Josephine followed Sebastian to the guest bedroom. It turned out that she would be staying right across from Sebastian's room.
"Have a good night, my lady." Sebastian said and bowed.
Josephine bid him a goodnight as well and closed the door. She changed into her night attire and blew out the candle, getting comfortable under the thick comforters. It turned out that she could not sleep peacefully, for her mind was clouded by memories of the past and present. Sebastian could hear her quiet moans of agony. He wondered if he should check on her. As he thought, another moan could be heard from behind the door. He silently knocked on the door. Shuffling could be heard from inside and in a few moments, the door slightly opened to reveal part of the woman's face.
"Oh Sebastian, it's you. Is something wrong?" Josephine asked and fully opened the door to reveal her petite form.
"I believe I should be the one asking that. You sounded as if you were in pain. Are you injured?"
She looked him straight in the eye.
"I'm quite alright; I just couldn't seem to sleep." He could see the lie reflect in her eyes.
"Where are you hurt?" he asked sternly. His gaze bore directly to her eyes. It was getting painful for her to keep eye contact.
"I told you, I'm fine." she said, trying to keep her voice level.
Without another word, he turned around and walked off. When she thought he was out of hearing range, she breathed a sigh of relief and was about to close the door, until someone's foot stopped her from doing so. She looked up and met Sebastian's cool gaze. He walked inside the room and placed a candle on the dresser, along with a box. Josephine stared at the box questioningly and was startled when she was suddenly lifted from the ground. Without much effort, Sebastian had placed her back on the bed.
"Now tell me, where are you hurt?" he asked.
"I've already told you, I'm n..." He cut her off and said, "Stop your ridiculous lying."
His voice was ice cold. A shiver ran down her spine, he had always been able to overpower her.
"My back..." she quietly responded.
Sebastian immediately started to undress her.
"What are you doing?" she asked franticly.
"In order to tend to your wound, I must first undress you. Since it is on your back, you are unable to tend to it without another's aid, correct?" She nodded in response and allowed him to continue. Her face turned scarlet as her naked body was being revealed, little by little. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw the long, thin, red lines that decorated her back. It looked as if an animal had clawed at her or as if she had been sliced at several times with a sharp blade. He stayed silent. She lay down on her stomach while Sebastian applied ointment to her wound. She loved his gentle touch.
"Aren't you going to ask how I got these wounds?" Josephine asked.
"If you want me to know then you may tell me. You are a very stubborn woman, to be able to hide the pain for so long."
"You must already know how I got these minor injuries. I bet you even know the true reason as to why I'm here." she said in a suspicious tone.
"We shall see." Sebastian said and smirked. The wounds were already healing.
When he was done helping her bandage and dress herself, he bid her goodnight again. He took her hand in his and gently pressed his lips to it. He then left her to wonder just how much he knew.
