With the exception of the plot and the original characters that are depicted in the story, the author makes absolutely no profit off of this work of fan fiction, and no copyright infringement is intended on the franchise(s) of Inuyasha and Sincerely: I Became A Duke's Maid that rightfully belong to its respective owners: Rumiko Takahashi, Joora, and Roha.
Shout-out to MyWorldHeartBeating for helping me with fine-tuning this segment to the best it could be for you, my readers. So without further ado, let the curtain of this drama rise on the stage in 2021! :)
Unbound. Weightlessness.
That's what Kagome sensed when she came to. An eerie state of serenity pulled her suspended form, drifting. Was she floating in water? Her breathing was even, her heart pulsed in her ears. Muffled.
Where...am I?
Heavy-lidded eyes opened to a cloak of darkness, swallowed by an unforeseen force. Kagome floated in the wake of dull blindness, yet calmness encircled her. Under any normal circumstances, she might have panicked, but this was different. Wherever she was, she didn't feel endangered. When was the last time she felt so at ease? Relaxed?
Alas, this blanket of tranquility didn't last long.
Nausea crawled through her body and tightened its vice grip around her throat. A headache followed. Her lips twitched at this unfathomable experience, the pain awakening her to reality.
What...is this?
The pounding against her skull was not getting any better; it was constant, bearable, Kagome took the time to glance around at her surroundings. There was nothing noticeable because of the ever-so-present darkness still claiming every inch of her vision. She glanced upwards, her head pulsing in protest at the movement. The former scholar saw a watery surface glimmering in a suspended white light. The waves above rippled marginally in their own state of serenity, the glistening luminescence breaking through at some points and reflecting off of Kagome's own widened eyes. It was as if she were staring into a mirror, though for a moment she couldn't recognize herself.
Or was there someone else blinking right back at her from beyond the looking glass?
Kicking her legs and stretching her arms in a clumsy butterfly stroke, she began a struggle to swim upwards. She didn't know why, but there was something pulling her towards that light. Was it a spirit? An instinct? Though soon as she extended her fingers towards it, stroking the liquid barrier, the nausea grew worse, followed by a burning sensation spreading across her back. She held in a groan of pain as these sharp strains topped her already pounding headache and stomach-twisting nausea, fists clenching as she halted her actions.
Kicking her legs and stretching her arms in a clumsy butterfly stroke, she began a struggle to swim upwards. She didn't know why, but there was something pulling her towards that light. Was it a spirit? An instinct? Though soon as she extended her fingers towards it, stroking the liquid barrier, the nausea grew worse, followed by a burning sensation spreading across her back. She held in a groan of pain as these sharp strains topped her already pounding headache and stomach-twisting nausea, fists clenching as she halted her actions.
There it is again!
As she awaited for the pain to subside, however, something else cut through the border above her.
"-young master... please!"
"...-be fine. Leave."
Grey-blue orbs squinted, ears straining to pick up the muffled voices resounding above her. Is that... Alejandro? Ibee? Memories soon filtered through her mind. Confronting Anna, the accusation. Being whipped by the Duchess. Her eyes widened before she propelled herself towards the surface in anxiety, even quicker than she had before. Young... master! Using every ounce of strength in her tiring body, she thrusted an arm upwards, puncturing the barrier. She kicked her feet, using her other arm and thus pushing herself upwards. I'm coming! Hold... on...
When the barrier had broken through, the light above shone even brighter than ever before - causing her to squint her eyes in agony as her head throbbed upon the sudden increase in radiance. Yet as the light grew, however, so did her unwavering determination. She continued to force her way through, eyes closing hard as white overcame her vision.
... Alejandro!
Quickly as the sensation came, everything disappeared - blanketed by a sheet of darkness once more.
Kagome blinked upon her wake, noticing the dull pain causing her back to ache against the fabric of her clothes. Where... am I?
