"Ahh...! I understand how handsome I am, but please don't stare at me too much..." The Duke's playful remark was accompanied by a flick of his hair and a faint blush coloring his cheeks.
Taylor couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance at the Duke's theatrics, resisting the urge to make a disgusted face.
Suppressing his irritation, Taylor maintained his composure, knowing better than to provoke the Duke further.
Despite his initial distaste for the man before him, he couldn't deny the sense of intrigue that simmered beneath the surface.
The Duke's mention of uncovering his own world had ignited a spark of curiosity within Taylor, a passion he hadn't realized he possessed.
Sensing Taylor's newfound determination, the Duke smirked in amusement, his eyes glinting with mischief.
"Grab a sword, brat. This will be one hell of a long night for you," he declared with a smirk that sent shivers down Taylor's spine.
Taylor swallowed hard, a flicker of fear coursing through him. It wasn't the prospect of rigorous training that made his heart race, but rather the unsettling sight of the Duke's contorted expression. If there were ever a competition for ugliness in the world, the Duke would undoubtedly win by a landslide.
….
On a bright, sunny morning, the air was filled with the melodious chirping of birds as they went about their daily routines. Sunbeams streamed through the windows of a stunningly beautiful room, casting a warm glow upon the exquisite furnishings and décor that adorned every corner.
Within this opulent space, a man and a woman sat in quiet companionship, finding solace in each other's presence.
The man tenderly held a brush, his skilled fingers gently combing through the woman's golden locks. With each stroke, her hair seemed to catch the sunlight, shimmering like a cascade of molten gold.
A soft smile played on the man's lips as he admired his reflection in the mirror. The more he gazed upon his beloved, the more he marveled at her ethereal beauty.
'She doesn't even need makeup' he mused to himself, awestruck by the natural radiance that emanated from her being.
A simple gesture like brushing her hair was enough to enhance her allure, a testament to her effortless grace and elegance.
Dressed impeccably in a butler's attire that exuded sophistication and refinement, the man epitomized the epitome of perfection.
His suit was meticulously tailored to fit his frame, every crease and fold pristine and immaculate.
With his hair neatly gelled back and a slightly serious expression adorning his handsome face, he embodied the image of a quintessential gentleman's gentleman.
Yet, despite his outward appearance of flawlessness, the man's imperfections were not lost on the observant gaze of his young lady.
Despite his best efforts to maintain an air of poise and professionalism, she could see beyond the façade, recognizing the vulnerabilities and insecurities that lurked beneath his polished exterior.
"Taylor… are you alright?" Stela's voice cut through the tranquility of the room, her gaze fixed on Taylor's reflection in the mirror. Despite his outward appearance of attentiveness, she could sense that something was amiss.
"Mm…?"
The subtle tension in his expression, the faint traces of exhaustion evident in his eyes – they spoke volumes, revealing a turmoil that he tried to conceal.
Normally, Taylor would regale Stela with anecdotes and stories during mornings whenever he tends to her, a comforting routine that both entertained and distracted her from the monotony of her daily life.
But today, there was a noticeable absence of his usual banter, leaving Stela with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Concern etched across her features; Stela couldn't help but voice her apprehension. "Is everything alright, Taylor?" she inquired, her voice tinged with worry.
Taylor mustered a reassuring smile in response to Stela's question, though it failed to reach his eyes.
"Thank you for your concern, young miss, but I'm truly fine," he replied, his voice tinged with weariness. "I just had a bit of a long and tedious day yesterday…."
Stela's brow furrowed in confusion at Taylor's response. "Really? But didn't you say you were going to sleep after attending to me last night?" she pressed, her intuition telling her that there was more to the story than he was letting on.
"Well… circumstances forced me to go back into action. A butler's duty is truly never-ending," Taylor replied with a casual tone, trying to keep his explanation as truthful as possible without divulging too much.
After all, none of it was entirely a lie – he had indeed been summoned for unexpected duties, albeit ones he couldn't fully disclose to Stela.
The sudden death of Priest Deus and the late-night training session with the Duke were events he couldn't share with her, especially considering the ominous warning that still echoed in his mind.
"Remember this, brat. Once my daughter finds out about your training, your dead meat, okay? WUAHAHAHA!" The Duke's words rang ominously in Taylor's memory, a stark reminder of the consequences he faced if his secret activities were ever revealed.
'The duke's face is already punishment enough, I can't imagine myself surviving while he's trying to torture me'
Stela regarded Taylor with a hint of doubt, her brows furrowing in concern.
She knew her butler rarely lied to her, and when he did, it was always in her best interest. However, she couldn't shake the feeling that he was keeping something from her, and it left her feeling uneasy.
"Really now..." Stela muttered, her voice laced with a hint of frustration. She wanted Taylor to trust her enough to confide in her, to share his burdens and worries. With a puffed cheek and a pointed stare, she silently demanded the truth from him.
Taylor couldn't help but chuckle nervously in response to Stela's glare, a bead of sweat forming on his brow.
"I swear, I'm telling the truth," he insisted, hastily finishing his task of combing her hair before stepping away.
"It's done young miss!" he said with a bright smile.
Although Stella wasn't quite finished with confronting Taylor, she knew she had to set her concerns aside for the moment.
There was someone waiting for her, someone quite important, and she couldn't keep them waiting any longer.
With a sigh, Stella rose from her chair and cast a final glance at herself in the mirror.
Her hair, luscious and radiant as always, seemed to shimmer under the gentle glow of the morning light.
