Warning, some mild mature content

Part 11

Nadine struggled to pull herself together, but tears of humiliation were burning behind her eyes. She hadn't thought that she would be able to feel humiliated anymore, but apparently she had been wrong. She hated the stupid revealing undergarment she was wearing, but she should probably be grateful that she wasn't naked. Still two men had just witnessed her humiliation. Niklaus' reaction had been much worse; his pity had made her embarrassed and angry. She didn't want or need his pity, especially when he obviously saw her as nothing more than some poor little servant girl. A charity case.

Nadine had seen how he had stared at Lady Aurora through the window and there definitely hadn't been any pity in that look. He had looked at her just like all the other men did, like she would be the most amazing creature they had ever seen. Why wouldn't they look at her like that, she was a lady, she was beautiful, she was wealthy, she wore the most expensive gowns and jewelry money could buy, she could look all sweet and helpless when she wanted to when she blinked her stupid eyes…

Alright, this was completely pointless. Maybe Nadine envied Lady Aurora, but what good did that do? The worst part was that she had seen Nadine lying on Tristan's bed. It wasn't difficult to imagine how she had seen the whole thing and Nadine doubted that Tristan had any intention to clarify anything. Thinking about Tristan made Nadine shiver. She could run before he would return… To where? Kol… She could go to Kol. He hadn't patronized her or pretended that he cared; he had made her a very clear offer. His help in exchange for a price. Whatever his price would be, could it really be worse than what would happen after Tristan would return?

The problem was that Nadine didn't think for a second that she could really trust Kol. And this wasn't really about her; she needed to think about her brother. No matter what would happen, she wouldn't do anything to risk Lucien's life. No, she needed to endure this. She just couldn't understand why Tristan suddenly wanted something like this, he didn't sleep with servants. Unfortunately the look in his eyes had made it very clear to her what he wanted now.

Slowly she walked in front of the mirror and looked at her reflection. The very revealing undergarment was no doubt the finest silk, made for a mistress of a nobleman, but in her eyes it made her look nothing more than a harlot. The only thing that offered her some kind of malevolent joy was the fact how furious Lady Giselle would be if she would know that Nadine had worn her brand new undergarment before her. Nadine glanced at her dress on the floor. Sure she could get changed and start to wash the floor like she had intended to do, but why would she do that? Hell, if Tristan was going to do what the look in his eyes had told her he was going to do, she would take a well-earned break before…before…that.

Determinedly she marched to the wine carafe and poured the goblet full. The bastard owed her at least this. She emptied the goblet and poured herself more. There, everything was fine. She didn't care what he would do; he would only have her body. So what if it would hurt, she could take that. Why the hell was she crying then? No, she needed to stop right now. There was no way she would give him the satisfaction to see her tears. That would probably just turn him on. She gritted her teeth and dried her eyes before emptying the second goblet of wine. It helped a little, she felt a little more in control when she sat down on the armchair. She would get through this. She had to.

Tristan was tired when he opened the door to his chamber. It was late and the day had been very long. The first thing he noticed was that there were candles everywhere. And he could sense that he wasn't alone. His eyes scanned the room, he gasped when he finally looked at his bed. Nadine was lying there naked, her body covered only with rose petals. She looked stunning.

"Puppet?" he muttered.

She smiled seductively and sucked her index finger. His mouth watered and he was incredibly turned on; she looked good enough to eat. She twirled her long dark curl around her finger when he approached the bed.

"You know, puppet, coming to a man's bed like this can get you into a lot of trouble," he muttered.

She just smiled and blinked her eyes.

"I see," he said and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Are you a naughty girl?"

She nodded and ran her hand over his thigh.

"Well," he muttered and softly slapped her bottom. "Perhaps I should spank you then…"

"My lord?"

Tristan blinked, it took a moment before he remembered where he was. He was walking back to his chamber after meeting his father. What the hell had just happened?

"Yes?" he muttered after clearing his throat.

