Chapter 8.5: The Royal Castle Maids

In the royal castle of Aurestear, the diligent and dedicated castle maids played a crucial role in maintaining the grandeur and order of the kingdom. Among them were a group of young maids who had taken it upon themselves to teach Princess Christina the art of baking cookies.

One day, as Narumi and Christina sat in the royal castle gardens, engaged in a heartfelt conversation, unbeknownst to them, a few curious maids had gathered discreetly behind a nearby bush, their eyes fixed on the couple.

Whispering excitedly among themselves, the maids cheered on Narumi and Christina, their laughter muffled by their cupped hands. They had witnessed Christina's tsundere behavior and Narumi's unwavering affection, and they couldn't help but be entertained by the unfolding love story.

"Look at them, so cute together!" one of the maids whispered, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Who would have thought our princess could be so smitten?"

Another maid giggled, shaking her head. "I never thought I'd see the day when our princess would let her guard down. It seems Lord Narumi has truly captured her heart."

As Narumi brushed a strand of Christina's hair behind her ear, the maids gasped in unison, their excitement palpable. They had become invested in the couple's blossoming romance, eager to witness every intimate moment. However, their joy was short-lived as Christina's tsundere demeanor resurfaced. The maids couldn't help but cringe at her sharp tongue.

"Oh, there she goes again," one of the maids sighed, rolling her eyes. "She really knows how to push people away, doesn't she?"

But their disappointment quickly transformed into glee when they saw Narumi's genuine love and unwavering support for Christina. His gestures of tenderness and understanding never failed to touch their hearts.

"Lord Narumi is such a sweetheart," a maid whispered, her voice filled with admiration. "He's always patient with her, even when she's being difficult. I hope she realizes how lucky she is to have him."

Just as the maids reveled in the heartwarming scene before them, their excitement turned to fear as the head maid, an elderly woman known for her strictness, approached them with a stern expression.

"What do you think you're doing, wasting time like this?" the head maid scolded, her voice stern and unforgiving. "You should be attending to your duties, not peeping at Her Highness's personal moments!"

The maids stammered, trying to find excuses for their behavior, but the head maid would hear none of it. She ordered them back to work with a wave of her hand, leaving the maids feeling both scolded and guilty.

As they dispersed, the maids exchanged worried glances, their hearts heavy with the reprimand they had received. But deep down, they couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for witnessing Narumi and Christina's love story unfold.

"We mustn't let our curiosity get the better of us," one of the maids said softly, her voice tinged with regret. "Our duty lies in serving the kingdom, not indulging in idle gossip. Let's refocus our efforts and support Princess Christina and Lord Narumi in our own way."

With renewed determination, the maids dispersed, each returning to their respective tasks with a newfound sense of responsibility. They had learned an important lesson about the boundaries between their duties and personal matters.

But deep within their hearts, the memory of Narumi and Christina's shared moments lingered, filling them with hope and a renewed belief in the power of love. They vowed to continue their unwavering support for the couple, even if it meant admiring them from afar and silently cheering them on.