Midnight - Athanasia Point of View
I was suddenly jolted awake, gasping for breath, my heart pounding in my chest. The remnants of a haunting nightmare clung to my mind, leaving me feeling uneasy. In the dream, I found myself in a mysterious white room, confronted by the memories of my three past lives. The realization that I had lived multiple lives before this one sent shivers down my spine. Though I had some recollections of those past selves, there was a lingering feeling that I had forgotten something of great importance.
I had once been the "Lord of Mysteries" in a previous life, where I possessed the knowledge of magic. Even in my current life, I still retained a faint connection to magic, though my current body was fragile, and using my full magical power would likely lead to my demise. The ghostly apparitions of my past selves stared at me, wordlessly reminding me of a forgotten promise we had made.
With a sigh, I tried to push aside the unsettling thoughts and attempted to go back to sleep, but sleep eluded me. Instead, I decided to seek solace in the library and lose myself in a book. Carrying a lamp to guide my way, I selected a book from the shelves and returned to my room. As I read, my eyes grew heavy, and eventually, I drifted off into slumber once more.
Morning came, and I woke with the book still in my arms. Frustrated that I couldn't remember how I had fallen asleep, I proceeded to take a shower before the maids helped me dress for the day. I resolved to visit Cale's room, but my cursed clumsiness struck again as I strained my legs on the way. Despite the discomfort, I made it to Cale's room and knocked on the door.
Ron, Cale's ever-attentive Butler answered the door with a smile. I greeted him, surprised to see that he was holding two cups of tea. I couldn't help but wonder if he had somehow predicted my visit and prepared the tea for me. Shrugging off the thought, I thanked him and entered the room.
As I savored the tea's warmth, I noticed how Ron's gaze lingered on me. The idea that he might have anticipated my arrival persisted in my mind, but I quickly brushed it aside as mere coincidence. After enjoying the tea, I dismissed Ron, assuring him that I would wake Cale myself.
Once alone with Cale, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of tenderness and amusement as I watched him sleep.
Shaking my head at my own thoughts, I gently woke him up and handed him the tea that Ron had prepared for him.
Once he was fully awake, I broached the topic of my becoming his personal maid. I inquired whether Mr. Deruth and Mrs. Viola had agreed to the arrangement. Cale seemed unsure, suggesting that he needed to reiterate his request to them. Wanting to avoid any misunderstandings, I urged him to make sure all the details were clearly communicated.
Cale's Concerned Gaze - Cale Point Of View
I couldn't help but notice Athansia straining her legs again, and it worried me. She always seemed to get this strain, and I couldn't help but wonder if there was an underlying issue causing it. I approached her slowly, wanting to inspect the situation and find out how it happened.
"Hey, Athansia, where did you get this strain?" I asked as gently as I could.
She explained that she accidentally strained her legs while walking earlier. Sighing, I stood up and decided to get some painkillers for her. As I returned, I carefully applied the medicine to her legs, but she winced in pain at my touch.
"Ah! Cale," she exclaimed.
"It's going to be alright, just endure it for a moment," I reassured her.
Cale's Helping Hand - Athansia Point Of View
As Cale applied the medicine to my legs, I felt them starting to heal, and I couldn't help but smile gratefully at him. "Thanks, Cale," I said sincerely.
He smiled back at me and gave me some advice. "If you need to thank me, just don't strain yourself again."
I nodded, understanding his concern, and he mentioned he would go take a bath. I told him I'd be leaving too, and he nodded in response.
Hans and Ron's Unexpected Presence - Athansia Point Of View
As I walked to the door, I noticed Ron and Hans waiting outside. Ron seemed to be smiling, but Hans had a red face,
and I wondered if he had a fever. I was a bit nervous, especially because Ron was looking at me differently, almost like he wanted to interrogate me.
I couldn't help but wonder what Ron was thinking and feeling at that moment.
Cale's Helping Hand Again - Cale Point Of View
Before heading to the bathroom, I noticed the two butlers waiting outside the room. I walked closer to the door and glanced at Athansia. "Can you walk, Athansia?" I asked, extending my hand to her.
She nodded, accepting my offer of help. Slowly, she stood up, keeping her body upright, and carefully walked towards me with my support.
