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Post by Riku on Feb 4, 2018 20:02:14 GMT
The grand hall was a breathtaking sight to behold today. It was always large, a room able to seat over 200 guests, decorated with pillars that touched the ceiling and ornate arches. Paintings and sculptures decorated the hall, and the corridors leading to it. Each table was perfectly level with brass corner fittings, as was each chair, all of them exquisitely carved from solid oak and detailed with pictures and patterns. Indeed, it was always a sight to behold, but today it was something truly magnificent. Every inch of the floor, the pillars, the picture frames, the brass fittings, had been polished and shined to perfection. Each item of cutlery and each glass on the table sparkled in the light of the newly set candles and freshly-filled lanterns. Silvers, red and purples were use to decorate the place settings and the chair cushions, expensive and noble colours, all of them.
Jack was nervous, he had never been summoned to the grand hall before. He was aware of the rumours, when the Master wishes to punish a servant he will summon them to the grand hall to make a spectacle of them. There was some talk of being summoned there to receive praise, or to be granted a better position in the household, but these were far more rare. Jack wracked his brain about what he might have done wrong. He ran a slightly shaky hand through his black hair and took a deep breath, following the court chamberlain, each step bringing him closer to the huge oak doors that lead to the grand hall, where is fate awaited him.
Jack had left his family when he was 10, they couldn't pay their taxes for 2 years straight so he was offered to pay what was owed. He worked hard, starting off by doing whatever tasks were given to him, his strong back and small frame made him perfect for some tasks, but Jack was bright. His masters soon found his had an affinity for knowledge, and they discovered a strange birthmark on his hip. Maybe it was a triangle with a dot on each side, maybe it was just a smudged birthmark, it was hard to tell, but rumour soon spread that he might be able to perform magic. When his professed 'magic use' couldn't be proven the rumour was changed, maybe he would be good at alchemy, either way the birthmark had to mean something, or so his Master's repeatedly said. So now, at the age of 16, all thanks to a stupid birthmark and some over-excited nobles, he worked in the Lord's household, and thanks to that he was now standing in the corridor that lead the the great hall, the doors looming down over him like judges. He swallowed hard, brought himself up to his full height of 5'8, instead of his usual slouch, and stepped forward as they opened to swallow him.
The grand hall was breathtaking. Even filled with people it was still beautiful and serine. He swallowed hard again, and walked forward, desperate to hide the tremble of his hands. In a see of pale-skinned nobles, his light brown skin stuck out for miles and his heart jumped when everyone turned to face him. He walked down the middle of the tables that were arranged in a horseshoe, with the Lord in the centre-most seat, and stopped. He bowed politely, hand fiddling with the edges of his baggy brown trousers, and he nervously tried to smooth out and neaten his loose white shirt. 'Speak idiot' he scolded himself, mouth dry with anticipation to find out what he might have done to offend his Master. 'speak!'.
"You asked for me, my Lord?"
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Post by Behax on Feb 4, 2018 20:34:20 GMT
The Lord of the domain was not an evil man, but he was a strict one, at least as far as the running of his household, and lands were concerned. Though he was not completely without sympathy or mercy, and could recognise and appreciate hard work. Jack was not the first child to be taken in as a servant to the Lord's household in lieu of a debt owed, nor was he the first to find himself walking the path he was on. Though he could hardly be blamed for expecting that this was in consequence to some mistake he'd made, or wrong he'd done.
The crowed amassed in the room was silent, though the occasionally hushed whisper could be heard, as Jack made his way towards where his master sat. The man cut a large figure, not far, but broad. Though as he aged his muscle was becoming less defined. On either side of him stood, each at about 6ft his twin sons. They looked alike in almost every way, the way they stood, the colour of their clothes, even the way they styled their hair was the same, with the exception that they parted it in the opposite direction of each other. They were like mirror images of each other. Alike in appearance but their personalities made them as different as night and day.
Leonardo, who stood on his father's right was the elder. He was known to be assertive and cunning. There were also plenty of rumours that marked him to be a rather sadistic and often cruel person, even to his own brother.
