Gracie’s eyes fluttered open before her charges - Isabella was still in her arms, sleeping peacefully. The cute thing had been exhausted after the previous day’s … activities. The maid couldn’t help but give the princess an affectionate kiss on the neck from behind, smiling as she did so. Isabella didn't react much. Just a tired groan and a failed attempt to sleepily nuzzle Gracie from where she was sleeping. After last night Isabella was exhausted on all accounts, and intended on sleeping in as long as she'd be let. Gracie smiled, wrapping her arm back around Isabella and snuggling. Honestly? She’d probably wait until the princess woke herself up. It wasn’t as if the storm outside was going to let up any time soon, so they weren’t in a hurry to go anywhere. She’d also told one of the guards not to wake them - the princess was exhausted and needed some rest after the journey, or something like that. Izzy wouldn't wake until another ten or so minutes later, lazily opening her eyes and yawning tiredly as she felt Gracie's warm embrace around her. Ignoring her sore butt, she laid there for a few more seconds as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. [color=ed145b]"Morning…Gracie…"[/color] She quietly greeted her maid, yawning again. [b]“Morning … Mistress …”[/b] The maid reached over and booped her charge in the nose. [b]”Sleep well, Princess?”[/b] [color=ed145b]"Mhm…"[/color] Isabella replied sleepily, rolling over in bed to face Gracie. The maid raised an eyebrow, but held Isabella closer … and maybe a hand reached down and patted the sore butt softly. [b]”That’s good to hear. It’s my job to take care of you, after all.”[/b] [color=ed145b]"Gracie…!"[/color] Isabella pouted again as she winced slightly from her maids hand. She would have retaliated with a tease of her own, maybe, but her voice trailed into another yawn before quietly nuzzling the Maid again. [color=ed145b]"Hmm…still storming?"[/color] She questioned, though hearing the low rumble from the walls was of good as an answer as any. [b]”Mhmm.”[/b] The maid nuzzled Izzy in turn, listening to the quiet rain outside. Really rainy weather was perfect for cuddling. [b]”Anything you want to talk about little apple?”[/b] The hand raised from the butt to the girl’s neck, rubbing it gently and affectionately. Anything she wanted to talk about? She couldn't think of anything in particular at the moment. She was too tired to really think about anything particularly important. Not to mention, her mind kept…trying to…wander back to the baths. Well, actually…there was one thing. [color=ed145b]"…the lord said we'd discuss reward after we…looked into this ruin for him."[/color] Isabella said, thinking about the slave girl. She had been giving it some thought last night before she conked out. He said they could provide slaves…but well, maybe it was a stupid idea. Having Gracie's advice would make her feel better, at least. [color=ed145b]"That…slave girl…maybe her…?"[/color] Gracie paused for a moment, a little surprised. She thought for a few moments, wondering how to respond. [b]”Mistress, you know we can’t save everyone, as bad as their situations may be.”[/b] The maid nuzzled affectionately to hopefully let the girl know this was not meant to be a harsh critique. [b]”Do you have any other reason for wanting her?”[/b] The woman wanted to hear her mistress’ thought process. Isabella allowed herself a small frown. Gracie was right, of course. She wasn't some hero. She was a princess that was exiled from her home for getting too deep into forbidden magic. She couldn't save anyone…she couldn't likely even save herself, if she didn't have everyone around her. [color=ed145b]"Uhm…w-well…"[/color] Isabella thought for a few moments. She hadn't thought too hard about any other reason. She had just been hoping to maybe pull a trick out of her younger brothers book and resolve things diplomatically. [color=ed145b]"Not really…it was…just painful watching that."[/color] Gracie nodded, understanding. She didn’t want to crush Isabella’s feelings, just get her to think. [b]”If you did rescue her, we’d have a slave - assuming you’d want to keep her - and she’d probably be loyal too, so it’d be a help around camp.”[/b] Of course the maid thought about how to keep things going in the campsite - it was her job. [b]”You’re a good person, Isabella.”[/b] Kiss on the forehead. [b]”But these are the lives of your guards you are risking … I’d be careful.”