THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

Shay hovered outside David's chamber, her heart fluttering like a bird trapped in a cage. The early morning stillness enveloped the hallway as she hesitated before the grand oak door, her knuckles having already rapped softly against its surface. She clasped her hands, a mix of hope and trepidation churning within her as she strained to listen for any sign of movement inside.

The moments ticked by, stretching into what felt like an eternity, and Shay's mind whispered that the young master might still be lost in the depths of sleep. It was, after all, quite early, and she had arrived ahead of her usual time, eager to attend to him as his personal morning maid.

Just as she decided to return in an hour, a soft creak echoed in the quiet corridor. One of the heavy doors inched open, and there stood David, his presence commanding even in the simplicity of a towel. Droplets of water clung to his skin, glistening in the dim light like morning dew on a polished stone. Shay's breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of him—his lean, well-defined body a testament to his discipline. She felt her cheeks flush with heat, quickly covering her face with her hands in a futile attempt to hide her embarrassment.

David, noticing her reaction, allowed a small, amused smile to play at the corners of his lips. The sight of his mirth only deepened Shay's fluster, and in her nervousness, she blurted out, "Young master, I'm here to prepare you," the customary greeting lost in the whirl of her emotions.

David reached out, his hand warm and steady as he gently grasped Shay's trembling fingers. He guided her inside the chamber, the door clicking shut behind them, sealing them in a world of their own. With a fluid motion, he pressed her softly against the oak door, his breath warm against her ear as he leaned in close. "Aren't you going to greet me?" he teased, his voice a low murmur that sent a shiver down Shay's spine. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat a thunderous echo in her ears.

"Y-Yes, where are my manners?" she stammered, her face turned away, unable to meet the piercing sapphire gaze that seemed to see right through her. "Good morning, young master," she finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper as she gathered her courage to properly greet him.

David's smile deepened as he responded, "Good morning to you too." With a tender gesture, he tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, his touch lingering just a moment longer than necessary. "You know," he began, his tone soft yet serious, "I really don't like you calling me 'master.'"

Shay's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze snapping to his as his words caught her off guard. "But young master, I am your maid," she countered, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Despite the feelings they shared, Shay couldn't shake the weight of her position, the reality that David was the earl's son, a lord with responsibilities and expectations far beyond her reach. Her heart sank, the brightness in her eyes dimming with doubt.

Noticing the change in her expression, David's brows furrowed in concern. He tilted his head, brushing his nose lightly against hers, a gesture that chased away her troubled thoughts. "Shay," he called her name softly, his voice filled with an emotion that made her breath hitch.

"Yes?" she replied, her voice small, almost fragile.

"I want you to be my partner," David's words dropped like a bombshell, sending Shay's mind into a whirlwind of disbelief.

"Young master, what did you say?" she asked, her voice shaky, uncertain if she had heard him correctly.

David's expression was firm, yet gentle as he clarified, "First, don't call me 'master.' Call me David when we're alone, and I won't repeat myself a third time." He paused, his gaze locking onto hers with a seriousness that made her heart skip a beat. "Shay, will you be my partner?" he asked again, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Shay's world spun as his proposal sank in. He knew the fears and hesitations that lingered in her heart, and with this declaration, he sought to erase them, to solidify their bond and assure her of his unwavering intentions.

As the silence grew heavier, the space between them seemed to shrink, their eyes locked in a deep, unspoken conversation that reached into the very core of their souls. Shay's lips trembled as she finally voiced the fears that had been gnawing at her heart.

"Young... David," she corrected herself, the name tasting both strange and sweet on her tongue. "You're a noble, and I'm... just a commoner. I don't want to be a burden to you," she confessed, her voice laced with the weight of her doubt.

She wanted nothing more than to be with David, but the disparity in their social status loomed like a shadow over her dreams. His affection, his shift in behaviour towards her—it was a mystery she couldn't unravel. His eyes, though, held no hesitation. They were filled with a steady determination that both reassured and confused her. Could his noble status truly accommodate their love?

David let out a soft, contemplative breath. "If you want me to renounce my title, I would gladly do that to be with you," he declared, his words striking Shay like a lightning bolt, shaking her to her core.

"Please don't do that," she pleaded, her eyes welling up with tears. The thought of him giving up everything for her was both terrifying and humbling.

"Why not?" David pressed, his voice steady with resolve. "I desire you, and I would do anything to be with the one I love," he reassured her, the word "love" hanging in the air between them, heavy with meaning. The depth of his commitment enveloped her, leaving her breathless.

David didn't need his noble status to achieve his goals. There was a far greater threat on the horizon—the Cataclysm Cascade, a looming disaster that threatened to turn everything he held dear into ashes. But in this moment, all he cared about was her, and sealing their bond before the storm arrived.

"Will you be my partner?" David asked again, his voice gentle yet insistent. Shay's heart raced as she grappled with her feelings. She had fallen deeply for her master, and despite her fears, her love for him outweighed her doubts. With her gaze dropping to the floor, she slowly nodded, her voice a whisper, "Yes."

David's lips curled into a playful smile. "I can't hear you," he teased, his tone light but his eyes gleaming with affection.

A surge of boldness took hold of Shay, fueled by the depth of her emotions and the desire to put an end to his teasing. She stood on her toes, closing the distance between them, and pressed her lips to his, capturing them in a kiss that was both tender and fierce. The world around them seemed to disappear as the kiss deepened, her fingers tangling in his damp hair.

David's initial surprise melted away, and he responded with equal passion, his hands slipping around her waist, pulling her closer. Their kiss was a collision of emotions—desire, fear, love—all blending into a single, intoxicating moment. Shay's doubts dissolved in the warmth of his embrace, and for that brief eternity, they were the only two people in the world.

David's hands slowly descended to her small ass. He molded them gently, Shay's moans muffled by their passionate kiss. After exploring and playing with them for a considerable time, David decided to move on to the main course. He used one of his hands to slide inside the hem of her maid dress while his other hand cupped her tiny butt. As his fingers brushed against her thighs, Shay felt an otherworldly pleasure assault her mind. Reaching his destination, David stopped, shock and disbelief striking him.

Separating himself from Shay, a string of saliva connecting them as it broke, David asked in a playful manner, "Did you really come to my chamber with no panties on?" Shay, feeling embarrassed by David's words, looked away as crimson flared on her cheeks, unable to deny it. "I don't mind, really," David assured her as he gently bit her lower lip and pulled it.

Shay found herself at the mercy of David's caresses; she felt her heart beat faster, and her breath hitched. Before she could immerse herself in David's strange but amazing kisses, David plugged his index finger inside her cave, a loud, seductive moan escaping her small and full lips.

"Hngh—"

David slowly and gently curled his finger in a rhythmic motion within her fleshy vagina, prompting it to release her love juices, which started dripping and flowing down her thigh. Shay's mind crumbled and turned to mush as the pleasure intensified, only for David to plunge another finger inside, breaking their kiss. Shay pressed her head against the door to resist the urge to cum just as they had begun, but all to no avail when David thrust the third finger in.

"I can't hold it any longer," Shay moaned loudly, David enjoying the scene before him.

"That was my intention," he revealed as his lips curled into a grin of satisfaction.