°•°•°•°||Chapter 12

(Is the pacing rush?:(  It feels like it for me so I'll try to write it in a steady pace sorta for me.)

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The sound of Aria’s footsteps against the wooden floor came to an abrupt halt as she nearly ran into Lucas, who stood in the hallway as if he had been expecting her.

Aria’s eyes widened, freezing in place as Lucas took a step forward, his hands clasped behind his back and his icy gaze meeting her hazel ones.

Snapping out of her daze, she quickly bowed. "G-Greetings..." she hesitated, unsure of what to call him. Her gaze fell to the floor as panic settled in. What am I even supposed to address him as?

"Just call me Lucas," he said, crossing his arms. His expression remained unreadable. "After all, we work for the same lady—well, at least for a week in my case." He sighed.

"Right… Lucas," Aria echoed uncertainly as she straightened her posture, still avoiding his gaze while nervously clasping her fingers together.

"Then I’ll be on my wa—" Aria started to walk past him.

"Hold it."

She froze.

"It’s rude to leave without a proper conversation," Lucas remarked, turning slightly to look at her. His gaze settled on her back, watching as her shoulders subtly rose and fell in a small sigh.

"Apologies, but I really should be going. Lady Victoria called for me—"

"Fifty minutes."

"Pardon?" What is this guy even talking about? Aria deadpanned internally, turning to face him again.

"That’s the exact duration of the servants’ lunch break," Lucas stated matter-of-factly, adjusting his glasses.

Oh great, a typical anime glasses smartass. Aria thought while forcing a nervous smile.

"And yet Lady Victoria is cutting your break short, making it thirty minutes instead," Lucas continued. "Which means she’s calling for you twenty minutes earlier than necessary."

"Okay… and?" Aria raised an eyebrow, dumbfounded by his sudden analysis.

"I’m pointing out that Lady Victoria seems to adore your presence." Lucas paused briefly before sighing. "Though perhaps adore is an understatement."

Aria blinked as Lucas scrutinized her.

"Even the previous maid never received this much favor," he muttered under his breath.

Aria quickly clasped her hands together, putting on her best performance.

"I simply adore serving Lady Victoria!" she exclaimed with forced enthusiasm, practically radiating fake light.

Please be fooled like Sherly, Aria prayed internally.

"Perhaps her ladyship noticed my unwavering dedication," she continued dramatically, turning her head away as if wiping a tear.

"Knowing that I could never part from her side!" Aria placed a hand on her forehead and closed her eyes for extra flair.

She cracked open one eye, curious about Lucas’s reaction—only to be met with his deadpanned stare.

"Even a toddler could tell you’re a terrible actor," he said bluntly.

Aria felt like she’d just been struck by an arrow. Pressing her lips together, she huffed in mild offense.

"It’s true! I’m truly dedicated to serving her ladyship!"

I don’t enjoy her cutting my break time in half, but whatever it takes to keep her off the villainess path... Aria deadpanned internally.

"This morning, Lady Victoria displayed an almost possessive level of protectiveness over a simple commoner maid," Lucas pointed out sharply as he stepped toward her.

You jealous or something? Aria thought, internally picturing a tiny chibi version of herself angrily shaking a fist while she smiled on the outside.

"I simply cannot comprehend how a maid like you—" Lucas adjusted his glasses again. "—managed to gain her ladyship’s trust in such a short period of time."

I’m just built different.

"I told you, her ladyship must have seen my loyalty and dedication," Aria huffed, crossing her arms and glaring at him.

Lucas returned the glare. "Even Her Grace, Duchess Amelia, has only earned a fraction of Lady Victoria’s trust. And yet you, a mere commoner? There must be sorcery involved." His tone was sharp, filled with suspicion.

What if I shove this ‘commoner’ talk up your a—

"ARIA! QUIT FLIRTING WITH THE NEW DOCTOR AND GET TO LADY VICTORIA ALREADY!"

A voice bellowed across the hallway, startling both of them. One of the maids huffed in frustration before storming off.

Aria blinked, then smirked.

"As you can see, this commoner is simply adored," she said with a wink. "So, farewell."

Please don’t ever talk to me again <3

With that, Aria turned on her heel and ran—only to take a sharp left and—

"OW!"

The loud thud of her tripping echoed down the hallway.

Lucas stood frozen for a moment before sighing, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Perhaps I should take note of that maid’s behavior…" he muttered.

------

"You tripped?"

Victoria crossed her arms, staring at Aria in disbelief. "That’s why you’re five minutes late?"

"Yes. The wooden floors of the servants' quarters are my witnesses," Aria declared dramatically, wiping away a fake tear.