[/b] [color=ed145b]"I know…"[/color] Isabella frowned. Gracie was right, of course. She shouldn't endanger the lives of her men carelessly. At the same time though…they were sworn to do as she said, weren't they? She didn't plan on tossing them into a fire without reason or cause, that'd just be tyrannical…but they were obligated to do as she wanted too. [color=ed145b]"But…maybe with this we don't have to pay for our stay here another way…"[/color] Besides, she was quite interested in what was in this ruin he mentioned herself. [color=ed145b]"…a-and I kind of want to…see and old ruin too…"[/color] Gracie nodded. [b]”If you’re just want the slave as a bonus, that’s fine mistress … no reason to be opposed to getting a little extra, especially if it means doing a little good.”[/b] Another kiss on the forehead. [b]”Anything you looking for there, cutie?”[/b] The maid spoke the last word flirtatiously, hoping to lighten up the conversation a bit. [color=ed145b]"…N-no…!"[/color] Isabella stuttered out, blushing more. Gracie was saying embarrassing things again. [color=ed145b]"I-I'm not looking at y-you-Anything…!"[/color] Graice giggled a bit. [b]”I was talking about the ruins, mistress, but it’s quite obvious what’s on your mind.”[/b] She leaned over to whisper into her charge’s ear .... and couldn’t help but bite it just a bit before actually beginning to speak. [b]”Are you being a naughty little princess and thinking dirty thoughts? Hmmm? Maybe about the bath?”[/b] [color=ed145b]"Gracie stop being a perv!"[/color] Isabella pouted, roughly pushing her maid away from her. face turning red just as Gracie's pet name might have implied, she sat up, pulling the covers over her body. It was cold in the morning with the storm. [color=ed145b]"A-and no! I'm not…looking for anything in the…ruin, but…I'm curious."[/color] She truthfully admitted, hopefully dodging the question. [b]”Apologies, my little apple.”[/b] She ran a hand affectionately through the other girl’s hair, drinking in her rather adorable pouting. While Gracie was generally good at reading her charge’s mood, something that subtle slipped by her. [b]”Well, I hope you find something interesting in there then. You are a clever one, I’m sure you’ll find something interesting …”[/b] Another kiss on the forehead as she looked down at the sheets. [b]”If you are feeling cold, you can always come closer to me. I’ll warm you up, mistress …”[/b] [color=ed145b]"N-no!"[/color] Isabella turned her head away from Gracie, still pouting from being teased. [b]”Ok then, Mistress, I’m sorry.”[/b] Gracie spoke with a smile, but she backed away from the mistress as far as she possibly could, crossing her arms in a mock pout as she was disappointed the Princess didn’t want her. [b]”... and you confessed to me and everything yesterday too …”[/b] She spoke quietly, but Izzy should have been able to hear. [color=ed145b]"T-that's no fair, Gracie!"[/color] Isabella pouted again, waving one of her arms in a mildly childish fashion. "[color=ed145b]Stop teasing me already."[/color] She muttered, running a hand sheepishly through her long blond hair as she avoided eye contact with the maid. [color=ed145b]"…I-I do…but…"[/color] [b]”Hmmm?”[/b] The maid spun around, trying to reduce her guilt-fed smirk to a more innocent smile. [color=ed145b]"….w-we should…get dressed…"[/color] Isabella still was finding playing with her hair and the wall opposite of Gracie extremely interesting. The maid pouted a bit as Izzy didn’t fall for her bait - at least, didn’t far as hard as she hoped she would. [b]”You sure, mistress? I’m sure we can ask someone to bring breakfast to us …”[/b] The maid reached a single hand over to more innocently touch the princess’ arm. [b]”Am I not being good enough company for this stormy weather?”[/b] [color=ed145b]"N-no! Y-you are I just-"[/color] Poor Izzy was about to become a baked apple pie at this rate. She was pretty sure if she turned around she'd probably explode her head from overheating. [color=ed145b]"Y-you're good like always a-and I-I uhm…"[/color] [b]”You alright, little very red apple?”[/b] The maid moved in closer again, this time putting her arms around the girl and giving her a nice long kiss on the cheek. [b]”Do you want me to go ask for food for the two of us, then, or was that an excuse to avoid being honest with yourself?”