"You may go." Alistair returned to his previous spot. "Rest well, Isabelle."

I guess the cat got my tongue, because I could only bow in response to the Grand Duke. While leaving his quarters, the only thing I could hear was the loud thumping inside my chest. As expected from the second male lead, he has a flair for flirting.

That was dangerous. Like, sexy dangerous.

Alistair Kirsten de Averill was an alluring work of art, the kind of masterpiece that leaves you speechless at day and keeps you awake at night.

As if dealing with the second male lead wasn't enough, I bumped into the head butler and he informed me that the emperor wishes to see me.

I wanted to at least change into better clothes, but Sir Edward told me that the emperor dislikes waiting so I had no choice but to present my worn out self to him. That's how I ended up kneeling in front of His Majesty as he sat comfortably at the end of the throne hall.

"Your Majesty, I have brought Miss Isabelle."

The emperor of Cecil, Pierre Maggio Von Solaris, was a strong and wise ruler. During the early years of his reign, he unified the four great nations of Lumiere and succeeded in his conquest, giving birth to the Cecilian Empire.

Obviously, the male lead of this novel got his ebony black hair and crimson eyes from His Majesty. I've never seen Crown Prince Dion in person, but seeing his father right now, I'm pretty sure that he's just as attractive as him.

"This lowly servant greets His Imperial Majesty, the sun of the empire." I nervously said on bended knees. I didn't even dare to look him in the eye.

Despite being inches away from each other, I could feel his strong, regal presence from my spot.

"So you are the maid who earned Viscount Silvia's wrath." The emperor told me in a cordial tone.

My lips dithered. "I-I'm ashamed of my incompetence, Your Majesty."

"I heard from Edward. You'd let me spank you all day, but you refuse to be harassed by a viscount who's not even your own master. Is that right?"

His explosive laughter echoed inside the hall.

"Lady, while I appreciate your loyalty, I do not indulge in such practices." The emperor added, amusement evident on his crimson red eyes.

At that point, I just wanted the ground to swallow me whole and my eyes immediately landed on the head butler. If looks could only kill, he would've dropped dead at that moment. Are you serious?

At first it was the Grand Duke, and now you even told His Majesty? Why are you going around telling people that I'm some sort of a masochist, Sir Edward? Do you get paid for that, huh?

"A-Ahem!" Sir Edward noticed my piercing stare and cleared his throat with exaggeration. "Your Majesty, how would you like this to be handled?"

"Under normal circumstances, this maid should be punished for speaking insolently to a noble." I felt the emperor's fervid gaze. "Still, her display of courage and self-control is praiseworthy."

My mouth was tightly shut as I listened to him. Surely, they wouldn't execute me over something like that, right? Come on, I'm the victim here.

"Not once did you hit the viscount back. Why is that, servant?" The emperor curiously inquired.

I kept my gaze on the floor. "Because I am but a lowly maid, Your Majesty." I remarked humbly.

"I believe knowing one's place is also a virtue." His Majesty seemed pleased with my succinct answer. "Unlike you, the viscount forgot his own place and dared to act up in my palace."

He kept rubbing his chin in satisfaction. Well, that's a positive development in my part... I think?

"Edward." His Majesty motioned his hand to the head butler.

The head butler came forward. "Your Majesty."

"Send the viscount back to his territory and forbid him from stepping foot on the capital for the time being." The emperor firmly commanded. "Should he complain, tell him to come see me himself and cavil right to my face."

"I have received your order." Sir Edward assented.

Well, no one in their right mind would protest on His Majesty's order, regardless if it's something trivial or something of utmost importance.

The emperor's word is peremptory, after all. If Viscount Silvia even thinks of complaining, then he's just plain stupid and courting death.

His Majesty returned his gaze to me.

"As for you, your neck was spared today because I was humoured by your words, but mercy is not something I can give without sound reasoning."

"I'm grateful for your benevolence."

Ironically, His Majesty's eyes were frigid in contrast to his genial voice. Of course, he's the type of monarch who knows when exactly to flaunt his authority. "If you wish to keep your head intact, exercise prudence and know your place."

I lowered my head once more. "I shall bear that in mind, Your Majesty." I replied with utmost respect.

"Pardon my rudeness, Your Majesty." The three of us turned our heads at the door when a servant entered the hall. "His Highness the Crown Prince would like to request an audience with you."

My eyes widened. Nice timing! I've been wanting to meet the crown prince for a while. I mean, he's the male lead of this novel, of course I want to see him with my own eyes! I bet all the main characters' beauty would be a feast for the eyes.

"Let him in." His Majesty said in response.

It took me a lot of self-control not to squeal in excitement. I'm finally gonna meet the male lead!

Shortly, the double doors unfastened and the crown prince graced us with his presence. He seemed taken aback by me and Sir Edward, but proceeded further and stopped beside my spot.

