Relationships are often likened to glasses. Once they've had a crack, it's impossible to get it back to the way it used to be, and that was one of my greatest fears when it came to her ladyship.

I didn't want to be hated by the villainess, Ruth Alessia di Camellia, who's also a transmigrator.

Originating from another world like me, I felt the most affinity with her. I thought we'd understand each other better than anyone else, since we share the same fate and fears in this foreign world.

"You're free to do whatever you wish, Isabelle."

"What do you mean, my lady?"

"I am saying that you can cease from being my maid." Lady Camellia was back to her indolent ways, slumped on the couch without motivation.

A few days have passed since the lady's outburst and our little argument, but I didn't know why she was suddenly disposing me like some rubbish.

"Why are you throwing me away like this?"

"Because you are much too foolhardy, my dear." she responded, her eyes still closed. "You almost murdered someone for me, have you forgotten?"

"That was out of my loyalty for you!" I reasoned.

"I know, Isabelle." The villainess opened her eyes and stared intently at me. "That is why this vile master is giving you the chance to run away."

I was taken aback. Is she concerned about me?

"The grand duke was right about your devotion towards me." She let out a heavy sigh. "I'm afraid you'd put yourself in more perils just for my sake."

I frowned. "That's all up to me, my lady."

"Isabelle," Lady Camellia got up from her seat then walked up to me. "You also came from another world, so I feel kinship with you the most."

She touched a few strands of my hair.

"Let me tell you this, though. What you feel isn't loyalty, but simply an attachment." The villainess postulated. "Specifically, an attachment towards someone who came from the same world as you."

I was about to mutter a reply when Lady Camellia placed her index finger on my lips. M-Mommy?! Okay, I'm just kidding. That's kinda messed up.

"You're holding onto me like how a child clings to her mother, because I'm the only one familiar to you in this world." Confirmed. Mommy, indeed.

I clicked my tongue. "So, what's your point?

"That rather than loyalty, you merely fear the idea of being entirely alone in this place." she asserted.

"My lady, it seems you're getting the wrong idea." I circled my hand around her wrist. "I chose you as my master because I thought I'd have a bigger chance of surviving by your side. It has nothing to do with you being a transmigrator or a milf."

Lady Camellia blinked twice. "What?"

"What?" I gawked at her. Did I just say milf?

Both of us were stupefied at that moment. After a few seconds, Lady Camellia and I guffawed at the silliness of our conversation. What the heck...

"See? Who else would laugh at my modern jokes if not you, my lady?" I smiled rather sentimentally.

She shook her head, smiling. "I suppose so."

After that, our eyes met intently, like enthusiasts marveled by artworks in the museum. It felt like both of us were just truly appreciative of each other's existence in that exact moment.

In the middle of that, somebody knocked on the door. "Grand Duke Averill has arrived, my lady."

Lady Camellia was still holding onto some strands of my hair and we stood quite close to each other.

The door swung open and the second male lead entered the room, but immediately halted upon seeing us. Alistair gave us a suspicious look.

"Forgive me for asking, but I need to raise this question for my own peace of mind." His face crumpled. "Do you perhaps... swing both ways?"

"I do not know about Isabelle, but..." Her ladyship winked at me. "I do swing both ways, Your Grace."

The grand duke bolted towards us then instantly pulled me. "You cannot touch her from now on."

He seemed like a dog protecting his owner.

Lady Camellia suppressed her laugh. "Why?"

"Because you might touch her inappropriately."

"We've already done that, though?" The villainess feigned innocence. "I mean, Isabelle bathes me."

Alistair frowned. "Are you bragging, my lady?"

Both her ladyship and I burst into laughter.

"Stop it, Your Grace." I gently nudged him. "Can't you see that my lady is clearly messing with you?"

"Well, thanks to her messing with me, I now feel a bit insecure." A vein popped on the side of his forehead. "Unless you bathe me yourself too, my heart won't feel at peace. Take responsibility."

At that point, I had to drag him out of the room before he says more nonsense in front of her ladyship, who simply waved us goodbye.

I felt relieved that instead of being awkward, Lady Camellia seemed humoured by the grand duke being vocal about his feelings towards me.

