Adult-FanFiction.org : Anime

Time for Tenderness	By : serialcabbit78 Category: +S to Z > Trinity Blood Views: 3506 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Trinity Blood, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
Abel pulled his glasses from his face and rubbed his eyes. The report that Caterina had sent him was very involved, as the Cardinal herself had done most of the investigation. There were photos that were included with were more graphic than Abel could handle. Not that he hadn�t seen victims of such abuse, he just never wanted to see Esther in that position.
The disappointing thing was, a group of Methuselah had arranged to propose a betrothal of a high ranking man named Lazarus . Documents had been lost as to the man�s full name and lineage. Apparently, the group was after the assassination of the Queen, and this marriage seemed to be the best outlet to accomplish it. Esther had no clue about the man, but Abel had come into the situation fully aware of his identity. He knew most of the plot, about the treason and most of the atrocities he�d inflicted on the queen. If he knew half of what he now knew, he�d have executed the man straight out.
He replaced the glasses as he heard a soft tapping on the door. He called out for them to enter. He saw the most interesting woman he�d seen in a long time. Her red hair was softly flecked with bits of white, her body was plump, and her cheeks were very rosy. In her hands was a large tray.
�Good evening, Milord. I�ve brought you some tea and supper. My Lady thought you might be hungry.� She set the tray down on a table near the fireplace. She turned to face Abel. �Milord, you study the reports after the execution?�
Abel sat back from the desk and closed his eyes. He�d been reading the reports for several hours, trying to get a grasp on the situation. He knew that Esther was far from being out of danger. When he�d contacted Kate with his report, he�d opted to stay around a few weeks to keep an eye on the situation. When he�d come to his rooms after meeting with Esther, it was still early in the day. Night had fallen, and his stomach reminded him that he�d not eaten in several hours. He stretched and stood up.
�This is just information concerning the continuing investigation. It seems there is more of a threat to the Queen�s safety than first thought.� Abel smiled softly at the maid. �It smells good, pass my thanks on to Esther.�
�First off, Milord, my name�s Naomi. I�ve been sent, on order of the Queen to tend to you. She�s right worried about you. She speaks often of you.� Naomi bustled Abel into a chair and started lifting lids on the tray.�
The wide array of food amazed Abel. He�d not had such a meal in quite a while. He even noted the large mug. Even more amazing was the large sugar bowl. Esther had set out with all in mind for him.
�You, tuck into that. When you finish, I�ll draw your bath. No complaints now, tuck in!� Abel didn�t need more encouragement. He began to eat as Naomi filled his plate with roast chicken, potatoes and other foods. She poured his tea, and put in several lumps. He silently counted as he ate, as she dropped in fourteen. She stirred the tea and held up a small pitcher.
�Yes, milk, please. This food�s delicious.� He flashed Naomi a winning smile. �Do you cook?�
�Yes, Milord.�
�Please, address me as Abel, or Father, if you wish.�
�Milord, you are a highly regarded friend of my Queen. Therefore, I address you as such. And yes, I cook the Queen�s meals myself. It keeps them from being tampered with. This is the very supper the Queen dined on herself.� Naomi regarded him with a wink.
She busied herself around the room picking up various parts of his uniform and hanging them up. She straightened his cloak as she hung it. Then she moved on to his packs and began to unpack his belongings. She opened the closet and hung up the clothes. She then began to put away other clothes, laying out a set of sleep clothes. She then went into the bathing chambers and ran a bath. Abel finished his meal and picked up the tea. A small sip told him it was perfect and he carried it to the bathing area. Naomi had laid the sleeping clothes and towels on a bench near the tub. She began to help him undress.
�Now, no shyness, Milord. I�ve been a governess and maid for years. Longer than you can imagine, to tell the truth.� Naomi pulled the ribbon from his hair and stifled a gasp.
He turned to her and looked at her. Her eyes were wide, a look of worry graced her gentle features. She shook her head in an attempt to clear her thoughts. He could see it in her eyes, a clear horror.
�Is something wrong, Naomi?�
�You remind me of someone, someone who years ago nearly killed me. He said he wanted to help. The sorry bastard should have left me to die!� Bitterness easily embraced her words. �Though, you only share looks. His angelic face hid a cruel and hateful demeanor.�
�Cain!� Abel knew the one she spoke of. �What did he do to you, Gentle Naomi.�
�I am Methuselah. Or I should say I was. I was severely injured over three hundred years ago, and this man �gave� me blood. Somehow.. I had a transformation.�
Abel stared at her in disbelief. Somehow, if what she said was true, the Crusnik Nanomachines in Cain�s blood had transformed her Methuselah blood. She now was part-Crusnik. Meaning one thing.