She pushed herself up, rising from something warm and... soft. She looked around, seeing the familiar four poster room. This... this is Alejandro's room! How..? When did I get here? Her wrecked train of thought went off the proverbial tracks when the former scholar heard a low moan from beside her. Grey-blue orbs turned to the source of the noise and felt her heart quicken. Curled up on one side of the bed and using his arms as a makeshift pillow was Alejandro. The young lord, resting by her instead of the other way around. She panicked. What happened? What in the world occurred after the Duchess punished me? A low hiss left her as she leaned forward, placing a hand on the young master's shoulder.
"My lord? My lord." Kagome whispered. "Rise and shine, it's time to get up. You can't sleep here like this."
"Ugh."
Alejandro grumbled under his breath, yet still did not stir. Jostling his shoulder a second time with a small sigh of her own. It was at that moment the former scholar notice him moving. The young master lifted his head up. Deep blue eyes squinted in weary confusion before blowing wide upon the sight of her awoken form. Before Kagome had any chance to react, Alejandro jumped up and threw himself over at her - embracing her.
"Saphy! Y-You're okay!"
Kagome winced at the force applied to her still-healing back, a strong wave of pain washing over her tensing body. It was the slackening grip that made the young master realize that he was holding her a bit too tightly. He pulled away, rambling hurried apologies and panicking as he hovered over her still-lying form. Don't get Kagome wrong, now. Seeing Alejandro hovering and flailing his arms in the air akin to a mother hen was an adorable sight to behold. It was also unnecessary in her mind. Much to the scholar's relief, from the curtain of her bangs she noticed Ibelina approach the young master from behind - a tiny frown settling on her pretty face.
"With all due respect, my lord, I warned you not to do that. I know you have good intentions, though it would be a shame for all of my hard work to go to waste." She then lifted him up from the bed and into the air - earning a squawk from Alejandro - before placing the dark-haired noble on the carpeted floor. Kagome felt a lopsided smile stretch across her face at the sight of his own pouting features, an endearing sight to behold.
At least he still hasn't changed, right?
Moving Kagome's lithe frame around until she was sitting upright, Ibelina sent the injured girl a concerned smile, "All right, now we just need to–" she stopped herself - letting out a exhausted sigh before sending an unamused glance to her side, "... My lord? What are you doing?"
Alejandro sent the other two a perplexed glance, standing at the beside next to Ibelina whilst staring at them, "Huh? This is my room. May I not assist with whatever my maid needs?"
"Yes, this is your room, my young lord. However, it wouldn't be in your best interest to assist me at the moment. After all, you would put Saphy's dignity in jeopardy and your own reputation at risk as I need to... undress her." Those words seemed to have reached the young lord, as Alejandro's face turned beet red. He sputtered under his breath, almost sprinting out of the room with a loud 'slam'. Kagome - still bedridden - withheld a snicker at the unusual sight, for the young heir's sake than for hers.
SLAM!
"All right, we need to take off the shirt." Ibelina's nimble fingers moved as she pushed each button out of its hole, surprising Kagome at such efficiency. "Lie on your stomach, please." The time traveler wasted no time heeding to her co-worker's commands once she spoke in an authoritative tone of voice. Kagome watched as the strawberry-haired woman plucked a wooden canister from the nightstand, twisting the lid. Kagome hummed, craning her head and resting her chin on top of the pillow. Now that I think about it, would things might be better for Alejandro if Ibee were the head maid, instead of Lady Elaine? It's an ideal situation, however, putting that much responsibility on her shoulders… yeah, not a good idea. A small shriek left her mouth as she felt something cold and slimy applying to her back, "Damn!"
Taking a leaf out of Inuyasha's colorful vocabulary earned her a small tap on top of her head. "Such language! What if the young master heard you?" Ibelina said. Kagome smiled at the soft warning, before shrugging it off to the best of her abilities.
