Chapitre 4 : Confiance Is The Bravery of The Soul

Milo: "Are you feeling better, Natasha...?"

The man still holds her in his arms. The young woman nods and dries her last tears.

Natasha: "S-Sorry, it's... the emotion..."

Milo smiles and strokes her head. His smile still beams in Natasha's eyes, but the pain she feels in her skull is stronger.

This image of a blade piercing her face makes her want to vomit and continue to let her tears flow.

Natasha calms her breathing and grabs Milo's hand.

Natasha: "..."

Milo looks at her for a few moments before smiling again.

Milo: "Shall I give you a tour of the castle?"

She has a short spasm in her arm, but eventually accepts with a nod. This pleases Milo and he starts to walk up the stairs with Natasha. She looks ahead with frightened eyes.

She had AGAIN been killed.

Faster, certainly, but her last vision was horrible, traumatic.

A blade going through her skull, her eyes being pierced and her brain screaming in pain before stopping.

Natasha is shaking, but she holds back so as not to worry Milo.

She got killed again. For the second time.

And yet there she is, alive, her heart still beating and her breathing calm.

She can walk, see and hear. Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in. Everything is in color and the warmth of the May season is felt on her skin. She has her hand in her new Master's and she shows step by step the stairs that lead to the castle of Ambleurs.

This is the third time she has entered this huge building.

Milo walks through the front door, Natasha right behind him. The grandeur of the main room should surprise the new maid, but her eyes don't sparkle like that. She looks around the room, turns her gaze to the large fresco and walks a few steps with Milo.

She already knows this room.

She's been here many times before. She has cleaned this large room before. She has already observed the huge fresco enough to remember its details. Natasha still has her hand in her Master's, following him without saying anything. He speaks to her, but she has already heard his words.

When she is killed, she goes back in time.

She accepts this, even though it is illogical. The first time, she ended up believing it was just a silly dream because of stress; the second time, she couldn't believe it.

It's far too similar. The feelings she had felt were far too real. The pain of death was far too ingrained in her.

Natasha is certain of it.

She can't explain this phenomenon. She doesn't know why it's happening to her, but when she was killed again, when she came back to life by going back in time, she accepted that this is actually what is happening to her. She is not hallucinating, she is not dreaming, she is not seeing something she should not.

She goes back in time when she dies. That's all there is to it.

Or maybe it's at a specific time...? thinks Natasha. The time of her two deaths must be the same, but she shakes her head and quickly rejects this idea: what a coincidence it would be if it is. She is certain that it is her death that causes this jump in time, even if she really can't explain WHY she can do such a thing. She is not the one who willingly activates it, she is certain of that too.

Milo: "Are you listening to me...?"

Natasha blinks and turns her gaze to her Master. She nods apologetically.

Natasha: "The castle is beautiful. I'm kind of in my... thoughts, because of its grandeur."

Milo smiled.

Milo: "More impressive than my father's, right?"

Natasha: "Than Master Samus'..."

She looks at the ceiling, where the immense fresco is. It is true that the castle of Ambleurs shines more in her eyes. She still loves the one where she lived for so long, but she can't lie to herself: this castle is even more incredible. She lets out a small smile.

Natasha: "It is true that he is more impressive."

She is honest in her answer. Milo looks proud and nods.

Milo: "We agree! I'm not the one who built it, nor ordered it, but I'm happy to live in this castle. Though..."

He shakes off his proud look and a new emotion shows in his eyes: a faint sadness. Natasha questions him with her eyes, but she has no answer to the question she asks as she stares at him.

Milo: "I have to show you the living room, come on!!!"

He starts to run and Natasha must quickly follow him not to stumble.

I remember that…

Oh, he told me about that.

This clock is always wrong…

He uses the same words as the first time…

Master Milo always has fun when he shows the rooms.

This one is my room.

These are Natasha's thoughts during the visit: she already knows everything. A taste of déjà vu burns in her throat and she does not show the same excitement as the first time. She finds the castle very beautiful, but she already knows what is shown. She has already visited it, she has already cleaned it.

