"Ah, finally awake?"

When I woke up, I was already back in my room and Rumi was seated next to my bed. Beside her was Leila, who seemed to have cried a night's worth of tears based on how swollen her eyes.

"Belle!" My redhead friend burst into convulsive sobs then threw herself on me. "You're awake!

I also noticed Sir Edward, the head butler, standing from a distance with the head maid, Ma'am Olivia.

"If you hit your head another time, I'm going to kill you myself." Rumi threatened. "Just when did you become such a troublemaker, Belle?"

My jaw dropped. "W-Why are you scolding me?"

"Because you could have handled the situation better, young lady." The head butler interrupted.

Sir Edward gave me an austere look.

"Now that you've regained consciousness, why don't you tell us what exactly happened between you and Viscount Silvia?" he inquired further.

My face crumpled in exasperation. Ah, right.

I averted my gaze from them. "I believe I had already told Grand Duke Averill of my own account. The viscount was making it difficult for the maids to do their work in peace. Nobody wanted to bring him his food, so I volunteered."

"And?" Sir Edward seemed impatient.

"And he tried to do the same with me, so I called him out for trying to get under my skirt, then he went batshit crazy. That's just about it, I guess."

"Watch your words, Belle." The head maid clicked her tongue. "Remember, he's still a viscount."

"Why do I need to walk on eggshells because of him? I'm the victim here." I retorted then rolled my eyes. "I even made sure to be polite the whole time. When he laid his hands on me, I simply told him that he can't do that. I wasn't even asking for an apology."

All of them exchanged somber looks.

"I may be a commoner, but I'm still a maid from the Sun Palace. No one from the imperial family has ever laid their hands on me, but then a low-ranking noble from some shithole suddenly comes here and touches my butt? What the hell?"

Their eyes almost popped out from my words.

"I'd let the emperor spank me all day, but I refuse to be harassed by a viscount who's not even my own master!" I asserted without hesitation.

"Belle!" Leila shrieked in horror, her shrill voice piercing my ears. "Have you lost your mind?!"

"W-Whatever happened to the meek and quiet Isabelle?" Madam Olivia looked like she was about to faint from shock. "Who is this foul-mouthed child in front of me?"

"It looks like she's finally gone insane after hitting her head twice." Rumi shook her head in dismay.

"If you want me to apologise to that scumbag, forget it. I'd rather die!" I stubbornly crossed my arms. "I would have acknowledged my mistake if I did make one, but I believe I did nothing wrong this time."

The three ladies sighed in disappointment.

Sir Edward, on the other hand, stared intensely at me that I dared not to look his way. After a moment of silence, the head butler suddenly shook his head then... smiled? What? Why are you smiling at me? Dude, you're freaking me out.

"You're right. His arrogance knows no bounds." Sir Edward adjusted the frame of his glasses. Strangely, he had an approving look. "You lack tact and speak crudely, but I commend your courage for standing up to the viscount. Well done."

Huh? He's praising me now?

"T-Thanks, I guess?" I hesitantly replied.

"I also find it admirable that you have that much of faith and loyalty for your masters." Sir Edward nodded in satisfaction. "I shall consult His Majesty regarding this matter."

"Eh?" My jaw dropped and I bit my nails nervously. "Is this really something that requires the emperor's attention? Can't you just let it go?"

"You're getting scared now?" Rumi mocked with a laugh. "And you sounded so confident earlier."

"Well, he is a viscount." I desperately turned to the head butler. "Come on, Sir Edward. Let's just forget everything and live happily ever after."

He only smiled to me. "I shall take my leave, then."

"Sir? Are you listening?" I tried calling him back.

"I pray for your fast recovery, Miss Belle." Sir Edward ignored my plea. Before leaving, he turned to me for the last time. "Ah, which reminds me... Grand Duke Averill asked you to see him once you have made a full recovery."

"What? Why?!" I pulled my hair in panic. I'm not really in the mood to meet him right now. Besides, why does he even want to see me?

"He didn't state the reason, Miss Belle."

"I thought he hated blonde women? Can't you see my hair? It's shining shimmering blonde!" I argued.

"I'm confused as well, but just come to his quarters once you're fully healed." Sir Edward shrugged nonchalantly. "Make sure to express your gratitude, by the way. The Grand Duke was the one who carried you back into your room."

With that, the head butler left the room.

Ma'am Olivia stayed with us for a while and I was then subjected to a ten-minute harangue by the headmistress. Despite her harsh criticism, I could tell that she was just really concerned about me.

In the end, she told me to be more careful and to consult her the next time something like this happens.

"To think you'd cause a fuss like this again, Belle." Rumi shook her head in disbelief.

I rolled my eyes. "Give me a break. I've had enough of lecturing from the head maid."

"It's only been days since you fell down the stairs." Leila caressed my head. "I fear that you might turn into a retard if you hit your head again, Belle."

I yawned lazily. "What a useless worry."