Alexander stood on his father's left, the younger by almost 15 minutes. Leonardo would say it made all the difference in the world. He was kind and gentle, though many of the servants considered him to be a bit of a push over. However there were also those who were loathed to say a bad word about him, as he would often step in to draw his brother's ire towards himself of he caught Leonardo in the act of abusing one of the servants. In this sense some, though not many, also called him brave.
They were the only children of the Lord, and his Elven wife. Unfortunately his wife Lyanda had died in the act of giving birth to their third child, even more sad, was that the child, a girl, had not survived either. Because of this the Lord treated both his sons as though they were something precious, and certainly there was evidence that he turned a blind eye to much of their...Or rather Leonardo's, more deviant behaviour. It was also point of fact the two Lordlings 18th birthday.
"Indeed!" The Lord's voice boomed, he spoke loudly so that all in the hall could hear him. "Do you know what day it is?" The question was for the most part rhetorical as the man soon answered it himself. "It is the 18th birthday of my two sons. As such it is high time that they found themselves with a proper retainer. You Jack I have been told work exceptionally hard, and very well, and great thing are expected of you in the future. So it only seems fitting to me, that you be promoted to be retainer to my two sons." The man spoke loudly and definitely.
Alexander gave his brother a worried glance, and Leonardo looked like he wished to say something, but knew better than to appear ungrateful in front of this many people. Why did he have to share one lowly retainer with his brother? Should they not have one each? Or better yet why give Alexander one at all?
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Post by Riku on Feb 4, 2018 21:01:19 GMT
Jack swore he could almost feel the force of the Lord's words as they hit him. A brief moment of panic hit him as he was asked about the day. He knew the answer, of course, you couldn't live in this town and no know, but was he supposed to answer? Fortunately the Lord continued, and Jack let out a tiny sigh in relief. Maybe his was good news, maybe he wasn't being punished for doing something wrong... and then the punchline.
“So it only seems fitting to me, that you be promoted to be retainer to my two sons.”
'Both of them? Oh gods.' Jack looked to Leonardo first. He had never really met the young man, but his reputation was fierce. He was known to be cruel, stubborn, manipulative. The servants would warn each other when he was approaching, or when he was in one of 'those moods'. More over it was a solid fact, known to all that he did not share well.
Secondly he looked to Alexander, just catching the end of his worried look. The second brother was known amongst the servants to be a bit of a wet blanket. Some of them would try to get the better of him, using his kindness to slack of their duties, others seemed extremely loyal to him. The latter group usually had a story to explain their position, and that story usually involved Leonardo.
Jack looked back to the Lord. 'Why, why would you do this to me?' he want to scream. 'Why both of them, you're asking for my life to be miserable'. He wanted to refuse, and yell out, and throw things. Being a retainer was not something he wanted, despite its high status within the staff. Being a retainer to two people, who are completely opposite, one of which hates to share, is ever worse, and virtually impossible. What a ridiculous idea, the Lord must be coming down with some sort of madness in his old age.
He bowed low again. “Thank you my Lord, this is a great honour indeed.”
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Post by Behax on Feb 4, 2018 21:24:33 GMT
There was a method to the Lord's madness, or so he would say to anyone who questioned this, admittedly odd decision. Anyone would find it a challenge to be a retainer to two people at once, never mind two people who were so completely different from each other. Usually the eldest child was assumed to be the heir presumptive to his father's lands and titles, however in the case of twins, even ones born as far apart as Leonardo and Alexander, an heir had to be stated. Lord Anthony had not yet named which of his sons would be inheriting his title, lands and responsibilities. Though many assumed it would be Leonardo.
The truth of the matter was, neither son could be considered qualified. Leonardo was decisive and assertive, but he was also cruel and selfish. Alexander was kind and caring, but lacked the confidence to lead. They each in a way represented what the other lacked. What happened from here might be the deciding factor. How Jack handled his position, how the pair handled having to share the same servant, how they treated him.
The Lord waited patiently for Jack's reply, and smiled whine he bowed. He was under no illusion that this was going to be a difficult task. "I hope that you do not disappoint."