"I'm sure he's heard worse, but I get your point. So... what has happened since I've been… sleeping?" She asked, twitching when Ibelina's hand drifted down her spine near the lower back. Kagome gritted her teeth. Whether Ibelina noticed her discomfort or deduced that applying more of the solution was necessary, her touch became a bit more gentle than already - much to the injured girl's relief.
"Well, you've been unconscious for a week," Ibelina said. "The young master insisted that he stayed by your side and didn't trust anyone except myself to consider after you. The lashes are healing well, and there's been no sign of bedsores."
Kagome clicked her tongue. "That long, huh? It normally doesn't take that long for me to wake up. Perhaps healing inside a novel differs from reality?" She murmured lowly to herself in thought. Somehow, Ibelina still overheard through the quietness of the room.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"No, it's nothing, don't mind my rambling. What about Anna?"
"Gone. Left as soon as she was conscious, with her things packed. Even had the nerve to return a sapphire necklace she's hid in her suitcase after I escorted her to the gates! I know in my mind that your workload will increase when you're cleared by the doctor to return to work. Although..." Ibelina trailed off, and Kagome rose a brow - resting her head even more against the pillow as she hummed.
"Yes?"
"The young master…. he might not say it, but he blames himself for what happened that night." Kagome's grey-blue orbs widened in shock and horror as she looked up at Ibelina. He what?
"What?! That's not true, it was all my doing! He-"
"I know Kagome," Ibelina said, grabbing the shirt she'd put to the side of the bed. She guided one arm into the hole, and then the other. "I know. Just...don't be too shocked if he tries to follow you everywhere, okay? He might not show like it, but he's taking his role as the young master much more ever since this event happened." Kagome nodded.
"Got it." It was a sweet thought, to fantasize that Alejandro - the protagonist of this novel - would make sure she was okay. However, there were a few things he could not account for. She wasn't fragile; human, yes, but she's been worse. She'll be fine after a little bedrest and some physical fitness, no biggie!
There was only so much he'd be able to do for a single maid without being criticized for blatant nepotism. She and Ibelina will do their best to reign him in if things get out of hand.
A week before Kagome could move from the bed. Five days later and after receiving a cleared bill of health from the family physician, Kagome could return to work. Although she was ecstatic to do more than eat and sleep with the occasional visit from Alejandro - he wanted to remain by her side at all times, but neither Lady Elaine nor Ibelina would allow it. The latter's reason was so that Saphy would get enough rest and he had lessons to attend to. These 'lessons' were visits from a teacher coming to the palace to go over his field of subjects and later leaving just as speedily as he had arrived. After the embarrassing 'display' he witnessed, the Duke had hired someone to teach his son on the basics of common sense, or to manage his staff.
Speaking of staff, the reception on her return to the workforce was... mixed. Some palace servants were glad to see that Kagome had made a good recovery, while others congratulated her and whispered how unlucky it was to have a 'thief' under the same roof when they thought Kagome wasn't listening. But she'd overheard them, alright.
On the following morning of the sixth day, a tiny woman with wavy dark brown hair and grey eyes in the maid's uniform knocked on the door. Lady Elaine assigned this woman to watch after Alejandro's 'personal servant' until further notice. Kagome tried to be friendly towards her or at least be civil, but it soon became clear that Tonya wasn't too keen on being a bodyguard to someone whom the head maid tried to have arrested. Kagome couldn't blame her. I mean, who would want to spend their entire day shadowing someone when there was laundry to do or other chores around the palace?
After she got dressed and bade Ibelina to have a good day, Kagome flew towards the young master's wing. It would be Ibelina's shift until the afternoon, but he wanted to see her first. Lifting a clenched fist, the former scholar knocked on the door until she heard him say 'enter' on the other side. She opened it, seeing the dark-haired boy lying in bed. His small body supported by a multitude of pillows and a silver of light peaking from the drawn curtains. It relieved Kagome to see that the mess wasn't as horrible as when she had first arrived here. Perhaps Ibelina had given Anna a piece of her mind about making sure the young master's room was clean, or else?
