Izek Fitzgerald - 1st of March.

- Then this is the deal, - I said trying to hide my excitement.

- Yes, I'll bring it right away, - she said and left her room. By the way, her room is quite small, is she alright with it? On my way to my study-room all I could think was about her. She already realized that I'm her fiance and tried to run away again? I'm not going to let her go until I am fully satisfied with my revenge. And also I decided to change my plans. If I'll just reject her, I'll do what she wants. That's too light of a punishment. I will make you fall in love, so that you'll beg me not to reject you and I'll send you off to your home. She will be heart broken, but that's what she deserves, I guess. Or am I being too harsh on her? *sigh* Let's see... well if she behaves as a proper duchess... maybe I'll marry her... She's a little pretty and a little cute, a bit smart, but running away from home... she surely is reckless.

At the doors of my room, Igor was awaiting me.

- Good evening sir, - he bowed and gave a letter with a black seal on it, - this one is from the Crown Prince. And this is, from Arthur.

- Thank you, Igor, - we entered my study-room. Since Camellia became my personal assistant my room is often untidy. I breath out a long sigh, Igor might have notices it and started tidying up the pillows on the coach, my desktop, pile of paper was thrown to the trash bin and he also replaced empty ink bottle with the filled one, - thank you Igor. Haah, let's see... letter from the Crown Prince:

"The rumor about the sick Marquis has taken over the capital. Tomorrow in the morning come to the palace. We will discuss this matter. We SHOULD cure him at all costs. Or the black party will be in a huge advantage. We shouldn't lose any allies. Or there's still one option left. Find evidence against Carlos. Prove that he is the culprit of the Hamilton's sickness.

See you tomorrow,

Carcel II Milfred"

- The rumor about Marquis, huh? - she will be hurt if she knows about it..., Carlos, Carlos Carlos. This bastard,- Igor, burn this letter. Now the letter from Arthur:

"Good part of the day, Izek and thanks for the golden tulips you've sent. My fiancee was pleased. About that girl, is she the future duchess Carcel told the other day? I don't know what are you planning, but think twice before doing anything. By the way, she is quite the beauty.

See you tomorrow,

Your friend Arthur"

- Quite the beauty, huh?

- Did you say anything?

- NO! I didn't... Anyway, never mind.

- Should I burn it too?

- Yes. Thank you.

Heading towards the library, I wondered what makes her special? When I look at Ruby or at any other lady I see just an empty shell. But when I look at her, even when she's in maid's uniform something triggers me inside... I want to approach and touch her... What is even wrong with me?!

Fitzgerald mansion was quite old. The library was filled with ancient books. It was magnificent. Every book has its own place on the shell. They are sorted by genre and alphabetically... What's taking her so long? Maybe she isn't that smart? While walking I looked at the ceiling. Just the visitor will not notice, but there was a family tree on it. I was not on it. The latest person there was my great grand-father. It was a tradition back then, alas, we stopped doing it now.

*bump* Huh? Camellia? We bumped into each other. She stared at me with her hazel... and sleepy eyes and blushed face.

- Oh! It's you?

- Yes. Were you expecting someone else?

- N-no. I was going to go to your room anyway. It's a good thing, you came here by yourself, - sometimes she speaks a lot... but that's kind of... just a little cute?

- Why? Did you find the book? Finally.

- Well... That's why I was heading there. I couldn't find it. I looked for it on every shell... but there is not such a book.

- *sigh* Maybe you had been using it as a pillow?

- No. I checked. I-I mean I checked the pillow. Oh no-no-no, I slept without a pillow! I mean... I didn't... sleep... I'm sorry, - lying straight to my face agin. How dare she? I can read from her eyes that she DID sleep.

- *sigh* Lying is not a good habit for a young lady.

- Then, is it good for men?

- No, what I meant was, lying is not good for anyone!

- Are YOU anyone?

- Everyone is anyone... Including me.

- You say that lying is not good, yet you yourself tell lies...

- Lies? When did I?

- What's my name? - huh?

- Don't change the topic! I asked, when did I lie?

- No! YOU are the one who's changing the topic! - she pouted.

- Huh? W-what? Um... You... You are Camellia.

- See? Wait what?

- But YOU were the ONE who lied in the first place. Liar!

- When? - she asked barely holding her tears.

- When??

- When did you realize? - she asked me looking straight to my eyes. How can I lie when she looks so broken?

- I knew it from the very beginning. I ordered Benjamin to find you and he brought you here...

- Is that so? So my plan was a disaster from the beginning? And now I'm stuck here for a year? With the person... I hate? - she started crying. Why my heart is pounding like crazy... sadness and rage took over my body.

