Lately, Dreck was troubled.

After the heart-pounding event in his room that allowed him to confirm the rumors that an elf’s weak point was indeed their ears, he never spoke a word of it since it was what Ava had requested. The half-elf herself didn’t seem to mind what he did and acted like usual. However, the first prince had a hard time keeping calm around her for the last few days. Of course, he made sure not to show it and simply smiled like usual. But, his heart always beat rapidly in his chest and his body turned tense, much like the first time he saw her. It was becoming a nuisance since it made interacting with her difficult.

“Why am I learning how to dance again?” [Ava]

The current situation also didn’t help much.

“There is a ball coming soon. To not know how to properly dance with a gentleman would become your greatest shame.” [Louise]

“But, I’m not going to dance in that ball, right?” [Ava]

“True… Still, better for you to know the proper steps than be ignorant of them. This is also part of your lessons on manners.” [Louise]

“We’re covering waaaayy too many things. And why I am dancing with your kid?” [Ava]

For some reason, when Dreck was called by his mother, who said that she needed his help, he was made to be Ava’s dance partner for practice. Standing in close proximity, his left hand was on her waist while his right gently held her left. Following Louise’s clapping instead of music, they moved their feet together in sync. Deep down, despite the gnawing emotion that he wasn’t used to experiencing, it was a happy happening.

“Who better to practice with than my son? Still, it appears that it was needless seeing how you can dance surprisingly well.” [Louise]

“You hear that? Your mom just said you were useless.” [Ava]

“I said needless.” [Louise]

“Oh right, she called you needless.” [Ava]

“… As punishment, you shall be using that rinse you made, for starters.” [Louise]

“Huh? No. That’s for women.” [Ava]

“You ARE a woman.” [Louise]

While listening to their back and forth that had become the norm, Dreck silently enjoyed the slow dance as he pleasantly smiled and kept his urges in check. It was especially hard keeping his hand that was on her waist from slipping any lower.

Later that day, another event troubled him.

Dreck found himself having a tea party with his little sister, Lisa, and Ava. It was something that was held whenever Lisa had free time between her studies and social affairs. The three were sitting at a round table where various confectionaries and teacups were placed on.

“Really?! Nothing ever happened?!” [Lisa]

The princess who was four years younger than her brother was asking questions with sparkling eyes.

“Again, nothing happened.” [Ava]

And the one who was being bombarded was the half-elf dressed as a maid.

“Then a dashing elf prince never asked for your hand in marriage while you lived in Faywood and, because you’re a half-elf, the other elven women couldn’t accept it and, in their jealousy, drew up a despicable plan to banish you from the kingdom?” [Lisa]

“No. How the hell did you come up with that from me saying I had circumstances at home?” [Ava]

“Isn’t it romantic? And you should watch your language or my mother will get mad again.” [Lisa]

“I think I finally got her to give up.” [Ava]

“Hahaha, that’s impossible.” [Lisa]

Weirdly enough, Lisa looked up to Ava, probably because she was the first individual of elven descent that she had met. The other possible reason was that Ava had created the rinse that she was currently using, which made her blonde hair shinier than ever.

Full of curiosity, the princess brought up one question after another about life in Faywood, the country of elves, but Ava dodged them all and gave vague answers. Even so, Lisa wasn’t offended and seemed to be having fun coming up with her own conjectures. It was the same thing every time she invited their elven guest and worker to a tea party.

And Dreck would have to sit through it all whenever she asked for his participation.

“So there wasn’t anyone you were interested in? Elves are all super dashing and handsome, no?” [Lisa]

“Again, no way.” [Ava]

“That’s a shame. You’re really pretty after all. I’m sure a lot of men in the castle have already been mesmerized by you. Don’t you think so, brother?” [Lisa]

“Yes. Ava is certainly beautiful enough to catch anyone’s attention.” [Dreck]

“Don’t call me ‘beautiful’.” [Ava]

To his little sister’s question, Dreck only agreed with a smile as he took a mental note to identify the “mesmerized men” that were mentioned. At the same time, he once again felt the inexplicable feeling of relief and disappointment over how there was no one Ava was interested in.

Finally, when the day was over, the first prince turned in for the night. Resting in his bed, he thought about his recent worries and sighed tiredly.

“I need to control myself.” [Dreck]

Muttering so, Dreck closed his eyes and emptied his mind. Still, the face of Ava lingered on for a while before his consciousness sank in the sea of dreams.