"Indeed," the one that spoke was Leonardo. He seemed to be regarding the young man with almost Hawke like eyes. Very much the look of a predator. He took a goblet off of the table, and held it up to toast Jack's promotion, the rest of the hall followed suit. "Congratulations! Why don't you enjoy the party for now, as celebration for your new position within the household." Leonardo then put the goblet to his lips and sipped.
"Congratulations." Echoed around the hall as the other guests followed Leonardo in his toast. He stepped around a gap in the table and put a hand on Jack's shoulder, leaning in close to whisper in his ear. "Enjoy the party while you can." He then let go of Jack's shoulder and walked away, like he'd said nothing at all.
"Come dear brother, we have some candles to blow out, we shouldn't keep the guests waiting," the older twin announced, just as the doors opened and a large caked was being wheeled into the room, adorned with many burning candles.
"Coming brother." Alexander stepped around his side of the table also, as he passed Jack he gave him what was unmistakeably an apologetic smile. He rushed a little to catch up with his brother.
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Post by Riku on Feb 4, 2018 22:44:38 GMT
Jack nodded his head respectfully in response to Leonardo's toast, and command to enjoy the party. “Thank you my Lord.” He didn't flinch even as the man approached him, and gave no visible reaction to the threat whispered to him.
As the doors were opened for the cake to be presented, Jack moved away from the tables, making his way over to the servants responsible for filling goblets with drink and allowing them to serve him some wine. His new Master had ordered him to enjoy the party after all.
The cake was beautiful, a white iced base with decoration of silvers, red and purples that matched the décor in the room. It was a masterpiece. Jack almost thought it a shame that no sooner had it got to the centre of the room, the boys were presented with an equally beautiful, silver ornate knife to destroy it with. Although, he did think that if he was to be granted a piece then it was a worthwhile sacrifice. It had been yeas since he had tasted good cake for they were expensive, and normally it was day-old when the servants would divvy up the scraps from balls and parties the evening before.
It was at this point Jack realised he was completely unprepared for any of this. He was hard working, yes, but had no training on etiquette or manservant duties. He didn't know if he should mingle or stay out of the way, should he expect a slice of cake or just be unseen and uninvolved for the rest of the event? What about the next day, and the next day? This was over his head.
The decision was partly made for him as he watched the twin approach the cake and the nobles gathered round, all but blocking him out. Jack moved to the steps at the back of hall and sat down on one with his glass, getting just enough of a height advantage to see what was happening. He wanted to observe as much of his new charges as possible.
Jack was excited to try the wine, knowing it must have been expensive, and he raised his glass to his lips, taking a long sip to savour the flavour of his first taste. He was then immediately disappointed to find that he didn't care for it much. Shame. He went back to observing the twins.
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Post by Behax on Feb 9, 2018 21:10:51 GMT
The two stood on opposite sides of the, frankly ridiculous sized cake, and blew out the candles on Leonardo's count of free. They even shared a knife and cut a slice down it together, much the way a married couple might do at their wedding. The pair than began to divide up and share out the cake, or at least for the most prestigious guests, and those they were related to. For the rest, they were either expected to serve themselves or were taken care of my servants.
During the night Jake would come to observe that his own brother was likely among the things that Leonardo did not like to share with other people. Seldom was he away from Alexander for more than 5 minutes. Where one went so did the other....Or was shortly beckoned or called to follow. To the point where Leonardo must have seemed very possessive over his younger twin. The longest Alexander managed to shake him off for was maybe 20 minutes. This was not including the obligatory dance.
As the birthday boys, the twins were of course expected to participate in a number of dances. Partnering up with a great many of the ladies or their daughters in the room. Leonardo was clearly better at leading, but Alexander was more graceful. This was in at least some part, meant to acquaint them with future matches for possible marriage, not that either twin had shown much more than a passing interest in marriage so far.
Jake was left much to his own devices, none of the other guests really knew who he was, and the other servants were a little nervous about speaking to him publically in such a setting, since he'd just been promoted to retainer. Occasionally a server would offer him something to eat or drink from a platter they were carrying.