It was a testament to Taylor's skillful hands, his mere touch imbuing her locks with an unparalleled vibrancy and vitality.
For a fleeting moment, Stella found herself wondering if Taylor possessed some sort of magical ability, a hidden talent that allowed him to enhance her beauty with such effortless grace.
Yet, she quickly dismissed the notion – Taylor had no connection to the world of magic, as he had no mana circle to channel such power.
The idea of him wielding magic was nothing short of absurd.
Turning away from the mirror, Stella admired her outfit for the day.
A gorgeous sundress adorned with delicate floral patterns, its flowing fabric cascading elegantly down her frame.
Paired with a white cardigan that matched perfectly, she felt confident in her appearance, the epitome of grace and sophistication.
With a twirl and a spin, Stella admired the way the dress moved with her, its petals dancing in the breeze.
As she turned to face Taylor, she couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation. With a nervous smile, she presented herself with open arms, seeking his opinion.
"W-what do you think?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"You look beautiful, young miss," Taylor replied sincerely, his gaze filled with admiration.
In that fleeting moment, Stella felt a rush of warmth flood her cheeks, a blush spreading across her features in response to Taylor's genuine compliment.
It wasn't the first time he had praised her beauty – in fact, such compliments had been a constant throughout their childhood. So why did it suddenly feel different, more meaningful, now?
Her confusion only deepened as Taylor continued to regard her with a soft smile, his gaze unwavering.
Each beat of her heart seemed to echo in her ears, a rhythmic reminder of the unfamiliar fluttering sensation in her chest.
Quickly averting her gaze, she fidgeted with the hem of her dress, desperately trying to compose herself.
What was wrong with her? Stella couldn't help but wonder, her thoughts spiraling in a whirlwind of uncertainty.
She had always regarded Taylor as nothing more than her loyal butler, a trusted companion since childhood. Yet, with each passing moment, she found herself drawn to him in a way she couldn't quite comprehend.
As Taylor observed her with a knowing smile, he couldn't help but feel a swell of pride in his young miss. If there were ever a beauty pageant, he knew without a doubt that Stella would emerge victorious, her grace and elegance a stark contrast to her father's imposing presence.
Seeing her turning her back like that with a reddened face Taylor wondered if she doesn't believe his words and could only chuckle inwardly at how cute she was acting.
Despite the doubts and insecurities that plagued her, Taylor saw a beauty within Stella that transcended mere physical appearance – a beauty that radiated from within, illuminating the world around her with its brilliance well at least for him she was the world and the light he needed.
Click...!
With a soft knock and the gentle click of the door, it swung open to reveal the head maid, Bella, bowing respectfully as she entered the room.
"Young lady, the royal mage is here," Bella announced with a deferential tone.
Stella nodded in acknowledgment, her mind already drifting to the plans she had made for the day.
She was to spend time with the prince in the imperial gardens, and it was only fitting that she dressed appropriately for the occasion.
With a final glance in the mirror to ensure her appearance was impeccable, she adorned herself with a white summer hat that perfectly complemented her outfit before making her way to the door.
"Have a nice day, young miss. I hope you have fun," Taylor, her loyal butler, bid her farewell with a courteous bow and warm smile.
However, his words gave Stella pause, causing her to halt in her tracks. There was something in his tone that unsettled her, a subtle undertone of unease that she couldn't quite ignore.
'Why is he telling me to have fun with another person...?' Stella couldn't help but wonder, a faint furrow forming between her brows.
Though she couldn't quite pinpoint the source of her irritation, something about Taylor's farewell struck a nerve, stirring feelings of confusion and frustration within her.
"We're just going to watch some flowers together—" she muttered under her breath, her tone tinged with defensiveness.
"Young miss?" Taylor's voice cut through her mumbling, asking for clarification as he couldn't hear her quite clearly.
"T-the prince and I are only going to watch some flowers together so don't get the wrong idea, okay?" she exclaimed, her words ringing out louder than intended as she struggled to clarify her intentions to her perplexed butler.
"Huh?" Taylor's brow furrowed in confusion as Stella suddenly began to speak, her words catching him off guard.
They were simply going to spend time together in the royal garden, so why was she making such a fuss?
Before he could voice his thoughts, Stella closed the distance between them, her hands reaching out to grasp his own.
As she gazed up at him with cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink, Taylor couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation in his chest. Stella's adorable expression only served to deepen his confusion.
"Got it?" Stella's voice broke through Taylor's reverie, her tone insistent as she sought confirmation.
"Young miss I don—" Taylor began, only to be cut off by Stella's determined gaze.
"Got it!?" she repeated, her tone more forceful this time.
"Yes..." Taylor relented, his own cheeks tinged with a faint blush under Stella's unwavering gaze.
"Good." With that, Stella released his hands and swiftly made her way out of the room, her departure leaving Taylor standing there in a state of bewilderment.
As Stella hurried away, her steps quick and purposeful, Taylor watched her retreat with a mixture of bemusement and curiosity.
What was that about? And why did Stella seem so flustered all of a sudden?
Meanwhile, Bella, who had been silently observing the interaction from the sidelines, shook her head in amusement.
It was clear to her that something had shifted between Taylor and Stella, though she couldn't quite decipher the nature of their relationship.
With a sigh, she could only hope that whatever desires Stella harbored in her heart, they wouldn't lead her down the path of love – a road fraught with uncertainty and heartache would only await the two.