Laurent who was walking beside him looked a little confused.

"Your verdict, my lord? His grace's servant who was caught sleeping in the middle of his chores today."

Tristan frowned.

"What? Why isn't my father declaring his verdict?"

"His grace trusted that to you, my lord," Laurent replied. "I believe he has been busy with other matters."

"Hmm, have him flogged…" Tristan started absentmindedly before something crossed his mind. "Wait, which servant is this?"

"Lucien, my lord. He has been his grace's personal servant for a while."

Nadine's brother… The most important person in the world to her.

"On second thought, I believe I will take care of his punishment myself," Tristan stated, managing to sound completely careless. "Send him to my chamber after an hour or so. First I need to take care of some unfinished business."

"Yes, my lord."

Tristan pressed his lips together and tried to get a grip. Wasn't it bad enough that he had the damn dreams about Nadine every night, now he apparently had them when he was awake as well? What the hell was happening? Why couldn't he get her out of his mind? None of this made any sense, she had been his servant for almost two years and he had never felt this kind of…what, lust? He wanted her, there was no point denying that. Why now? What had suddenly changed? Well, he had seen her naked… No, that couldn't be the only reason. What the hell was this then?

He had thought about her when he have had sex with Lady Giselle last night, he fantasized about her, he had even had the damn undergarment made for her just because he had wanted to see her wearing it. It had never been for Lady Giselle. Damn it, this had to stop. He was always in control, he was known for that, and there was no way he would lose his perfect self-control because of a servant. There had to be a way to make this stop.

His face was perfectly blank when he marched to his chamber. His little puppet was sitting in the armchair; slowly she stood up and kept her eyes on the floor. She was still wearing the undergarment. The first thing he noticed was that her hands were shaking a little. She was trying very hard to hide it, but clearly she was afraid and if he wasn't mistaken, she had been crying. Basically she looked like a lamb going to the slaughter. Not exactly like he had pictured this… Tristan was a cruel and brutal man, everyone knew that, but there was one thing he didn't do. He had never forced himself on a woman. He observed Nadine quietly for a moment before marching to the sofa.

"Come here, puppet," he stated calmly. "Take a seat."

Her whole body tensed even more, but she obeyed and sat down next to him, keeping a noticeable distance between them. Her hands were still shaking, but other than that she managed to look completely callous.

"Look at me," he ordered.

She pressed her lips together and obeyed.

"Are you afraid of me, puppet?"

She didn't nod or shook her head; she simply kept her face free from emotion.

"I would say that you are," he stated. "Why is that? You haven't displeased me or angered me; I have no reason to punish you, do I?" He paused and observed her face for a brief moment before continuing. "Your brother on the other hand…"

Her mask was immediately gone, her eyes widened and she stared at him intently.

"Yes, unfortunately your brother fell asleep today in the middle of his duties," Tristan continued calmly. "I will be the one who will decide his punishment."

Now there was definitely desperation in Nadine's eyes. She tried her best to look calm when she kneeled in front of him.

"No, no, puppet," he said and motioned her to stand up. "No need for that."

She looked concerned and confused, clearly trying to understand what he wanted her to do.

"As I said, I have been pleased with you, so… As a reward for your service, I will spare your brother from punishment."

Nadine's eyes widened, she stared at him disbelievingly. He waited a moment before he frowned.

"I don't get any gratitude?"

Quickly she curtsied and bowed her head.

"Hmm, you can get changed now," he muttered.

She nodded and took the undergarment off; she didn't even try to cover herself. Perhaps she thought that this was what he expected in return. He had no problem with that. She wore her own dress and placed the undergarment neatly on the bed. He needed to send her away before her brother would arrive, so he made up some useless errand for her to run. She curtsied and left, he could tell how relieved she was. Slowly he stood up, walked over to the bed and picked the undergarment up. He closed his eyes, pressed the silky piece of clothing against his face and inhaled her scent. God… What was wrong with him?