Eventually the night began to draw to a close, many guests either leaving for home or retiring to rooms they had been loaned in the Lord's manor. Both twins had seemingly vanished from sight after a certain point. Though as the crowd continued to dwindle, the Lord himself having fallen asleep in his chair. Another servant approached Jack.
"E-excuse me sir...I am to show you to your new lodgings now."
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Post by Riku on Feb 9, 2018 22:12:48 GMT
Jack spent his time observing everything, watching the twins mostly but also seeing how the guests responded to them. He also noticed that some of the servants, even the few he recognised, where keeping a distance from him. That meant no luck scoring any cake, better luck next time.
Jack remained on the stairs even after the twins had left, he didn't need to attend them until the morning so he would enjoy himself for now.
When the other servant approached him, Jack was surprised to be addressed the way he was. “Sir? Do I look like a 'sir' to you?” He rolled his eyes, but didn't make too much fuss as he wouldn't want to get the other servant in trouble. He followed them out of the room and along some corridors to what would be his room from now on.
It was bigger than his old lodgings with a good sized single bed, a bedside table with a drawer, a table desk with a drawer and a chair, and a small wardrobe. His possessions had already been moved from his old quarters to here, although they hadn't been put away at all so they were mostly piled on the bed and the table. He didn't have a lot of things, mostly clothes. He was also just down the corridor from the nicer set of servants' bath chambers.
“Thank you.” He smiled to the other servant. “This place is great.” Already the perks of this job were looking up, although there was still a daunting task ahead of him. He moved to the bed and started folding his clothes.
“Is there anything else I need to know?”
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Post by Behax on Feb 11, 2018 11:13:36 GMT
Jack's retort clearly made the servant nervous, the simple fact was most of those he'd previously called colleague now didn't know how they were supposed to address him. He out ranked them now, so proper procedure had to be followed, whether he liked it or not. Whether he liked it or not, he was no longer equal to those he called 'friend'.
The corridor that Jack now found his room to be, was actually sandwiched between two other corridors, one housed all the guests, the other the Lord and his family. This was to allow quick access to either corridor by the servants directly serving the Lord, his family, and their guests. Other perks Jack would notice, whether he liked having them or not, included better meals, a real salary, and also authority over most of the other servants, even ones who had previously outranked him. He could even request direct assistance if he wanted or needed it. This was not to say he was in the highest position in the household, but simply that he was higher than most.
"A-ah...Yes..." The servant stammered when asked if there were any other orders. "Master Leonardo asked that you make sure to wake him and Master Alexander bright and early. Their bedroom is the one with the large silver doors." There was a pause. "The kitchen staff should take care of their morning meal, but just for a point of reference, they both like hot meals in the morning. Leonard takes coffee, milk but no sugar, and Alexander takes Tea with milk and honey," the savant explained.
"O-oh and if there is no answer when you knock in the morning, just wait a few moments, and then enter anyway..." They explained further, before waiting to see if Jack wanted to give them any instructions or ask any further questions.
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Post by Riku on Feb 11, 2018 19:47:59 GMT
“Hot breakfast, coffee milk no sugar, tea milk and honey. Got it.” He was used to being given a list of instructions to remember and that was a particularly difficult set of items. He nodded to the other servant. “Thanks. I'll just turn up at their room and see how it goes. Trial by fire and all that.” He saw the servant out, thanking him again, and went back to his things.
He quickly put his clothes away, either folding them into a drawer or having them in the wardrobe. He set down his simple hairbrush and some other effects down on the cabinet, then climbed into bed. It had been a long and strange day, and tomorrow would no doubt be longer and stranger so he needed all the sleep he could get.
- - - -
The next morning, as the dawn was breaking, Jack woke up. He got up, took a cloth and a towel ad headed to the servant's wash room. He got himself washed and dressed, wearing simple brown trousers, brown shoes and a loose fitting white shirt with long sleeves that was baggy round the neck, and a brown sleeveless jacket that had no buttons. It was cleaner and smarter that the clothes he wore the day before although they loosed very similar. He brushed his hair and checked that he loosed smart enough. He picked up the clothes from before and set them in a pile by the door to make it easier for the other servants on washing duty to grab them, and headed down the hall.