- You... hate me? I don't know the reason why you'd reject me and run away like a scared rabbit! You didn't EVEN TRY to explain the reason! All you did was put the blame on me!

- Huh? Why are you doing these? Yes! Yes, I was scared, I ran away. These were my decisions! Why don't you let me be? - she left the library in tears... I found the book I wanted, but the mood was ruined. I felt something heavy in my heart. Is it hate? ... Or regret? From a certain point, she is right. She didn't know who her future husband was. She had a full right to reject my proposal... Should I apologize? Why should I? She was the one who came here with her own two legs. "These were her own decisions"!

After that I couldn't even dine in piece. Is she still crying? Should I check on her? Yes! I should at least now what she's doing. She is my assistant. I have a full right to do so! As I walked towards her room I was worried that I'll make everything even worse. Will she even open the door for me? She doesn't hate me that much...

*knock-knock* ... *knock-knock* ... or does she? *knock-

- Young master? - the door was opened by Ruby, by her face expression I can see that she doesn't know that I was the one who made Camellia cry, - are you looking for Amelia?

- Um.. Yes.

- She didn't return yet...

- Sh-she didn't? - Ruby shook her head in confusion,

- What task did you have for her? I can do it in her stead...

- No, it wasn't that important. Good night.

- G-good night...

Where she could be? I decided to let her be and went upstairs, to my bedroom. My bedroom didn't change since I was a child. All the furniture is on its place. The balcony got smaller, or is it because I grew up? I still remember how my parents argued in the garden. I hated that place. As if it was the reason of their miserable lives and me being left behind. I don't want to be left alone once more. I hate the thought of it. Cool breeze stroke my face. That was when I felt the emptiness inside of me. Suddenly my eye caught a dark figure standing in the middle of the garden. I knew who it was from the first sight. So here she was...

- Why are you not sleeping? - she said after noticing me.

- I couldn't sleep... - I said, trying to see her face in the darkness.

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- Is something bothering you? - she asked. She was just curious, not worried or anything.

- Um... yes. It has been bothering me for a long time... Why are YOU not sleeping?

- I... couldn't sleep too?

- Is something bothering you too?

- Yeah...

- What is it? - despite it being dark, I noticed how she looked at my face. But I couldn't read her expression.

- Just... Never mind.

- What? Wait!

- Have a good night sleep, your grace.

- WAIT! Hey! He-e-e-yy!

Is she still mad at me? What did I do? Am I the one who's bothering her? *sigh* There are still a lot of things that I don't really understand. I hope she went to her room after this. I changed my clothes and hit the bed. I fell asleep right away.

*2nd March, Royal Palace*

- *sigh* Carlos took control over 2 newspaper publisher's. Soon he will surely start publishing propagate. We can't allow it, - said the Crown Prince. There're many reasons why I support him. The first is, he puts peace over anything. Carlos on the other hand will start the wars as soon as he becomes the new Emperor. The second reason is, Carcel is more educated and knows a lot of things about politics, economics and laws, I'm sure he'll lead the country through the be pathway. Carlos is and will be manipulated by the people around him, such as vise-minister Harrison Ferrar.

- Your Highness, I think we should also use the same tactic, but among the commoners. The reason behind this is, that commoners' support is the most important right now. Lower nobility also knows who is better for the position of the Emperor...

- I certainly agree with the marquis, - I said. My focus was lost today. My mind was wandering somewhere else.

*1 hour of discussion later*

- Haah, thanks for coming everyone, you all can proceed with your assigned tasks. Izek! Can we talk in private?

- Yes, your highness. What is it?

- It's about marquis Hamilton... When will you start the investigation?

- It's almost impossible to investigate without opening up the body... Even if we find the reason behind his illness, there probably won't be any evidence against Carlos...

- If we'll lose him, our side will be in a great disadvantage. You should marry his daughter to keep his house's status and balance the power.

- Well, she already rejected my proposal.

- Izek, does she know it?

- How can she?

- Tell her the truth, I'm sure she will want to revenge. We need this to all of us. To you, her, me, the Empire and the people.

- I'll speak with her, but the result is not guaranteed

- Haah, alright. Wish you luck.

- Thanks, then, I'll excuse myself, your highness.

On my way to the mansion the only thing I could think about was how to tell the truth to her. Knowing her temper I am 100% certain that she'll desire revenge. How'll she feel about it?

As I got to my cabinet I noticed a lot of dust everywhere as always. Since Camellia became my maid, my room is never clean enough. I rang the bell on the table, which seemed to be the only thing that wasn't covered with dust.

*knock-knock*

- Yes, come in.

- Did you call for me, your grace? - she was wearing her uniform as always. Her hair was messy and her hazel eyes looked tired.

