(no subject)

[destinyfailed]

"Merlin, are you completely incompetent or is this a newfound talent? I said the peach gown. Peach. Does this look peach to you? Let me answer that, no."

Aurelia scoffed and sunk lower in the lukewarm water until it came up to her nose. She wasn't actually all that upset about the deep purple dress Merlin had flung over the screen, but she wasn't going to leave the tub until she was damn well ready to. She wiggled her toes and splashed water onto the floor. She would never admit it aloud, God knows she can't feed Merlin's ego, but she is a little bit impressed by how rapidly he'd warmed the water that morning. It took her maidservant double that time to even get enough water to boil, let alone be done.

Slowly, she pushed herself back above the water and rested her arms along the edge of the tub. "Did you get lost in the cupboard again?"

Comments

[magicmishap]

"Sorry, Mistress." Merlin scrambled back out of the closet where Aurelia's dresses were stored, and brought forward the dress that he hoped was the right one. How many colors that looked like peach could one princess have?

A lot.

He scrambled back into the room, holding the dress up to keep it from gettng dirty or wet.

"Do you like this one?"

[destinyfailed]

Aurelia flicked her fingers, sending a splattering of water in Merlin's direction. "It'll do. Now. Did you polish my saddle? I want to take a ride before the day gets too warm."

It truly didn't matter to her if he had or hadn't, just as it hadn't mattered if the dress he selected was peach or dirt brown. She just enjoyed watching he way he darted and scurried and nearly tripped over himself when trying to do something as simple as his job.

She hums. "Turn around. I'm getting out."

[magicmishap]

Merlin sighed, raising the dress up then putting it over the top rack. "Thank you, Mistress. And yes, I did. " Only because he had gotten up early and eaten then, but he had managed it.

"Alright." He turned and face away, stepping to the exit to make sure no one else came in while she was naked. He had been around her often enough to catch glimpses, but he still went red went he came even close to doing so.

[destinyfailed]

"Thank you." Aurelia smirks a little as she climbs from her bath, feeling the delicious stretch of warmed flesh and muscle as she lifted her arms high above her head.

This would be a good day.

She had a good feeling about it.

"And Merlin? Fetch my boots."

Aurelia dried herself off and tugged on her dress, unable to tie it off without assistance and uncaring as she went to her vanity and lifted her brush.

[magicmishap]

"Yes, Mistress." He scurried out, gathering her boots from her closet, and then heading back to her dressing area and breathing in as he saw her dress was not tied up fully. He swallowed as he approached, eyes downcast.

"I have them, milady."

He moved to her side, figuring he would have to help her with the laces of her dress, and possibly her boots as well.

[destinyfailed]

"Do not let your fingers slip," she murmurs, feeling him take the laces of her dress in hand. She puts the brush down and grips the edge of the table. "And don't be a baby about it. I'd rather stay in my dress while riding today."

[magicmishap]

"Aye, milady. I'd not." And he was careful, as he worked to lace her up, very conscious of the hot skin that he touched in doing that job. She was gorgeous, and his lady, and he breathed in her scent as he worked, but worked hard.

"As you wish." And he tightened the laces more, ducking his head as his eyes flashed golden. Those laces would stay on, unless she wanted them off, today. His eyes turned normal again and he nodded as he stood again, tugging and raising an eyebrow. "Tight enough?"

[destinyfailed]

She rolls her shoulders, stifled. Acceptable. He finished his job ludicrously fast, but for once the only complaints she could make she'd rather keep to herself.

She nods and glances at him through the mirror.

"Merlin."

[magicmishap]

"Yes, mistress?" Merlin nodded to her and finished. He went on tying the laces off carefully, and then tucking them under the tip, fingers brushing skin lightly as he did so, before he stepped back.

"There."

[destinyfailed]

Don't do that. Her jaw clenches as she fights for some semblance of control. This was her doing. She'd long ago accepted she would push until one of them snapped, but he was not helping.

"My boots?"

[magicmishap]

"Yes, right here." He moved and slid to one knee at her side, boots ready, and held his hands out to wait for her to turn from her vanity so he could lift her feet one by one.

"Ready when you are, milady."

[destinyfailed]

She pushes off the vanity and turns to face him. She raises a leg and pushes it firmly down into her worn riding boots, grasping the fabric of her dress because she's afraid she might find herself touching his hair.

Damnit.

"Are you?"

[magicmishap]

He shifted to guide her foot in just so, shifting the supple leather against her skin. He breathed in, shuddering, as goosebumps raised on his skin as his hands brushed her calf. Then he began to lace the first boot.

"Yes, Princess. I do my best for you, always." He glanced up for a moment toward her face.

[destinyfailed]

"Liar." Aurelia huffs and folds her arms across her chest, staring down at him with an amused smirk. She's seen his best. She's also seen his worse and right now this is something other.

With both boots on, she carefully pulls away from him, readjusting the skirt of her gown so the hem touches the floor.

"You didn't tell my father we were going out today, did you?" She's already heard enough from him about unecessary excursions lately.

[magicmishap]

"I am not!" He glanced y at her, and then rose, and nodded.

"I did not, of course. Does that mean you didn't?" This was probably going to end in doom.

For one of them, anyway.

[destinyfailed]

Mostly him. She will face confinement. He'd face the stocks.

Again.

Her imprisonment was escapable even with guards at her door. His would involve an enormous amount of rotted vegetables.

"He doesn't need to know."

She is, after all, a grown woman.

"Come along. Before the weather turns and we're trapped inside."

And like that she swept from the room, leaving Merlin to follow or stand their gaping in her wake.

[magicmishap]

Merlin sighed and followed, sweeping up an extra cloak and dress for her as they go, and bundling them into a roll he could tie to his horse. Things tended to happen a lot around her.

At the stable, he is quick to saddle her horse and his own and set his bundle on his horse as he got ready.