He went to the kitchens first, telling the staff there that he would be 'waking the young lords now, so please be ready to deliver their breakfast'. He also picked up their hot drinks now, figuring that might make a good impression. He felt somewhat strange giving orders to people, but it wasn't like he'd never had to give messages on behalf of the higher-ups before.
After ensuring that their food would be ready he made his way to his masters' bedroom. Jack looked up at the silver doors, taking a moment to collect himself. He straightened himself up, took a deep breath to steady the drinks tray in one hand, and knocked firmly three times. No answer. He waited for half a minute, knocked three times again, and this time walked in immediately.
“Good morning Master Leonardo, Master Alexander, it is time to get up.” He moved across the room, setting the tray down on their table, and continuing to the large windows and slowly pulled the curtains open, spilling light into the room and allowing him to see their quarters properly.
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Post by Behax on Feb 11, 2018 20:06:03 GMT
There was no response to any of Jack's knocking, though there was an audible groan from one of the beds. Once there was bright morning light spilling into the room the first thing the new retainer would notice, was that while there were two beds, only one was occupied. Both of the young men were in the same bed, and Leonardo was spooning his brother from behind.
Leonardo sat up, stretching and yawning, and apparently.....Naked. At this moment the new retainer might recall some more.....Unsavoury rumours about the Lord's twin children. For the last two years now there had been the occasionally rumour about the pair being caught or spotted kissing, or behaving more intimately. In fact Jack was not the first servant to wake them, and find them in bed with each other. This was on top of the rumours about Leonardo making unwanted sexual advances on some of the servants, male or female.
Leonardo didn't like sharing with his brother.....He didn't like sharing his brother either.
The older of the two through back the bed covers, uncaring it seemed that Jack was in the room. He pulled on a paid or loose trousers before standing and stretching more. Alexander was only just starting to sit up in the bed. His pale skin was littered with bruises, bites and scratches. When Leonardo caught sight of this he looked almost pleased with himself....Until finally he turned to Jack.
"You may take care of my brother first, make sure he gets cleaned up," he instructed waving vaguely in his brother's direction as he went to pick up his coffee. Alexander said nothing, and his sleep tussled blond locks were covering most of his face. He slid over to the side of the bed, before placing his feet on the ground and standing. It was clear he was wobbly on his feet, even stumbling and having to lean against the wall as he made his way into the bathroom that joined onto their room.
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Post by Riku on Feb 11, 2018 20:21:54 GMT
Jack couldn't help noticing that the brothers were naked, but he made a point not to look at anything other than their faces. He had been told rumours about them, and he'd very occasionally witnessed some unsavoury behaviour from Leonardo, although he had never been on the receiving end of it. Still, it wasn't his job to pry, and as it was his first day with the twins there was not trust built between them yet to talk about private things.
He gave a nodded bow as the elder brother gave him overs. “Very well.”
He walked to the table and picked up Alexander's tea, following the young lord into the bathroom. “Your tea my Lord.” He offered his master the drink, and set about running a bath, opening a couple of drawers to find a cloth and a fresh towel.
When it was ready he held out his arm for Alexander to support himself on and guided him to the water. He made no comment about the marks, it wasn't the time for that yet.
“Tell me what you like. Should I wash you, do you like other things in your bathwater, or just some privacy perhaps?” He figured that the best way to learn each brother's likes, and expectations of him, was just to ask. He had heard that some noble liked things like pine needles, or rose petals in their baths, and while that seems awfully strange to the servant, it was best to be sure.
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Post by Behax on Feb 11, 2018 20:41:47 GMT
The elder of the two seemed a little disappointed by Jack's reaction, he'd been hoping to get a rise out of him, something. As Jack bowed, Leonardo shrugged, and went to find something to read while he drank his coffee and waited for breakfast to arrive.
When offered his tea, Alexander merely motioned for Jack to put the drink down on the side. As the servant ran his bath for him Alexander didn't say anything, he just stood leaning with his back against the wall. His head was spinning a bit, and he was rather upset and trying to keep it bottled down.
He took Jack's arm when it was offered. Hissing quietly as he stepped into the hot bathwater, and sighing as he let himself lay down in the water.