Milo: "I hope you find your new home to your liking!"

He has a big smile. Sincere, friendly and radiant. Natasha can't help but smile back at him, but her eyes don't glaze over.

Natasha: "Your house is very beautiful, Master."

Milo: "We agree!"

She nods and Milo sits down on her mattress. Natasha, before joining him, thinks about what she has just experienced.

The presentation of Sulman, the cook, was the same as the first time... Exactly the same words, even if I did not use the same words myself, I am certain of it…

Even if she knows now that she goes back in time when she dies, she still finds it hard to believe. There are Tempus, powers from the Gods. Some places in the world seem to have come out of fiction and some events still have no logical explanation.

But going back in time? Resurrect?! A mixture of both?!!!

If she were to tell anyone, they wouldn't believe her; she knows. It is something so crazy and impossible to believe. It's making life her enemy and never accepting death, breaking the laws of time.

Natasha, being a servant since she was a child, has never been able to train her Tempus. She never had the opportunity to become powerful and only knows how to use her Tempus in a basic way. Even if she wanted to, she would have no use for her Tempus. She has never been able to use it except when asked... Most of the time it was to keep her "feeling" when she uses it. She can create a water barrier to protect others or herself, so Master Samus had asked that it has a sufficient level to be able to use it at any time.

Natasha is certain that her Tempus is a water type. That she is specialized in defense.

Not a jump back in time.

She sits down next to her new Master and places her hands on his thighs. Milo smiles.

Milo: "Say, Natasha."

Natasha: "Yes, Master?"

Milo: "I was wondering... do you know much about me?"

Natasha opens her mouth, but does not answer anything. She looks him straight in the eye and remains silent. The first time they had discussed this, Natasha had admitted that she didn't know much; she had been honest.

But this time, she knows much more about her Master.

A part of his personality, his dream, the Recommendation and his participation in the Angel Test.

They had already talked a lot, but for his Master, they never really talked before… Natasha hesitates. Will she lie when she tells him that she knows almost nothing or will she tell the truth when she says she already knows a lot?

But if I say I already know a lot, I'll have to lie and say that it was Master Samus who told me a lot about him... thinks Natasha. Whatever she chooses, she has to lie. Telling the whole truth will only confuse her Master and he won't believe her in any case. Her eyes blink and her answer is given:

atasha: "I don't know much... but I do know that you want to become the next King of Izarel."

She doesn't want to say she knows much, but she doesn't want to hear an entire conversation about something she's heard before. Milo lets out a little "Oooh?" and touches her chin.

Milo: "Father actually talked about it...?"

Natasha: "... Yes."

She doesn't like to lie, but she has no choice. If she were to say to him, "You're the one who told me about it, Master.", she was sure he would think she was crazy.

Maybe I'm crazy... she thinks while touching her hands. She has a hard time understanding what is going on and even though she has accepted the illogical, she remains confused. She knows that in two days, on the third night in the castle, Milo would be attacked and die against an unknown enemy. She had not been able to see how they looked, but their voice did not tell her anything.

I haven't spoken with Jiax yet, but I'm sure it's not her. The slayer didn't sound the same... thinks Natasha. She doesn't know how the killer was able to sneak into the castle so easily, but the maid sees only three possibilities.

Either Milo's guard is very weak, so the killer killed them or slipped past them unnoticed.

Either she is very strong, much more powerful than anyone else in this castle.

Either a traitor is within the faction of his new Master.

She is sure that she can come up with other possibilities, but nothing that is likely or logical.

Well, do I really want to rely on logic... she smiles.

Milo: "Hmmm, I see, so you already know..."

He brings his hand to his chin and rubs it.

Milo: "I see! So you suspect that I already have a Recommendation, then?"

Natasha: "I suspect so, yes. It's possible you don't have one, but I assume you do, Master."

