Chapter 18: Maid on duty

He really needed to break this cycle.

How many times has it been? Three? Four?

Grasping the soft fabric of the now well known sheets that covered his body Izaya sighed as he pressed his temple into the cushion.

Blotches of orange and red drowned the room in a very pleasant light of dimmed colors and soft sounds of happy chatter breached into his chambers.

How long had he slept? The entire day? It had barely been midday when Shizuo found him on those stairs.

Groggy Izaya pushed himself into a sitting position.

A soft breeze gently brushed across his hot cheek and Izaya glanced towards the window in a moment of confusion.

He couldn't remember having opened that one. Sudden cool dampness diverted his attention as he quickly withdrew his shoulder from the spot.

Disgust caused him to shudder as he rubbed at the cool spot. Felt like a wet slug sticking to his skin.

Raiding the blanket Izaya searched for the source of the gross surprise- only to find a white towel?

Grasping the culprit of surprise Izaya's brown knot into a quizzical frown.

What was that and why was it here?

It was drenching wet and had been folded multiple times.

A soft knock resounded from the door before opening without awaiting his reply. Izaya's head turned upon the quick entry.

A maid.

He recognized her by her freckles, she had been the one to polish the chandelier and run her mouth by accident.

Not having noticed that Izaya was actually quite awake and watching her, the maid wordlessly strolled towards the small desk. A bowl of silver was in her hand and she swiftly placed it down while humming an unfamiliar melody.

A gentle expression decorated her face and Izaya couldn't really bring himself to disturb her. He didn't know what it was but something about her just seemed to remind him of the innkeeper.

She seemed warm. Caring. Not only because of her freckles and the way her curly brown hair dipped into a messy bun. It was her whole attitude, the way she handled herself, let along the soft humming sound as she relished in her melody.

Too bad he didn't see what she was doing as her dress served as a pretty decent cover.

Only when she turned around Izaya finally connected the dots.

A white piece of cloth was at her hand, dripping partly with what seemed to be cold water.

Melody freezing midway the maid stiffened as her eyes fell on her very much awake mistress.

"Ah, my lady-!" she exclaimed, surprised, quickly bowing in a polite greeting. "I apologize for entering your room!"

Izaya felt bad for her. Really.

In a matter of seconds her carefree expression had vanished and her stance tensed.

Made him feel like his father when Izaya was summoned to the study.

Glancing towards the towel that was slowly starting to dampen her skirt Izaya pulled his duplicate over.

"... you put that on me?"

The question only seemed to make the maid feel even more anxious as her face rose. Blank horror was written in her eyes as the grasp on her piece of fabric tightened.

"Forgive me, I'm no doctor, but from what I could tell you were running a slight fever. I learned from my little brother that these helped in reducing the temperature and I thought it might help so I acted without thinking-" the words flew from her lips faster than a stream of water rushing down a mountain.

Izaya sighed softly.

Just when had he turned into his father?

"Thank you." Carefully, as to not worsen the poor maid's guilt, Izaya made sure to speak each syllable as gently as possible.

She had taken care of him.

He was grateful for that- no one going to such lengths deserved to be treated badly.

Sheer surprise flashed across the maid's expression, but it was to be expected.

"What?" She repeated, and seeing as she forgot to use polite speech again she was even more stupefied than Izaya had initially thought. "Ah, no, I'm sorry, I mean-" she struggled with words.

The orange taint filling the room was growing darker by the second as the sun lowered at the horizon. It really enhanced the embarrassed and surprised expression she showed.

"... did you think I would scold you?" Izaya asked, visibly increasing the maid's anxiety.

One hand reaching for a strain of hair that had come loose the girl hesitated as her gaze dropped to the floor.

"I don't know what to answer, my lady."

Or rather she thought she couldn't.

"Just speak your mind." Izaya demanded, forcing the girl into an even tighter spot.

Eyes moving up she briefly met Izaya's, before averting her gaze once more.

"My lady," she started slowly, "I don't mean to be rude, but you have been acting quite ….rash."

Rash huh?

"Because of the mercenary?" Izaya had been very well aware of how odd this action had seemed.

Considering his short arrival meeting the king should have been his priority, not starting to look for chances to spend money.

It's not what he did of course, but no one knew of the real reason.

On the outside the future bride of the king seemed selfish, moody and only interested in money.

Izaya had created a perfect figure that no one would really miss.

…

…well.

At least no one but the king. He had failed there to some degree.