[/b] The maid started playing with Izzy’s legs beneath where the nightgown ended, giving them a soft, gentle rub. Nothing too aggressive, though the poor girl would probably have steam escape her ears soon. [color=ed145b]"G-gracie!"[/color] Isabella whined lightly as she was teased further. [color=ed145b]"Stop it…too tired…still sore…"[/color] The princess was falling for Gracie's teasing, and there wasn't much she could do about it. [color=ed145b]"Food sounds good…"[/color] Gracie sighed, rolling her eyes. It was rather obvious the princess was interested, but the maid wasn’t going to try and go after her with a denial like that at the moment - she probably was sore after the previous day, and a little time to calm down wouldn’t kill her. [b]”I’ll be right back mistress.”[/b] The maid headed out of the room to go find someone to speak with, leaving her mistress in the bed. She’d bring food in for the day. And besides, she wanted to give Izzy a moment to think on her own - she hadn’t been alone since the bath the previous day, and not being teased might help her gather her thoughts a bit. Oh her poor, innocent apple. Once Gracie had left, Isabella lightly smacked the side of her face with her hands. Urgh, she didn't know what to think or what to do at the moment. After being teased so much by Gracie just now she wanted to crawl under her covers, roll up, and not come out the rest of the day. Well, she'd like to but she couldn't. She should get out of bed and start getting ready for the day. Go out and make sure her guards were alright and doing well. Really though…Gracie…what was she thinking doing stuff like that this early? She laid down on her stomach on the bed, grumbling lightly to herself as she tried to get her thoughts in order. What was she supposed to think? Gracie was…good in almost every sense of the word. She couldn't think of anything bad about the maid. Ugh She rolled over a few times, not realizing she reached the end of the bed and fell back first onto the floor with a quiet squeal. [color=ed145b]"Owie…"[/color] Isabella stood up. What…should she think? What should she do? She didn't know the first thing about romance, love, or anything like that. At least, not out of stories, fairy tales and other such stories. … Ooh, what should she do? Gracie returned back in the room, noticing Isabella out the bed after hearing a small squeal. She seemed a little worried genuinely, unsure of what happened. [b]”Mistress? Are you alright? I heard something …”[/b] The princess was standing though it was clear what had happened based on the loud thud. [b]”... want me to check it for you, maybe get some medicine?”[/b] Compared to how willingly she was to give Izzy a good spanking, it seemed anything else injuring her did not make the maid happy at all. Gracie had set the food on the table, already prepared to attend her mistress. [color=ed145b]"A…ah…"[/color] Isabella shook her head. [color=ed145b]"Just…a little fall…"[/color] She sheepishly chuckled, finally replying a few seconds later as she finally got her mind off of something other than what was previously going on. [color=ed145b]"Thanks…"[/color] Gracie raised a questioning eyebrow, not really believing her charge but giving a polite curtsy instead. [b]”Now get back in there. Your guards are fine, and seem mostly tired from the journey. Why don’t I give you a breakfast in bed, hmmm?”[/b] The maid looked over towards the tray, seeing various types of fruit and finger foods. Very practical, and very easily fed to her precious little princess. [color=ed145b]"Mhm."[/color] Isabella nodded quietly, climbing back into bed and sitting comfortably at the head of it, pulling her legs under her and the covers over her bare legs. She wasn't complaining, at least. It'd let her maybe collect her thoughts a bit more. Maybe she'd think of something else to ask Valiant. Who was still in timeout under a pile of clothes. The maid slipped into the bed as well, laying down next to her mistress with a smile and keeping the plate to herself. She picked out a tasty looking thing - probably a cut from an apple, and brought it up towards the woman’s mouth. [b]”Ahhhh.”[/b] It was rather obvious she wanted the woman to eat from her fingers. [color=ed145b]"…"[/color] Isabella gave Gracie a mildly incredulous look as the apple was placed in front of her. On one hand, she felt like she was being treated like a child. She could eat by herself! On the other hand… [color=ed145b]"…"[/color] Isabella swiped down the part of the apple being offered to her hungrily.