"Well? Don't just stand there. Come closer."
Kagome nodded and headed to his command.
"... I'm angry at you."
"Huh?"
"Saphy, you didn't come to see me for almost two weeks, not even to check in on me. What do you have to say for yourself?" Kagome felt her heart strings tug at the sadness Alejandro tried to conceal in his calm, collective tone of voice. "Do I have permission to speak, my lord?" She would have already done so if it weren't because Tonya was watching her every move like a hawk.
Alejandro gave her a funny expression - a mixture of shock and slight annoyance - before he waved his hand. "Fine, fine, you do. Just... tell me why you weren't here." Did he... sound a little embarrassed?
"There was a shortage of servants, my lord. Lady Elaine and the butler had confirmed it in a meeting. They warned us that our workload would increase until the new workers arrived within a week. The head maid had declared that Anna would be the one to watch after you."
"And you didn't protest?"
"Ibelina was against the idea and tried to change Lady Elaine's mind, but it would not persuade her. She believed that Anna was the best option to be your caretaker."
"That woman... she doesn't know her place, does she?"
"Pardon?"
"No, nothing. Forget what I said. More importantly, how will you make up for the work you missed?"
Kagome blinked. The work she's missed? To be fair, she had missed nothing since she'd come here to this place... oh. How is she going to make it up to Alejandro as his maid? That must be what he meant. She blinked. "I... will do my best to meet your expectations, my lord." It was not the best answer, but she hoped that it would be enough to pacify him.
"I expect you to work harder than before." To her surprise, Alejandro turned over on his side, his back facing Kagome and Tonya. "You're dismissed." Before Kagome could say anything else, there was a knock at the door.
"Young Master? It's time to change the sheets! I've also brought you breakfast!"
"..."
"My lord, I had the chef herself bake those fluffy croissants that you like! Even some strawberries!"
Alejandro groaned. "Saphy, let that woman in. If I leave her out there in the hall, she'll get even louder." Kagome bit back a chuckle at his words; Besides herself, Ibelina was the only other maid concerned with Alejandro's well being. The strawberry blonde woman went above and beyond to make sure he was comfortable, and ready to start his day.
"As you wish, my lord." Lowering her head, Kagome then crossed over the room and opened the door. Sure enough, Ibelina stood there with her hands full of clean linen and a silver cart full of delicious food, enough for a three course meal. It must be normal for nobility to indulge themselves in so much. In Alejandro's case, it should be more than enough to stimulate his appetite. Maybe, since it sounded like Ibelina passed through more trouble to include Alejandro's supposed favorites for breakfast. Since she looked after Alejandro during the evening, Kagome knew he preferred a light meal, such as a bowl of soup or a small portion of a very hearty gourmet dinner.
Kagome nodded towards Ibelina, the gesture half reciprocated as the young woman seemed absorbed in making sure she'll be able to get inside without knocking something over, with the tower of linen in her hands stacked up to where she couldn't even see anything. After what occurred the other night, the two of them hadn't had a moment to speak to each other. Nor had Ibelina said anything except greeting the young master.
Well... she had hoped that things would get better. Optimism goes a long way, after all. Grinning, Kagome toddled down the hall and towards the staircase, ready to start a brand new day. There were some setbacks, but as long as Alejandro was healthy, that was that mattered to her.
By the time it was the late afternoon, Kagome's muscles were screaming for rest. She couldn't believe that there was even more laundry to do, dishes to wash, and dusting when the palace already seemed spotless! At least, that's what it seemed to her. Unless this is part of her punishment for her actions that night?
After Lady Elaine had discovered her existence in the palace, adding more work for her plus someone to monitor her every move seemed to be a more fitting punishment than house arrest. Kagome thanked her lucky stars that Tonya had assisted her with the chores instead of standing there and watching the former scholar work herself to the bone. She walked up the steps with a tray of Alejandro's requested meal. Tonya walked behind, silent as ever as her shadow.