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“Wake up.” [Ava]

Hearing a voice that gently pulled at his heartstrings, Dreck stirred in his bed. Rising from his comfortable slumber, he opened his eyes to see the beautiful figure of his personal maid.

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“Morning.” [Ava]

Ava greeted him like usual. There was neither a smile on her lips or politeness in her tone, only the usual sleepy-looking expression. Even so, more than the soft blanket and expensive bedsheets, it warmed his body and naturally brightened his mood.

“Morning to you too, Ava.” [Dreck]

Dreck greeted her, who was standing by his bedside, waiting for him to get up. However, he chose to lie on his side and gaze at her eyes of different colors that were slowly getting annoyed.

“Why are you making my work harder? Get up. You’ve got to change, eat breakfast and go help out with your dad’s work.” [Ava]

“It’s fine for me to skip breakfast. I’m the prince. I can do whatever I want.” [Dreck]

“If you actually meant that, my work would be a lot easier.” [Ava]

Dreck chuckled which, unlike the feign laughs he used to entertain the ladies clinging to him, came from the bottom of his heart. Ava had been working as his personal maid and helped him with his daily routines. Despite their positions, and no matter how much time passed, she always dropped a complaint or two every day. Although her attitude was disrespectful, her master found it cute and charming. After all, he knew how serious she really was.

Of course, the real reason was because of the relationship that they shared.

Having cleaned himself up and donned a fresh set of clothes, Dreck was now wearing a deep blue attire of excellent craftsmanship. It was a set composed of shiny black shoes, a pure white shirt that was buttoned up at the front, deep blue trousers without a crease and a high collar jacket of the same color.

Although the trousers were of one color, the deep blue jacket had red and gold details finely embroidered, mostly around the shoulders and left breast areas. On the left side of the chest was a red apple with a golden background in the shape of a leaf, which was the symbol of the royal family.

“Will you help me button up the front?” [Dreck]

Dreck asked the maid who was standing on the side and yawning while buttoning his jacket.

“Don’t wanna. You’re not a kid anymore.” [Ava]

“I guess you of all people know that really well.” [Dreck]

“Don’t be gross, and stop grinning at me like that.” [Ava]

“Sorry, sorry.” [Dreck]

Seeing her frown and turn her face away, the chuckling prince couldn’t help but find her adorable.

“But, it is your job to help me as my personal maid.” [Dreck]

“If the future king can’t even dress himself, then the kingdom’s doomed. So prove your worth by buttoning up that expensive-looking jacket properly.” [Ava]

“What a heartless, disobedient maid.” [Dreck]

Once Dreck was done closing the front of the jacket up to the neck and looked presentable, his mood had grown quite mischievous as he glanced at Ava who was waiting for him to leave the room. So, without warning, he grabbed her wrist and strongly pulled her towards him.

“Whoa!” [Ava]

Unprepared, the half-elf fell onto the bed with him and ended up trapped in his arms. Laying sideways and with a playfully grinning Dreck stuck to her back, her expression slowly contorted to panic.

“Oh, no way! No way! Not again! Let me go!” [Ava]

She angrily flailed her limbs and tried to escape, but her attempts were unsuccessful.

“You don’t want to keep me company a bit longer?” [Dreck]

“It’s way too freaking tiring to ‘keep you company’ since you don’t know when to stop! I’ve got work to do! And so do you!” [Ava]

“But, aren’t I the prince? Can I not do whatever I want?” [Dreck]

After saying so, Dreck licked her ear.

“Mnnn!?” [Ava]

Having her weak spot attacked, Ava tightly pressed her lips together and involuntarily let out a muffled moan. Moreover, Dreck didn’t let up and continued his assault.

“Mmmn!!” [Ava]

Despite her best efforts, her voice rose from her throat and sounded out in the otherwise silent room. The young maid’s body grew numb, her nerves were tingling, her senses were overly ticklish and her strength grew weak. Unable to resist, the prince she was serving quickly changed their positions in bed. Before she knew it, he was straddling her as he held down her wrists while she was lying on her back.

“Besides, I have to punish this naughty maid.” [Dreck]

Mercilessly, Dreck licked her long, pointy ear as if it was delicious. He kissed, licked and nibbled as much as he wanted, thoroughly overwhelming Ava’s senses. At this point, besides twitching caused by the tingling waves, her limbs no longer moved.

