While Kaleigh is deep her thoughts, not knowing whether to show herself or not, a warm, masculine voice calls out:

"Hey, do you hear us or not?"

With calculated steps, Kaleigh peeks out from behind the column. Unexpectedly, Leon is already standing right in front of Kaleigh, staring down at her while towering over her with his tall frame. She is wafted in the manly scent of his sweat and natural scent. Instinctively, Kaleigh takes a step back, feeling a bit nervous. Despite her initial reservation, she's calm and collected enough to bow down and curtsy to the princes.

"Good morning, your highnesses." Kaleigh replies with her face down and her gaze on the ground to gauge Leon and Licht's reaction first. After confirming that neither of them seemed to pick up on who she really is, Kaleigh carefully lifts her gaze.

"You're a maid during probation, right?" Licht asks quietly, noticing the outfit.

"Yes, your highness. I was just employed and started my work yesterday. I was lost in the corridors and large halls of the palace. Forgive me for my intrusion - I was just wanting to ask you two for directions to minister Sariel's office." Kaleigh answers, her eyes glued on the ground while she keeps her curtsying pose.

"Now, there's no need to lay low like that." Leon chuckles, his laughter rumbling from his chest. "You're quite timid, aren't ya? Let me show you to Sariel's office. Licht, should the knights come, tell them I'm accompanying a lovely lady~"

"Hmph, fine." Licht replies, unamused by Leon's antics.

"Thank you a lot, Prince Leon." Kaleigh says gratefully. She knew Leon has always been kind, but to receive his dose of kindness again after all those years really makes her feel touched. Even when Leon supposedly didn't know who she was, he decided to help her. She walks behindLeon, trying to keep her poker face which she had a lot of chances to practice during gambling games. There's a hint of a small, warm smile at the corner of her lips, and it disappears as quickly as it appeared. She can't be too lax around the princes.

"Good luck meeting Sariel~ you see, he can be stern, harsh and a bit demanding at times~" Leon speaks up, attempting to strike a conversation with this shy and timid maid.

"Thank you, your highness. However, I wish to serve the palace to the best of my ability. Which prince are you, your highness? I wish to address you by your correct title."

"I'm the handsome and charming Fourth prince, Leon Dompteur. And your name please, my lady?"

"I'm Kaleigh, prince Leon." Kaleigh replies monotonously, her eyes looking at Leon's back as he guides her through the corridors of the palace. Leon widens his eyes and discreetly glances behind him. Black hair, blue eyes. But her complexion is so different - is it really her? - Leon questions himself.

And soon, they both arrive at the front door of Sariel's office.
"Kaleigh, I'll leave now. Recently, all the princes are a little more busy than usual, so the maids will have more work as well. Don't be too rigid or nervous in front of Sariel, alright?

"I won't. Thank you a lot, prince Leon." Kaleigh bows down deep to hide her face. She was smiling. Leon's kindness and natural charm makes it hard for the coldest person to keep a straight face. (Maybe except for Chevalier).

With a final goodbye nod, Kaleigh steps inside Sariel's office. She immediately becomes relaxed as soon as she sees Sariel .

"Whew! I thought I would be caught for sure, geez...His highness prince Leon is really perceptive. I can feel his questioning gaze on me for a second..."

"Well then you'll have to endure a month of that, Kaleigh." Sariel says in an indifferent way and shrugs. "You brought this onto yourself, little swan."

Kaleigh plops down on the chair and crosses her legs, resting her chin on her knuckles. She looks like someone who just had to come down from the stage after an act.

"Where is Emma and Rio anyway? I thought today's our first lesson?"

"The lesson won't start until an hour later. It seems like we're all early risers here." Sariel hums.

"Not really. This morning, I saw Licht and Leon sparring! They must have been up way before I did."

"I see. I'm glad they're so disciplined. How heartwarming."Sariel says with a grin. It should have looked good on him, but the subtle grin gives Kaleigh shivers down her spine.

"Uhhh...so what do we do now?" Kaleigh asks lazily. All of a sudden, Sariel's whip is not on his hip anymore. It almost hit Kaleigh's body. "EEK!" Thankfully, the whip misses her by just an inch. If her reflex is even a second slower...!

"Sit up properly. Let's start our lesson early, shall we~? I wouldn't want us to waste any time..."

"A-ahaha...p-please have mercy, Sariel...!"

At that moment, Kaleigh wishes for nothing more than for Rio and Emma to show up to save her from Sariel's horrendous training...!

-end of chapter 6-