Certainly, he is like a work of art. He is young and capable – a capable sprout. And as the son of a viscount why is he working here?
It never made any sense to me how such a statue-like man could work for me out of his own violation. I was thankful anyway. Without him I would not be where I am today.
"Hey, Grayson."
He turned. This almost made me blurt out the question about what shampoo he was using. Seriously, how could hair look so shimmery?
"Yes, miss?"
Ah, his voice. It's like an angel's! No, even sweeter! A smirk formed on my face and as my pen stopped and ignored to notice it was creating a puddle of ink.
"Miss! Your paperwork!"
His call freed me from my trance. What a dangerous beauty. If looks could kill! He hurried to my desk, wiping the spill.
As he leaned close, I turned my head. Our faces were so close I could smell his perfume. It smelled of roses and lavender. How delicious.
"Greyson. I need your help with a task."
He looked up. His gaze was cold, but his blood-red eyes looked like they could devour me at any moment.
With his soft voice he inquired, "What does my lady wish to be done?"
His face was still as close and I could feel his breath. A chill ran down my spine.
"I- " My face became hot and I began to stutter. What is wrong with me? Why is it suddenly much hotter in here?
"Yes?" He locked his eyes.
"I need you to hire some assassins for me."
His direct gaze lingered. Then his mouths corners raised, he leaned back. Before he burst into a loud laughter. Tears formed in his eyes.
Why is he laughing now?
I sighed and tuned my head. "I am serious. But do it discreetly."
"My lady." The chuckling didn't stop, agitating me more and more. Like a bomb exploding I began to raise my voice.
"I said, hire the assassins discreetly!" My hand clasped my mouth and he wiped a tear from his eyes. Wincing like he was about to die from laughter.
"Yes. I'll at least do it more discreetly than your order." He laughed, bowed and went out with this chuckling noise. Oh how I'd love to just toss him into a corner and make him shut his trap!
"Such insolence." I pouted and after a glance I sighed and loosened my posture.
Walking to the window, I was about to reminisce about my all too easy-going life when a pink dress in the garden caught my eye.
"Oh. My dear cousin." Instantly my face hardened and a wave of anger swapped over me.
She is jumping around like a frolic lamb!
"The lady was as innocent as a lamb and as beautiful as cherry blossoms in the winter." Well at least her novel-description fits her to a tea.
Suddenly a man with brown hair came running from the side.
Before I could wonder why he was in such a hurry, my dear cuisine tripped.
"Right. The second male lead, at your back and call…"
That's right, the bulky man bowed and wiped her tears with a sorrowful gaze. They looked as if they were talking. My cousin crying while he seemed to console her. Too bad I couldn't hear what they were saying.
As I was staring at the lovely-dovely scene my anger only deepened.
"Two-timing fool." That's right. I had read this novel once, in it the main character was the male lead. In a nutshell you could say the book was about a hero who struggles to become the emperor and who he would choose as his empress.
It roughly went like this: The crown prince – our male lead – gets betrothed to the daughter of a duke – the villainess. These two have an arranged engagement due to politics, but since they had been childhood friends they got along quite well. That was until the male lead fell for the villainess' cousin.
From this point onwards the man faces political challenges and does everything to dissolve the engagement. Ready to face all challenges that come in the name of love.
In the second volume, the fiancé grows jealous and begins to treat her cousin harshly. Other noble ladies beginning to bully the cousin and I – the villainess – just ignores it. She is harassed multiple times, this causes the male lead's and my relationship to sour and we grow apart.
In the third volume the female lead begins to retaliate against their behaviour with the help of all her loyal dogs – that's what all the powerful men, who are in love with her, are called – she overcomes all struggles alongside the male lead.
The two do get married in the end but I didn't like how she handled all the men. In order to gain power, she sleeps around, causing even more trouble and uproar.
"How can an empress sleep with any average-joe!"
"What if our empress is no different from a high-class prostitute?"
This is why in the final volume some nobles cause a revolt and try to get the royal family to abdicate. In the end the male leads do everything to protect the little empress and the throne is kept by my dear cousin.
Some die and others remain in her harem. This made for some spicy afterword stories. That I – of course – enjoyed very much.
Now, why is our family not executed? Well, due to the falling out of me and the male lead my family is stripped of all our estate in the capital and we return to our estate in our duchy. Being left with our honour ruined, we take a neutral stance.
Anyway, this knight is one of the second male leads. I remember that the male lead entrusted guarding to him. Even if he didn't like all the other man around his new fiancé he couldn't do a thing. Afraid to hurt and push away his one true love.
"It seem my little cousin has a knack for making man fall for her." I scoffed and looked out the window again.
Huh, where did they go? I looked around, it was like a find seek-and-find book.
Ah- they are behind the tree. I could see how my dear cousin was passionately kissing the guard.
"Oh, even with tongue? You're really going for it." I sneered and turned away. I would not watch your unscrupulous behaviour anymore.
"Be grateful, that I am not ruining your story completely." It was true that I very well had the power to. With all my money I could found my own empire – if it wasn't too much of a hassle - for god's sake!
I just turned around and went to the coffee table. Ready to enjoy some good coffee.
***
"Master, I have finished the task." The white haired boy looked at me intently.
"Are you a dog?" I asked keeping my chin high.