- Yes, I did... I have an important matter to discuss, can you lock the door?

- L-lock the door? Yes. - she got confused because of my sudden request. I sat on the sofa as comfortably as I could. I can't help myself but being nervous, - the door is locked.

- Sit, - I offered her a seat in front of mine. She sat with courtesy and looked at the floor.

- Ahem... Camellia?

- Y-yes? - I took a deep breath and continued:

- Will... you... marry me?

- HUH? W-what?

- I said...

- No! I've heard it. But it's s-so sudden.

- So?

- Um... I-I know... That this marriage is important, - she lowered her voice, - but I don't think that I'm ready to marry...anyone.

- I understand. But before you reject me, let me explain the situation. If we won't marry, probably the person who is the culprit behind your father's illness will become the new ruler of the Empire.

- The culprit? My father's disease was planned?! And... And the culprit is...

- Prince Carlos, - as I said his name, her eyes became teary, - Camellia. The only way to prevent this outcome is our marriage.

- Yes.

- Y-yes?

- I'll marry you!

Suddenly the door of the cabinet opened wide. And the least expected person entered the room - my mother. She always was like this, coming without notice to the mansion was her habit and everyone got used it. But why now??

- What's going on? - she said with a wide smile on her face.

- Mother? How have you been? You must've been tired from the long journey...

- I'm quite alright, son. But I'm more interested in your well-being. What's going on, Izek?

- N-nothing. I was speaking with my maid? Isn't it ordinary thing?

- But I heard something EXTRAordinary. Did I mishear or did she really just say "I'll marry you"?- she looked towards Camellia who was standing looking at the floor, - Izek? Won't you explain?

- Haah, - I slowly approached Camellia and grabbed her shoulder, - mother, this is Camellia Hamilton, from now on my fiancee, - my mother's expression quickly changed from complaint to realization, then into surprise.

- W-what? H-how? I mean, I knew about you two's marriage... but why is she in maid's uniform? Izek?

- Um... there been a misunderstanding between us, but it got resolved now, - and then I explained her everything that happened so far. But Camellia insisted to add up some lies to soften up her doings.

- Haaah, this is surely was the best start. Okay, you two can continue, - she said if we were doing something illegal, - I'll go rest for now, - she left us mumbling something under her nose.

- Why didn't you lock up the door? I've told you, haven't I?

- I'm sorry, I though you were going to do something... Sorry.

- W-what do you mean something? - oh, I was soo nervous that I didn't think about how weird my request was, - I'm sorry too... It's my fault.

*awkward silence*

*awkward silence*

*awkward ...

- Um... Your grace?

- Huh? Yes?

- May I go home now?

- No. - I won't let you run away again.

- No? But why? Your grace! I'm not your maid anymore!

- Whaat? But you're still my assistant You didn't pay me the money yet, did you?

- But I agreed to marry you, your grace!

- That doesn't change the fact the the grand diamond got lost because of YOU, - am I being too selfish? - Okay.

- Hm?

- You are free from the maid's affairs. BUT you are sill my personal assistant that should do what I tell you to do, - after that she pouted cutely and I decided to tease her a little more.

- Your grace?

- What?

- Am I allowed to go to the parties at least?

- Hmm, let me think. Why not? BUT.

- B-but?

- ... as my fiancee. To make our engagement believable, - so that no other man would dare to approach you, - we should make sure that everyone else knows that I'm your fiance.

- Hmm...Okay! Thank you! - she looks excited, does she miss her friends?

- And, one more thing!

- What is it this time?

- Call me by my name!

- NO WAY!

- But why? You won't address me like your grace even if we get married, will you?

- What's wrong with it?

- No! I don't like it. Call me by my name!, she shook her head, - okay, I'll let you choose.

- Phew... Thank ...

- Darling or Izek?

- HUH?

- Choose. Darling or Izek?

- Your grace!

- There isn't such option! Choose one!

- No! Never.

- If you won't, I'll call you 'honey' from now one.

- Ahahahaha! Hahahah! You? You can't!

- Really? Ahem-ahem, honey, why don't we...

- STOP!

- ... go on a date...

- I said STOP!

- But why, honey?

- Izek! STOP!

- Now, now~ That's a loot better, - she is cute. I should stop now I guess. I stood up and opened my drawer, - here. Take this.

- Money? Should I buy something, your... Izek?

- You said you wanted to go to social gatherings right? Here's the money. Buy any clothes you want, - suddenly she blushed. Her cuteness has no limits. She blushed because of money? Should I give her more from now on? She raised her head and said:

- T-thank you... I'll go now, - she rushed to the door and left the room... Did I make something wrong? But what...?

To be continued...