Furthermore,

“Mnnhaa!” [Ava]

Unable to endure, her lips parted and her voice, no longer suppressed, loudly filled the air.

“Ahh! Wait!” [Ava]

“I won’t.” [Dreck]

“Aah! Y-you bra-AH! MHHAH!” [Ava]

The punishment endlessly continued under the prince’s will, heedless of the maid’s pleas.

“Now then…” [Dreck]

After a while, having had his fill of hearing her cute and rather stimulating yelps, Dreck finally gave her a moment of respite.

“How should I punish the naughty maid next?” [Dreck]

He said while smiling and staring at the shuddering girl under him. Halfway through his teasing, he had released her wrists, but instead of pushing him away, she powerlessly laid at his mercy. In fact, if she tried to stand on her numbed feet now, she would definitely crumble down like a lifeless doll.

Ava, exhausted, was panting heavily as her chest heaved up and down with every breath. Her cheeks were red and her sleepy expression that was always on her face melted away. The way she gazed at Dreck with moist eyes gave an amorous air that people would normally never expect from her usual sloppy, laidback, yet tough attitude.

“What should I do, my love?” [Dreck]

Dreck asked while feeling his body heat up and his heartbeat quicken from looking at the half-elf maid’s disheveled state that was caused by him.

“…” [Ava]

For a few seconds, Ava didn’t say anything before turning her head to the side. The dazed look on her red face was gone and a childish sulk covered her fair features instead.

“… Why are you asking me? You’re a prince and I’m your personal maid, so just do whatever you want… Master.” [Ava]

Hearing those inviting words spoken in a wavering voice and seeing her cute, pouting expression that hid her real feelings, Dreck gave in to his instincts.

He proceeded to tease, bully and indulge Ava relentlessly until-.

“… Huh?” [Dreck]

He woke up.

Rising from his bed, Dreck looked around to see his familiar large room in the darkness. From how a very faint light was beginning to stream through his window curtains, the sun was about to show its face.

“… A dream?” [Dreck]

Once Dreck realized the truth, he silently put his hand over his face.

He liked Ava. He fell in love with her at first sight. But, he never thought that he would desire her so. He never thought that his heart would be pulled around over every little thing that involved her, like it had been over the past few days. The first prince believed that he was a cool and collected individual. But, to his surprise, he was rather passionate, for every time he saw Ava, he wanted to hug her, touch her and make her his. He didn’t want any man to have her, let alone approach her.

He was relieved that she didn’t have anyone she liked, and was sad that her heart didn’t stir for him.

He was happy that she served as his personal maid, but was unsatisfied that that was all there was between them.

Every day, since Dreck pushed Ava in his bed and licked her ear, his desire to monopolize her made itself bluntly known. Even though he shouldn’t because he was the heir to the throne that bore the responsibility of ruling the country and leaving behind descendants, he knew. Even though she was a half-elf, a maid and a guest that had voiced her wish of leaving in the future, it didn’t matter. Ever since she began working in the castle, ever since he let her go off on her own in the forest, ever since he saw her bathing in the lake, he had decided.

The dream was simply the culmination of all his suppressed desires, his male instincts that were roused up from pushing her in his bed, pressing her down with his body and seeing her defenseless after licking her ear.

Dreck wanted to marry Ava and make her his princess.

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Meanwhile…

“No… No… Wait!” [Ava]

Ava was having nightmares as usual and woke up before sunrise. In the bedroom given to her, she was panting while covered in cold sweat. The annoying white nightgown given to her by the queen felt hot, despite it being autumn, and she considered sleeping naked for a second.

Sitting up on her bed cross-legged, Ava roughly scratched her head with her left hand as she focused on calming her heartbeat. It was at that moment that she finally noticed the abnormal phenomenon hanging around her left hand. Although the room was dark, she could still tell what it was.

A looming cloud of black fog was present.

For a second, the half-elf’s eyes opened wide in surprise before she turned her gaze to her right hand. Focusing her mind, she wielded the power granted to her by the elven bloodline, and it appeared.

A swirling mass of light particles was formed.

Staring at both hands, one illuminating the night and one melting in the dark, a small smile formed on Ava’s lips, one that heralded future conflicts.

“Don’t know why… But, it’s about time.” [Ava]