A maid vs the storm 1

Dearest mother and father in another world,

Today I have decided to face my current problem head on, in the form of a now cooling meal!

I heard the wall door shut behind me as I found myself once again met with the darkness of the prince's room. The side of this small alley way as you would call it in the prince's room seemed to be covered by some large black out curtains which separated it from the rest of the room. I stared at the curtains with a dull expression on my face- geez, unnecessary. I double checked the passageway, making sure that Hugo wasn't on his way back through the hall... before as I was certain the close was clear, I approached the curtain. I gave an uncertain expression, hesitating for a moment- afterall this prince had made it clear, he wasn't the easiest person to deal with... however with my reluctance, came a surge of determination, my hand pushing through the curtains. I was certain things would work out... somehow that is...

Just as expected the room was alarmingly dark, almost as though I had stepped into the night realm. That being said, there seemed to be a dim light, coming from beneath the curtains of the room, only just light enough for me to make out the depth of the room and where some items were. Yet all that being said, I had yet to find the person I was looking for in question... Didn't they say he would be in here? I doubt he would get this place so dramatically kitted out, just so he wouldn't use it...

I decided I would take this opportunity to explore the room as much as I could, in hopes that I might find him.

Despite the room being so huge and bright usually, this darkness gave it a rather small and solemn feeling to it. With nobody inside the room, it was alarmingly lonely in here. I looked around, carefully carrying the food around with me, noticing there was dust collecting up on the work surfaces of the room. Nobody had been able to get in this room to clean it, so it had been left to gather dust. Even though I didn't see it necessary to scrub the manor house top to tail like we did every day, but I could still see some of the other maids twitch at this. Admittedly, it even made me a little uncomfortable as I realised something to myself upon this thought. Looking at the one cupboard in the room, I decided to put the food down for a moment and grab out a small polishing cloth from my apron. Surely nobody would mind if I just dusted around the place a little right?

Given my circumstances, I had seemingly become rather comfortable in this quiet dark room. I hadn't gotten to do any normal chores or cleaning in so long, I was actually really getting into my dusting, as my polishing of one cupboard quickly turned to that of me thoroughly polishing each surface of the room, giving a small hum to myself. It was fun to be able to actually do what I had originally set out to do when I decided I would live my life out normally as a maid in this world. For some reason, cleaning had become somewhat of a hobby of mine. Maybe it was just cathartic for me, cleaning being one of the first things I got fo enjoy again after I got reborn in a moveable body again. Somehow, it felt like with every item I cleaned, I had managed to clean away my own worries and concerns. Putting my heart at a blank slate.

I paused as I wiped the one bedside table in the room, thinking more on this to myself. A blank slate huh...? I guess you can sort of say, that, that is what happened to me... though I still wasn't particularly sure why. I wiped the cloth over the bedside and it as I did that something on it knocked forwards on to the surface I was cleaning, much to my surprise. Ah- I needed to be careful, of I broke anything, I'd surely get a new blank slate all over again. I somewhat timidly picked up the small rectangular square which had fallen from before me. It was in slight fear that I had broken the item that I double checked the front of it to see if it was okay... however, I wasn't expecting to see what the item in fact was.

In my hand was a small photo frame, one that thankfully was not broken. The seemed to be an actual photograph inside of it, the image of a very beautiful woman with long black hair, partially done up in accessories at the back. She wore a rather elegant looking red dress, it almost made her look like some sort of princess. Yet, what really stood out to me, was her shocking bright red eyes, eyes that seemed to match that of a ruby gem as I found myself connecting the dots a little, looking back to his bedside. A relative of Dante's? Maybe even his mother? I had to say that the resemblance was uncanny when I thought on it more. I raised the photograph up more, trying to get a closer look at it against the the very dim light that we had in the room. Still though, I was surprised, so they had such things like camera's and the ability to take photo's in this world huh?

"What are you doing?!"

A stern and terrifyingly familiar voice spoke up from behind me, a golden light illuminating the space before me as I jumped out my own skin, almost dropping the photo frame in my hands in a panic. It was Dante!! Crap, I completely forgot the main reason I had come into this room to begin with!! I gave a nervous laugh, before I then quickly placed the photo frame back on the beside before me, turning around to greet with prince with my best put on smile.

