Up until now, I was pretty sure of my gender.

I was as straight as a damn ruler. But on my first day of serving the villainess, which included me assisting her in the bath, my inner gay came out.

I mean, she was naked in front of me. Her curvy and plump figure was so alluring. I couldn't even meet her blue eyes, which looked bleary amidst the steam of the hot bath. I was fangirling hard.

"Isabelle," Lady Camellia slumped her back on the bathtub then eyed me. "Shall we change the genre of this novel into an R-18 Yuri, my dear maid?"

I coughed. "With all due respect, I prefer men."

"Is that so? I may not be a man, but I am confident that I can satisfy you even without that dangling thing down there." Her lips curved into a smirk.

I bowed respectfully. "I shall politely decline, my lady. I have ten fingers, I can do it by myself."

She was hysterical at my answer. I only realised it today, but our humor seems to be in the same wavelength. I could never make vulgar jokes like this with the heroine. Ingrid was the purest girl.

"That aside," I began brushing her hair while she was in the tub. "What are your plans, my lady?"

Lady Camellia didn't give me an answer.

"I'm just wondering... If you wanted to avoid your death, wouldn't it be better for you to do nothing? As long as you don't do anything to the heroine..."

"That won't do." She rested her head on the edge of the tub. "Even if I refrain from going against Ingrid, someone else will have to do it. Our roles in the novel will be swapped, just like your case."

I tilted my head in confusion. "Is that bad?"

"I have no way of knowing what fate awaits me if I refuse to act as a villainess. I could end up marrying a good-for-nothing nobleman."

The lady got up from the tub then gracefully put her hair over her shoulder. I carefully wiped her body with a towel and covered her with a robe.

"I would rather play a role that I know by heart than gamble my future." Her pinking lips rose into a smile. "I shall do my part as a villainess, while preparing countermeasures behind the scenes."

I was startled when the lady placed a finger on my chin. She raised my head then stared at me rather affectionately. I kept my eyes on her face, because she had yet to close her robe and I could still see her naked body. God, please help me stay straight.

"This will be your very first task, Isabelle."

I nodded. "Please tell me what I have to do."

"I need you to find someone for me, dear." Lady Camellia rubbed her chin. "A man named Kaja, son of a blacksmith and living in the capital."

We left the bath and headed to the adjacent room, where I helped the lady get dressed. She donned a simple white-laced dress with minimal jewelries.

"Tell that man that the lady of the Camellia duchy wishes to meet him." Even though the lady was looking at me, her mind seemed to be elsewhere.

"Understood, my lady." I replied with much zeal.

"If he refuses to comply with my summon, just tell him these exact words." The villainess snickered before continuing. "I have some Elven Silk, Kaja."

With that, I set out on my very first mission.

---

Since I was going out alone, I decided to wear casual clothes. I may not be a noblewoman, but being a maid means being employed, and being employed means being paid. Even maids can be prey to pickpockets, so I should still be careful.

I chose to go with a white dress and a leather vest on top, along with a pair of brown boots. To battle the heat, I also tied my blonde hair into a ponytail.

When I was all prepped, I left the palace through the carriage that Lady Camellia prepared for me.

The whole ride felt longer than usual, perhaps due to my being alone. Still, I kept talking to myself inside the carriage to avoid having bad breath.

They say that if your mouth's closed for too long, your breath will stink, so I kept talking with my imaginary friend. Don't worry, I'm perfectly sane.

Shortly, I stepped out of the carriage. "Finally."

I inquired around in town about a smithy with a certain Kaja, who was supposed to be a son of a blacksmith. My search proved to be difficult. No one seemed to have any idea who this man was.

Well, shit. I should've asked the lady about his looks, like if he had a beard or if he was bald.

I already asked a street vendor, a traveling merchant, and a boutique owner, but none of them gave me the intel that I wanted. This Kaja dude was like a nonexistent fairy in myths.

I sighed. "Kaja, my guy... Where on earth are you?"

I was brooding on my spot when a man tore down the side of the street and bumped into me without even apologising. I staggered on my feet and lost my balance, only to be held by a stranger behind.

"M-My bad," I panicked. "Sorry about that!"

