*Jane's Point of View*

It has been three weeks since our arrival in the Royal Capital, and if my memory serves me correct, tomorrow night is Sir Key's Inauguration and some nobles too. Tomorrow, there will be a gathering of many nobles from different parts of the kingdom.

I feel nervous just thinking about it. I'm not even a part of it!

It took a very long time, but we have finally moved into a mansion in the Royal Capital's ground. I heard from the nobles that visit Sir Key and from the newly hired maids that the mansion is a Gift from many nobles. I feel like Sir Key has made more acquaintances than before.

I really thought that Sir Key would disregard me after he hired more maids. To my surprise, he told me to become his and Marie's personal maids along with Lapis. I feel slightly special.

Currently, Sir Key is in the parlor talking with a fellow noble. A Baron, as I heard.

And I, I'm outside with Marie who is playing with Ellom. Lapis is sitting on a bench looking at the flowers. She's quiet as usual. It makes me wonder is she really is a mute or not.

“Ahahaha! Stop! Stop!”

Marie got pushed down by Ellom on the Grassy ground. Not only that, she's also being ticked by Ellom.

“Okay, Ellom. That's enough. Marie's dress will get dirty.”

When I said that, Ellom's color switches from pink to blue. He's really obedient to me than Sir Key for some reason.

I brush of the dust and leaves that had stick on Marie's dress. I know Sir Key wouldn't mind this at all, but he has visitors right now. I can't get him embarrassed.

I can see him on the other side of the window from here outside the backyard.

“Papa…”

Marie is also looking at her father. If she makes a lonely face like this, it means she wants to go to her father. I have understood her personality and memorized her mood patterns already.

Since I can't bring her to him yet, all I need to do is avert her attention.

“Hey, do you want to see Mister Horsy again?”

“WAAA! HORSY!”

Her small scream is so cute! She's too pure for this world!

We immediately went to the stable where the horses and carriage is parked.

Sir Key also hired a caretaker for the horses. He hired an old married couple for some reason. Though I say old, they're not in their 40s yet.

“Good morning, Uncle Senny and Aunt Gladys. Can we enter the stable to see the horses?”

“Good morning, Jean. Does young master want something regarding the horses?”

Since Uncle Senny didn't seem to hear me from the far back, only Aunt Gladys greeted me back. I can overlook calling me with a wrong name for now.

“It's Jane, Aunt Gladys. And Sir Key won't mind as long as we don't create trouble.”

“You sure are confident for a maid, Jane.”

“I may be a maid, but he treats me with respect like a sister. He won't get angry with just this if it's me.”

Though I say it proudly, the fact that Sir Key treats me like a sister still hurts.

Aunt Gladys lets out a sigh and turns a heel to the stable.

“Fine… but please be careful around the horses. They haven't got used to this place so they're quite easily startled.”

“Thank you, Aunt Gladys.”

When we entered the stable, Marie wanted to walk on her own so I put her down. I have Lapis with me so we can watch over her and make sure she doesn't hurt herself.

Marie decided to run towards Uncle Senny who is feeding the horses with carrots.

Before, we would panic when we see her suddenly running. Now, we can rest at ease no matter where we are. That is because Marie is a strong little girl just like her father. Even if she trips, she'll just stand up immediately like nothing happened with a big smile on her face.

Even so, we really can't just leave her alone. It's our job to take care of her after all.

“Hello!”

“Oh! Hello, young master's daughter. Would you like to also feed the horse?”

Uncle Senny got surprised when Marie greeted him. He looked like he got disturbed after Marie came close to him, but looking at Marie’s big cheerful smile, his expression changed to a good one.

I understand him. He probably thinks that Sir Key would be angry over little details. He's lucky to be hired by him since Sir Key wouldn’t mind the little things.

After Marie received a carrot, she lifted up her small arms to the horse.

However, the horse is too tall for Marie to reach.

“Want me to give you a lift?”

“Uh…”

His question made Marie a bit confused. She still hasn't learned much about communication yet so oshe can't understand questions she hadn’t be taught with.

After a while, even though she can't understand him, she raises her arms asking to be carried.

“To!” *up*

“Okay.”

Uncle Senny lifts Marie and make her sit on his thick arm.

“Go on, give the carrot to Mr. Horsy.”

We watch Marie feed the horses the whole time. She really enjoys doing new things and isn't even a bit afraid of them. She even does it with a joyful smile on her face. She really is the daughter of Sir Key. They're too alike.

“Miss Jane, Master Chardelier is calling for you!”

While I was enjoying a very warm moment, a maid suddenly comes and calls me. I wanted to enjoy the moment more.

I left Lapis to take care of Marie and rushed to Sir Key.

When I arrived in the room, I got surprised to see Sir Key's visitors are. Even so, I steeled myself and drop down on one knee immediately.

“That’s something I don't see everyday.”

I heard Sir Key's murmur. He must be talking about me.

Also, the reason why I'm kneeling right now is that, the visitors are two dukes. I haven't met them before yet, but I can tell just by looking at their clothes and the aura they give off.

“I was called.”

“Ah, yes. I almost forgot.”