"Ah- ~ahahaha your majesty!! Good evening, how are you?!" I bowed before the prince before me, who was now stood behind me in what appeared to be his bed clothes. He held a few books under one arm and with his other hand, he held up a lit up lantern, almost as if it were a spotlight that had caught me, and by the look of his face, he was undeniably already angry...

"I didn't ask for small talk pig girl, I asked what it was you were doing here!" Dante completely bypassed my attempts to make my own situation better as I grimaced at the nickname tat had been stuck with me. Calm down Annie, remember why it is you are here! I quickly composed myself, taking a deep breath as I pointed over to his plate of food on the cupboard.

"Actually your highness, I came in to deliver your food! Since sir Hugo is busy and it was going to go cold, I thought it would be best if I brought it in myself!"

I mean this wasn't exactly a lie, I could just ignore the part where I let my compulsive cleaning get the better of me. Dante turned his head to look at the food on the side beside me, taking a moment to really look at it... before he looked at me once more his brow furrowing at me.

"Bringing my food into this room means you can mess with my stuff does it?" He raised an eyebrow suspiciously as I twitched a little. Dammit, he didn't let anything slip, did he? He then tilted his head at me more. "Aside from that, whether it's to bring me food or just mess around, you are forbidden from entering this room under any circumstance without my permission..." Dante then went on as I stiffened up even more. I suddenly recalled why it was I disliked this fellow to begin with.

"My apologies your majesty, I just thought it'd be better than letting you starve...." I mentioned through slightly gritted teeth,somewhat making a jab at him with my statement.

"You thought wrong...." he snapped before he then turned his lamp towards the food in the room. "Now take that plate out and leave. Whilst you are at it, take out the other plate too, I don't have a need for either of them..." he then demanded me as he directed my attention to another plate, filled completely with food- hang on a minute, wasn't that the breakfast that Felicia made for him this morning?! Not just that but he wasn't going to at least take a bite of the food she made for him for dinner?? Did he actually eat anything at all, or did he really just love off the misery of others like an actual demon?? I was in my right mind to just take the plates with me and eat the food myself, better in my stomach than going to waste- however... My face twisted up in some daring hesitation... This was actually a great opportunity! To test out my theory that this child just needed somebody to be a bit more firm with him to put him in the right direction. Was this risky? Yes! Was I going to die as an outcome to this? Probably! Yet despite those very real worries biting the back of my mind, I was pushed by memories of my past life and my sheer intolerance of this child's nature to gain the courage to say the following.

"Actually I'm not going to leave until I see you eat some of your food your highness" I declared, Dante taking a pause in his step as a I felt a bead of sweat drip by my face. This was it, my war was declared...

There was a few moments where it seemed he was trying to compute what I said- that and most likely the fact that I had dared opposed his orders as I did my best not to instantly take back what I said and flee. I was polite about it, so maybe... just maybe he wouldn't be angry about the suggestion...

...

"EH?!"

The response came sharp and powerful like a whiplash- he totally was angry!!! The damage was done now however, there was no backing down!

"Y-Y-your food... I want you to eat your food your highness..." my voice was noticeably less confident this time as Dante continued to glare at me.

"And I just said I don't want it, so grab the food and remove yourself from my sight!" Dante snapped in annoyance, making his own attack at me now- it was time for my counter.

"I- I respectfully refuse!! As your maid it is my job to ensure you stay healthy and eat your food! So I cannot take this food away!" I told him as a visible sneer grew on his face.

"Fine... I will get Hugo to out it in the trash along with you..." Dante hissed as I felt my pride get hurt a little by that last bit. Why this little- What was the crime in getting him to at least try eating something?! But ah, so quick was the young prince to run to the aid of his aide, how naieve! For I had the upper hand in this situation!!

"Sir Hugo is not available at this moment of time, he went back to her quarters to fetch an item he needs!" I then dropped the new on Dante, who only appeared to furrow his brow more to the news. Aha, cornered! That knight with a plastic smile wasn't going to be saving him here.

And yet...

And yet, despite my victory in this mental battle, my opponent did not seemed phased by his damage... much rather he seemed quite the opposite. Her picked up a small gem stone from his pocket, much to my curiosity, when it was then that he just casually looked up to me.

