Timothy wakes on his bed on the servant's chambers the next day. The nobleman must have dressed him and brought him back, and Timothy is grateful.
He goes about his chores, body a little sore. He notices finger-shaped bruises on the sides of his hips, and hand-shaped ones on both his arse cheeks as he changes into his work-wear. Timothy bruises all too easily because of his pale complexion. They don't hurt too much so Timothy shrugs, and goes about his chores.
In mid-afternoon, the castle steward gathers the servants for some announcements.
"As you all know, the king returned from the war front last night," the steward drawls out, sounding absolutely bored. "And refused the gracious banquet we oh-so-lovingly prepared for him."
The servants grumble at the reminder of their wasted efforts. Oh, so that's what the banquet was for, Timothy thinks.
"But the king had seen the error of his ways, and asked a banquet to be prepared in two-days time," the steward adds sweetly.
Groans resound in the steward's room, and Timothy joins in.
"Quit whining and get to it," the steward chides. "Oh, and, the king ordered the hot springs to be empty a candlemark after midnight until two candlemarks before dawn every night. He'd like to take a bath at those times and will order the beheading of anyone who dares disturb him."
None of the servants complained, already having taken their baths and dead asleep at those times. None except Timothy. Timothy's heart drops to his boots.
My luxurious bath time , Timothy inwardly cries out. Timothy mourns the loss for the rest of the day, going about his tasks with a heavy heart. He suppose he can always take a bath at midnight but a handful of servants may still be awake at that point. He has to give up goofing around in the baths now.
But wait, what about the nobleman? He told Timothy that he will meet the servant in the springs every night at that time. Has he heard the announcement? Has he been informed? Surely he has.
Timothy bites his lower lip, worry cresting in his chest. The nobleman has been so kind to him the nobleman before, teaching him methods Timothy has never considered before. Timothy has to check tonight, and make sure the nobleman isn't there. He can sneak in, peek in surreptitiously without the king seeing him, and sneak out again.
Night comes, and Timothy awakes at his routine bathing time. He dashes to the springs without a soap or a towel or even boots. He quiets his steps as he reaches the entrance to the cavern, crouching down and peering into the men's springs.
There, the blond hair of the nobleman peeks out as he lounges on the same spot as the night before. Gods, not good. Panic grips Timothy.
"Sire, sire!" Timothy approaches him hurriedly, still in his nightwear.
The nobleman turns to him, and smirks. "Timothy."
"We have to get out of the springs, sire!" The servant whispers harshly, brown eyes darting around.
The nobleman arches a brow. "And why is that?"
"Ha β Haven't you heard the announcement, sire?" Timothy nibbles his lip. "Any time now, the king will go to the baths and will behead anyone he sees here! The steward informed us just this morning! Come on, sire!" Timothy grabs onto one of the nobleman's arms, and attempts to pull him up and out. The nobleman doesn't budge an inch. "We can't be seen here."
The nobleman stares at the servant for several precious moments. "Sometimes, Timothy, I wonder if you're pulling my leg."
"It's no jest!" Timothy cries out. "We will be beheaded if the kingβ"
The nobleman tugs his arm forward. Timothy, who's holding onto said arm with both hands, lurches forward with it. He yelps as he topples into the springs, fully clothed.
"I've got special permission from the king himself," the nobleman informs the servant as he resurfaces with a gasp. "I can bathe here whenever I want."
"Truly?" Timothy asks with surprise. The nobleman must be very close friends with the king then.
The nobleman nods. "And I can bring anyone to the baths with me. We're safe, Timothy."
When the words sink in, Timothy smiles. He can still take his nighttime baths as long as the nobleman is here! He hopes he never encounters the king while doing so though.
"Let me help you with your clothes," the nobleman offers, leaving his seat and approaching Timothy.
"I didn't bring any soap, sire," Timothy says. He lifts his arms and allows the nobleman to pull up his tunic. The nobleman's fingers brush over Timothy's nipples, and the servant flinches.
"Don't worry; I did." The nobleman throws the soaked tunic over to the stones, and begins unlacing Timothy's trousers.