Anyway, Alistair brought me to his office, saying that he had something to discuss about with me. When we arrived, I didn't beat around the bush.

"What did you want to talk about, Your Grace?"

Grand Duke Averill sat carelessly on his office desk, ignoring proper etiquette that he's been taught his whole life. He just does whatever he wants, huh?

"The investigation has been concluded." He imparted. "Since the assassin was dead, Prince Dion couldn't get any valuable information."

"I see," I looked away. "What do they think?"

"Well, they came to the conclusion that the culprit was originally aiming for the crown prince, but he missed and hit you instead." Alistair explained.

My face soured. "Pretty stupid if you ask me."

"I could not agree more, my love." He smiled at my sardonic comment. "However, Prince Dion wants leave it at that. He is aware that the assassin was aiming for Lady Marchetti, but feigns ignorance."

"Why?" I curiously queried.

"For the lady's honour, I suppose. If Prince Dion mentions Lady Marchetti, he would be admitting that they're secretly seeing each other. That might cause an uproar, since the selection starts soon."

"Ooh," I said dramatically then covered my mouth in exaggeration. "How scandalous, Your Grace!"

He smirked. "Not as much as this."

Before I could even react, the grand duke wrapped his arm around my waist then gently pulled me closer to him. Since he was seated on his office desk, our gazes were on the same level.

I whimpered. "Wait-!"

He claimed my lips with his eyes closed like he knew exactly where they are, as if he memorized each part of my face. The way his hands held my neck suggestively sent shivers down to my spine.

Grand Duke Averill was generally a patient man, but he seemed more excited and needy than usual.

As we kissed each other lovingly, his hands went back and forth from my head to my neck. I knew he was trying his best not to touch me elsewhere.

That made me smile. What a respectful man.

I pulled away from the kiss. "Your Grace,"

"Hm?"

"Why do you refuse to touch my body until now?"

His lips parted. Alistair seemed taken aback by my bold question. A few seconds later, he smiled then carefully embraced me in his own arms.

"Because I do not want you to feel and think that you are an easy woman." He answered with all honesty. "I fear you may think that your body is something that anyone can just take away."

"But you're not just anyone, Your Grace. And you're not taking it away, I'm giving it to you."

"What a dangerous thing to say." He chuckled then rested his forehead on mine, like he usually does.

His golden eyes looked stunning in the glimmer of the afternoon sun. The wind blew his silver hair indiscriminately, giving me a better view of his smiling face. He's truly such a beautiful man.

"Isabelle, the fact that you have given me your lips is already a huge luxury to this undeserving man."

"But you used to speak like you wish to violate me, Your Grace. What is this, character development?"

"Well, that's..." He blushed. "I was merely jesting."

"Some jokes are half-meant." I commented.

"That's true." This time, he buried his face on my shoulder. He seemed embarrassed. "I only meant to stir you up during those times. My apologies."

I held back my smile and kept quiet.

"That is the reason why I am taking it slow now." I could sense the panic in his voice. "To show you that I am earnest with my intentions, and that I think about us seriously. My affection is genuine."

Ah, he's just too endearing.

It felt like I lost my mind for a moment. I found myself taking his lips first. Grand Duke Averill hesitated a bit, but he also returned my kisses.

At that point, I took the initiative and showered him with kisses everywhere. If he didn't want to take all of me, I was different. I wanted all of him.

"Isabelle..." he called me nervously.

For the first time, he seemed so flustered.

"W-Wait..." His lips trembled from my touches.

My mouth lifted into a smirk. He kept flailing his arms. How the tables have turned, Your Grace...

And that's the thing about love. It was instinctive, something usually dictated by a passionate heart than a sound mind. I knew by experience, because my desire for him made me lose all my reasoning.

"Enough! The sun is still up." Alistair held me in place, blushing and chasing his breath. "This is tempting, but I would rather have you at night."

Oh, I was so in love with him. Madly.

---

I hope you don't mind the sensuality. They are two people in love, after all. I love writing these two.

Thanks for reading this story!

Yours Truly,
Aomine-san