IT'S INTERESTING

- CAMILLA -

I find it weird, since it's TOTALLY 'MYSELF' we're talking about! That Grand Duke's daughter was ME in the past. I don't remember such things happening in my life back then, and it shocks me that my current self is courting a MAID!

Moreover, IT'S SERINA! Where did the present me get the courage to humiliate herself in front of a crowd?! "You look too problematic," A chuckle caught my attention as Vien sat besides me. Looking back at the past, she used to be wary of me. Perhaps, I'm not that trustworthy in her eyes.

"Did Her Majesty exhaust you?" She grins slightly. Speaking of being tired, "She did. But it was my fault since I wanted us to stay until midnight. My back is hurting from that position."

"Is it a free service?" 

"Of course, it's free. Hel doesn't need to pay me as I volunteered to do it. It was cold last night; good thing it became warm afterwards. "

She looks at me with amusement in her face. Did I say something out of the ordinary for her to look at me like that?

"Did Her Majesty do good?" If we're talking about performance, then.. "She's the BEST among anyone else. She doesn't just live by being better. She also guides me on what to do, although my back really hurts. "

Her laughter echoed throughout the camp, drawing Helvetica's attention to us.

"You seem to be having a good conversation with my fiancé, Vien." The General keeps on laughing as if she was possessed by an evil spirit. "What's the topic to make her laugh like that?" Hel looks at me as she rests her sword on the ground. 

"We are just talking about your performance."

"My performance?" I nod. "What about my performance?"

"She asked me if you tired me off and I said yes. But it was my fault since I volunteered and I also liked it, so I'm really the one to blame. Also, you guided me last night, don't you remember? I did have fun doing it with you, but my back and neck hurt because of that. She was asking if you did well, so I replied, 'YOU DON'T LIVE BY JUST BEING BETTER,' and she started laughing like that—" I stopped for a brief moment as the knights broke contact while Hel cleared her throat.

"Oh—" It feels like the embarrassment is starting to rise up through my face as I realize the meaning behind my words. "No. I- I mean– what I mean is that I am exhausted from spending the night with Her Majesty. Not the kind of tired you're picturing! But I'm tired of checking the paperwork. "

"Lady Camilla, what do you think I'm thinking?" DO I EVEN NEED TO SAY IT?! "We're not doing that thing!"

"What thing?" 

"VIEN!" I yelled. She laughs as Hel sighs while massaging her temple. "That's enough. Go back to your post, General." When Hel started to lock contact, I felt like a cold bucket of water was pouring all over my body.

"I already made an arrangement with Devourah. You can meet her tomorrow. But for now, it's already lunch; would you like to eat inside or outside?" The maids stare at me as if they're pondering trivial matters.

"OUTSIDE! In the garden, can we?" I might as well cool off my head for a minute, or maybe an hour will do.

It wasn't long before the maid began distributing the plates on the blanket. I'm just glad it's not too hot outside, because otherwise the wind will be warm as well. "Why do we have to sit on a dirty blanket when we have a cottage in the garden?" I could see irritability written all over her face as she looked at me.

"You're complaining about sitting on a blanket, but not complaining about the knight's camp." She sighs as a sign of defeat. "Don't you like it inside? I feel like my sweat is starting to spread all over my body. I need to take a bath. " She touched her knight outfit as I cleared my throat.

"As what I stated earlier—" e cut me off as she started to eat her meals. "We don't have to talk about unnecessary things while eating. You should munch your shares so I could take a bath."

"It's just a slip of a tongue." I responded by starting to eat. "I don't plan to touch you nor to make you uncomfortable. I already stated that. But if you wished too, I wouldn't mind." I choke on my food as she fiendishly chuckles while handing me a bottle of water.

"Eat slowly," How can I even eat at this point when she's spouting nonsense?! "What? You don't want to? That's also fine with me. I mean, you'll not get pregnant even if I— " I cover her mouth as the maids fake a cough.

"Can you shut your mouth? We're eating!" But instead of composing herself, this woman even dares to lick my hand in broad daylight! Before I could withdraw my hand, she let go of it as she drank her water.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" How could she be so careless?! There are many eyes in the palace! "I also like early dessert." I feel like my face is exploding in any moment.

"Please restrain yourself." But the evil woman just laughs as she continues to eat. "You said I could meet the Grand Duke's daughter tomorrow, right?" She nods.

"Are you sure you're going to allow her to court your maid? I mean, Serina is one of your people." She stops as she swallows her food.

"I can't force the Grand Duke's daughter and tell her to stop. It may be suspicious, but it's none of my business. Their relationship could benefit me in some way, so I will let them. " She didn't want them to be together, but she's letting them for the sake of the benefits she could derive from it...

She's indeed Helvetica.

"If you're worried about their relationship, you should come up with a creative approach to ask her about her plans. I will trust you on this. That's why I also allowed you to meet up with her. She's a former candidate for being my spouse, but if she wishes to marry my maid, then I have nothing to do with it. After all, I could just hire one again."

"However, if Serina is bothered by the Grand Duke's daughter's presence, that's where I'll most likely interrupt."

"It's interesting, don't you think? A maid and a higher authority relationship. Quite a sight to see."