Under her tongue... Natasha thinks. Milo nods and opens his mouth to show her. She still doesn't understand why he's trying to hide it so hard, especially with what he'd told her before. If it's so easy for him to show Natasha, even though they haven't known each other for very long, what's the reason for hiding it so much...?

Milo: "A Recommendation is necessary to pass the Test of the Angels, so I'm happy to have it. Without it, I won't be able to become the future King of Izarel..."

Natasha: "It's amazing that you have a Recommendation, Master."

Milo: "I was surprised when I got the call, but at the same time, I admit that I was confident... I believed in myself and it paid off."

He clenches a fist in front of his chest and smiles.

Milo: "I think I deserve my chance at the Angel Test. I think I can pass it and become a Pretender to the

throne. I want to be the next king... We..."

He calms his fist and lets out a short sigh. Milo

scratches his cheek and looks at Natasha.

Milo: "Though, it's just a dream... nothing but an uncertain future."

Natasha: "..."

Her Master's green eyes catch his handmaid's. His embarrassed smile is filled with uncertainty. While he has just said that he has confidence in himself, he starts to lose this so-called confidence directly. He wants to remain humble, but he knows his own strength, his own power. He cannot say that he will succeed without problems even if he wanted to.

Natasha: "... Master."

The handmaid takes his hands. Milo looks into her eyes, sees his own reflection in them.

Natasha: "I don't really know you, but know that I would support you in your dream. All the way."

She is sincere. Her honesty reaches Milo and his heart beats a little faster. He watches Natasha silently, his eyes shining into hers.

She doesn't know him much, but more than he thinks. They've talked more times than he would think, even if it's still not much. She's seen his kindness and honesty. Milo is her new Master, so as her handmaid, she must help him all the way.

She wants to help him. She wants to see him on the throne.

Natasha: "If I can give you some courage for the future, then I will do everything I can for you. You have my word, Master Milo."

Milo remained silent the whole time. He had listened to her with sparkling eyes and admired her eyes. Natasha's words touched him, her sincerity was a sweet taste in his mouth.

He blushes and shakes his handmaid’s hands.

Natasha gives him a beautiful smile and Milo puffs out his cheeks. He doesn't need to speak for the handmaid to understand his expression.

He wants to say "Thank you".

It's the first time she's seen him embarrassed like this, but Natasha enjoys the sight. Master Milo is cute, handsome, and has an appreciable style. Muscular and honest, kind and fun. Although replacing the lack of Master Samus will be complicated, she is sure that Master Milo can help her.

That Master Milo can be the one to repair the cracks of Master Samus' death.

Natasha is happy to have his hands in hers. Being able to touch him and see him smile is a relief. He is there, in front of her, still alive and blushing.

Master Milo is not dead.

She is not dead.

Even if she saw her Master being murdered, even if she was killed…

Natasha: "I hope I can be of great help to you."

Milo brings his head closer and thanks her with a kiss on the cheek. She giggles with joy and her Master strokes her head.

Milo: "I'm sure you will be a great help. Thank you for your words."

His smile is beautiful. It shines. It sparkles.

Natasha: "I'm glad to hear that."

Her eyes are filled with joy. They shine. They sparkle.

Natasha enjoys eating the dinner, even though it's her third taste of the same meal. She watches the members around the table while enjoying the food.

Next to her is Oshio, Master Milo's servant. She doesn't know him well, but she has already been able to talk with him in her "previous life". She knows that he is kind and that he is interested in Kittas or any race different from humans. She trusts him.

On the chair on the right-hand side to Oshio is posed her Master. He is eating properly and talking with a woman who is standing right next to him. Master Milo is a big hearted person who wishes to become the next King of Izarel and someone she loves very much. She trusts him even more and is happy to be at his side.

The woman Master Milo is talking to is Jiax, his personal bodyguard. Natasha has never really talked to her, yet she too is not human: Jiax is a Hourna, a person with Ancient attributes. With horns on her head and a huge tail on her back, she inspires danger while radiating joy and love. Natasha has a hard time knowing what personality she really has, but she doesn't want to judge her without getting to know her.

