The banquet for Zula’s return lasted for two weeks. The banquet table was always full, and every day, fowls and beasts alike were slaughtered for their meat. Barrels of exquisite wine seemed to flow. There was constant laughter, music, songs, dances and of course, friendly fist fights from dusk to dusk.

All this time, I stayed by Zula’s side attending to his needs. Although he didn’t need as much. He was just drinking wine, listening and, laughing with the people around. I just focused my eyes on the ground all the while checking on him every time he shifts on his seat.

At times, our eyes would meet, and I would immediately look down. I never thought it would be that embarrassing. And I wonder if my father was also like this to Datu Sanday? And at times, whenever this happens, I could hear him let out a soft laugh then he would tend to his drink once again and go back to listening on whatever the crowd around the banquet hall was talking.

On the early morning of the third day, when most of the crowd were drunk asleep, Zula rose to his seat and excused himself from his father. He also dismissed his guards telling them that he’s only going to take a bath.

Upon hearing this, I rushed to his side with my head still bowed. “if you would, Datu, your bath is already prepared, this way please.” I uttered as I motioned my hand to the direction of the spring within the garden of the confines of his wing in the palace.

I saw his large feet against the floor stopped before me. So, I looked up to see what was wrong. He was looking at me, too. The kind of look that you would want to know what he had in his mind. And It seemed that I am sucked into the space of his obsidian eyes. Never have I seen someone with lashes that long, curving towards the end.

And I figured, I should look away. And thankfully, I managed.

I heard him heaved out a deep breath.

“Noan.” He said more like a whisper as the back of his right hand traced my cheek and eventually thumbing my chin only to lift it up to face him again.

“Your grace?” I inquired.

“Are you happy of my return?”

I smiled. Sincerely. “Of course, Datu.” I am genuinely happy because finally I will be able to perform my duties. I can finally have something to do, something I could make myself fulfilled.

He caught me off guard as he crossed the distance between our heads and moved his lips toward my left ear and uttered, “then I am happy, too. Please take good care of me.”

I swallowed hard for a moment as I felt my knees wobbling with the proximity. His body was hot despite the morning cold. And the smell of wine from him seems to make me dizzy.

“I will, your grace. To the best of my ability.” I said.

I didn’t know if it was real or just an imagination due to my sudden dizziness. I felt him nuzzled his nose against my nape and took a long, deep breath and said, “then bathe me.” It sounded huskier.

The garden was foggy when we entered, most of it was due to the morning fog and the steam coming from the small hot spring.

I dutifully followed him until he finally stopped at the edge of this little spring. I looked at his wonderfully shaped body from the back and took a deep breath. He is indeed a warrior, judging from the scars on his back. I carefully stepped closer and slowly took off his Pudong. Then, I slowly lifted his right arm to remove the piece of cloth covering his upper body.

To my surprise, he caught my hands as I was about to lift his left arm to complete the task. I gasped at his action, thinking I might have done something wrong. “I-is something wrong, your grace?” I stammered.

He looked to his left, tilting his head slightly, “Nothing’s wrong Noan, but it would be better if you stop trembling.”

I was taken aback a little bit. I did not realize that my hands were trembling until he said so.

“I apologize, your grace. I shall try my best.” I just said.

Then he let out a loud laugh. “Just relax Noan. It’s just me,” He turned to face me. “Your Zula. You don’t have to be afraid.”

I closed my gaping mouth and swallowed a little of saliva just to check if my throat was still there. It was the first time I have gotten to close to an unclothed man and his wide shoulders are surely towering over me, let alone his well-built chest.

I was about to look down refrain myself from thinking thoughts I shouldn’t, but his hands were fast to cup my face and lift it and now, I’m staring at his obsidian eyes.

“We may have not seen each other for a long time. And I know that you are not used to this, yet. But, please” he paused as he looked at me straight into my eyes, “please be at ease, when you’re with me.” Then he smiled.

And it was in that exact moment that I knew I have to look away. Any more second of looking at that smile shall surely make it more difficult for me. “I’m sorry your grace, I will do my best.” I managed to say and looked to the ground.

“Good,” He uttered as he tousled my hair. “So, shall we continue?” he asked as he opened his arms signifying that I have to continue removing his clothes. But it seemed to get more difficult as now, he’s facing me.

“I-if you could just turn around, your grace.” I asked.

“We will be doing this every day. You have to get used to me being naked. And your training starts now.” He said as he took both of my hands and put it behind him towards were his loincloth was locked.

“And it means, when I take a bath, you take a bath too.” He added then he slowly took my upper cloth away.

I gasped at his actions. “Your grace, you don’t have to do that, I can do it by myself.”

“It’s just the two of us. There’s no need for formality. Call me Zula.” He said against my ear. “And get used to me doing this as you undress me so we could take a bath faster.”

I am now staring at his torso and his lean stomach as I slowly uncoil the cloth around it. I was about to finish my task when he held on my hand again and uttered “Don’t look away. I want you to see me. The whole me.”

“But,”

“Shh” He put a finger on my lips to stop me. “Take it off and look at me.”

I swallowed hard and slowly uncoil the last piece of cloth covering his mighty body. I could hear my heartbeat so loud as I follow the trails of those little hairs on his navel downward and see them thicken.

I swallowed at the sight.

Then I saw the last of my cloth fell to the ground and that’s when I realized that I was naked as well. I was about to cover myself as instinct would. However, his hands caught mine and slowly, he removed my arm braces. The right and then the left.

“Now, let’s take a bath, Noan.” He uttered as he turned around and dipped into the spring.

It took me a moment to process what had happened and jumped onto the pieces of cloths on the ground, carefully folded them neatly and placed them on a rock.

I immediately dipped myself in the water, to cover my nakedness and hopefully, to erase the imprint of his manhood in my mind.