Diana's Thanks

We wandered beyond the castle walls, just the two of us—Diana at my side.

By etiquette, I should've been walking behind her. I was still a butler, after all—even if I was off duty. But Diana had asked me to walk with her, not behind. And for once, I let the rules slide.

The gardens were hushed beneath the evening sky. The lamps along the stone paths flickered to life, casting amber light on the trimmed hedges and flowering trees. It was peaceful, but a quiet sort of fragile peace—like a breath held too long.

"We shouldn't stay out too late, Milady," I said after a moment. "The Princess is waiting."

Not that I was looking forward to it.

If I was even a few minutes late, Serena would likely scold me again—loudly, and in front of everyone—whether or not I'd nearly died a few hours earlier. That was just Serena Viola Ruthelphia for you: royal blood, sharp tongue, and not a trace of sympathy for excuses.

"She can wait," Diana said stiffly.

I turned slightly, surprised at the edge in her voice.

"You're accompanying me right now, Senay," she added, eyes forward. "It's… rude to bring up Serena."

Was she annoyed?

I studied her in silence for a moment. Her mouth was drawn in a faint frown, her brows just slightly furrowed. Was it because I kept mentioning Serena? Did she already dislike the Princess…?

But she looked like having a very good reaction this morning?

"I apologize for my rudeness," I said, bowing my head slightly.

Diana's head snapped toward me. "No—no, it's not that. I just…" Her voice softened, losing that defensive edge. "I just wanted to talk with you."

"I would be glad to be your conversation partner, Milady," I said with a smile.

That earned me a real smile in return—bright and honest.

"So… you want a sword, Senay?" She asked.

"Yes," I nodded. "A proper one. I want to become stronger. Strong enough to protect the people I care about."

My thoughts drifted to my family—my father, my mother, and my sister. I wouldn't let anything happen to them like in the game.

"So it's not for Serena, then?" Diana asked, tilting her head.

I blinked, caught off-guard. "A—also for Her Highness, of course!" I added quickly.

She giggled.

I scratched my cheek, a little embarrassed. Why was she teasing me all of a sudden?

We walked a little farther but just as we rounded a stone arch near the western wing, both of us came to a halt.

Ahead of us, bathed in faint lantern light, loomed the tall, winding hedge walls of the maze.

The same maze.

Diana stopped walking.

She stepped quietly behind me, her fingers reaching out to grip the sleeve of my coat. Her hold was light, but it trembled slightly.

So she was still frightened. Of course she was. A poisonous viper had nearly taken her life here. And I hadn't stopped it in time.

I stared at the entrance of the maze, silent.

Lydia would flay me alive if she found out I brought Diana back here. But… I couldn't let fear keep its hold on her. Not when I was the reason it took root in the first place.

I turned to her and offered my hand—not too close, just enough to show confidence.

"Lady Diana," I said softly, "will you accompany me inside the maze?"

Her eyes widened. "Eh?"

"This time, I'll guide you. To the pavilion. Safely."

She looked utterly baffled, lips parted in disbelief.

I tried to reassure her with a calm smile. 

I had never entered it myself before today, but I had looked at it from the castle plenty times from the windows. I knew the path. 

"But…" She hesitated, glancing down at my arm—the bandages still snug around it.

Her worry was visible. Not just for herself, but for me.

"There's nothing to worry about," I said, a bit firmer now. "This time, I won't let anything come close to you. I promise."

She stared into my eyes, as if searching for doubt. Whatever she saw seemed to settle her nerves.

She nodded—just once—and stepped forward.

I turned and began to walk toward the entrance, but just before I reached it, I felt something.

Her hand, gently wrapping around my right arm.

Not my sleeve—my arm.

It wasn't appropriate. I was a butler, and she was a noble girl. Someone could see. Someone could twist it into scandal.

But I didn't pull away.

She was trembling. Just a little.

So I let her stay close.

As we stepped into the quiet mouth of the hedge maze together, her grip tightened.

I hesitated for just a moment.

Having a girl this close to me—especially the daughter of a Duke—felt strange. Not uncomfortable, just… unfamiliar. But the feeling didn't last long. Somehow, I adjusted, almost instinctively, as if her presence wasn't something to fear but something quietly welcome.

We stepped inside.

There was no light to guide our path—no torches, no moonlight piercing through the dense hedges of the maze—but the darkness wasn't complete. A soft, ethereal glow pulsed all around us. Tiny fireflies floated lazily through the air, their delicate wings casting glimmers of gold and silver like living stars. 

I walked forward.

I knew the way. That helped. The trick to a maze wasn't navigating it while lost—it was remembering the destination before you even entered. I focused on that: the center. The heart of the place. With every turn and corridor, the memory guided me like an invisible string.

About ten minutes passed—quiet, save for the faint rustle of leaves and the sound of our footsteps against gravel. Then, the space opened up.

Diana drew in a breath.

"It's beautiful…" She whispered.

At the heart of the maze stood a white pavilion, its structure glowing faintly under the touch of firefly light. A graceful gazebo with arched supports and delicate carvings, nestled within a circle of flowering vines that bloomed silently in the night. There was a bench inside—weathered, yet elegant—inviting us to rest.

I walked forward first, the sound of her footsteps trailing just behind me.