"It's just, you have been sending us away constantly. If there is anything we could do to improve our service please let us know, we want to live up to your expectations as soon as possible." The maid continued, tearing Izaya away from his thoughts.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to trouble you," Izaya sighed softly. He really meant those words.

All he wanted was to disappear from this place without leaving too much grief or bad blood behind. He hadn't intended to cause the maids so much grief.

"Ah, no you didn't. It's just-" the maid struggled, growing more and more uncomfortable by the second.

Somehow her behavior reminded Izaya of Mairu when she had her first banquet.

Their father had thrown quite a lot of parties he couldn't afford. One of them was the announcement of his daughters reaching adulthood.

She had been extremely nervous despite denying being such. When she stepped inside the hall along with her considerably more elegant sister Kururi the unavoidable happened.

She stumbled over her dress.

It was as cute to watch as it was embarrassing for her. Kururi had then acted in her favor, stumbling right after so Mairu wasn't the only one sitting on the ground.

Feeling a soft smile on his lips, Izaya cleared his throat.

"What was your name again?"

Swallowing the maid lowered her gaze.

"Mika, my lady." She probably thought she was going to receive some sort of punishment now.

"Mika," Izaya started gently, "I'm sorry for acting the way I did. I'm not used to having so much staff around me. I'm just one of three siblings and our household only owned very few servants."

The apology came as an even greater surprise as the girl froze. Recognition spread across her expression as she counted one and one together.

"Ah- so the reason you sent us away-" she mumbled softly, and Izaya nodded.

"Wasn't because I was dissatisfied with what you did. I'm just not used to it."

It was a perfect excuse. Not the real reason maybe, but believable.

Seeing how the girl's stance finally relaxed, Izaya noted, pleased that he had achieved what he intended.

"I see." Mika sighed softly, suddenly noticing that the wet piece of fabric had dampened her skirt she hastily brought it up and back to the silver bowl.

Izaya chuckled as she resumed her duties.

"You seem relieved." Slightly embarrassed Mika shook her head.

"Ah, no, I mean-" she struggled to find the right words, "You are the future queen. So everyone was trying their best to live up to your expectations."

Izaya snorted.

"And you feared I might be unbearable."

Expression falling as quickly as it had enlightened the maid shook her head.

"I didn't say that!" Izaya couldn't help but tease her. It was so easy and her reactions so enjoyable.

"But I did," he smiled and the girl relaxed again. A soft blush spread across her cheeks as she nodded sheepishly.

Feeling a little headache come up, Izaya reached for his temple.

"Are you feeling bad my lady?" Worry laid in his maid's words as she noticed the soft frown spreading across Izaya's expression.

Really.

How come the rumored kingdom of the evil king was this gentle?

"Did I sleep the whole day?" Izaya asked, trying to avoid the topic. He hadn't given his all to lighten the mood only to make the maid worry about him next.

Shuffling awkwardly the maid hesitated.

"You slept the entire night and day, my lady."

…

Izaya blinked.

"Come again?"

"The king brought you to your room yesterday around midday. Now it's evening the next day." Mika explained quickly, only doubling Izaya's surprise.

A whole day?

He just slept an entire night and day? Feeling his guts drop a little, Izaya tried to not succumb to the feeling.

Had he slept even longer he could have potentially missed the mercenary. It was highly unlikely that he arrived just one day after his letter considering it was brought by a courier.

But a day more and he could have wasted his only chance to save his siblings-

It was as nauseating as it was relieving to look out of the window at the sinking sun.

Pushing himself away from the pillow he slipped towards the ledge of the bed.

He had to get a grip on himself.

This was no time to sit around doing nothing.

"Uhm-"

Raising his head Izaya glanced at the maid that had just stepped a few steps closer.

"What?"

The maid clearly had been about to say something.

A little nervous she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear as she spoke.

"The king instructed us to watch your condition and to inform him once you are awake." She hesitated shortly, "... and to make sure you stay in bed."

…

That really sounded like Shizuo alright.

Only dimly Izaya remembered how he had ordered Izaya to stay inside his room.

… after sleeping an entire day without even waking up in between he had to admit he understood his worry.

If Izaya didn't know about his annoying condition he would be worried too.

"Is he expecting me to live in my room?" he joked, and the maid quickly slapped a hand over her lips as a faint chuckle escaped her mouth.

"I'm afraid he might just ask you to," she quickly cleared her throat, the smile still in place.

Ah yes.

That's what Izaya wanted. Mika had finally thawed it seemed. All thanks to a certain worried king.

Sighing softly, Izaya reversed his movement and slipped back into his initial position.

Getting up despite Shizuo's wish would only end in unnecessary arguments. And what would he even reply in the event that he ran into the king?