Victoria hummed, placing a finger on her lips in thought. "Then perhaps I should ask the servants not to clean it too well."

Aria deadpanned. "No, it was my own clumsiness. The servants can keep making it extra clean."

I ain’t letting you go, Sherly.

(Note: One of Sherly’s tasks is cleaning the servants' quarters.)

"Then I shall hold the person who cleaned it accountable," Victoria said seriously.

"What—no!" Aria shook her head quickly, forcing a nervous smile.

"It's just me being me," she admitted, scratching her cheek awkwardly.

"Ah, right. That, I’m not surprised about." Victoria’s expression brightened, as if that was the only logical explanation.

Wow—okay. Sherly, you owe me my non-existent dignity after this.

---

A small "achoo" escaped from Sherly's nose in the servants' lunchroom.

"Are you sick, Sherly?" someone asked with concern.

Sherly shrugged, unfazed. "Someone must have mentioned me…" she muttered, already knowing who, before continuing to eat her stew.

---

"Right… Why did you call for me, my lady?" Aria asked, bowing slightly.

"Victoria."

Aria blinked. Shawty, my bad, I’m used to calling you ‘my lady’…

"Right… Lady Victoria."

"Victoria. No 'lady.'"

"Victoria?" Aria tilted her head, testing it out.

A satisfied smile graced Victoria’s lips as she nodded.

"Okay… Victoria," Aria said hesitantly. This feels like calling your teacher by their first name…

Victoria nodded enthusiastically, looking way too pleased—like a proud mother watching her child succeed.

"Yes?"

"May I ask why you called me?" Aria tilted her head. I was having some good stew too… she mourned internally.

"I… need a reason?" Victoria tilted her head.

I wasted my stew on this. Aria sighed.

"Victoria… I was in the middle of my break," she reasoned, placing a hand over her chest with a nervous smile.

"But you can take a break with me?" Victoria said, as if it were the most obvious solution.

Aria’s eye twitched. "My lady—"

"Victoria."

"Victoria…" Aria deadpanned.

Is this the same lady who told me to go eat breakfast back in Chapter 3?

"If you wish to eat, I can simply ring a bell, and we can eat together," Victoria offered, tilting her head slightly.

"After all, you’re my maid, no? Naturally, you must stay by my side at all times." She huffed.

Aria felt a headache forming.

"Are you… taking back your own words?"
Victoria frowned slightly.

"N-no!" Aria shook her head and waved her hands frantically. "It’s just that… I’m just a maid, and you’re the duke’s daughter."

Victoria narrowed her eyes. "You’re not just a maid."

"Huh?"

"You’re my maid. Know the difference."

Aria deadpanned. A maid is a maid…

"Still… my—" Aria paused, feeling Victoria’s intense gaze on her.

"Victoria," Aria corrected herself quickly, watching as Victoria’s sharp gaze softened into a pleased smile.

"My status is still that of a maid. It would be improper for me to dine with you," Aria stated bluntly.

A small huff escaped from Victoria’s lips as she prepared to argue, only to be interrupted by a knock on the door.

"My lady, may I come in?" Lucas’s voice came from outside.

Victoria’s happy expression instantly soured.

"N—"

"My lady, please take pity on this servant—I’m merely following orders from Her Grace."

Victoria let out a small grumble. "Come in."

The door opened, and Lucas entered with a polite bow toward Victoria before casting a glance at Aria—who was suddenly very interested in the ceiling.

"Good afternoon, my lady," Lucas greeted as he straightened his posture. His gaze met Victoria’s violet eyes, which were anything but pleased to see him.

"Good afternoon," Victoria replied, mustering up her practiced polite smile—though her displeasure was still very obvious.

"How are you faring, my lady?" Lucas asked, lifting his clipboard and positioning his pen against it, ready to take notes.

"Fine," Victoria responded curtly.

Until you came in.

She made no effort to hide her annoyance, but Lucas remained unfazed, scribbling down her answer with a hum.

The sound of the pen scratching against the clipboard filled the room.

Meanwhile, Aria had mentally checked out.

I wanna eat my stew… she thought miserably, staring at the floor.

I only ate half of it….

She barely paid attention to the stiff exchange between Victoria and Lucas. Victoria was being blunt, and Lucas was just doing his job—nothing interesting there.

Her gaze drifted to the balcony, where a mother bird landed with her tiny chick.

Aria’s lips faltered slightly.

Did I have a mother in this world…?

No memories surfaced.

I still can’t remember…

She pressed her lips together with a small sigh, watching as the mother bird and her chick took off into the sky.