Maybe talking to her later would be a good idea? wonders Natasha.

After all, if she is his bodyguard, then she should protect Master Milo and the castle... Yet…

A slayer managed to enter the place without any problem.

Natasha still doesn't know how they did it, but that's not what's important: it's stopping them from killing them that is.

On one of the chairs around the table sits Sulman, Master Milo's cook. He looks at them while eating too, even though he doesn't have as much on his plate as the others. Natasha finds it strange that they let him eat with them.

At Master Samus', the cooks couldn't do that... she thinks. She's not going to ask the question, since she doesn't see why he doesn't deserve it... She just finds it strange.

Natasha talks with Oshio and learns about the rest of Master Milo's faction: a young woman named Kenoze is currently on a mission, but she should return in a few days. There is also Miranda, his coachman, but Natasha knows her personally, as she used to work for Master Samus in at the same time. A gardener named Chris who doesn't come every day and the last one is Harry, Master Milo's personal trainer.

There are not as many people as at Master Samus' house... Natasha thinks to herself. She raises her head and looks at the people around the table. Even though there are not many people, they are all smiling and enjoying the end of the meal. She knows that a cake is coming in her honor, so she takes the opportunity to talk a little more to Oshio.

Natasha: "Why isn't Harry at the table?"

Oshio plays with his fork, making it dance at the end of his index finger.

Oshio: "Harry is not sociable at all and we don't see him eating very often... Seeing him at the table is rarer than an eclipse of Charon."

Natasha didn't talk with Harry at length, but she got that same unsociable feeling. He had made a strange impression on her…

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Natasha: "I see..."

Oshio: "Even I never talk to him. In fact, only Milo and Jiax really talk to him. He trains Milo, sometimes gets into friendly fights with Jiax or stands guard at night, but otherwise you never see him. I'm just a servant, after all."

Oshio drops his fork and turns his gaze to Natasha.

Oshio: "So don't take it the wrong way if you can't talk to Harry."

Natasha: "I see, thank you..."

So he is a strange man... she thinks. When she was still at Master Samus' house, she didn't have the opportunity to chat with everyone either, so she doesn't mind. Natasha notices that Sulman gets up and goes to the kitchen, which shows her that she doesn't have long to chat with Oshio.

Natasha: "And Jiax, do you think I'll be able to talk with her easily?"

Oshio nods with confidence.

Oshio: "As long as she's not training with Milo, you can talk to her whenever you want and without getting into trouble. Jiax is super nice, a good friend and won't hesitate to make you laugh or tell you the truth. She's just a little sensitive, but hey..."

Oshio puts his head on his own fist.

Oshio: "Well, since you're new, maybe she'll seem a little distant, but don't worry about this. Trust is something that is built."

Natasha: "I certainly agree. Thank you, Oshio."

He smiles.

Oshio: "I noticed that you call Milo 'Master', but you call everyone else by their first name."

Natasha blinked as she looked at him. It had always been a habit, since her former Master had asked her to do so. She smiled in turn.

Natasha: "Master Samus asked me to call everyone by their first name except himself. I am a handmaid, so I must call my Master by his title."

Oshio: "Hmm, I see... Milo told me that he prefers to be called by his first name only, so I admit I don't bother with that."

Come to think of it, he told me that too... she thinks. Not in this "life," but she remembers hearing something like that. She turns her face to Master Milo and wonders if she, in turn, should start calling him that.

... I am a handmaid, I must call him Master. This is the conclusion she makes to herself before Sulman returns to the dining room, a large cake in his hands. She already knows what shape it will be, as well as what it will taste like, but she is still so happy to be offered such a cake for her arrival. Celebrating her welcome swells her heart, and the smile she's making now is genuine and honest. Master Milo cuts her a piece and holds out the plate, gladly accepting this feast.

Natasha lies down in the bed and takes a pillow in her arms. However, she does not close her eyes directly.

I only have two days... she thinks. She clutches the pillow and squints.