While saying that, he comes to me and grabs my hand to make me stand. After that, he pulls me and makes me sit beside him. I was so surprised I forgot to react!

“Jane, there's something I'd like you to meet. The man on the left is Duke Mullen and the one on the right is Duke Allard.”

“Good morning, Duke Mullen, Duke Allard.”

“And dukes, this is Jane, the best maid in my Household.”

I bowed my head when Sir Key introduced me to them. I'm so nervous that I feel like I'm sweating all over my body. The winter has just passed, but it feels like mid-summer already at the moment.

“Jane, there's something I want you to do. It's about the Dukes.”

“Sir?”

For the first time in my time with him, he's looking at me with a serious expression.

“Wait a minute. Are you trying saying that this maid can protect us? Is she also a magician?”

Before Sir Key could say something, the man called Duke Allard suddenly interrupts him. He sounds, a bit angry.

Sir Key looked a bit irritated for a split second and them immediately switches to a smile. S-so scary… I think I was the only one who noticed that.

“That's the point, Duke Allard. Because she is just a maid, the said assassin will not be expecting her. It's a counter surprise for the surprise.”

What did he say?! Assassin? An assassin is coming?!

“Woaw, Jane, calm down. Nothing bad is going to happen.”

Sir Key became worried when I started to panic. But even if he says that again and again, I can’t calm down! I feel so scared!

Then all of a sudden, Sir Key suddenly grabs my hand. After that, he puts his arm around my neck and pulls my face to his chest.

At that moment, my minds stopped working and my whole body froze like time itself has stopped for me.

“I'll talk to her about it, Duke Allard, Duke Mullen. Rest assured, both of you are under my protection. We can see each other tonight.”

“Please, Celestial Magus. You're the only one we can count on.”

“I'll give you anything you want. Just make sure that me and my family remains safe.”

After that, both of them said their goodbyes and left the room.

Now, only me and Sir Key are the ones left.

“Have you calm down now, Jane?”

“Uh… uhmmm…”

I've calmed down the moment he hugged me. For a while now, I've been listening to Sir Key's heartbeat.

Now that his attention is back to me, I believe that this moment has come to a stop.

“I-I'm scared.”

“I know. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have followed what I just thought on a whim. I'm really sorry.”

Sir Key really apologized to me while looking regretful. He looks down on his knee while dropping his shoulder.

“To be honest, what Duke Allard said just now was a lie I made up.”

“A lie?”

“Yes, a lie. I wanted to use you to rat out their real objective. But I didn't expect that you'd be scared before I could say it. I regret having that idea.”

Sir Key leans his back on the long sofa. While looking up on the ceiling, he lets out a loud sudden sigh that startled me a little.

“But Jane, I just really want you listen to me for a bit about the job I'm giving you. Like I said earlier, I lied about letting you handle the said assailant. All I want you to do is just to stand and pretend to be watching out for someone. You don't have to actually see them. Just attend the ball with me as my personal maid, no more, no less.”

Sir Key explained to me his real intentions. Even if he did it carefully, I still can't understand what he's trying to say.

“I don't understand sir. Why would you use me to not use me? I can't process it properly in my head.”

“It's not that complicated. You'll just act like a bait waiting to be caught. Of course, I won't let that happen. I would never allow anyone to hurt you.”

‘I would never allow anyone to hurt you.’ The phrase itself keeps going in a loop in my head. He's too forward today, I can feel my face starting to heat up.

Calm down, me! Breathe in, breathe out! Don't let it show on your face.

“I-aya….”

“Aya?”

Oh no! I messed up! So embarrassing!

“I'll accept your offer, Sir Key! I'll accept the task.”

“For real? Thanks Jane!”

Sir Key suddenly grabs my hand while wearing a smile full of joy. He's really happy that I accepted.

Hah… that smile of his. It always make my heart become violent.

“Now that you've accepted, I'll give you something that would protect you no matter where I am.”

All of a sudden, my right hand that Sir Key is holding starts glowing in Violet. Not only that, I could feel something wrapping around my ring finger. It's not hot or cold, but somehow it feels somewhat, pleasant.

“Okay, open your eyes now.”

Like he instructed, I slowly open my eyes to see what he put on my finger.

To my surprise, there's a crystal-like ring inserted on my ring finger! The violet color is so dark that it could be considered as black. The design is plain, but it has a certain charm to it.

“That ring will protect you from harm no matter where you and I are. This ring is connected to me so you are also connected to me. It may help you in times of need, but please, don't be too careless.”

I can't hear what he just said just now. My eyes are enthralled by the ring on my finger. And did he say we're connected through this?! It like we're…. A married couple!

It feels like he just proposed to me!

“Well, do you like the ring? I know it looks plain—”

“I love it!”

I put the ring near my chest while feeling very happy. Just like he said, it can protect me from harm. I can feel it just by wearing it.

“Anyway, just don't get yourself into trouble, ok? You can go back now.”

“Ok, Sir Key! And also, thank you!”

After I bowed to him, I left his room with a smile on my face. It may be unbecoming as a woman, but his advances are too strong! I can't help but fall in-love with him all over again!

If he wants to make me his mistress, I won't mind at all!

My dream continues~

-End of Intermission-