"Pig girl, you are to pick up those plates and leave..." he simply put it as from beside me a very familiar noise chimed beside me- Ahhh! The bangle, I completely forgot! The bell was swaying quite vigorously and loudly, a small pit of dread appearing in my stomach. Ah... this was no good, if I delayed I would explode... "Well?" Dante then coaxed me on, my top lip being brutalised by my teeth in frustration. I was stuck at an impasse...

"I- If I explode then you will be caught in the explosion!" I fought for my corner as Dante shrugged.

"That I don't care for..." he replied casually. Ah- I forgot the Dante in the game had no regard for human life, even his own- this suicidal brat!! My mouth hung open as I tried my best come up with some sort of argument back that would not wind up with me dying for suggesting, however to my distress the young demon raised the gem up before him again.

"Pig girl, you have forty seconds to leave my room with the plates or you will definitely explode..." he laid down his finishing blow on me as I did my best not to let my inner screech become and outer one. WHAT WAS I GOING TO DO?!

"Wait- forty-" I stammered as Dante gave me a placid look.

"It's thirty now..."

"Don't you think this is too rash, I barely have time to run to the door!"

"Is that so? Shame..."

"Please rethink that command, I might actually die!"

"Twenty five seconds..."

I was really going to die if he didn't stop that command now. My mind was in a whirl trying to think of something.

"Wait, you don't want to not work with me here! I know your big secret!!" I announced as Dante didn't seem all that phased- ahh, this was really it wasn't it? I grabbed my stuff, getting ready to storm out the door as quick as I could but as I did I decided to use my final weapon against him. "Fine, I'll just go tell the whole manor that the reason you hide is because you are scared of thun-"

"Pig girl stop-"

My eyes's widened as upon my stopping the bell on my bangle quickly came to a stop, my heart rapidly racing. I didn't even get a chance to truly finish what I was going to say.... wait.... I turned around to look at the young demon prince, who now seemed to be wearing a severe scorn on his face at me.... did that actually work?!

It was extremely quiet for a few moments, as though the metaphorical and physical bomb in the room was needing that time to cool off. Though despite this sudden peace... it didn't fill me any relief at all... much rather my guts were telling me that was was most likely going to die in a moment...

"How..." Dante began as I felt myself begin to sweat considerably. "How did you know that?!" He asked me in a frighteningly quiet tone- When I said my guts, I meant my eyes- I could quite literally see the rage pouring out of him, he really was going to kill me wasn't he? I was about to give him the truth- however it was then that I recalled that the one who gave me the truth specifically told me not to do so... Even if he was a bit of a sarcastic brat with a dry humour, I didn't particularly feel like dragging Hugo down with me on this one- afterall I did this to myself... So instead I decided to quickly deepen the hole of lies I got myself into.

"Well... I mean... it's sort of obvious, you go into hiding with black out blinds whenever there is a storm your highness..." I pointed put bluntly, the prince seeming to flinch at that- wait did he really not think people would get suspicious at his actions or something? I mean granted I didn't know until today since he took it to such extremes, but it made sense once I was told. Dante seemed to be taking a moment to figure out just how he should handle this situation- it seemed that he was too stunned to realise that he probably could just threaten me to silence... however this was a good thing, I had to take this opportunity whilst I could. I could actually use this sudden confusion to my advantage.

"Say... are you going to eat your food now...?" I asked him simply as the prince snapped at me.

"I thought I told you I didn't want it-"

"I see, so maybe the maid who prepared this meal for you would like to know your secret your highness?" I cut straight to the chase as the young prince froze before me. It seemed that this was my battle to be won...

It was not this evening of all days that I expected to be stood within the young tyrant prince Dante's room in the dark, watching him begrudgingly eat the cut up meat from his dinner plate, but yet, here I was. In all honesty I was terrified to move, I couldn't actually believe that not only did my last moment plan work and that I wasn't dead, but how scarily compliant this had made the otherwise very rebellious child. In fact it was as he ate his food when sulking I was quite suddenly reminded that no matter how much authority he tried to gloat about, Dante was actually still a child. One who seemed to be avoiding all the vegetables on his plate... My nose scrunched a little...

"You know your majesty, broccoli is

delicious..." I decided to not so subtly hint at it as Dante's scowl grew darker.

"Did I ask for your opinion? I don't care what you think of broccoli!" He snapped as I gave a shallow laugh to myself- I expected that answer as much... I decided to edge towards the other side of the table to put a distance between us before continuing.