Arriving at the young master's chambers, Kagome balanced the tray with one hand and raised her other hand to rap it against the wooden door. When she heard him grant permission to enter, she turned the knob to the right and pushed it open. Alejandro sat on the couch, changed out of his nightgown and into an outfit that almost made Kagome squeal at how adorable he looked. A long-sleeved white shirt, an inky vest with golden embroidery and twisted around its trimming as leaves with brown trousers. He wore a dark purple tie with shiny black boots on his feet. Kagome still found Alejandro to be a very handsome young boy, even with the curse marks on his face.
However, she couldn't let Tonya see her like that. If word reached Lady Elaine, she'd doubtless tossed out from the palace like Anna did, or worse, no longer able to take care of Alejandro. Clearing her throat, Kagome straightened her posture and walked towards him, bowing to him. "Good afternoon, my lord. I brought you the meal that you requested -"
"Why are you calling me that?"
"Eh? But... etiquette demands that I address you by your title, since I'm a maid and -"
"You had no qualms addressing me by my first name before, though. You did it when you took me to the gardens." Alejandro tilted his head. "Why the change?" Upon hearing an audible gasp from behind, Kagome didn't know whether she should hug Alejandro or bury herself in a hole and never emerge from it again unless the end of the world was upon them. Great, I've given Lady Elaine another reason to give to the Duke and Duchess that they should kick me out of here. Clearing her throat, she tried to salvage what little dignity she had left as she answered him.
"Well, I just…. learned not to overstep my boundaries?"
"... I don't like it." Alejandro frowned, crossing his arms. "Call me by my first name."
"B-But -"
"You dare to go against the orders of your master?"
"No." Kagome said, her eyes widening in surprise as she heard a low growl emitting from her stomach. She felt her cheeks redden in embarrassment when she heard a disappointed click of the tongue from Tonya.
"Well, if there's nothing I can do for you at the moment you- Alejandro, I'll step outside so you can enjoy your lunch in peace. If you need anything else, please ring the bell." Bowing her head, Kagome turned around to exit the young master's chambers when she heard him call out to her.
"Why are you going outside? Stay here," Alejandro extended a hand towards the tray. He raised a plate of croissants upwards, looking at the maid in confusion. "You're hungry, aren't you? We can share this." A silence fell upon the room, it was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop onto the floor. Although Kagome would consider the gesture back in her world generous, and even sweet from a temperamental boy like Alejandro, exhibiting such kindness is a sign of vulnerability in the world of this novel.
According to some fragmented memories she could recall about the book's setting, Alejandro was still part of high society despite the curse he possessed. A noble branch that once was part of the imperial family until its split three generations ago; to show favoritism towards someone of the lower class, only a maid could ruin someone's reputation as rapidly as if the Duke's extramarital affairs left the palace walls. Anyone who valued their position knew better than to offer for a silver spoon to someone that was beneath them.
Kagome swallowed. "T-That's very kind of you, Alejandro, but I'll be fine until I return to the dorms. Your health is much more important than myself."
"But you're my maid." Alejandro said. The way he spoke was a bit condescending, as if he were talking to another child than a grown woman. "And as someone working for the Vel Laviti family, it's also imperative that you are healthy. And I can't eat all of this food by myself."
"Ale -"
"That's an order, Saphy."
"... Yes." She approached him, kneeling down near the coffee table on Alejandro's right side.
"What are you doing?"
"Sitting on the floor."
"That can't be comfortable. Sit next to me on the couch. It's much more comfortable than the floor." Kagome was at a loss of words. Peering over her shoulder, she saw Tonya's stunned face, pale as a sheet. Yikes. If this keeps up, she might faint!
