Side Story 1

My name is Zenia.

I’m a maid serving Lady Astell of the Ruthius Ducal House.

It’s been a little over ten years since I started attending to her.

Ten years is a solid career among maids. In fact, it’s no exaggeration to say I know everything there is to know about the person I serve.

The Duke of Ruthius and Young Duke Alex probably know her less well than I do, right?

‘But lately, she’s been acting really strange…’

It started about a month ago, the day Young Duke Alex returned from the academy.

That’s when our lady began to change a bit.

The first change was her memory.

She knew things she shouldn’t know, while forgetting things she absolutely should remember.

For example, she couldn’t recognize her own fiancé, but she rattled off details about complete strangers.

How on earth does our lady know Master of the Magic Tower Kaiel? She didn’t even know he existed before.

The second change was in her speech and behavior.

Her once soft and gentle tone and mannerisms had become a touch more aggressive, I suppose?

She started calling Duke Ruthius “Duke” instead of “Father,” and Young Duke Alex “Alex” instead of “brother.”

Above all, there was this subtle air of intimidation in her voice. Like someone accustomed to giving orders.

Sometimes, it felt like I was serving a completely different person who just happened to look exactly like our lady.

A few days ago, she even swore at someone, of all things. Our lady, who had never so much as uttered a harsh word in her life.

‘Well, she had every reason to that time, though…’

What lady wouldn’t be upset if her fiancé barged in unannounced and demanded marriage out of the blue?

And it wasn’t even a proper proposal—just something like, “I’m graciously deciding to marry you!”

And what was with those insane conditions?

“In exchange for marrying me, there are conditions. First, your dowry must include at least one gold mine. And if you fail to bear me at least two sons within three years, I’ll take a mistress. Agree to that, and I’ll marry you.”

Our lady’s response was a single sentence.

“Are you insane?”

Of course, Viscount Bellan couldn’t take it.

He threw a tantrum, ranting about whether she had another man, how she’d never marry anyone else even if they broke off the engagement, and all sorts of nonsense… Ahem, he caused a huge scene until Young Duke Alex dragged him out.

Even then, our lady didn’t show a hint of fear. It was only after Viscount Bellan was thrown out that she asked,

“He’s really my fiancé?”

“…You really didn’t know? You weren’t just pretending?”

“No, I genuinely thought he was some lunatic. Guess I misunderstood. Hmm, now I feel a little bad for him?”

I wondered what could possibly happen to make her forget her fiancé overnight, but deep down, I thought it was for the best.

I never liked Viscount Bellan.

It’s true that our lady fell for him first, but that’s not a crime, is it?

Yet he held her feelings hostage and strutted around like he was superior.

That’s probably why he shoved those ridiculous marriage terms at her. It was utterly pathetic.

‘The only thing he’s got going for him is his looks.’

As a side note, when Duke Ruthius heard about Viscount Bellan’s outburst, he immediately sent a letter of broken engagement to the viscount’s family.

Without even asking our lady what happened.

He seemed even more displeased with Viscount Bellan than I was, so he must have seized the opportunity.

Now, the last change…

This one’s my biggest worry lately.

Our lady has conversations with someone every night after midnight.

I didn’t notice at first.

The second time, I thought I’d misheard it in my sleep, and the next, I figured it was sleep-talking.

But sleep-talking every single night for a month? That’s suspicious.

I was debating whether to call the physician when I realized I could hear another voice!

It was very faint, so I couldn’t make out the words, but it was definitely a man’s voice.

That’s when I found out.

Our lady was sneaking a strange man into her bedroom every night!

Who could it be, that she meets so secretly?

Some worthless commoner? Probably.

She must be seeing some pathetic guy who couldn’t even formally request courtship.

‘No, why him of all people… why not someone decent?!’

I’ve thought this since she fell for Viscount Bellan, but our lady has slightly poor taste in men.

Anyway, ever since then, I’ve been living like a general on the battlefield.

