Hansel had heard a lot of shocking things in his life. Like the time he was chosen from the orphanage to train as a servant in the Imperial Palace. Or the time he was assigned as the Duke's personal servant. Or the time the Duke suddenly got a fiancée - a willing one! Very shocking.

But this one was the most shocking of all and he could only stare at the beautiful red-headed lady in front of him.

"I just mean you can stay here. You can sleep here in my room and leave in the morning," Rubiella said.

Oh. So that's what she meant. But still . . .

"I'm afraid that would not be proper of me to do, My Lady," Hansel said.

Rubiella looked irritated. "Always a proper gentleman."

Hansel was not sure what to make of Rubiella Summers. She was an enigma. Why was she making it hard for him to leave? Why did she treat him so nicely?

"My Lady, do you not want me to be a proper gentleman to you?" Hansel asked.

"I just . . . Tsk! You're being so difficult!" Rubiella fumed at him.

"My Lady, if someone learns of this, you will be hard-pressed to find a noble man who will marry you," Hansel said.

"You will have to take responsibility then!" Rubiella said and suddenly pulled him by his tie.

She leaned in close to his face.

"And who said I wanted to marry a noble man?" She whispered.

Hansel's eyes widened. Rubiella Summers was a force he could not win against and to be honest, he didn't enjoy pushing her away.

"My Lady, you are such a delight."

Hansel began taking off his coat.

*

*

*

Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh dear.

He was taking it off.

Well, just his coat.

But still!

He was undressing!

Rubiella bit her lower lip as she watched Hansel take off his coat. He began to take off his tie too.

Oh dear. Her heart was not prepared.

He took off his eyeglasses and she was now staring at his vibrant emerald green eyes.

Her heart. Breathe!

He stopped undressing.

Whew.

"Can I sleep here on the floor beside you, My Lady? I can just lie down on my coat," Hansel said.

Rubiella had a feeling he did not mean his offer. He was looking at her so intensely.

"No, the floor is hard. My bed is big you can just sleep here with me," Rubiella said.

"Yes, it is hard, My Lady," Hansel said with a strange expression.

Rubiella was sure she was going to have a hard time sleeping.

Hansel sat beside her. He took off his shoes.

Rubiella's heart was beating so fast. She had never done something so impulsive. Well, maybe she had. She was prone to escape the mansion to eat out secretly but this was different! This handsome proper gentleman was actually on her bed!

"My Lady, are you all right?" His hand touched her face.

Her eyes widened. His hand was touching her face.

"You're quite warm, My Lady. Are you feeling under the weather? Should I get your maid?" Hansel asked with a worried look.

"N-no! I'm fine. Of course, I'm warm!" Rubiella said. She felt her face heat up again. She sounded so silly!

He removed his hand from her face and laid down beside her.

"Will you lie down too, My Lady? It's past your bedtime, I believe."

Rubiella nodded and laid down beside him, her body facing his.

Hansel pulled on the blanket and both of them were under it. He was still looking at her with such intensity.

"You look so . . . focused. Why can't you relax?" Rubiella asked.

"I'm trying my best, My Lady."

"Trying your best at what?"

"Not to touch you."

"You already did that earlier when you touched my face."

"Not like that."

Oh.

They looked at each other silently for a while.

"My Lady, can I ask you a question?"

"You already did. Go on."

"Why are you being like this to me? I am merely a butler."

"I don't think of you as merely a butler. You're you. I see you as just you," Rubiella said.

Hansel smiled. "I have a confession to make, My Lady."

A confession.

A confession?!

Oh. My.

"Y-yes?"

"The first time I saw you, I really wanted to run my fingers through your hair," Hansel said.

Oh. A boring confession.

"Do you want to do that now?" Rubiella asked.

Did she brush her hair earlier? She would die of embarrassment if his fingers would get stuck from the unruly tangles.

"Yes, and more," Hansel said.

Rubiella gulped.

"Then touch me. I mean, my hair. Touch my hair," Rubiella said, blushing.

"Perhaps next time. You can give that to me as a reward," Hansel said.

"A reward? For what?" Rubiella asked. This man was so difficult!

