1st of March (Camellia Hamilton's point of view)

...

I was cleaning the kitchen as the first thing to do in the morning. Did they knew that I was a noble? They assigned me with the most easiest tasks. Not as I'm complaning, but anyway...

- Lia? - the head maid called for me. W-what is wrong with her expression? As if I was sentenced to death...she's pitying me...

- Y-yes?

- Izek, I mean the young duke is calling for you.

- For me? What does he want from me??

- I don't know, Lia. But... Be careful, Lia. When he finds a toy to play with, he won't let it go easily...

- A toy? Wh-what?

- Now go, he's waiing - she pushed me out of the kitchen and closed the door behind me.

- But, ... Wait! - aagh. Why is he calling me? Did I do anything wrong? He was like that from our first meeting...And his name sounds extremely familiar. It feels like a threat somehow.

*knock-knock*

- Come in, - I opened the door and saw his serious and handsome face. His clothes were so elegant, his hairstyle was accurate and his desktop was filled with documents. The gloomy view was seen behind him.

- Did you call me, your grace? - I asked hesitating.

- Yes...uh...from now on you're my personal assistant. Understood?

- Yes, sir - HUH? All ...of a sudden? But this is my first time working here.

- Brew me tea and add 2 teaspoons of sugar, - uh? Tea? But I've never... I looked at his face with shock and realization hit me as a lightning.

- Yes sir, - I left the room as fast as possible. What should I do now? I'm doomed. It's him! He... He's my fiance!! Aaagh, why? Why? Did I left home just to end up in the tiger's den? Huuuh!!! I should have paid more attention when he was reading the letter! But the main question is... Does HE know about the truth??

I quicky went to the kitchen and asked Lucy for help. She willingly boiled the water and made the tea, and added 2 teaspoons of suger. Based on her reflexes she has been doing it for several month or even years... As I was bringing the tea to the duke, I was thinking about what to do next? I mean I know what to do next, I should run away from here as soon as possible, but how? Maybe I should...

*Crash-scatter*

WHY NOW OF ALL TIMES? Ah I should brew another one quicky. The door opened and the duke showed up. He looked at me and asked:

- What happened?

- I... apologize. I'll...

- I'm asking what happened? Are you hurt? - huh? Am I hurt? Why is he ...

- I'm sorry...? No.

- *sigh* Okay. Call another maid and tell her to clean up this mess, - oh yes I should clean it up.

- I'll clean it right away - that's my duty, I can't cause more trouble for others now.

- Wait, - Huh? As he collecter all the broken peices on the plate, I looked at his worried face and started panicking. Why? Why is he so kind to me? - here take it to the kitchen and be carefull this time. I've a task for you, so don't forget to come back.

- Thank you, sir.

What was that just now? He helped me out. So he doesn't know the truth, right? Then, there is nothing to worry about. I'll pack up and leave this mansion as soon as possible. While I was deep in thought I didn't even notice how I arrived to the entrance door of the kitchen. I couldn't find Lucy in here...

Flashbacks from 2 week's events flashed in my mind:

"Camellia! - my brother said axcitedly, - you've recieved a p-proposal!" - I was surprised, but didn't pay any attention to it. "Proposal? *sigh*, from who?", "From the duke...Fitz-zerald, the duke Izek Fitzerald", "Can you wirite a rejection please?", "Are you kidding? Maybe you should AT LEAST give it a thought, no?"

Haah, Lia! Lia! Why didn't I pay attention at that time? Okay, I'll go and quit from this job right away... Or maybe I should try to explain him my situation and go home? I got tired from all of these. My stepmother and stepbrother are worried and looking for me, I'm sure of it. But I lied to him and used a fake name...ran away from him. I pity him, somewhat... Haaah, let's don't dwell on it, Lia. He told me to come back, what kind of task does he have for me?

*Knock-knock*

- May I...

- Yes! Come in, assistant, - he was sitting at his desk and writing something...

- Um, you said that you had a task, so...

- Yes-yes, I remember. I was preparing a wedding, - w-w-wedding?, - but my fiancee disappiared and I don't know where she could be..., - I should quit this job as soon as possible!