"Stay...But...C-close the door please." He wanted some sort of barrier between him and his brother, but did not want to be left alone. While Jack closed the door, Alexander slipped under the water, only his arms remaining above, gripping onto the side of the bath. He was under so long that it might have seemed like he was trying to drown himself....Until he finally resurfaced, gasping for breath. He laid back against the bath, one arm draped over the side, while he reached up with his other, and finally pushed his blond hair out of his face.
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Post by Riku on Feb 11, 2018 20:55:48 GMT
Jack noticed the disappointment in Leonardo and he had to stop himself from either frowning or laughing. If the young maser wanted to get emotional responses out of someone then Jack wasn't going to be an easy target. While he cared about people, he knew better than to have wild reactions as a servant. Those sorts of things would earn you a beating.
When Alexander gave his response, Jack offered him a small smile and he nodded. He walked to the door and closed it, as asked, turning back around to see the man fully submerged. “My Lord...?” He frowned, moving closer just in case, and he let out a small relieved sigh as the twin reappeared, still breathing. Thank goodness, he couldn't kill one of his new charges on his first day, he would hang.
Jack knelt down by the side of the bath and he rolled up his sleeves. He picked up the cloth, dunked it in the water and, as gently as he could while still being effective, he started to wash the twin's back. He would keep going until Alexander stopped him, or he had finished.
“Do you need anything else my Lord? Do you wish me to lay out some clothes for you?” He wanted to offer the other a friendly ear. He wanted to ask if the man was alright, but not yet. He could get a very great trouble if he overstepped, from the Lord himself and from Leonardo, maybe even from Alexander himself. Best to wait, get to know his charges first.
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Post by Behax on Feb 11, 2018 21:13:57 GMT
The young retainer was mistaken if he didn't think that Leonardo would at least try, and his attempts would likely get more and more extreme, all while still managing to be not quite over the line.....At least one's he dared do with witnesses around anyway.
Alexander instinctively leaned forward when Jack started to wash his back. There were a couple of long scratches that travelled the length of the half-Elven lord's back. He hissed slightly the first time Jack went over them with the cloth, the same for a few of the more sensitive bruises. Clearly the wounds were recent. Though there were also some that were old.
"I'm sorry......I'm sure that my brother was very deliberate in instructing you to wake us this morning." Apologising on behalf of his brother was something Alexander was used to doing. Of course he was also sure that Leonardo has so violently violated him the night before quite deliberately as well. He'd been a lot more forceful than was usual. Alexander was now sure that he'd planned for the young retainer to have to find them like that. "I'm equally sure that....You probably didn't want to see that.....To deal with this on your very first morning."
While Jack had been sensitive enough to not bring it up, Alexander on the other hand felt the issue should be at least acknowledged.
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Post by Riku on Feb 11, 2018 21:30:22 GMT
Jack paused each time that Alexander winced or hissed, giving him a moment before continuing each time. Jack worked silently between asking questions, also not wanting to annoy his charge with speech, and he was genuinely surprised when the half-elf gave his apology.
“You have nothing to apologise for. If Master Leonardo wanted to set that tone with me then so be it.” He got up and fetched the towel he had set aside, bringing it over to the bath and offering his hand to help Alexander up. “I am sorry that you are hurting. If there is anything I can do for you then you need only ask.” He felt bad for the younger brother, no one should have to deal with things like this, especially if Leonardo did this to put on a show just for him. It was wretched.
He pulled the man up and wrapped the towel around him. “I should check that your brother doesn't want me for anything, just in case.” He gave Alexander a sympathetic smile, warning him that they would have to go back into the bedroom. He picked up the cup of tea, and offered his arm for the man to lean on again if he wanted it. Then they made their way back into the bedroom.
Jack moved away from Alexander once they reached his bed, and he crossed the room towards Leonardo. “Your brother his bathed, my Lord. Would you like me to run you a fresh bath?” He hoped that the older twin would either not want a bath, or would want to take it himself. However, something told him, what with all the rumours, that he might just enjoy someone else washing him. It would give him more chances to play with the new servant.
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