"For saving the Duke from ruining his engagement. I feel that I cannot allow myself to enjoy while His Grace is suffering," Hansel said with an apologetic look.

Rubiella sighed. "I see. All right, once this is over come and get your reward. Don't forget!"

Hansel grinned. "Thank you, My Lady. It's a promise."

"Cross your heart and hope to die. I mean, don't die. Just keep your promise!" Rubiella said while pretending to look strict.

Hansel chuckled. "I promise to touch My Lady once this is over."

Rubiella's eyes went wide.

"Your hair, My Lady."

"Yes, of course."

"Good night, Hansel," Rubiella said and closed her eyes.

"Good night, My Lady."

*

*

*

Rubiella did not expect that she would fall asleep so fast. Perhaps it was because there was so much excitement the night before or maybe because it was really late already. Or maybe because Hansel was beside her and she felt so protected.

Hansel was no longer beside her when she woke up. At first, she thought maybe she had just dreamed of it. She got up to her vanity table to brush her hair and saw that her usually blank notepad was no longer blank.

"Thank you for last night, My Lady."

Rubiella blushed at what he had written. She carefully ripped off the note from the notepad and placed it inside her jewelry box which had a lock and key.

There was a knock.

"Come in," Rubiella said.

"My Lady, you're awake!" Annie exclaimed.

"Um, yes, I am, Annie. Good morning to you too," Rubiella said.

Annie chuckled. "Good morning, My Lady. I just found it surprising that you're awake already after your very eventful evening."

Annie wiggled her eyebrows. Rubiella blushed.

"No events like that happened, Annie," Rubiella said, her eyes narrowed at Annie.

"My Lady, you do not need to keep it from me. I shall wash the sheets now. Best not to leave evidence. I've also heated some towels. I am sure your lower back must be aching," Annie said cheerfully.

"There's nothing like that I said!" Rubiella said.

Annie chuckled, her eyes looking for something on the sheets.

"My Lady, nothing truly happened?" Annie asked with a disappointed look.

Rubiella sighed. "I wish! Hansel was a proper gentleman until the end."

"I suppose you have to hook Lord Hansel in using the traditional way. You have to make him ask your hand from your father, My Lady," Annie said.

"My hand?!" Rubiella squealed.

"Were you thinking of not tying the knot with Lord Hansel, My Lady? Surely you are not just going to give him your first night and let him go on his merry way?" Annie said with a disapproving look.

"I mean, it's just too early. I didn't say I was not going to marry him. We haven't even k-ki . . ."

Rubiella was too flustered to continue.

"Also, he can't exactly just ask for my hand in marriage," Rubiella said.

"Well, for engagement then or courtship! Or is Lord Hansel already married? I should clobber him then!" Annie fumed.

"No! He's not married! He's just not . . . a lord. He's a butler, Annie," Rubiella said.

"Oh."

"It's not because I don't like him being a butler. I think Father would not like it if he finds out Hansel is a butler," Rubiella said.

"Are you quite certain, My Lady? I've never seen a butler look like that and he talks so well!" Annie said.

"Yes, I'm sure. He's the head butler of House Ashburn and also the Duke's personal aide," Rubiella said.

"Hmm . . ."

"I get nervous when you look like you're thinking, Annie."

"Not to worry, My Lady. I shall help you elope with Lord Hansel then. I mean, Hansel. Just tell me the date and I'll pack your things in secret," Annie said cheerfully.

Rubiella laughed. "Thank you, Annie, but I'm not eloping yet. I have something to take care of first. My friend, Euphee, is being held captive by that prick of a prince."

"Euphee? I don't think I've heard of that name, My Lady."

"She's the Saintess and she's too good for the prince," Rubiella said. "Annie, is Father in his study?"

"Yes, My Lady."

"Good. Could you bring out the most childish innocent-looking dress you can find?" Rubiella asked.

"May I ask what for, My Lady?"

"I need to ask a favour from Father and I should look like a little girl as much as possible. Maybe he won't be too angry when I ask him. Oh, and tie my hair please so he won't notice my red hair too much. You know how much he hates it."

Oh, Hansel. The things she was willing to do for him.