Ahead, a narrow staircase spiraled upward within the gazebo, disappearing into a shadowed alcove above. Without a word, I climbed, one hand brushing along the smooth rail, the other ready to steady her.

Reaching the small landing, I turned and extended my hand.

Diana climbed, her hand slipping into mine.

I helped her the last few steps, gently guiding her to the balcony that circled the upper level. From here, the view opened to us.

The entire maze lay beneath us, curling like a giant roses labyrinth And beyond it, the castle rose—its towers catching the dim light in silver outlines. We were maybe around five meters above the ground.

"The castle looks even more beautiful from here, don't you think, Senay?" Diana said softly.

She was still holding onto my arm.

I nodded, though my eyes were now caught by something else.

Dozens of butterflies had begun to gather around us—silver-blue wings fluttering in the night air. They weren't fireflies, but something different, something far more surreal. Their glow was more muted, more elegant. I glanced at Diana. 

It was her. Subconsciously, maybe but it was her, I knew from the Game. 

A gentle kind of beauty that responded to her emotions.

"Yes," I said, still watching them dance in the air. "It is."

A quiet pause settled between us.

Then Diana spoke again. "I never knew what jealousy was before, Senay."

I glanced down at her.

From someone who had gifted everything she wanted from child, it was understandable.

"It's a form of envy," I began to explain, "a feeling we sometimes have toward someone who might possess—"

But she tugged on my arm with a playful smile, giggling before I could finish.

I blinked. 

Was I really trying to define jealousy at a time like this?

Her eyes were shining now. "Thank you for saving me," she said it once again. 

I turned my gaze away from her very dangerous smile, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. 

"There's no need to repeat it, Milady—"

But I froze mid-sentence.

Soft lips pressed against my cheek. Light. Trembling. Real.

My eyes widened as the warmth lingered on my skin. I turned to her slowly, lips parting, uncertain of what to say. Diana's face was as red as mine now, but she didn't look away.

"I know what it means now," she said.

◊◊◊

We left the maze together, and neither of us spoke a word.

The silence hung between us—not comfortable, not exactly tense, just... awkward. The kind of silence where every second feels heavier than it should.

She kissed me.

Not on the lips, but still—a kiss. On the cheek. That counted. My mind spun with too many thoughts all at once, none of them particularly helpful. What just happened back there?

She was the daughter of a Duchess. A noble. High-born. She must've been taught how to conduct herself around others—especially around men. Especially commoners. So why would she do something so... bold?

Sure, Diana was different. More free-spirited than the usual nobility. She'd always been more willing to blur lines, bend the rules of etiquette, even break them outright. But even with that in mind… kissing a butler?

Me?

I glanced sideways at her.

She was smiling. Just walking beside me like nothing had happened, like she hadn't just shattered a boundary that shouldn't have even been approached. Her expression was calm, even cheerful. Meanwhile, I was practically dissecting every second of that moment.

Was I overthinking this?

It wasn't like she confessed anything. It was just… a kiss. Right?

Or—no, wait—what if she actually had developed feelings for me? 

A crush?

That thought made my heart lurch in panic. I felt my face heat up again.

No. That was too arrogant of me to assume. We'd just met. That would be ridiculous. Wouldn't it?

I forced myself to breathe normally as the castle came into view ahead.

"Lady Diana…" I finally said, unsure if I should even be speaking.

"Hm?" She responded lightly, tilting her head just a bit as she walked beside me.

I hesitated. "Um… earlier. What you did. May I… ask why?"

She blinked at me, then smiled as if the answer were the most obvious thing in the world. "Why? I wanted to thank you properly for saving my life."

That was it?

"But you already did," I said, struggling to keep my voice even.

"I did, indeed," she replied, her smile deepening.

Now I was the one blushing. I looked away, hoping my expression wasn't too obvious.

"Did you not like it, maybe, Senay?" She asked suddenly, stopping to glance up at me with a look that was half innocent curiosity, half wicked amusement.

"N—No…" I started, then realized how that sounded. "I mean—it's not that I didn't—"

"You didn't like it?" She asked again, this time with a subtle frown forming on her lips, her eyebrows drawing together in exaggerated concern.

Was she teasing me?

I looked at her, searching her eyes for confirmation. But she held my gaze steadily, not laughing, not smirking—just waiting.

"Saying I didn't would be a lie, Milady," I muttered carefully. "But… please don't tell the Duchess. I'm not sure I'd survive the consequences."

Lady Lydia was a kind woman, certainly—but she was also a Duchess. If she learned her daughter had kissed her butler, even just on the cheek, I had no idea what kind of storm that would bring.

Diana let out a soft laugh—an actual laugh this time—before stifling it behind her hand.

"Of course I won't tell my mother," she said, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper. Her cheeks were tinged pink now. "That will be our little secret, Senay Fleming."

"R—Right…"

The tension between us slowly unraveled after that. The silence no longer felt awkward—it was lighter now, tinged with something unspoken. Diana kept stealing glances at me, and I pretended not to notice. Maybe she was just teasing. Maybe not. I wasn't brave enough to ask.

Instead, I focused on my task.

As we reached the doors to the castle, I led her inside and toward the dining hall. I pushed open the grand double doors, only to freeze a step in.

Everyone was already there.

And I meant everyone.

The King. The Queen. Duchess Lydia. Hector's father. Hector himself. Serena obviously. All eyes turned toward us as we entered.