I don't know who the killer is, why she's here, or how she got into the castle unnoticed... I just know that she's killing Master Milo on the night of May twenty-first... Natasha is looking for a solution to this problem. She's too weak to fight a criminal on her own, so trying to deal with this on her own is unthinkable.

I just don't know how to tell Master Milo... If I tell him I can go back in time, he won't believe me... Natasha is more than sure of that. If someone came to her and said they had such a power, she wouldn't believe them.

But I still have to warn him... If I don't say anything, he'll be killed again... Then it'll be my turn. She doesn't know if the other members of Milo's faction have also been killed by this slayer, but if they can get to her Master's room so easily…

I could tell everyone about it, but I've barely arrived here. Who will listen to me...? I'm just a handmaid who changed the Master I serve... I'm weak. Natasha must find a way to talk about it. To warn them, anyway.

Can I use the instinct excuse...? Kittas have a little more instinct, so maybe they'll believe me...? Even though Natasha is from this race, she never had better instincts than anyone else. She didn't have the same education as the Kittas who live in a community, so she could never use this famous instinct…

Should I only tell Master Milo? If he has a Recommendation, that means he must be pretty powerful... It's probably my Master who's the target, so it would be okay to tell him... He'll decide if we should tell everyone or not... Natasha closes her eyes as she thinks about it. She doesn't want to be killed anymore and doesn't want to see her Master die either. The feeling of the blade entering her body, the unbearable pain and her life slipping away…

The cold that runs through each of her cells, the darkness that becomes her only vision. The warm blood that flows over her body and escapes from her veins.

Her life going away and the impossibility to move, the fear that crushes her guts. The feeling of death coming for her, the desire to scream for help, but the voice that reaches no one.

That need to cry, to scream, to beg. That feeling of weakness and the impossibility of fighting to survive... The heart that beats so loudly in his ears, and yet it stops…

Natasha moves to the right and keeps her eyes closed. She shakes like a weak leaf, tears form in her eyes and run gently down her cheeks. Before falling asleep, she lets out only one tiny sentence.

I... don't want to die…

Despite a difficult start to her sleep, Natasha has a good night and wakes up a few minutes before her shift starts. She takes her shower without thinking about anything and gets dressed while making herself beautiful. She walks quietly down the hallway and quietly down the stairs. She arrives at the kitchen and notices her Master.

He is drinking a cup of tea.

Milo: "Oh, good morning, Natasha. How did you sleep?"

Natasha: "Good morning, Master. A good night's sleep and you?"

Milo: "I can't remember what I dreamed about... Probably about cats, since you're here now!"

Like the first time... she thinks. She smiles at him, amused by his remark; even though she had heard it before.

Natasha: "I hope the cats helped you sleep well."

Milo: "Cats are so cute, it's impossible not to sleep well dreaming about them!"

Natasha: "I can only nod in agreement."

Which she does. Milo smiles and asks her if she is ready for her first day of work. Natasha approaches him, but does not sit down.

Natasha: "I'm ready, Master."

Milo: "Eeeh, I'm glad. You have Oshio by your side, you shouldn't have any problems!"

Natasha nods.

Natasha: "Oshio is very nice."

Milo finishes his cup of tea with a sip and puts it down with a little noise that she thinks is cute. He nods in turn and turns his body fully towards her.

Milo: "Oshio is a great person, I must admit ! I'm sure you'll get along well with him!"

Natasha: "The flow between us is already good."

Milo: "Then I’m really glad! You're going to have to work together, after all."

Natasha: "I can't wait to get to know him."

He crosses his arms and smiles as he nods. She clutches her handmaid's outfit and hesitates to leave.

She wants to talk to him about what's going to happen tomorrow.

She can't tell him directly what she has experienced, but she can at least warn him. Warn him of the danger that is fast approaching. She doesn't know if he will listen to her, but if she doesn't say anything, then the tragedy will repeat itself. He will be killed again and she will die by the same person.

Natasha doesn't want that.

Natasha:"......."