Aria snapped back to the conversation just in time to catch Lucas sighing.

I don’t get paid enough for this.

Lucas scribbled something down, grumbling under his breath, before he suddenly felt Aria’s gaze on him.

His eyes flicked toward her.

Aria, realizing she had been staring, quickly looked away—her face warming in embarrassment. Great, now I look weird.. Wait I am weird..

Lucas gave her a brief, unreadable look before turning back to Victoria, who was now raising an eyebrow at him before shifting her attention to Aria, noticing the faint redness on her face.

Victoria felt a tiny tinge of jealousy as she connected the dots, realizing why Aria seemed a bit flustered. Her smile twitched slightly.

"So—"

"Halt."

Victoria crossed her arms, cutting Lucas off. "I believe I’ve given you enough answers, no?" She narrowed her eyes.

Lucas fell silent for a moment before letting out a small sigh. "I suppose so… I'll return tomorrow to check on your condition, then." He bowed.

You’re free to never come back, Victoria huffed internally.

With a soft click, the door shut behind Lucas, and Victoria sighed in relief.

"Aria."

Hearing her name in Victoria’s stern tone, Aria jolted upright.

"Y-Yes?" She clasped her hands together.

"What happened? Why did you look… red when I noticed Lucas glance your way?" Victoria furrowed her brows.

This feels like an interrogation… Aria sweatdropped, forcing a nervous smile.

"I was just embarrassed because I accidentally made eye contact with him..." she said sheepishly, scratching her cheek.

Victoria remained unconvinced. "Really?"

Aria sighed.

"My lady… do you not trust me at all?" She tilted her head slightly, lowering her gaze to the ground, looking disheartened.

"I—I do!" Victoria blurted out, her tone slightly panicked.

I was just joking— Aria thought, immediately feeling guilty at the sight of Victoria’s distressed expression.

She sighed before offering a small smile. "I was kidding, Victoria."

Victoria’s tense shoulders relaxed slightly.

"You’ve known me long enough to know I’d never lie to you." Aria clasped her hands together over her chest.

Why does this feel like foreshadowing? Aria thought, an odd pang hitting her gut. She was telling the truth… but something about it made her uneasy.

Victoria let out a breath of relief, placing a hand over her chest.

Lucas’s words echoed in Aria’s mind.

"Victoria trusts you in such a short amount of time… unlike Duchess Amelia."

Her gaze softened.

"Shall we continue with your afternoon tea, my lady?"

"Victoria. And yes."

"Okay."

----

A soft yawn escaped Aria’s lips as she made her way toward her room—only to halt mid-step.

"You really have a knack for appearing in the servants’ hallway..." Aria murmured, her tired gaze landing on Lucas.

He stood near the window, bathed in moonlight, as he closed his book with a soft thud and adjusted his glasses.

"Perhaps only to you." Lucas crossed his arms, glancing at her.

Should I be flattered? Aria deadpanned.

"Aren’t you supposed to be in the main part of the manor?" she asked, rubbing her eyes. "Don’t tell me you got deported to the servants' quarters."

Lucas let out a small huff. "Nonsense. I simply came to warn you."

"Great." Aria blinked slowly. "And warn me about what…?"

She was too sleepy to care much about whatever he was about to say.

Lucas adjusted his glasses again. "Her ladyship's abnormal attachment toward you."

Aria deadpanned. "Did you necessarily have to tilt your glasses up just to say that?"

"Is that a problem?"

"It affects my mental well-being."

Lucas squinted. "How?"

"You’re probably the type to say ‘erm, actually…’" Aria said flatly.

Lucas gasped, offended. "How dare you assume—"

Aria raised a brow. "I thought you were supposed to be the cold, uncaring type."

She gestured at him. "But here you are—huffing and gasping, actually offended by my words."

Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose. "Because I’m human? It's natural for me to show emotions."

"Hm."

Lucas narrowed his eyes. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Instead of answering, Aria simply walked past him.

"Mmkay then. Goodnight."

Lucas, still bewildered, watched as she entered her room and closed the door behind her, leaving him standing alone in the hallway.

---

Inside the room, Aria’s eyes immediately lit up.

"My bed…" she sighed happily, sinking into the soft sheets.

Sherly was already asleep in her own bed, hugging her pillow while mumbling incoherent words.

Aria barely paid attention, her heavy eyelids fluttering shut—just before she caught sight of a pink butterfly resting on the windowsill, its color oddly reminiscent of Sherly’s hair.

With that final thought, sleep claimed her.

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||End of chapter 12||

(Is the pacing alright?)