"Father," Prince Dion called rather affectionately. His low and manly voice resounded across the hall. "Forgive me. I wasn't aware you had guests."

His beauty almost took my breath away. While reading the novel, of course I had visualized how Prince Dion looks like, but my imagination didn't do him justice at all. I must've been drunk that time.

Handsome was an understatement. As described in the novel, the crown prince had ebony black hair and eyes that looked like rubies. His tall and robust figure emitted an assertive feel, as if no one should go against him, very fitting for a royal.

"No matter. I was simply taking care of the case involving Viscount Silvia." The emperor assured.

"Ah, I heard from Edward." The crown prince dropped his gaze on me. "So this is the maid who said that she would let you spank her all day."

Oh, christ. How many people have heard it from Sir Edward at this point? It was just something I said at the spur of the moment, why is it turning into my own slogan?! This is so unfair!

His Majesty chuckled heartily. "Indeed, that's her."

"What a daring lady." Prince Dion commented.

My shoulders trembled in embarrassment.

I couldn't even look at Sir Edward because I was afraid I'd explode into anger and just beat the shit out of him right there. Now they're gonna think of me as some pervert who loves to be spanked!

Thankfully, the emperor dismissed me and the head butler. It also looked like the father and son duo had something important to talk about.

As soon as we excused ourselves and stepped out of the throne hall, I faced Sir Edward and faked a smile. "Sir, I think you owe me an apology."

"W-Well..." At least he seemed guilty about it.

"Why did you even tell the emperor and the prince about a quip remark I said in passing?"

"I thought it was a nice joke, so..." he stuttered.

"So you just wanted to be funny?" I hissed. "My head could've been displayed in the gallows for saying something so vulgar about the emperor!"

"His Majesty and His Highness aren't the type of people who would execute you for a mere jest." Sir Edward reasoned. "They would only cut your tongue."

I glared at him. "That doesn't make me feel any better!"

"I'm sorry." Sir Edward said like a scolded child.

"Hmph!" I flipped my hair before walking out and leaving him behind. I'm not forgiving him today. Maybe tomorrow when I'm in a good mood.

On the way back to my room, I ran into Wendy this time. Perfect timing, since I also planned to meet her sooner and later to thank her for tending to me in the viscount's room.

"Belle!" Wendy embraced me, the concern blatant on her voice. "How's your head? Are you allowed to stand up and walk around like this?"

"Yup!" I made a thumbs up. "Thanks, Wendy."

"That's a relief!" Wendy beamed.

When I was first assigned in the outer part of the palace, Wendy was my first friend. Perhaps it's because of her blue hair and eyes, but she's really calming to look at, similar to the feeling that the sea radiates.

"By the way, I heard from Sir Edward..."

I shot her a horrified look. "W-What did you hear from him?" Jesus, that line gave me major PTSD.

"That the Grand Duke specifically asked for you to serve him during his stay here." Wendy wiggled her brows jauntily. "Good luck, Belle. Go for gold!"

"What do you mean go for gold, you little-!" Before I could even scold her, my blue-haired friend scampered away, even sticking out a tongue.

Geez, Wendy is like the corrupted version of Leila. Both are buoyant, but Leila is too naïve while Wendy knows too much about worldly desires.

"Still, it's nice to have friends like them." I smiled to myself. "I guess this world isn't so bad."

---

Two days left until the royal banquet for Princess Odette's nineteenth birthday. Today is my first day serving Alistair, the Grand Duke of the Averill duchy.

As instructed, I came to his quarters early in the morning with Ma'am Olivia, who will then orient me about my duties. However, when we arrived at his room, he was still in deep slumber.

"Belle, the Grand Duke requires a lot of help in the morning." Ma'am Olivia strictly stated.

"I understand." I sneaked a peak from the second male lead who slept so soundly. His sleeping figure looked as blameless and innocent as a lamb.

The way his mouth was slightly parted seemed like it was urging you to sin with a kiss first thing in the morning. It was so tempting to brush my hands through his soft, silver hair that covered his forehead. With his eyes closed, it emphasized his long and thick lashes.

I was still in the midst of fangirling over his looks when Ma'am Olivia suddenly brought a bucket of water beside the bed. I stared at her in confusion.

"Watch carefully." She carried the bucket with both arms. "This is how you wake the Grand Duke."

My eyes almost popped out of my sockets when the head maid splashed the bucket of water on Alistair. Ma'am, what on earth are you doing?!

At that moment, it felt like my life flashed before my eyes. Oh, no. We're so screwed. I'm not sure if splashing cold water on the grand duke is a good idea, unless you have a death wish for yourself!

---

Thank you for reading my story!

Stay safe, everyone!

Yours Truly,
Aomine-san