- And... how is your wedding related to m-me?, - he looked at me and his glaze was frightening.

- No! It does not. However the roses that were for the wedding are ruining my garden. I want you to collect all the flowers and petals, count them, and report to Igor, - he smiled at me, he is so handsome when he's smiling, but this smile is giving me goosebumps...

- WAIT WHAT? - whoops, did I say it outloud?, - I mean, isn't it unnecessary? Counting the flowers..

- AND petals!, - the petals? Why the hell do you need the number of petals?

- *sigh*, yes, I understood.

- Yes, you can proceed this instand. You're excused.

I closed the door behind and went to the garden. There are so many of them... It's good that he prepared them for the wedding, but... Is he taking his revenge in that way? I looked at his window and our eyes met. I was quite shocked. "You were so busy that you didn't even look in my way when I walked in and now you're looking outside, huh?". I started collecting the roses and petals separately inside of my pockets, which was a mistake...

- Lucy! Lucy!

- Yeah, Amelia? What? Do you need anything? - said Lucy swiping the floor.

- Yes, can you give me a sack? TWO SACKS!

- Sack...um okay, here! But why? - she asked curiously.

- The young duke...

- YOu can stop there. I understood. Good luck *sigh*, - she continued her work mumbling something under her nose and I also left to do my job.

2 hours later

FINALLY! I finished. There was no end to my happiness! "See? See the duke? I did it!", I looked at his window and we made another eye contact. I couldn't see his face expression but he left right away. Is he verifying whether I'm doing it properly or not? Now the easier yet time-consuming part... Okay let's start. Rose 1, rose2, rose 3, rose 4... rose 135, rose 136, rose...

- Hey, sup? - a familiar voice came from the behind. I looked at him and saw a familiar face.

- Oh, hi Ben! How have you been? - I smiled at him. He was the one who brought me here, but he was just trying to help.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

- I'm good, thanks. Soooo, how's work? He's not humilating you, isnt'he?

- *sigh*, no. But...

- Buuut?

- His task that he gave me is pretty challenging.

- Huh? Did he tell you to count the number of letters in a book?, - what the... so he is always like that. Why these people don't quit then? Is the salary high? Or did they already got used to him?

- N-no... he told me to collect and count the roeses AND petals...

- Oh, I see. Do you needd any...

- YES! That would be very very kind of you, Ben.

- BUT, in one condition.

- What condition?

- I'll call you Lia.

- Ah... um ookay...

- I'll count the petals then.

- Wait! The petals? But it's MY task so it would be more fair if I counted the petals.

- No! I prefer counting petals or else I refuse to help!

- Hahah, okay. Do as you please.

While counting we had an interesting chat. I found out about this castle, the servants and funny stories. Then I got confused and started counting it over again. And he started it over again...

- Ben?

- Yeah?

- You are asking if the duke is humilating me...

- Yeah...?

- And Lucy said to be careful and mentioned something about being a toy...

- Oh did she?

- But I can't understand one thing. The duke is being kind to me... sometimes. Except this task. Is something wrong with him? Why everybody's saying weird things about him? Or is he mentally unstable?

- Buahahahahahah-HAHAHAHAHAH! Don' tell such things. What if he hears it?

- Hear what? - I didn't want to look behind. I already knew who is standing there. Tell me that you didn't hear anything, please, - I'm asking again, what if I hear WHAT?

- I had important affairs to take care of, if you'll excuse me..., - Ben! Don't leave me!

- No! What were the two of you doing here?

- Chatting and laughing? Don't be mad, he was just helping me out...

- I AM NOT mad, - he definitely IS MAD.

- Ben, go help the horseman!

- I already did, sir, - he said proudly.

- Then go get lost! - oh, I'm doomed..., - Amelia, let's go, - he held my hand and started leading me to somewhere.

- Wait! Wait! But I was counting!

- No need to count.

- What? Then why...? - he didn't seem to listen to me, so shoved him and pulled my hand, - LET GO! I'm... I'm sorry. I don't know what I did wrong, but... *sigh* I'm quitting.

