cooking, to be honest, so I was quite curious how good Naerys would be in that matter. And it's been a long journey, so I really don't feel like cooking anything up myself. That is what a maid or Housecarl would be good for, but Lydia has been missing for some time, last I checked.
I closed my eyes and sighed in frustration, "Tch..." I said, "Very well."
"You best make it quick then."