Clang.

“…Ugh.”

Clang. Clang.

“What…?”

I woke up to the noisy sound, covering my ears with a pillow.

Clang. Clang. Clang. Clang. Clang.

Without getting tired, the ringing sound continued. Unable to endure any longer, I sat up abruptly. Where was this noise coming from? When I quickly turned my head, a centipede was swinging continuously, hanging on a string.

‘Ah!’

Only then did I recall that I had been staying at the First Prince’s palace since yesterday. I turned my head, and it was still dark outside. Grabbing the pocket watch placed by the bedside, I checked the time and my eyes widened.

“4 o’clock?!”

Did it wake me up at 4 in the morning? But the sun hasn’t risen yet?

In the midst of my confusion, the centipede continued to ring incessantly.

“Darn it, even when I was a maid, I used to sleep until six!”
Hastily descending from the bed, I quickly changed into maid attire, brushed off any sleep from my eyes, and opened the side door connected to Cahillen’s room, crossing the splendid living room.

“Your Highness, it’s Violet.”

I was out of breath from hurrying across from one room to another.

“Come in.”

After glancing at the door and resisting the urge to kick it with my foot, I cautiously opened it.

Cahillen was still on the bed, looking up from the documents he was reading, leaning against the frame.

“Seems like the bed suits you well.”

“…I apologize for being late.”

What bed fitting well? I had tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep due to worries about the grim future, and had only fallen asleep a few hours ago.

“I want to wash up first, so please prepare.”

“Yes. Please wait a moment.”

I retrieved facial wash and a towel from the attached private bathroom, placing them on the table.

Turning to call Cahillen, I had to turn back immediately.

Cahillen, who had been on the bed, was now standing right behind me.

Moreover, the front of his robe was wide open. Thanks to that, his well-defined chest muscles were vividly visible.

“Why is he doing this?”

Certainly, his appearance might be disheveled since he had just gotten out of bed, but still.

“Even if you don’t see me as a woman, isn’t there a need to be careful?”

Unable to turn back, while I hesitated and wandered my gaze, Cahillen sat down at the table where the washbasin was placed.

“What are you doing?”

“Yes?”

Cahillen gestured to the washbasin.

“Oh, yes.”

I quickly soaked the towel in warm water.

Starting from under his neck, I forcibly brought my gaze upward, wiping Cahillen’s face with my eyes closed.

Forehead, nose, cheeks, sharp jawline. His firm-looking skin felt softer than expected. Gazing at his unexpectedly handsome face without a flaw, I couldn’t help but admire.

“Looks like you’ve fallen for me again.”

Cahillen, who slowly opened his eyes, raised his eyebrows while looking at me.

“The gaze is too intense; I can’t just pretend I don’t notice.”

“…”

“How does it feel to admire someone affectionately from the morning?”

“…Yes, it makes me happy.”

I forced a smile, grinding the towel against Cahillen’s face.

“Ah!”

“Oh, sorry. It stuck to me, and I didn’t notice.”

“What got stuck?”

Bad luck seemed to have attached itself. This rascal.

“It’s dust.”

“Seems more like irritation.”

“Irritation? How dare I annoy Your Highness. I’ll wipe it off, so please stay still.”

I chuckled and rubbed the towel on his face, using the excuse that it wasn’t wiped off yet. Despite the obvious pain, Cahillen found it amusing, which made it even more ridiculous.

“Only I dress myself.”

After finishing the face wash, Cahillen went into the attached wallet room alone. Fortunately, he didn’t ask for help with changing clothes. Remembering the muscular chest that seemed quite robust, I couldn’t help but let out an involuntary cough.
“Is it normal for a maid to do such things?”

Although royal males did keep maids by their side, such personal services were usually carried out by maids of the same gender.

Being the only maid in the palace, it meant that Cahillen had not received these services from a maid until now. This was undoubtedly a deliberate act to torment me.

“Surely, it won’t go as far as receiving a bath service, right?”

I quickly shook my head at the involuntary image that came to mind. Considering that he insisted on dressing himself, it probably wouldn’t go that far.

“…Right?”