The next day.
As I said yesterday, I would co earlier to wake her up. And now I am doing just that.
Before the male servant arrives with hot water for my bath, I am already sitting on the bed. He looks at with widened eyes, clearly surprised to find awake.
Seeing the bucket in his hands, I take it from him and carry it into the bathroom. I turn the handle and step inside, pouring the water into the wooden tub. The water rises slowly, its surface trembling before settling into stillness.
I step back out and hand the empty bucket to him. His expression stiffens for a mont before he bows and excuses himself. I return the bow, and he leaves.
After watching the door close, I head back to the bathroom. Warm air lingers inside. Steam drifts upward, brushing against the ceiling. The water, once scalding, begins to settle into a steady warmth.
I remove my clothes and step into the tub. Starting with my right foot, I slowly lower myself until my entire body is subrged in the warm water. I remain there in silence, staring at the ceiling.
I look at my left hand, which is injured but no longer hurts. I plan to open it, but I hold back—worried that so part of it might still be unhealed.
My gaze then falls, reflecting my own face’s shadow. I scoop water from within using my right hand, which is fine. Then I wet my hair with my eyes closed.
I subrge myself in the warm water for a mont before pulling back.
I imdiately stand up and step out of the tub. I grab a white towel draped nearby and quickly rub it through my brown hair.
I open the door and step out. As soon as I reach the bed, I toss the towel from my head onto it.
I sit on the soft bed for a mont, lost in thought before my desire pulls back.
I rise from the bed, walking toward the wardrobe with two doors. I open both doors, briefly looking at the clothes inside. Most are my personal servant’s clothes, and now there are additional training clothes given by Big Brother.
I smile, picking one of the personal servant’s outfits. I quickly put on the clothes, and the final part of the outfit—the black tie—is tightened.
I glance briefly at the oval mirror. A neatly dressed, handso man looks back at .
After checking myself, I walk directly toward the doorfra. When I arrive, I pull both long handles and step out of my room, closing the door behind .
I walk slowly. The Head Servant still appears to be asleep. The only other servants present are those tasked with bringing hot water.
My steps touch the two-step staircase, and before I realize it, I am already upstairs. I see the large window in front of . The sun, which hadn’t shown itself when I woke up, now begins to peek out little by little.
I look to my left, stepping back onto the red carpet on the second floor. The princess’s door, once distant along the corridor, gradually grows larger until it stands directly in front of .
I swallow heavily. One of my hands begins to grasp the door handle. I take a deep breath, trying to reassure myself. I push it open slightly.
Through the small gap, I peek inside. The room is still dark, the princess asleep. Her body is curled up on the plush bed.
I look at her. Opening the door just wide enough for my body to enter. As I step inside, I walk toward the window ahead, still covered by the curtain.
In the middle of my walk, the princess appears to stretch—making a long sound, prompting to look at her imdiately. I thought she would wake up, but apparently not as I expected.
I press my chest, take a short breath. My gaze returns to the window, back to my main purpose.
I am now in front of the curtain. My hand slips between the folds. Without hesitation, I pull it aside.
Light seeps in gradually, stretching across the floor before reaching the princess’s bed.
The sun has climbed higher now. It should be enough to wake her.
I see her from behind. Her eyes blink slowly before opening wide. She suddenly wakes up, looking at near the window with furrowed brows.
I smile stiffly, waving my hand toward her.
"Ahaha... good morning, My Lady?"
She snorts. "WHY ARE YOU HERE?! GET OUT!"
I rub the back of my neck. "Haha... Very well, My Lady..."
I follow her command. I walk quickly toward the door, stepping out calmly. I wait beside the outside door.
From inside, I hear so annoyed words from her, quite loud. After she seems to release her negative emotions, I hear the door handle turn. She apparently goes to the bathroom.
From here, her bathing sounds inside are inaudible—blocked by two layers of doors outside and inside. After a few monts, the bathroom door opens again. From the sound now, she seems to be opening her wardrobe, dressing, and finally applying makeup.
The sound beside is heard a mont later, and the door opens. I turn my gaze aside. The princess with shoulder-length hair passes by from the doorway, looking at with a cynical expression.
I smile slightly. Don’t think the outco will be the sa, My Lady.
The princess’s footsteps echo down the corridor, imdiately joined by another pair of shoes—mine.
I follow her quickly, walking beside her but slightly behind.
The princess looks back at , her eyebrows furrowing. She quickens her steps.
I feel it too, and I start to speed up my pace as well.
The princess snorts, growing more annoyed with . "WHY... WHY DO YOU KEEP FOLLOWING ?!"
I look into her eyes, tilting my head slightly. "I don’t intend to follow you, My Lady. Perhaps we just happen to be on the sa path."
She turns her face forward, leaving behind.
I smile faintly. Well, how could it be different? After all, I am headed to the sa place you’re going now.
We continue walking on the red carpet, passing several corridors. I keep following the princess from the sa position. Her pace gradually speeds up over ti, forcing to keep up.
Suddenly, our steps stop. Ahead of is a large door with two panels. It bears so intricate carvings, quite beautiful to look at.
The princess beside snorts and glares at the door ahead. Her steps move, and she is now directly in front of it. Before she can open it, I step in—asking her to let open it instead.
Her eyebrows furrow, and she nods reluctantly.
I smile, turning my body around. My hand touches the cold, long handle, and I open it. Little by little, the interior inside becos visible.
And when the door swings wide open, everything becos clear.
A luxurious long dining table, with chairs lined up with matching luxurious material. On it are various foods; from different ats to vegetables.
Duke is already seated in a special chair, the head of the family’s seat. Light falls from the window not far from him, sidelining Duke who is there.
Not far from him, there is a servant close by—The Head Servant.
Several other servants are lined up behind him—arms crossed behind their backs.
I fall silent for a mont. The princess snorts, then passes by and enters the room.
I, who see her, imdiately follow her steps.
The princess walks quickly, her expression furrowed.
I adjust my black tie, glancing at the surrounding servants who are frowning. I swallow hard, then look straight ahead again.
When I reach the table, I pull out a chair beside Duke. Instead of taking it, the princess steps away and draws out another chair for herself before sitting down.
I move to where she sat, walking directly toward her.
She crosses her arms. Her vacant eyes stare blankly at her father in the distance. She snorts, then looks at the prepared food—one very expensive-looking beef steak.
Seeing that, the princess imdiately takes a knife and fork from either side. She cuts piece by piece, slowly.
While the princess tries to eat her cut pieces, Duke’s voice stops her in midair.
"...Hey, my daughter—" He clears his throat. "I an, My darling."
The princess’s face freezes, looking at her father in the distance.
"...Ha?"
Duke seems to be cutting the beef steak in front of him. Stabbing it with a fork, feeding it into his mouth.
He seems to eat it calmly, before his gaze turns to his daughter.
He chews, swallowing his food.
"How are you, My darling? Are you well?" Duke asks.
I watch Duke from behind the princess, smiling faintly at him like that.
Looks like he really did it.
The princess, hearing the words from her father, imdiately lowers her gaze. Her hands clench in silence.
"W-w-w-w-well..."
A fragnted voice is heard from her. My eyebrow raises, looking at her like that. For a mont she speaks, still fragnted. And in the middle of it, she suddenly rises from her chair.
"I-I’m well!" she shouts, before leaving the room with a reddened face.
I watch her. And also watch Duke looking at his daughter leaving the dining room, slightly weak. So of the servants there look stunned. Including the Head Servant who widens his eyes, before looking at with narrowed eyes.
I avoid eye contact. Rubbing the back of my neck, softly. Ha... why am I the one being looked at?
Reviews
All reviews (0)