But telling him is complicated.

What does she say exactly? What if he's going to make fun of her...?

No, Master Milo would not…

She takes a small breath and looks straight into his eyes.

Natasha: "Master."

Milo blinks.

Milo: "Natasha?"

She has to tell him. If she stays silent, she won't move forward. If she hesitates, then it will be too late.

Natasha: "... I have a bad feeling."

She's not the best at putting certain ideas into words, but she wants to tell him. Warn him.

Natasha: "It's probably just my Kitta instincts telling me this, but..."

She can't tell him the whole truth. She has to tell him

lie, but she knows she has no choice.

Natasha: "I think... we're going to be attacked, tomorrow night."

It's a specific moment, but Natasha says it that way anyway. She swallows loudly and stares at Milo, as if watching herself in his eyes. He doesn't stay silent for long and weakly tilts his head to the side.

Milo: "An attack tomorrow... night?"

Natasha nods. She is afraid of his reaction. She knows what she is saying is strange, but she doesn't want to wait. She squints her eyes.

I should have waited until the next day to talk about it... I would have looked less shady. Natasha thinks about it too late: she can't take back her words. She loses confidence when—

Milo: "This is disturbing."

He crosses his legs.

Milo: "If your instincts are telling you something like that, with such precise timing, it's really concerning."

He puts a hand under his chin.

Milo: "Maybe it's just paranoia, but not trusting a Kitta's instincts will be silly."

He closes his eyes.

Milo: "Though, worrying everyone about it would be silly too. I can't let my guard down, but I can't alert everyone."

He nods.

Milo: "I'll still be careful. I'll still tell Jiax to be on the lookout."

He moves his foot.

Milo: "I trust your instincts, even though 'tomorrow night' is very vague. After dinner or before? I don't think a simple gut feeling can tell, so I'll be careful the whole day."

He opens his eyes again and smiles, staring into his handmaid's eyes.

Milo: "Thanks for the heads up, I hope your instincts are wrong, though."

He shows his beautiful teeth.

Milo: "But if it's right, then you may be saving my life!"

Natasha is motionless.

Or rather, she is frozen.

Frozen by the reaction of her Master.

Such confidence in her and her words, consideration for what she said. He could have just said it's just an instinct, he could have even laughed. Mock her.

But no, he trusted her. In her and her "instincts."

Natasha looked at him with her mouth agape. She would never have believed such a response from him. Her Master…

Milo: "Thanks again for the heads up, it must have been complicated for you, right?"

Natasha: "... Com...plicated...?"

Milo nods, arms still crossed.

