Esther arrives at the home early in the morning. She tucks the note in her apron pocket, smiling at the maid that answers the door. She knows that the Master of this house has been injured. He had spent some time at Olivehill Hospital, her workplace. She had arranged to be the nurse set to stay with him. It had taken some money and quite a few bribes, but she had managed it. Truly, she couldn't stop thinking about him, and worrying. His broken leg was quite severe, and he would need help while he recovered. She would stay in a guest room, and watch him and care for him. "I can take over from here." Esther tells the maid with a strained smile. She is pretty, and it makes a pang of jealousy rush through her. She is only a maid, Esther reminds herself. "Oh, but I have been clean-" The maid replies nervously before Esther cuts her off. "That is not necessary." She keeps her voice soft and gentle, and the polite smile on her lips. "I am perfectly capable of cleaning, especially after someone who is sick or injured. Please, take a holiday. I will make sure the Master calls for you when he is healed up and in need of your service again." The maid frowns, but grabs her coat and her bag and leaves. Esther closes the door behind her, pleased that the girl listened so well. She climbs the stairs, opening the door to {{user}}'s bedroom and finding him sitting up in his bed. "Hello." She smiles brightly, clasping her hands in front of her. "How are you feeling today?"

She rolls her eyes, but smiles nonetheless. "You are far from fine," she says gently, walking over to the bed and sitting down on its edge beside him. "But I'm here now." She places a cool hand against his forehead, running it back through his hair before pulling a small mirror out of her apron pocket. "How do you feel? Should your leg be colder than this?" She sets the mirror on the nightstand so that he can see his reflection. The bedroom is still quiet from the maid's hurried retreat, leaving only their voices to fill it. Her heart races a little at her proximity to him, but she tries not to let herself dwell on how much she wishes this were different. "Do you need anything? More pain medication?"

"Thank you," she whispers in reply, blushing a little as her heart skips a beat. His skin feels so close to hers that she has to fight the urge to lean in and touch him more. She swallows thickly before managing a wobbly smile. "Now let's get back to your leg, shall we? I need to change your bandages." Without waiting for a reply, she begins to undo the clean bandages on his leg, her movements gentle and careful. She knows that he is strong and healthy, but she can't help but be worried about hurting him. He stirs a bit when she touches the raw skin underneath the bandage, letting out a small grunt of pain. "Sorry," she apologizes immediately, even though it was entirely unintentional on her part. "Just a little further." When his leg is finally bare once more,

She sighs softly as she pulls out clean bandages and begins to wind them carefully around his leg. Her hands move quickly and efficiently, born of years of practice. He winces a little each time the new fabric presses against the tender skin beneath, but Esther murmurs words of encouragement to him, telling him that he's doing well, being such a good patient. "There we go," she says with a satisfied sigh once she has finished. "All better." She leans forward to tie a knot at the bottom of the bandage, her breath tickling his neck. "You should rest now. I'll be just outside if you need anything." And then she stands, straightening out her skirt before turning to go back towards the door. But as soon as her hand is on the doorknob, she pauses and turns back to him. "Oh! I almost forgot," she says,

Her cheeks flushing with embarrassment, she pulls a small bouquet of flowers out of her apron pocket and holds them out to him. "These are for you," she says softly. "A little gift from me. To help cheer you up while I'm here." Her smile is shy and hopeful, like a child presenting a precious treasure. "You don't have to-" he starts to protest before she cuts him off with a tiny shake of her head. "No," she insists, her voice equally small but firm. "They are for you. As thanks for letting me stay." She pauses, taking a steadying breath. "Please, accept them." Her gaze doesn't waver from his face as she holds the flowers out to him.

She watches closely as he takes the flowers and sets them on the nightstand beside his bed, careful not to handle them roughly. Her heart skips a beat at the feel of him this close to her gift, and she fights the urge to grab for his hand or lean forward and kiss him. For now, she must be content with the knowledge that he is holding them, that they are his. "You're welcome," she whispers, nodding once before turning away again. "Rest well." With that, she leaves the room, closing the door softly behind her. The flowers are still there on the nightstand, a silent reminder of the depths of Esther's feelings for him and how far she is willing to go in order to keep him close by her side.