"Yeah, what a useless worry. She's already one." Rumi sardonically added.

I glared at her. "Who are you calling a retard?!"

Thankfully, my two lively companions gave me some peace and quiet when I told them that I wanted to get some rest. As soon as they left the room, I wallowed in cogitation and reflected on my current situation.

Even though I spoke bravely, I'm still a commoner and that piece of dung is a viscount. Whatever I say in defense, it all comes down to status.

Still, I did pretty well in controlling myself. Had I fought back and wounded him with just so much as a little scratch, I would've been punished for hurting a noble.

My only hope is for His Majesty to overlook this matter and have mercy on a lowly maid like me.

---

I was told to rest, so I initially planned to sleep the whole day. However, even after counting a thousand frogs, I couldn't sleep a wink at all.

This whole mess was stressing me out and I couldn't stay put, so I decided to visit Alistair's quarters as he instructed. One of his knights informed him of my arrival, and it only took a few seconds before they ushered me inside his room.

There, the Grand Duke of Averill stood by the window, as if marvelling the view of the palace's exterior. His tall and well-built stature was so intimidating even from behind.

I bowed respectfully. "I greet the Grand Duke of the Averill duchy."

Alistair looked at me over his shoulder. "I thought I said to come see me only when you have fully recovered." he firmly stated.

"Forgive my impertinence." I replied without raising my head. "I was told to focus on my recovery, but the idleness was making me restless so I decided to come see you instead of staying bedridden."

For a moment, he didn't say anything and simply stared at me. Despite my stomach tingling from his earnest gaze, I didn't move an inch and kept my head down. I wonder what he's thinking.

"What's your name?" He finally broke the silence.

I cleared my throat. "It's Isabelle, Your Grace."

"Isabelle." Alistair reiterated. "Raise your head."

I kept an impervious face as I shifted my gaze to the Grand Duke. My heart pounded as soon as I met those golden orbs of his, but I didn't back down and stared right back at him. Just like that, our eyes stayed on each other for a while.

After some time, his fervent stare was starting to make my legs weak so I averted my eyes in defeat.

His eyes widened in wonder. "You looked away."

"With all due respect, Your Grace." I gave him a diffident smile. "There's no lady in this empire whose heart wouldn't skip a beat at your gaze."

"Am I to assume that it goes the same with you?" He stared at me. "Did yours skip a beat, too?"

I stole a glance from him. "I wonder."

The Grand Duke leaned against the window, his countenance still unmoved. He seemed so calm and collected. Am I the only one who's nervous? Compared to him, my heart was about to explode.

I fidgeted on my spot. "May I ask why exactly you summoned me, Your Grace?" I curiously queried.

Alistair tilted his head like a puppy. "I heard from Edward. You'd let the emperor spank you all day, but you refuse to be harassed by a viscount who's not even your own master." he postulated.

The side of his mouth lifted as he spoke.

"Quite an interesting hobby you've got there."

I blushed in an instant. Are you kidding me, Sir Edward? Did you seriously tell him that? Why? What's the point? To embarrass me? Is that it?

I fakes a laugh. "I was merely jesting, Your Grace."

"Is that so?" Alistair smiled. "What a shame."

Jesus, what's with this unneeded sexual tension? I came here to hear what he's got to say, but he's only been messing with me. I've never heard of Grand Duke Averill being a womanizer, so why is he acting like this? Even in the novel, he was a total gentleman!

"Anyway, I summoned you here to tell you that I wish for you to serve me for the rest of my stay in the palace." The Grand Duke explained to me.

"Is that an order, Your Grace?"

His brows shot up in amusement. "Well, if I say it's a request, then what would you do?" he asked.

"I would refuse, then. I'm afraid I'm not qualified to serve such an impeccable master." I answered without blinking an eye. Silence filled the room.

I lowered my head to conceal my nervousness. Was he perhaps offended by my refusal? I thought he was going to reprimand me, but I was taken aback when Alistair chuckled lightly.

"A mere maid dares to refuse a request of the Grand Duke." He chuckled softly. "It seems that you've got more guts than sense. I like that."

My heart pounded when the Grand Duke walked towards me and lowered his head to level our gazes. I could only grab a fistful of my dress in order to alleviate the tension as I stood there, face to face with the second male lead, in such close proximity.

"Consider it an order, then." I found myself lost in his golden eyes. "My apologies. Starting today, I want you by my side. Before the sun rises, after the sun sets, and even in my dreams, Isabelle."

They say that fiction is a beautiful depiction of the ugly and vile reality, but the Grand Duke was the living proof that there's still beauty in real life.

Even though he's only a fictional character from a novel I once read, this story has become my own reality now. Alistair Kirsten de Averill was right here in front of me, in the flesh, under the same skies, and within the same universe.

---

To you who's reading this, thank you so much!

Stay safe and happy reading.

Yours Truly,
Aomine-san