"I was going to look for a maid to prepare my bath, but now that you're my personal maid, why don't you—"
Lyriana didn't let him finish.
"Yes, Your Highness. I shall see to it right away."
Draven moved aside as she walked into the room.
He was holding the door, about to close it, when he heard Aldric's voice.
"Your Highness—"
"Just fuck the hell off, asshole."
Draven closed the door in his face.
Standing outside, Aldric thought,
*Damn brat. He didn't even let me finish.*
*It isn't I want to be here in the first place anyway damnit.*
---
Draven sat on the bed in his room.
*That fucking bastard didn't want to leave.*
*I don't know why a dude would want to follow another dude around as some kind of personal maid or whatever.*
*Ooh, maybe he might be like that. That bastard... but I guess that would make a lot of sense.*
*But calling him gay just for that... isn't that a bit sexist? Who gives a damn anyway?*
Lyriana walked toward Draven.
"Your Highness, I have prepared your bath."
Draven thought,
*That was quick.*
*I guess she might have used some kind of magic.*
But outwardly, he said,
"Hey, girly, stop calling me 'Your Highness.' Just call me 'Young Master' like the other maids."
Lyriana nodded.
"As you wish, Young Master."
Draven stood up and began walking, yawning as he did.
"Also, find something for me to wear. Not too flashy."
"Of course, Young Master. I'll find something that suits you well."
Hearing that, Draven thought,
*She's really taking the job so seriously.*
*Maybe I should tell her to give me a bath as well. That would make my life a lot easier.*
*But I guess I don't want her seeing my junk.*
---
After a while, Draven walked down the hallway with Lyriana beside him.
*I guess that bastard finally left.*
Draven glanced at Lyriana.
"Hey, so is your brother gay?"
Lyriana looked at him.
*Gay? What's that?*
She said,
"I beg your pardon, Young Master, but I'm afraid I don't quite understand what you mean. Could you kindly explain?"
Draven thought,
*I guess she doesn't know what it means.*
"Never mind."
He continued walking.
*I was just asking because I might just kill him if he gets close to me.*
After a moment, Draven looked at her.
"So, what's your name?"
Lyriana was slightly confused.
*Why is he asking that all of a sudden? I thought he already knew my name.*
Draven continued,
"I can't keep calling you 'hey,' right?"
Lyriana replied,
"My name is Lyriana Virelia."
Draven nodded.
"So, Lyriana, how old are you?"
Lyriana thought,
*I wonder why he's asking so many questions all of a sudden.*
She said, "Forgive me, Young Master, but might I inquire as to why you ask?"
"I'm just asking. I don't think I really have any particular reason. So, how old are you?"
"I'm 131 years old, Young Master," Lyriana replied.
Draven thought,
*131? I guess it's not that surprising.*
*I didn't even think she'd tell me. I thought she was going to start talking shit about how you should never ask a woman her age.*
Draven glanced at her.
"So, why do you want to work as my personal maid?"
Lyriana fell silent.
The two continued walking down the hallway.
"Young Master—"
"It's fine if you don't want to talk about it," Draven interrupted.
*I was just asking. I don't really care anyway.*
They continued walking in silence.
---
The scene changed.
Draven and Lyriana entered the dining room, where his mother and father were sitting and eating. Aldric was also there, standing in the corner.
Seeing him, Draven thought,
*Why the hell is that bastard here?*
He sat down at the table.
"Ah, honey, I see you've chosen Lyriana and dismissed Aldric," his mother said. "I had hoped you'd consider both of them before deciding, but I suppose your mind is made up."
Draven thought,
*I guess Mom really did send them after all.*
"Yeah," he replied.
His mother looked at him.
"You don't like him?"
Draven continued eating.
"Yeah."
"That's fine. I didn't assign him to be your friend. What about taking him as a guard instead?"
Draven swallowed his food before answering.
"Mom, I don't think I need a guard. I'm capable of protecting myself, and he's not even that strong."
Aldric, who was standing in the corner, heard his words.
*I'm not strong? Damn brat! How dare you consider me weak when I was clearly holding back?!*
Draven's father spoke up.
"Son, even the weakest guard can serve as a shield at the right moment. It's better to have someone protecting you than no one at all."
Draven continued eating.
"Yeah, I guess so."
He turned toward Aldric, who was still standing in the corner.
"Hey, I guess you're gonna be my guard from now on."
Aldric bowed respectfully.
"It would be an honor, Your Highness. No harm shall come to you while I stand guard."
However, inwardly, he thought,
*Damn brat! Why do you sound so reluctant, as if you're being forced to accept me?*