In order to solidify my resolve toward Ethan, I followed him into the Blackwood Estate’s grand bath after our training session. He only noticed I’d come along once we reached the changing room, and as he saw me ready to enter the bath with him, he tilted his head curiously.

“Lilith?”

“Yes, Master Ethan.”

“Did you want to bathe first? You look pretty tired—I can wait.”

“No, thank you. As your personal maid, I could never bathe before you at Blackwood Estate.”

No matter how exhausted I was, I had my pride as a maid. I’d never let myself act …