Milo: "You're new here, you're a new servant and you don't know anyone here. You had this instinct inside you and you probably hesitated to tell me. After all, saying such a thing takes courage. You can make me paranoid, prevent me from concentrating well during the day or even make sure I can't sleep well tomorrow. I mean, if your instinct is that we're going to be attacked, however vague it is, I can't afford to rest. I may have a guard by my side, a pretty powerful trainer, and other people who can fight on some level, I'm still the Master of everyone here. If I can't fight to protect the castle or the faction, then I absolutely don't deserve that title. I don't deserve my place, I don't deserve to pass the Angel Test or become a Pretender to the throne. I would never accept to be the King of Izarel if I can't even protect the people I care about. I don't know what kind of attack you are talking about, but I guess you don't either? Anyway, I'm glad you managed to tell me about it, because telling me too can create doubts about you. What if you're telling me this because you know that you're being hunted and that they'll probably find you already tomorrow? What if you have prepared an attack yourself? Basically, telling me such a thing would also mean that you want me to concentrate totally tomorrow on an attack that will never happen and then, the next day, take me by surprise and murder me. After all, you're new here, and while I trust you and my father's judgment, there's nothing to tell me that you're not a killer. That you're not a murderer. The fact that you're Cursed has absolutely nothing to do with it, but as a future Pretender to the throne — yes, I say future Pretender, I intend to pass the Angel Test — I have to think about every possibility. However, I have confidence in you. You seem so nice, friendly and cute to me, I don't see why you would want to kill me. You already knew that I had a Recommendation, so deep down I can see why you would want to kill me, but if that was really the case, you could have found other ways. You already know that I trust you and you know me a little bit, so I'm sure that you wouldn't have warned me the way. You would have already attacked or asked to make love to me yesterday, so you would have finished quickly. Finally, you can also take a less risky route and murder me later, be sure that you are trusted and that your guard is down so you don't have to risk your life. Nevertheless, I myself have an instinct that I like very much: that of knowing who deserves my trust or not. My stomach, my heart and my whole body tell me that you are a perfect handmaid — no, I won't even say "handmaid", but friend. I mean, you are perfect as a handmaid, but that's not what I meant. I trust what my heart believes, so not trusting you would be a big mistake on my part. I know you don't mean me any harm, even after just one day together... No, even less than one day. I trust you and listen to my heart. You're telling me we're going to have an attack tomorrow? Then I will already prepare myself. It's just between the two of us, but I'll try to get everyone to pay extra attention tonight. Again, I hope your instincts are wrong, although I don't doubt your instincts, really. It's because I believe in it; I believe in you; that I take my time considering everything and will prepare for a likely fight. I am strong, I am powerful and I am agile: I will not be killed. If someone wants to attack me, I will fight. If they want to attack my family, my faction, my friends, then I will win. I will not let anyone, and I mean ANYONE, touch us. You're in it too, Natasha. Finally..."

He gives her a beautiful smile.

Milo: "I trust you. Not as a Master, but as a FRIEND."

Natasha still doesn't move. She is still frozen, her mouth still gaping. She heard everything he said, listened to every sentence and word he said. She stood there, following everything he said. All of his words are still in her head.

Natasha: "... Friend...?"

Milo nods, uncrosses his arms and stands up. He is taller than Natasha, but the height difference is not distracting. He has a style that sparkles in the handmaid's eyes. She has a face that sparkles in the Master's eyes.

Milo: "If my heart accepts you into my family—"

He takes her hand and kisses it.

Milo: "— Then you are a friend."

Milo looks up and admires the adorable expression on Natasha's face.

So red, her cheeks are so red.

She doesn't know what to say, she stutters internally and her hands shake weakly. She wants to speak, but her brain can't keep up with everything that's going on.

???: "It's time to work, Natasha!"

She blinks and turns around, her cheeks still red. The man shows his surprise.

Oshio: "Am I... bothering you two?"

Milo nods and gives Natasha a friendly nudge.

Milo: "Good luck with your job, Natasha."

She nods with pursed lips and runs to Oshio. She has her head down and her eyes sparkle. They sparkle so hard...!

As always, his day goes smoothly. The work is not too exhausting and Oshio helps her as much as he can. After cleaning, tidying up and doing the laundry, she sits down at the table with everyone: it's time for supper.

They all eat the meal prepared by Sulman and thank him for this feast. Natasha prepares her famous dessert and smiles, thinking that she already knows what reaction they will have…

As expected, they like it a lot and ask her to make it again whenever she wants. She promises that she will do it again and that makes them happy.

Natasha climbs the stairs, ready to go shower, but a voice calls her from behind.

???: "Natasha!"

She stops and turns around.

Natasha: "Yes, Master?"

The man has both hands on his hips and smiles broadly.

Milo: "Can I propose to you anything? Or maybe “ask” is a better word, even “verb”, to use...?"

He shakes his head.

Milo: "Anyway."

He makes Natasha laugh and she steps down a step.

Natasha: "What do you want, Master?"

Milo laughs and apologizes for having so much energy.

Milo: "I just wanted to know if you would be willing to take a bath with me."

Natasha blinks, surprised at his request.

Natasha: "A… bath?"

He nods. Natasha doesn't hesitate for long and answers him:

Natasha: "If Master asks me, then sure. I would be honored."

This pleases Milo, who wants to talk with her longer before tomorrow comes.