Cecil's expression changed, and he looked at Maria with a deep sense of sincerity. "Sorry," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Before Maria could react, Cecil stood up and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug.
Maria was taken aback by the sudden display of affection, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she found herself hugging him back, feeling a sense of surprise and curiosity. She had never seen Cecil like this before, so vulnerable and genuine.
As they hugged, Cecil whispered in her ear, "Don't tell anyone about this. Please." His voice was urgent, and Maria could feel the tension in his body. She nodded slightly, unsure of what was happening, but willing to keep his secret.
Cecil held onto her for a moment longer, and then slowly let go. He stepped back, his eyes locking onto hers, and Maria saw a deep plea there. "Promise me, Maria," he said, his voice low and serious. Maria nodded again, feeling a sense of responsibility wash over her. "I promise, Master Cecil," she said softly.
Cecil nodded to himself, seeming to shake off the emotional moment they had just shared. "I should wash up," he said, his voice a little stronger now. Maria quickly sprang into action, moving to help him. "I'll get the bath ready, Master Cecil," she said, hurrying to the bathroom to start the water.
As she waited for the tub to fill, Maria couldn't help but think about the strange sequence of events that had just unfolded. Cecil's breakdown, his apology, and now this sudden return to normalcy. She wasn't sure what to make of it all, but she was determined to respect his wishes and keep his secret.
The bathroom was soon filled with the sound of gently flowing water, and Maria turned off the taps. "The bath is ready, Master Cecil," she said, stepping aside to let him enter. Cecil nodded, and began to undress, his movements calm and deliberate. Maria discreetly looked away, giving him some privacy as he prepared for his bath.
After Cecil finished his bath, Maria helped him out of the tub and wrapped him in a warm towel. She gently patted him dry, her touch gentle and efficient. Cecil stood still, letting her tend to him, his eyes closed in relaxation.
Once he was dry, Maria led him to the bedroom and began to help him get dressed. She had laid out a fresh set of clothes for him, and she efficiently helped him into his shirt and pants. Cecil stood still, his eyes fixed on her hands as she buttoned his shirt and tied his cravat.
As she worked, Maria couldn't help but notice the way Cecil's eyes seemed to soften when she touched him. It was a small thing, but it gave her a sense of connection to him, a sense that there was more to him than the cold exterior he usually presented.
When Cecil was fully dressed, Maria stepped back and looked him over, making sure everything was in place. "You look fine, Master Cecil," she said, her voice soft. Cecil nodded, his eyes meeting hers for a moment before he looked away. Maria smiled slightly, feeling a sense of quiet intimacy between them.
Maria's expression turned practical as she reminded Cecil of his schedule. "Master Cecil, don't forget that you have a class today," she said, her voice gentle but firm. Cecil's eyes flickered, and he nodded slightly, his mind seeming to shift gears.
"Yes, of course," he said, his voice a little more formal now. Maria handed him a small schedule, and he took it, glancing over the details. "I'll make sure to be on time," he said, his eyes scanning the page.
Maria nodded, satisfied that he was aware of his obligations. "I'll have the carriage ready for you, Master Cecil," she said, moving to arrange for his transportation. Cecil nodded, his mind already turning to the tasks ahead. Despite the emotional moment they had shared earlier, he seemed to be slipping back into his usual role, and Maria wondered what the day would bring.
As Cecil looked at the schedule, a memory suddenly surfaced. "Ah, history class with Professor Ryder," he said, his voice tinged with a mixture of familiarity and dread.
Cecil's eyes narrowed slightly as he thought about the professor. He remembered his past experiences in Professor Ryder's class, and a wry smile crossed his face. He recalled that he hadn't exactly been a model student in those classes, often zoning out or not paying much attention. Professor Ryder's lectures had seemed dry to him, and he'd often found himself doodling or daydreaming instead of taking notes.
Cecil remembered Professor Ryder being a handsome man, 33 years old with chiseled features and piercing blue eyes. Despite his good looks and charisma, Cecil hadn't been impressed, and he'd often tested the professor's patience with his lack of attention. Cecil chuckled to himself, wondering if Professor Ryder still remembered him as the inattentive student he used to be.