The morning sun spilled through the wide-open curtains, flooding the room with warm light. Axelius sat up slowly, stretching his arms over his head and letting out a long yawn. His eyes blinked lazily as he looked out the window, the sunlight illuminating the gardens outside. He smiled, his mood oddly cheerful. "What a beautiful day," he muttered to himself, his grin stretching wider.
With a hop, he jumped down from his bed, his feet landing softly on the floor. He wasted no time, going through his usual routine—brushing his teeth, washing his face, and fixing his unruly hair. The maids came in shortly after, assisting him with his clothes, tightening the buttons on his coat and adjusting his collar just right.
"You seem extra cheerful today," Owen remarked, his small voice amused.
Axelius only chuckled, "The sun's out, Owen. Nothing wrong with enjoying it."
Axelius barely had time to finish adjusting his collar when the door to his room slammed open with a force that rattled the walls. Cyruz stormed in, his eyes blazing with fury, followed by two maids who looked both terrified and anxious. His fists were clenched, his breathing harsh, and his gaze locked directly on Axelius.
"It's you, isn't it?! You did something!" Cyruz's voice boomed across the room, filled with rage and accusation.
Axelius raised an eyebrow, barely blinking at the dramatic entrance. He crossed his arms, leaning back against his chair with a look of pure amusement. "Good morning, Cyruz. Always a pleasure," he said coolly, ignoring the tension radiating off his half-brother.
Cyruz's eyes flared, and he jabbed a finger toward Axelius. "Don't you 'good morning' me! What did you do to my maid?!" he shouted, stepping forward with enough force that the floorboards creaked.
Axelius tilted his head, his eyes flickering with amusement. "Your maid?" he echoed slowly, like he was savoring the words.
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded from the hall, and the very maid they were talking about entered, her face flushed from running. She caught her breath and immediately moved to Axelius's side, bowing her head respectfully. Cyruz's eyes widened with disbelief, his face turning red with fury. "There! Look at that! Why is she standing by your side?!"
Axelius gave her a sidelong glance, the corners of his lips curling up. "Oh? I suppose she prefers this side now," he mused, tapping his chin dramatically. "Is there a problem, Cyruz?"
Cyruz's fists shook, his voice a growl. "You forced her, didn't you?! There's no way she would just switch like that!"
Before Axelius could answer, the maid stepped forward, her eyes still low but her voice surprisingly firm. "Young Master Cyruz... I—I requested it myself. I asked to be transferred to Young Master Axelius's service."
The silence that followed was deafening. Cyruz's expression twisted with disbelief. "W-What?!" he spat out, taking a step back as if he had been physically struck. "That's impossible! Why would you do that?!"
The maid hesitated, her eyes flickering to Axelius for a split second before lowering again. "I... I wish to serve him," she said, her voice steady despite the tension.
Cyruz looked like he was about to explode. His eyes snapped back to Axelius, sharp and accusing. "You... you threatened her, didn't you?! This is your doing!"
Axelius only shrugged, hands casually behind his back. "Threatened? Me? Why would I need to do that?" he replied innocently, his smile never faltering. "Perhaps she just found better company," he added with a chuckle, making Owen snicker quietly from his shoulder.
Cyruz's glare sharpened, his teeth grinding together. "This isn't over, Axelius. Not by a long shot," he growled, spinning on his heels and storming out, the two maids scrambling to follow behind him.
Axelius simply leaned back, stretching his arms casually. "Well, that was dramatic," he mused. He glanced at the maid, his smile still present but his eyes sharp. "Welcome to my side... I hope you enjoy your stay."
Owen bounced on his shoulder. "You really are a little devil, aren't you?"
Axelius only laughed. "Maybe... but I'm an effective one."
Axelius brushed off the dust from his hands, turning to Elias who had been silently standing by the door. "Elias, inform her of the rules," he ordered, his voice carrying that light tone of command.
Elias bowed slightly, his expression calm as always. "Of course, Young Master," he replied.