�Did you ever deal with any of the Methuselah that tried to harm the Queen?�
�Did I ever! Those dirty bastards will never harm my Queen! She�s like a daughter to me. I do have power to persuade her to take you as a suitor, though��
Abel recoiled in shock. Just days ago, Caterina had suggested the same to him. He�d still hold his titles and rank with the Vatican, but be relieved of certain vows. He was actually glad that the maid had approved of him. Her soft demeanor wasn�t lost on him, and he could almost be certain that she was the same with the Queen. Then he noticed her soft green eyes.
�I can tell that you are not like him. You seem so kind. Listen to me, prattling on like some silly school girl with you standing here in your knickers. I�ll give you time to bathe. Would you like help with your hair?�
Abel ran his fingers through his long hair. He loved his hair, though sometimes it was a hassle to wash by himself. He remembered a few times, he�d let Caterina wash it. He missed it, since she�d become Cardinal, she really didn�t have much time to tend to his hair.
Abel did feel at ease with this woman. She averted eyes while finished undressing and slipped into the water. He held his breath to stifle a moan at the blessedly hot water. He began to wash as Naomi bustled around the room. He heard her pull up a chair and then leaned forward as she poured water on his head. Her fingers work soap into his hair. He was actually half glad to have her tending to his hair. The good meal and hot bath were beginning to relax him enough and he felt sleepy. He started to doze as she washed his hair, not waking when she rinsed his hair and then washed his back.
Naomi looked down at the now sleeping Abel. She reached down and shook him gently to wake him. Sure, he may be warm and comfortable now, but the water was going to get cold soon. His blue eyes opened sleepily. He turned his head to the side and gave the made a measuring look. She was all what could be described as a �mother hen�. He didn�t mind her in the least, she was there, but unobtrusive.
�You best get out of the bath if you want to sleep, Milord. But first, we must get that hair dry. It�d not do for you to catch cold.� She handed him a towel and activated the drain on the tub. She left the room while Abel dried and dressed. He sat down on the bench and began to towel dry his hair. He was so tired, staying up for days worrying about Esther, then everything today. He felt drained. He knew now, that for the time being, Esther was safe. Father Tres had orders that once the Queen retired to her rooms, to post lookout and monitor the perimeter for any intruders.
He worked his hair till it was only damp, then threw the towel into the basket where he�d seen Naomi drop his under things. He stood and walked into the sleeping room. Naomi had a cheerful fire crackling in the fireplace and beckoned for him to sit before her.
�I�ll brush your hair and tie it up. Long hair is a hassle when you want to sleep good.� She motioned to her own hair, pulled up into a smart bun on her head. �Braid or just pulled back?�
Abel was baffled by the woman�s brisk efficiency. She was an enigma of sorts, warm and friendly, no-nonsense, and a bit brash. Though the quality that stood out to him more was the fact she seemed so motherly, one would not hesitate to just have her hold them.
�Just pulled back. It�s the style I�ve always kept.� He sat before her, and sighed in bliss as he felt the brush slide though his hair. He drew his knees up and rested his chin on them. He was very unused to having anyone fuss over him, but this woman made it seem as if it were every day she tended to him.
As she brushed his hair, she hummed a soft melody. It reminded him of a carol of old times, sang to celebrate the birth of the Son of God. It took a few seconds to realize, she wasn�t humming that version, but the old melody of Greensleeves.
�She loves you, Milord. And I can see that you love her as well. Never forget the one she reminds you of, but love her for who she is.� Naomi�s humming had ceased and she spoke to him as if she read his thoughts. �My Queen is a lovely woman, but she feels out of sorts. Being a Child of the Vatican for so long, taking vows celibacy, poverty.. Then being thrust into a world where money is no issue, and having to marry. She feels heavy with sins, Milord. Her marriage wasn�t a happy one, and she was often forced to lay with others outside her vows. Most of those were friends of that bastard Lazarus, who would force themselves on her. I hope you can help her heal, Milord. I don�t want her tears anymore.�

Abel allowed the words to seep into him. Naomi had long since finished with his hair, but her tender fingers still worked through it. He realized she was being more open with him because of his status.
�I don�t want her tears to fall anymore, Gentle Naomi.� He felt the title he gave this woman fit her so well. �I hate to see her cry as well.�
Naomi stood, then helped Abel stand. He held her hand for a moment then hugged her. The woman�s arms held him in a motherly embrace. She slacked on the embrace and led him to the bed.
�The Queen wishes to see you in the morning. Not any certain time, but when you wake, ring for a maid. I�ll arrange for you to meet with her then. Now, you be a good lad and go to sleep.� Her green eyes sparkled and her smile was infectious.
�Thank you.� Abel snuggled onto the bed, his eyes closing in sleep before his head fully settled into the pillows.
Naomi tucked in the sleeping Father. She moved quietly around the room, shutting off lights. Before she gathered the dishes and left the room, she peeked back in on him.
�Handle my girl gently, good Father, her heart can�t take any more pain.�
- 1
- 2
- 3
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Time for Tenderness