Feeling a little too hot to be one hundred percent healthy, Izaya couldn't exactly pretend to be fine.

Shizuo would notice.

And what on earth could be so important that his bride had to move around the castle despite being sick?

No.

Resisting the king's wish would only result in more trouble.

"The king seems to like you."

Blinking shortly, Izaya glanced towards his maid as she had interrupted his string of thoughts.

Looking at him she quickly lowered her gaze.

"Sorry, I know it's not adequate to talk about assumptions," she quickly added politely.

… heh.

But her perception was correct. From what he had experienced so far the king was a decent man and seeing how much he worried for Kururi's safety he definitely didn't hate his bride at least.

"No, it's fine. We are going to marry so it's understandable that you worry about his happiness." Izaya assured her quickly.

"Ah-" Mika hesitated shortly, "... I was more concerned about you, my lady."

…

Oh.

She was-

Blushing furiously the maid quickly bowed as she stuttered, "I shall take my leave now."

Okay that was adorable-

Izaya couldn't help but feel that way as he watched her quickly gather her things.

… how even?

Izaya stayed here for what? A few days?

Yet this maid already seemed to care more about his happiness than any human being he previously met.

It was adorable and heartwarming at the same time-

"You can tell my fiance that he can skip the walk to my chamber. I will do as he said and rest some more." Izaya quickly added as the maid rushed for the door. Halting in the middle she paused, those curly strands of hair acting against all order as they slipped back into her face. "Sleeping an entire day seems quite unnatural even to me, so I might just make sure to add another night to that, just in case."

Nodding relieved, Mika bowed, "I wish you a lovely night then, my lady."

And with that the door closed.

Izaya was alone again and the sun had set.

Mika was adorable. If he had to guess her age Izaya would have said she was somewhat close to seventeen maybe. Probably a daughter of another maid or servant. It was quite obvious that she hadn't been working at the castle for too long yet. Maybe she was just helping out and usually assigned to the kitchen.

She reminded Izaya of his sisters in a really innocent way.

…

Tilting his head he glanced towards the darkening night sky. The fire in the fireplace was surging and filling the chamber with enough warmth to battle the cold that was seeping through the window.

It was cozy.

Pleasant.

If it weren't for the consistent tightness in his chest Izaya could have relished in the moment.

He wasn't really scared but he couldn't quite fend off a certain kind of uneasiness.

He had already had his fair share of coughing fits and episodes of suffocation.

But this?

It had never been as bad as it had been on the stairs. And now- the maid was right, he had somehow acquired a slight fever.

Sleeping an entire day and night also said a lot about his condition.

Was it getting worse?

A mixed feeling of unease and

calmth spread in his chest.

The king was right. For different reasons, but they lead to the same conclusion.

Izaya needed to rest.

Truly rest.

Sighing softly, Izaya let his head fall back into the soft cushion.

At least he was able to grasp clear thoughts again. Thinking back he had been quite out of it upon returning to his room.

The thoughts prior to falling asleep resurfaced from the back of his mind.

The guilt he had felt for tricking the king was still there but nowhere near as tragic as he had felt it to be.

…. but it seemed this charade bothered him more than he liked to admit.

He failed in one goal, namely preventing the king from getting too attached.

Thinking about it, Izaya held the mild suspicion that nothing could have prevented Shizuo from worrying about his bride.

That was just the type of man he was.

… so what to do?

He would disappear in a few days and he hated the idea of causing Shizuo grief over it.

To make up for it… he could try to help him.

Make him ready for his job as a king.

Just sitting around would drive him insane anyway.

It would be better to busy himself with teaching.

… who was he kidding?

While this idea seemed like a tempting action to make up for the tragedy he would still cause Shizuo one hell of a time…

…

And if he left behind some sort of letter?

Humming Izaya glanced at the ceiling.

He couldn't quite discern his true identity, but a letter stating that Kururi chose to run away would certainly end Shizuo's worries.

….

Then again what kind of reason would he give?

That he had fallen in love with a mercenary and bailed?

… it would be a set back to Shizuo's pride, but arguably a better option than simply disappearing without a word.

Izaya sighed content.

At least this way he was free. He could continue being a great ruler and king. The people would learn to love him over the course of time. He was just what this broken country needed, even if his confidence didn't even dare to make him think so.

Smiling softly, Izaya closed his eyes.

Yeah.

That's what he would do. That way everyone would be happy.

to be continued~

Daw what a nice little plan C:

And just like that everyone is happy ever after C:

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See you next Saturday~! xD