"A-As you wish." Rising from the floor, Kagome sat right next to Alejandro, who shoved the plate into her hands. She swallowed. The food appeared delicious. Resolving to throw caution into the wind as it was an order from Alejandro, and no one in their right mind could refuse him. She took a bite of the bread. Before she realized, it had vanished from her grasp. Alejandro smirked. "You were hungry, weren't you?"
"Y-Yeah."
This was how the rest of the afternoon passed; the young master and his maid sharing lunch, later Kagome flew straight to her task of straightening out the room. Ibelina had been here early this morning, so there wasn't much else to tidy up except a few dirty plates. When the clock struck three, it was time for Alejandro to take his medicine. He hated taking the stuff, complaining that it seldom did anything for him except cause a stomachache.
But if the family doctor had created it to ease his pain inflicted by the curse, wasn't he also aware that there could be side effects? Did Alejandro also know about them, hence why he refused to take it?
As much as he hated it, Kagome knew he wouldn't be able to sleep well either if he missed a dose. It was a dangerous habit to forget your medicine and then stop taking it altogether.
He appeared to be in pain just by swallowing it with a glass of water, gasping and hunched over with an agonized frown stretched across his face. Grinning, she patted him on the shoulder and eased him back onto the bed, pulling the covers over him. "Good job, Alejandro. Why don't you take a nap while I tidy up the courtyard a little?"
She didn't receive a response. Instead, she saw the bratty lord already passed out on the couch. Swaying her head in fond exasperation, Kagome grabbed a blanket that hung over the couch and covered him with it. She again turned her attention to the shell-shocked Tonya. "Well? Shall we get a move on before he wakes back up?"
Those words seemed to have snapped the poor woman back to reality, as she followed her charge to the courtyard, grabbing some brooms along the way when they heard a few voices gossiping behind a pillar.
"I still can't believe this happened! How could the young master permit that woman to stay here?"
"I know, it isn't fair! Anna was a hard worker, and kind to everyone -"
"And yet she didn't hesitate to leave the young master alone when he ought to have someone watch over him." Kagome said as she smiled at the maids, surprised to see her. "If you have time to dawdle, perhaps you ought to move your hands and feet too so the work can get done much faster."
"J-Just because the young master favors you, doesn't mean you get to boss us around like this!" One maid huffed, crossing her arms as she glared at Kagome. "You should be thankful that he even shows mercy to someone like you!"
Kagome just blinked at them. Wow. I'm… speechless that the people I've met are too silly for it to take them seriously. She frowned. The author must not have cared too much to give their creations such one dimensional personalities expect for the novel's principal characters. What did Yumi call them? Ah, that's right. Cannon fodder. People sacrificed to make the main cast shine brighter. It's not a healthy mindset, even if this is a novel.
"Look, I'm not trying to boss you around. I don't want to witness either of you on the receiving end of Ibelina's temper," How the ladies flinched upon Ibelina's name did not go unnoticed. "And we're aware that she isn't generous towards people who talk about the master or not doing their job. Unless, of course, you don't want to work here anymore -"
"I-I think the chef needs some help in the kitchen! Please excuse us!"
With that being said, the maid grabbed her companion's hand and made a beeline down the hallway. Kagome sighed, shaking her head. Humans never cease to amaze me.
"I'm impressed, you handled that pretty well, Kagome."
"Oh? Is that so?" The raven-haired woman scratched the back of her head. "No offense, but you make it sound like I would've lost my temper and slap them for speaking out of turn."
"I had been expecting it," Tonya said, "It's not rare for a maid to react if they have insulted their master, though such matters fall upon either the lord or the head maid. However, if someone of lower rank does such a thing… well, that would be the end of their employment here."
Kagome laughed nervously, feeling her heart sinking into the pit of her stomach at Tonya's response. I definitely must watch my temper around her, or else she'll report me to Lady Elaine.
"G-Good to know. Let's get the courtyard cleaned up, yeah?"
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