The man's figure towered behind my body and his shadow loomed over me. When I lifted my gaze, I gawked at the face that greeted me upside down.

"Your Grace?" I blurted out. It was Alistair!

"What a pleasant surprise," Grand Duke Averill smiled. "To think I'd run into the love of my life."

Jesus, listen to that flippant mouth of his!

I was about to move away from him when he held my arms firmly then pulled me back on his body.

"My initial plan was to disappear from your life for a while, so you'd agonize over my absence." His eyes flickered in bliss. "It's only been a week, but no matter. Did it work? Did you miss me?"

"Honestly, no." I said with a poker face.

"I see. In my case, I thought of you everyday." The grand duke lovingly nudged his forehead on mine.

My heart raced not only at his words, but also at the tender look on his face. He seemed genuinely glad, and it felt as if he didn't want to let go of me.

He was like a kid holding onto his stuffed toy.

To be honest, I missed him, too. It's only been a week, but it already felt like ages. I kept myself busy and tried not to think of him too much, but Alistair was always at the back of my mind.

"Your Grace," I held his forearm that was wrapped around my shoulders. "I thought we both had an agreement that you won't pursue me anymore?"

"I changed my mind." Alistair whispered to my ear, still embracing me from behind. "A few more days without you and I would have gone mad."

Two adults embracing in broad daylight was enough to garner the attention of passerbys.

I was getting conscious, so I pulled away from him and asked. "Why are you here, Your Grace?"

"I just returned from the temple. It seems that the gods are smiling upon me." The grand duke grinned. "I prayed for my safety and happiness, and look what they sent my way – an angel."

Gosh, how could he say that without cringing...

I frowned. "I also prayed for my peace of mind, and look what they sent my way – a problem."

"Isabelle, is that truly how you see me?" Alistair chuckled. "Well, I suppose problems keep you up all night. So you can't stop thinking of me, hm?"

I rolled my eyes. His ability to turn everything into a positive thing is incredible. I gotta give him that.

"In any case, I should get going." I waved my hand dismissively. "I don't have any free time like you, Your Grace. I'm currently running an errand."

"For whom?" he queried in curiosity.

"For the lady I presently serve."

"Ah, you must have chosen a candidate to serve during the Crown Princess Selection. Who is it?"

"The lady of the Camellia duchy." I proudly said.

"Lady Camellia, huh?" The grand duke thought for a moment. "A strong contender, I must say. If the crown prince had not asked me a favor, I would have supported her as well. How regrettable."

I blinked a few times. "Your Grace, are you also serving a candidate? Have you become a maid?"

I imagined Alistair wearing my own uniform and serving tea. That's kinda hot... I slapped myself for having such thoughts. What am I, a pervert?!

"Nonsense. Rather than that, I am campaigning for one of the ladies. Count Marchetti's daughter, Lady Ingrid, to be specific." He explained eloquently.

Ah. The heroine, of course.

Somehow, I didn't like the sound of that.

Everyone knows the fact that Crown Prince Dion and Grand Duke Averill are childhood friends. It's not surprising that Prince Dion requested for Alistair to support Ingrid, the woman he loves.

I guess that's also the reason why Alistair falls in love with Ingrid in the process. While helping the woman of his friend to become crown princess, he ends up developing romantic feelings for her, too.

"You look crestfallen." Alistair lowered his head towards my face. "Are you perhaps jealous?"

I pursed my lips, unable to answer him.

"I would love it if you were jealous." His golden eyes sparkled in amusement. "Are you, Isabelle?"

My pride wouldn't allow me to admit it, so I just turned my heel and opted to leave. I had barely taken a few steps when Alistair chased after me.

"I shall take that as a yes." He stated, smiling from ear to ear. "Fret not. You are the only one I see."

I attempted to walk faster, but Alistair managed to match my stride. "Isabelle, even when I close my eyes, only your face comes to my mind. Your angry face, your smiling face, your moaning-"

I hissed. "Your Grace, you should seriously see a doctor and cure that sexual frustration of yours."

"Why should I go see a doctor," The side of his mouth lifted. "When it can be cured by you?"

I screamed internally. Dear gods, why did you send me this horndog today? Is this your way of helping me stay straight and immune against the beauty of the villainess? Gosh, it's really working!

---