I’ve even stood secret watch outside her bedroom, fearing someone might notice.

If word got out, our lady’s reputation would be ruined.

‘I’ll protect our lady myself!’

* * *

“Yawn…”

I let out a massive yawn and got out of bed.

My eyes felt gritty. I hadn’t been sleeping well lately.

Last night at dawn, I heard a man’s voice from our lady’s bedroom again.

How did I know? Because I was standing guard outside.

‘Not sleeping is becoming a real problem.’

Honestly, I was exhausted.

Exhausted enough to yawn in front of our lady.

Of course, our kind lady told me to go rest, but how could I?

As a veteran maid, leaving my lady’s side just because I’m tired is unacceptable.

“Alright, up I go!”

I quickly washed up and headed to our lady’s bedroom. As soon as I stood before the door, a sigh escaped me out of habit.

‘The bed sheets are probably a mess again today.’

I desperately wanted to tell her:

If you don’t want to get caught, at least clean up the traces of someone else lying in your bed.

Those black hairs are way too noticeable.

‘I’ll have to sneak and tidy it up.’

That’s why I had to wake up early. To erase the man’s traces before the other maids saw.

It’s a servant’s duty to help hide their master’s secrets.

I lightly knocked on our lady’s bedroom door.

“My lady, I’m coming in.”

The room, tightly curtained, was as dark as night.

‘Should I open the curtains first?’

The thought had barely crossed my mind as I turned toward the window. That’s when something out of place caught my eye.

“Oh, mother of—!!!”

My legs gave out, and I collapsed right there. I was so shocked, I started hiccupping.

“Wh-who… hic… who…”

I stopped mid-sentence and swallowed hard.

‘Why is he here of all places…?’

Those long, slanted eyes and prominent nose, those red lips like they were kissed by roses.

His neckline was long yet sturdy, his shoulders broad enough for two people to sit on.

There was no mistaking him. There was only one man in the empire—no, the world—with such bewitching features.

“Y-Your Highness, hic… wh-what are you… hic… doing here?!”

As far as I knew, our lady had never even met Crown Prince!

“Quiet.”

He pressed a finger to his lips. Even that gesture was mesmerizing.

And he was shirtless, leaving me nowhere to look.

I couldn’t help but let my gaze drop to his glowing chest and defined abs in the dim light before hurriedly turning my head away.

“Y-yes, s-sorry…”

At that moment, our lady stirred, sensing the commotion.

“Mm…”

“Shh, it’s nothing. Keep sleeping.”

His Highness gently patted our lady’s back with affectionate care, handling her like fragile glasswork.

She, who woke at the slightest noise and never slept deeply, soon fell into a deep slumber again.

Watching that, my hiccups stopped, and my cheeks burned.

No explanation was needed.

‘They’re in love.’

His Highness rose from the bed slowly, so the mattress wouldn’t shake and wake her.

I kept my eyes fixed on the floor—it would be disrespectful to see a royal naked.

Soon, I heard him dressing, and suddenly the window opened.

Feeling the breeze, I cautiously lifted my head.

His Highness stood by the window, haphazardly dressed. His bare chest was visible through the loosely worn suit jacket.

‘Gasp! Dressing like that to seduce who… no, where is he going?’

I wondered if I should call a valet to help him dress properly when he whispered,

“Astell didn’t sleep well last night. Let her rest a bit longer—she must be tired.”

Why didn’t she sleep well…

I forcefully shoved away the lewd thoughts that sprang to mind and bowed my head.

“Understood, Your Highness.”

“And no need for night watch tonight. That’s what I waited to tell you.”

“…Yes.”

He winked with those long eyes and leaped out the window.

I quickly closed the window and checked on our lady.

Seeing her sleeping soundly with a tired face, I suddenly burst into laughter.

So what if she’s changed? Even if she seems like someone else sometimes, so what?

She looks so at ease and happy like this.

I tiptoed out of the bedroom.