Taken aback he raised his eyebrow. To answer his question, I pointed at him.
"Your eyes." That's right, his eyes were like these of a puppy wanting praise for a job-well-done.
"Will you praise me if I am?" He smiled and came closer.
"You are being rude." Well, maybe puppy was not the right word. He seemed more like a wild beast, desiring his prey.
"Me? You just asked if I was a mere dog." He smiled, his eyes were flickering like flames.
I was sitting down. So he stopped in front of me and looked down.
"Now, how will you reward your loyal dog?"
His voice was cold, but his eyes seemed full of desire. Is it a trait of the men in this story, to always try and make everything into some R19 content?
He bent down, leaning over me. His hair was soft and his lips dangerously close.
"Now. Let me show you how you should reward a loyal dog."
He kissed my neck with his two warm lips. A shudder ran down my spine.
"STOP IT!" I called out and pushed him down. Instead of him above me I had hi hand grasped tightly and pinned down.
"Such insolence." I grinded my teeth. "What do you think you are doing my dear assistant?"
Instead of being frightened his face lit up. "Well. I guess I'll let you be in charge today."
"Ugh-" I began to speak in a harsh manner. "I am engaged."
"You don't care." I couldn't argue with that. In fact, I didn't care for my engagement and did enjoy manly company here and there.
"There is just one golden rule, I only sleep with handsome men who have no connection to me."
"I am handsome."
"Yes. But you work for me." And you are a second male lead! What if you betray me? It's better to just do nothing until this story is over.
"And?" He smiled.
"You are enjoying this. Naughty boy."
"Harsh." He made a sound like a hissing cat. Such a turn down!
"Keep it. You are some years too young."
His smile grew broader.
"This is why I like working with you so much master. You are the first woman to ever resist my looks."
What an arrogant man. Still he was right. He was indeed really handsome. Maybe he truly is an angel?
***
"Master." My assistant was dressed nicely today. The dark red blazer and white trouser as well as cravat suited him. The intricate red jewels hanging from his black cape and golden embroidery made him really stand out.
"Ah. Have you packed my belongings?"
"Yes, Master. I've seen to it that all of your things were packed with meticulous care."
"Thank you. Then please bring me a fan. I will need it today." Looking at my cousin conversing happily with my father.
"The two of them really get along." Only upon his comment I looked at my assistant, who was looking at the pair in a displeased manner.
"I suppose." He left to grab me a fan.
Right in this moment my brother came out.
"Sister!" He ran and his golden hair shining in the sunlight. His slender but muscular body and deep blue eyes added a mysterious look. And the outfit with the blue jacket, white trouser, light blue cape and long silver sword, let him look like a fine gentleman. Inwardly I was happy to see him. It had been quite a while, since I last saw him.
"Hello brother." I smiled at him remembering our last meeting.
He had barged into my room and made a fuss about how it was preposterous of the crown prince to have asked my cousin to the next ball. And how he was so unfair. Afterwards he even cried! Such a cute puppy. That's right, he was like a marzipan. Hard shell with a soft and sweet inside. My cute brother!
This is why, I will save you too from your tragic ending! That's right, my brother and my assistant both were secondary male leads. And I pulled all the strings to prevent them from becoming attached to my dear cousin.
"How have you been, young Master." My assistant chimed in.
He seemed to have returned. Swiftly he handed me the fan and then stood side by side with my brother.
After taking over this body, I could remember all its memories. Thus I know what a warm hearted brother he is. Hugging him as he came to see me of the least I could do.
"Sister." He sounded sorrowful. "Are you sure you don't wish me to accompany you?"
"Ha, ha, ha." My cheeks flushed and I began to smile. Ruffling through his hair.
"No. I'll be fine." I smiled even brighter.
"But sister!" He pleaded.
No. I can't take you with me… I just hired several assassins to kill my cousin.
"It would be too dangerous." True, but not for him, for he was one of the seven sword masters in the empire.
"Why?" He pouted.
Why? If you find out about the assassins, I am sure you'd try to investigate, thinking they came for me. Turning my plan upside down.
"Because-" I couldn't say the thing about the assassins. "I worry about you!"
True. I worry about what might happen if you meet the female lead and the assassins.
"Please. Let me come with you!" He grabbed my arm. "I can protect not only me but you too!"
"No." I tried to sound firmly but based on my assistant's chuckling It must sound horrible.
I shot him a death glare saying "How could I ever keep calm! He has just such a heart-melting face!"
In this moment my father called out that we shall depart shortly. He didn't even say goodbye to me. Talk about having a bad relationship.
So I just petted my brother as a goodbye and hugged him. And my assistant bowed.
"I'll see you soon. Don't worry."
I smiled bitterly. And made my way into the carriage.
Soon… it will be quite a while until I'll be able to see the two of them. Two years exactly. Because at this ball the crown prince will propose for me to stay in the capital.
In truth, he just needs me to stay in the capital so that my cousin can also stay. Such a half-scumbag! How dare he cheat!
Anyway, I got into my carriage. It had a comfortable pillow. "Thank you my dear assistant." I whispered looking out of the window at my brother and trusted assistant. "I look forward to our meeting in two years."
By then much will have changed. Not only in the world. I and you two will also change. Somehow my heart ached.