Chapter 1: Introduction
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue upon the walls of the Royal Palace of Lugunica. The massive doors creaked open slowly, revealing a voluptuous maid dressed in a skimpy, blood-red uniform. Her name was Petra Leyte, and tonight, she had managed to slip away from her duties, unaware that she was about to indulge in a forbidden pleasure.
Subaru paced restlessly in the dimly lit corridor, unable to shake off the feelings of frustration and desire that coursed through his veins.
His gaze drifted towards the grand banquet hall, where he could still hear the distant hum of laughter and clinking glasses. He swallowed hard, thinking of Emilia's aloof presence earlier—her radiant beauty hidden behind a cold facade.
"What's wrong with me?" he groaned, running a hand through his short, dark hair. "I should be happy that I married the Queen. But why am I not satisfied?"
As he continued to wander aimlessly, Subaru found himself staring at a maid who was busy sweeping the floors.
Petra Leyte. He couldn't help but admire her alluring figure—her perfectly curved hips swaying seductively under the tight, crimson dress. She had long, fiery red hair that cascaded down her back like a vibrant cascade of flame, and enchanting cerulean eyes that shimmered with an insatiable hunger. Her face was soft and delicate, yet there was something strangely familiar about her appearance. It felt like destiny was pulling them together.
"Petra," Subaru addressed her, his voice sounding huskier than usual.
The maid turned around, and her sapphire-blue eyes widened slightly when she saw him standing there. "Yes sir?" she asked innocently, feigning ignorance.
Subaru hesitated, his heart pounding wildly beneath his ribs. He tried to think of polite excuses to approach her, but his brain was racing with images of their bodies entwined in passion.
"Are you done cleaning up here?" he finally blurted out. "I need some help with... organizing some things over there."
Petra nodded eagerly, her lips parting ever so slightly.
"Of course! I'd be more than happy to assist you," she replied sweetly, offering a coy smile. Her words struck a chord deep within Subaru. He noticed how her eyes seemed to dance in excitement, her lashes fluttering delicately against her cheeks. His pulse quickened at the sight before him.
As they walked side by side along the corridor, Petra maintained a respectful distance between them. Every time their arms brushed against each other, Subaru experienced a jolt of electricity coursing through his veins.
He wanted to reach out and touch her, feel her warmth, inhale her scent. Instead, he forced himself to maintain his composure, focusing on their destination.
They entered a room filled with dusty bookshelves and velvet curtains hanging haphazardly from the ceiling. This was one of Subaru's favorite hiding spots in the palace—a place where he could escape the pressures of being Emilia's husband. Petra looked around curiously, taking in the musty smell of old paper and wood.
"So what would you like me to do first?" she asked politely, trying to mask the nervousness creeping into her voice.
Subaru hesitated, his gaze darting between the shelves filled with forgotten knowledge and the beautiful maid before him. "You can help me dust these books," he said finally, pointing to the nearest shelf.
Petra smiled brightly, reaching for a feather duster hanging on a nearby hook. "Sure thing!" she chirped cheerfully, her fingers trembling slightly as she picked up the tool.
Subaru watched her work, admiring the way her slender curves were accentuated by the low-cut, scarlet dress. The thin fabric did little to conceal her blossoming assets, drawing his attention like a moth to a flame.
"How about we take a break for a moment?" Subaru suggested softly, hoping to seize the opportunity. "It's a bit stuffy in here, don't you think?"
Petra glanced up at him, a hint of curiosity sparking in her azure eyes.
"That sounds like a fantastic idea," she agreed enthusiastically. "I could use a breather too."
Subaru nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. He led Petra over to a window, opening the wooden shutters to let in the cool night air. The twinkling stars shone brilliantly against the ink-black sky, casting a mystical glow over the kingdom.
"Do you know how much I love working here?" Petra mused aloud, gazing out at the breathtaking view.
"Especially now that I get to spend my days helping you, Lord Subaru."
Her words sent a surge of warmth through Subaru's chest. He cleared his throat, trying to ignore the flutters in his stomach. "Yeah," he murmured, meeting her gaze. "Well, it's been quite a journey for all of us, hasn't it?"
Petra nodded, her eyes glistening in the pale moonlight. "I just hope everything turns out alright for everyone—for you, for me," she confessed, her voice cracking slightly.
"This world feels so uncertain sometimes."
Subaru reached out and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. Petra's skin was smooth and warm beneath his grasp. He felt a strange connection with her; she reminded him of someone else, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
"We're all in this together, Petra," he reassured her. "I promise that I won't abandon anyone who needs support."
She gave him a grateful glance, her azure eyes sparkling with admiration. "Thank you, Lord Subaru," she whispered softly.
"I appreciate your kindness."
Subaru squeezed her shoulder gently. "No problem, Petra. We're all in this together, right?"
Petra nodded, smiling gratefully. "Absolutely. Let's go back to work, shall we?"
Subaru sighed and released Petra's shoulder. "Yeah, I guess we should."
They returned to the room full of dusty bookshelves and curtains. As they resumed their tasks, Subaru couldn't shake off the magnetic pull he felt towards Petra.
The thought of touching her silky, ginger locks and caressing her curvy form tantalized his senses. He couldn't believe how different she was from Emilia—how eager she was to please him.
"I heard you were quite skilled at cooking," Subaru commented casually, watching as Petra meticulously cleaned each book cover.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that," she replied modestly. "But I enjoy experimenting with different recipes every once in a while.
I mean, life here in the palace can get rather dull," Petra admitted with a laugh.
Subaru smirked, knowing exactly what she meant. Life inside the palace was far from exciting—it was more like an endless cycle of monotonous rituals and etiquette lessons.
"Well, maybe someday you can show me some of your culinary skills," he teased mischievously.
Petra paused, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Would you really want to try my food?" she asked shyly.
Subaru nodded, his heart thumping with anticipation.
"Count me in," he grinned, feigning nonchalance.
Petra blushed, her eyes lighting up in delight. "Really?" she exclaimed breathlessly. "I've got some ideas for dishes that we could experiment with!"
"Sounds great," Subaru assured her, his gaze lingering on her rosy lips. As the two continued chatting, the palpable tension between them intensified. For Subaru, it was impossible to deny the intoxicating attraction he felt towards Petra.