Something odd happened the next day to Jack.

He was relaxing after one of those department meetings he had to attend. The heads of departments were arguing about who was entitled to which [Slave] from the 15 persons tribute.

As thrilling as it sounds to figure out a fair allocation system, that wasn’t the highlight of Jack’s day.

After he had his lunch in a private garden, he returned to his chambers and there was a surprise waiting for him.

Actually, there were a lot of surprises.

A basket of fruits on his bed. A bouquet of flowers on the dining table. A portrait painting of him. And a knitted scarf with his name ‘Zodark’ on it.

So Jack called the [Guards] who guarded the entrance to his chambers.

“What’s the meaning of this? Who let this happen?” Jack asked one of the guards.

The guard tried saving his skin, “It wasn’t my fault. The [Maids] insisted that we let them in and place the stuff.”

“Why did you let them?”

“We didn’t want to get in trouble. All the [Maids] claimed to be following orders from the consorts. And that you’d want to see these gifts.”

“These gifts are from the consorts?”

The guards nodded.

Jack looked closer at the bouquet of flowers. There was a note in it.

It read:

Missing your dearly, My Lord

These flowers reminded me of you

I hope you’re pleased

Yours

Lady Cithara

The knitted scarf also had a note:

I made this scarf for you so that you won’t be cold during the night

Though I’m sure if I was next to you

You’d be forever warm

Your Love

Lady Erzilla

This was getting out of hand.

“Why are they sending all this stuff?” Jack exasperated.

“My lord, everyone knows that you spent the night with Lady Octavia after she sent you a note,” a guard answered him.

Palace gossip does spread rather quickly. Jack ordered that the gifts be stored somewhere else besides his chambers.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

…

…

One thing Jack didn’t realise he would miss was technology. When he was bored, he would play on his computer. And if he wasn’t in the mood for PC games, he’d play on his phone.

While life without social media seems fine, he longed to scroll and watch random videos for hours. Or listen to obnoxious influencers giving out their hot takes of the day.

And also movies. If only he could watch movies again. Friday at home was usually Movie Night. His parents would always order takeout and then they’ll watch movies.

Jack groaned, he was so bored.

It’s nice to be able to order people around and stuff. But sometimes, you just want to eat junk and turn off your brain while watching endless videos.

There is one game Jack knew from his world that was excellent for killing time. He checked his [Inventory] to see if he had the item required.

After several minutes of scrolling through his [Inventory], Jack found what he was looking for.

A deck of cards. He could now play Solitaire.

During library time, most games on the library’s computer were banned. But Solitaire wasn’t.

From his foggy memory, Jack knew there had to be seven piles of cards on the table. The rest he tried figuring out as he went by. He knew the goal of the game was to get four piles for each suit.

Time passed without him realising.

He was surprised to find a [Maid] tapping on his shoulder.

“Jeez, what the hell!” Jack was startled.

“I apologise, I knocked several times and you didn’t answer,” the [Maid] responded.

“So you decided to enter anyway,” Jack grumbled in frustration.

“I apologise, I’m new here.”

“What do you mean new?”

Jack took a closer look at the [Maid]. She looked familiar. Then it hit him.

“Oh, you’re the chief’s daughter, right. So they made you a [Maid] here?”

She didn’t answer back. But the way she stared at Jack told him all he needed to know.

“I came here to bring you tea, Lord Zodark,” she said flatly.

“How kind of you. Come sit down and let’s drink together,” Jack smiled.

“I have work to do.”

“I wasn’t asking you. So please sit, I insist.”

She sat immediately.

There was one cup on the tray, Jack knew another cup was stored in his desk. He got up and got it for her.

“Your father was concerned that we’d treat you horribly here,” Jack stated as he poured two cups for them. “I hope your stay has been pleasant. Has anyone mistreated you?”

“No one, my lord.”

“Good. And it should stay that way. If anyone does something to you, don’t be shy and tell me.”

“Yes.”

Jack tidied up the cards on the table.

“What game were you playing? You seemed utterly focused on it,” she asked.

“Solitaire.”

“Solitaire?”

“It’s a card game that you play alone to pass time. You probably never heard of it.”

“So demons play? And here I thought you only know how to rape and pillage.”

Jack chuckled. “I believe everyone plays from time to time. Humans. Demons. Elves. Etc…”

“Interesting. But Lord Zodark, I must leave. I have laundry duty to finish.”

Jack noticed that she hadn’t touched the tea he poured for her.

Her eyes were fiery. He was surprised she hadn’t tried to throw the hot beverage at him.

“I won’t keep you any longer. Have a good day.”

She stood up to leave.

“And next time, only enter when I tell you to,” Jack told her. He doesn’t like being surprised.

“I understand. It won’t happen again.”

She left.

Jack returned to playing cards by himself while enjoying a cup of tea.