With that settled, Axelius walked over to his large, ornate dressing room, its doors carved with elegant patterns of roses and vines. He pulled the handles, and the doors swung open to reveal rows of neatly arranged clothes, all in dark shades and fine fabrics. He flipped through them swiftly before pausing, his eyes landing on a particular outfit.
"Ah, here it is," he muttered, pulling it out and shutting the doors behind him. He walked back to the maid, who was standing stiffly, her eyes wide with confusion. Axelius stepped right in front of her, holding up the outfit with a grin. He lifted it slightly, as if trying to measure it against her height.
The maid blinked rapidly, her cheeks turning a faint pink. "W-What is this, Young Master?" she stammered, clearly bewildered.
Axelius's grin widened, mischief dancing in his eyes. "Good thing Elias can sew. Look at what was requested," he said, holding the fabric up with both hands so she could see the design clearly. "From now on, this will be your maid uniform."
Her eyes widened even more, her gaze fixed on the outfit. It was not the usual maid uniform with its long skirts and stiff collars. This one was different—crafted with smooth black fabric that stopped just above the knees, trimmed with white lace around the edges. The sleeves were puffed slightly at the shoulders, with delicate ribbons tied at the cuffs. A small apron, also edged with lace, was attached to the front, giving it a refined yet playful look. A matching headband rested at the top, simple yet elegant.
The maid's face turned crimson. "T-This... I... but it's..." she stuttered, not knowing how to continue.
Axelius raised an eyebrow. "But it's what? I think it's rather fitting," he said, circling around her as if imagining the final look. "You wanted to be my maid, right? Then you should look the part."
The maid swallowed nervously, her hands clenching slightly behind her back. "Y-Yes, Young Master..." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Axelius nodded, clearly pleased with her response. "Good," he said simply, turning back to Elias. "Make sure it fits her perfectly, and tell her the rules. I want her to be ready by this afternoon."
Elias bowed once more. "Understood, Young Master."
Axelius looked back at the maid, his grin never fading. "Welcome to my service. I hope you don't disappoint me," he said cheerfully before walking off, leaving her standing there, still stunned and clutching the uniform.
After Axelius left, several other maids quietly followed him out, leaving only Elias and the new maid in the room.
Elias looked at the maid and spoke calmly, "You should wear the uniform now."
The maid hesitated, looking uncomfortable as she slowly changed into the outfit. The short skirt made her feel exposed, and she shifted nervously.
Seeing her discomfort, Elias said softly, "It is normal to feel this way at first. You will get used to it."
Once she finished dressing, Elias cleared his throat and began explaining the rules clearly. "First, you must always greet Young Master Axelius properly when you see him. A simple bow and polite words."
He paused for a moment, making sure she was paying attention. "Second, you must keep quiet about everything you see and hear in this house. Some things are private and not meant for others."
The maid nodded, biting her lip.
Elias continued, his voice steady but firm. "There are more rules you must know. You do not talk unless you are spoken to or given permission. Silence is very important here."
He glanced at her carefully. "When you formally start this afternoon, you must introduce yourself properly. Say your full name clearly and respectfully. This shows your respect and discipline."
Elias then took out a small paper. "Here is the schedule for your duties. You will wake the Young Master in the morning, assist with his dressing, prepare his meals, and keep his room clean. Every task must be done with care and attention."
The maid looked up, her eyes full of worry. "I will do all of that? What about the other maids? Will they help me?"
Elias shook his head slowly. "The other maids are only here for a short time. Starting this noon, you will be the only maid serving Young Master Axelius."
The maid's eyes widened. "Only me? That's a lot…"
Elias added firmly, "Also, you must never leave Young Master Axelius's side unless given permission. Staying close is very important."
Then Elias paused and said, "You will have your own room."
The maid's face showed shock. "My own room? Does that mean I will not share it with others?"
Elias nodded. "Yes, you will have your own room. This is to keep everything private and secure."
The maid swallowed, still trying to take it all in.