Chapter 9 New Maid

Artemis POV

I woke up to a peaceful environment for the first time in forever. Oh yea, I don't have a maid right now. Maybe that's why it's so peaceful.

Oh well.

I got up and stretched. I got dressed and brushed my teeth all on my own like a big boy and got ready for the day. I was actually excited for today. I haven't felt this way in a long time. Perhaps it has something to do with my new maid.

I snickered, what a good deal. A princess and a grandmaster swordsman? I can't believe that she was gonna actually be my maid.

Now you might be wondering. Princess? Grandmaster? What do you mean?

Well dear little stranger listening to this monologue.... Wait, is it weird that I do monologues for no reason? Does that make me crazy?

Meh, who cares?

Anyway!

Remember that little gold ring she was wearing? Thought it was just a cute little accessory right? Well, that is actually an extremely rare ring that is kept top secret. It can transform your body and appearance into anything you want.

I know this because my father really wanted one but couldn't find it. He really wanted to look and feel young again. Now these rings are like national treasures. I assume you can imagine how useful one of these things is. Fun fact, they are also the reason why all kings in the paintings look so good (or their wifes) depending on who uses them.

Now you might ask why my father looks like a dumpling if he has one of these rings right? He fucking sold it. I mean what else would you expect from that horny moron.

Anyway, Luna's reaction yesterday to when I called her a princess along with the fact that she owns one of those rings is what led me to my conclusion that she is probably a real princess. I think I know which one too, but I don't wanna spoil anything.

Anyway, now you might wonder, what's a grandmaster? This one is actually really simple. Someone who uses regular aura is a master swordsman, so if you use advanced aura you are a grandmaster swordsman/woman. (I don't judge)

*Bump*

Oops, I guess I monologued for too long on my way to the castle entrance and bumped into a guard.

"My bad." I said as I met the guards eyes.

"Hmph, I didn't expect much from an idiot prince anyway. You really changed after you went missing for 7 years."

What an insolent guard! If only I gave enough of a shit to scold him. Well I couldn't care less so I just sighed and started to walk away.

*thump*

I turned back around to see the guard knocked out on the floor with a beautiful lady wrapped in darkness standing over his body and bowing slightly so as to not meet my eyes.

"Pleasure to meet you, your highness. I am Una, your new personal maid."

It seems she got here a little early.

"Pfft~ I can't believe you just knocked him out after sneaking inside!"

Her body got slightly stiff when she heard my voice.

"Miz?" She whispered as she looked up to meet my gaze.

"Hmm? Whose that? My name is Artemis Nix, the first prince of the kingdom. According to someone I met yesterday I am an idiot, failure, useless, dumbass, meath- actually she never finished that one."

She started looking really nervous. It was kinda cute actually.

"I'm not gonna get kicked out for that am I?"

I smiled and leaned into her ear whispering.

"You're lucky you're hot, otherwise I wouldn't be so nice."

"I get it! Stop using my own lines against me!"

She kicked the guard on the ground in frustration.

"Hahahaha! You have no idea how long I've been waiting to say that."

"Probably since yesterday."

"... fuck off."

"Alright, alright. So what do I do now? You told me I just needed to fake clean or something right?"

"Well, mostly you just follow me around. If I really need you to do something, I can just ask. Also, it seems you took my advice on using a fake name, but I'm still gonna call you Luna."

"Yea, whatever. It was a stupid fake name anyway. Still better than Miz though." She mumbled the last part.

"Hmm?"

"Nothing!" She said with a huge fake smile plastered to her face.

"Haaa, whatever, I made it up on the spot anyway, then I kinda had to stick with it. I couldn't just change my name randomly right?"

"Mhm! Whatever you say Mr. prince!"

"... haaaa whatever, why did you knock out that guard anyway?"

"Well… I thought that I might as well score some brownie points with my new boss by showing off my abilities on my first day. Turns out it was pointless."

I fake cried and put on some puppy dog eyes.

"You didn't do it to save me??"

I saw her eyebrow twitch.

"You really think that's gonna work on me? After I already know what you're like?"

"Tch. I thought everyone loved the puppy dog eyes."

She then smiled and patted my head.

"Good doggy. Who's a good boy? You are! Yes you are!"

I tried to swipe her hand off of my face but her arm melted into darkness and my hand passed through her wrist.

Hoh? That's an impressive use of aura.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when she smacked my head lightly as if to reprimand me.

"BAD DOGGY! SIT!"

"Hahahaha! I can't believe you'd actually do that to a prince. You're insane."

It was honestly hilarious.

She smiled warmly.

"Whatever you say doggy. Besides, even if I did know it was you, I would have still knocked that guard out. Actually I probably would have hit him a little harder."

"Huh? Really?"

"Yup."

"Why?"

"Fufufu, I have to take good care of my doggy!"

This little…

"Pfft~ ahahaha! Calm down, calm down. I'm joking, It's cause you're a friend."

I relaxed a little as I was honestly slightly touched. What she did may not mean much to most people, but I am extremely depraved of any genuine affection or good will in my everyday life. So even this was meaningful to me. All the fake compliments and smiles to either use you or because they are scared of you really take a toll. Plus, half my family wants my head on a stick so they can take over the throne.

"...Thanks." I felt a little hot in my face.

"Eh?"

"I said thanks."

She paused for a long time, clearly trying to suppress a smile. She drew in nearer to my face and examined it before laughing.

"OMG are you blushing?! Puhahahaha!"

"I don't wanna hear it from you. You did that same shit yesterday."

"Hey, you said you wouldn't bring that up!"

"I lied."