- You're quitting, huh? Okay you can quit, - that was easier than I was expecting, - BUT, - b-but?, - I have one last thing for you to do, before you go.

- Uh, okay. What is it?

- I should deliver something to my friend but I'm a little busy. Can you deliver it on my stead? - if it's just delivery...

- Yes.

- Thank you. Wait here I'll bring it.

After a few minutes he came downstairs with a small box. Are there jewels?

- Here's the address. Wait there and give it to a person in black.

- Okay.

- After that you can go anywhere you want, - he was unpleased. Maybe he didn't except me to run away this quickly? Who knows...

- Thank you.

I went to the shown address. The street was lonely. While waiting I was still busy thinking about what to do... How should I face my family? Katarina will not let me in, aagh.

- Good afternoon, - a man in black was standing in fron of me.

- Good afternoon. Is this supossed to be yours, sir?

- Ohh yess, - I gave him the box. He opened it beams of light were coming from the inside... What could it be?

- Um... sir?

- Yes, miss?

- I was curious...What's inside the box?

- Oh? Hahahah(*awkward*), sorry, I can't tell you this. I'm sorry, - it might be very expensive. Than why did the duke give me such a task of such an importance?

- Don't worry, and you don't have to say sorry. I understand.

- Thank you. Now we should go apart. I hope to see you again milady.

- Yes, me too...

*sigh* Finally I can go home now. I'm so tired of all of these. Working for my fiancé is so awkward. I went to my room and started packing up. My roommate Ruby was really upset that I'm leaving this fast. Yeah, now I won't have to work as a maid anymore. Haah, life is sweet... sometimes.

*Knock-knock* It should be Lucy!

- Come in! - the door opened, and I saw that cold yet handsome face once again, - Duke?

- I'll be leaving now, - said Ruby and left the room leaving us alone.

- To whom did you give it?

- Huh? Oh yeah. I gave it to the owner, he was pleased.

- No.

- No?

- The owner did not receive the box. You gave it to the wrong person!

- It can't be! I did everything based on your instructions, sir!

- Haaah, if only you knew who the owner was. You wouldn't dare to speak like that...

- I... I'll buy you another one! Tell me, what was that?

- Another one? That is not the thing that a mere maid can afford.

- I have money! Tell me what was that?

- The Grand diamond - Heart of the seven skies. Even if you have money, you can't simply buy it. It's one of a kind, - he said and a smirk showed up on his face. Grand Diamond, Heart of the sky... I heard of it. The Emperor himself was looking for it... What should I do? From what I remember, we had emeralds. Maybe I could repay it with them? - So, what are we going to do? - he smirked.

- Can't I repay it with another thing?

- Nope, - he smiled, - you either should find the diamond or...

- Or?

- Or you won't quit this job and continue working as my assistant. How does this sound?

- For how long?

- For a year!!

- A year! No, it's too much...

- Losing that diamond WAS too much. A year is nothing to compare with it.

- What if... what if I'll pay you my yearly salary? - I should do something with this!

- Oh? How much is your monthly salary? - huh? This is my chance, he got interested...

- 15 silver... In a year it will be... 180 silver. Or if you want I can pay 2! No 3 yearly salaries, - he seemed dissatisfied and angry. What did I do wrong? All I want is to go home!

- Okay, but before that, I'm increasing your montly salary! Now it's 500,000 gold. In a year it will be... 6 million gold, - wh-what?! What is he doing? This is absurd. I'll never be able to pay that amount! - What did you say before? You can give me 2, no! 3 yearly salaries? So it will be 18 million gold... actually it sounds good.

- NO! - why is he doing this?

- Huh? What?

- Um... Actually you were right. A year is nothing to compare with 18 mil... I-I mean with that diamond.

- So? - he smiled...

- I won't quit.

- So you agree to work here for a year without a salary?

- *sigh* Yes.

- Then, this is the deal, - he approached my hand and shook it, - Great! Now, can you please go to the library and find the book that's called "Between the doors'' to my cabinet?

- Yes, I'll bring it right away...*sigh* and we both left my room... Ruby is surely going to be happy about these news.

To be continued...