Taking Care of Athansia - Cale Point Of View
Seeing Hans looking flustered, I turned to him. "Hans, help her back to her room slowly," I instructed.
Hans stammered closer and took Athansia's helping hand. I reminded him to be careful and playfully warned Athansia, "If you're stubborn again, I might have to add to the pain," with a smile on my face.
Hans blushed even more, trying to hide his embarrassment. Meanwhile, Ron made a sound of surprise at our interaction.
As Hans and Athansia left, I turned my attention back to getting ready for my shower with Ron's assistance.
Lady Athanasia, can I ask a question?" Hans said.
Athanasia turned to Hans, who had a red face. "Does he have a fever, Athanasia, though?"
Athanasia nodded her head, indicating that she didn't mind any question.
"Is Young Master Cale... treating you erm... rudely?" Hans asked hesitantly.
Athanasia paused for a moment, then answered, "Cale isn't rude... he's very gentle and kind. What's wrong?" Athanasia asked Hans.
"Nothing," Hans said.
With that, Hans helped me go to my room, and after that, he left the room.
Hans's Point Of View:
Hans went to Lord Deruth's office to report what had happened earlier. As he entered, he saw Mr. Deruth and Mrs. Violan in the office. Both of them exchanged glances, and Deruth seemed a little shocked, but Mrs. Violan was smiling.
Hans reported what had happened earlier, and then he left the room and went to Young Master Cale's room.
Cale's Point Of View:
As Cale finished his bath, Ron helped him change into some fresh clothes. Then, Cale noticed the two kittens sitting in his room. and said to himself, "Right, I forgot about the two of you."
Cale thought for a moment, "I remember that Choi Han cherishes small animals. I should've brought him here with me."
Then he remembered what Choi Han had said earlier, "I will head back to my room now. My heart must become stronger to be someone who protects."
Cale sighed, "What's the point of an overpowered guy becoming even stronger..."
He glanced at Hans, who was fawning over the kittens, and thought, "Hans seems to have become a slave to the cats."
After Hans left the room, Cale decided to visit Athanasia's room. He told Ron about his plan, and Ron nodded, understanding.
Ron's Point Of View:
As Young Master Cale left the room, Ron noticed the two kittens - a silver one and a red one. "Ah, you must be children of the cat tribe,"
he said with a smile. "This is great. Fog for the silver one and the poison for the red one, maybe?"
Ron knew that the cat tribe was known for their sensitivity to their surroundings and their agility. He thought, "They'll be quite useful if I teach them properly."
He approached the kittens, gently petting them, and said with a smile, "I should give my puppy master a farewell gift."
Cale's Point Of View (Continued):
As Cale walked towards Athanasia's room, he noticed some servants looking at him strangely. He felt a bit confused but decided to ignore their stares and continued walking. When he reached Athanasia's door, he knocked three times and waited for a response.
He heard Athanasia's voice inviting him in, so he opened the door and saw her sitting on the bed, engrossed in reading a book. A smile spread across his face when he saw Athanasia smiling at him.
He sat next to her and couldn't help but stare at her for a moment, feeling captivated by her beauty. He then laid down, and together they enjoyed the comfortable atmosphere, with Athanasia continuing to read.
Athanasia's Point Of View:
As Athanasia focused on her book, she noticed Cale just lying on the bed, looking relaxed. She smiled at the sight and continued reading. After a while, she started to feel thirsty, so she decided to get up and get some water to drink. However, as she stood up, she accidentally lost her balance and fell on top of Cale.
Time seemed to stand still as their eyes met, and both of them were momentarily speechless. Athanasia's heart raced, and she quickly tried to get up, feeling her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Cale, too, was taken aback by the sudden close encounter, his mind racing with various thoughts. He attempted to say something, but the words seemed to escape him in the moment.
Just as they were trying to process the situation, the door suddenly opened without any warning. Both Athanasia and Cale turned their heads to see who it was. To their surprise, it was Countess Violan, Cale's stepmother.
But before she could finish her sentence, she realized the situation and hastily excused herself, closing the door slowly and silently behind her.
Cale and Athanasia were left in an embarrassed silence, not knowing what to say or do. Their positions were too ambiguous for anyone else to see, and the tension in the room was palpable...