"Broccoli is also very important for your growth, as well as carrots. You should probably eat them you know..." I went on, avoiding eye contact from him as, again as foreseen, he gave a very annoyed sounding reply.

"I don't care, I'm not going to eat them!"

"You want to grow up strong and powerful don't you?! Then you are going to have to eat your vegetables aren't you??" I then lectured him as it was then Dante suddenly stood up.

"You seem to not understand what it means to push your luck..." he told me, his hand setting ablaze- AHAHAHA, IT SEEMED I DID NOT! I stared at the flame like a deer caught in headlights for a moment, before I decided to back up even more making a risky choice of words twice, a rigid smile appearing in my face.

"I- I understand perfectly well, but if pushing my luck means telling everyone how you got black out blinds to hide from lightni-"

"Be quiet!" He demanded as I flinched, scrunching up my eyes, expecting to have a fire blast to the face any second now... however, the fire blast didn't seem to come as I heard Dante roughly sit back down, grabbing his fork. I felt the tension from my body drop after a few seconds as I realised that I was not going to be burnt alive and as I opened my eyes, I saw that not only had some of the broccoli been moved off the plate, but the prince was now begrudgingly eating his vegetables, his face turned away from me- he- He really was just a child. I was stunned at just how easy it was to blackmail a little kid if you knew what weakness they were sensitive to. Granted it wasn't morally correct for me to do, but hey at least it worked. I awkwardly watched the young prince stab a carrot, it seeming that he was going to do what he could to ignore me existing. If it weren't for all his mistreatment of me in the past, part of me would have felt sorry for him...

I fumbled around looking for something fo break the silence in the room- at the very least if there was any sort of way I could salvage a good work relationship between us so I could live in peace and perhaps understand why he was the way he was, I could try...

"So... The lightning-" I began as Dante instantly put his form down loudly fo glare at me. Oh a landmine I see... I did my best to get straight to my point to calm him. "I- I don't think it's that bad to be scared of it!!" I panicked as Dante squinted at me.

"Why do you know it's lightning specifically..." he pointed out with a suspicious gaze- I quite suddenly realised that I was definitely going to be getting Hugo into some trouble here if I wasn't careful.

"I mean the black out blinds-"

"I see Hugo let slip huh..." he caught on instantly- HUGO I AM SO SORRY! I am useless, as transparent as tracing paper!! Dante stabbed his meat, a more intimidating aura coming out from him. "I'll have to chat to him later about this..." he muttered- Ahhh this was looking really bad! If I didn't try to change his mind now, Hugo would be toasted-

"S-Sir Hugo didn't tell me anything! It really was just a lucky guess!!" I interjected Dante's ill willed muttering before I decided to quickly change topic before he had much time to think about it- "B-Besides your highness- what I was trying to say is that being scared of lightning isn't bad, I actually think given what the lightning here is like, it's completely understandable-"

"I am not afraid of the lightning..." he muttered, not seeming to appreciate my repeated stating of the fact at all. I decided to make it easier for him to swallow.

"Okay, not liking the lightning then..." I reworded myself as Hugo simply gave a rough sigh to this. "Even the strongest people have a weakness I'm sure nobody would judge you for it..." I then went on.

"It's not that I care what people think..." he answered as I gave a stiff expression to this response. He says that but he was now taking a good bite of some steak because he was afraid I was tell someone about it.

"Either way... Don't you ever feel lonely locking yourself up like this?" My eyes drifted to the dark room we were in solely lit up by a small lamp between us. This couldn't be healthy, especially for somebody as young as him. I'd go sort of crazy if my only solace from the terrifying storms outside was to completely lock myself away from everything. Sort of not to my surprise, he gave a negligent response to this question too.

"No, I prefer to be alone like this..." he answered as I found myself nor really getting anywhere with this situation. Even I could vouch that alone time was good... but when he was even doing his best to segregate himself from people even when he was out of this room. I somewhat came to an understanding that in reality that this prince was most likely rather lonely. I gave a moment to think of a reply to him.

"Even so... sometimes having company at times we are unsettled is the best for us..." I did my best to word it in a way that wouldn't upset him again as it was then that I heard Dante put his fork down.

"Say, what's your angle?" He then asked me as I found myself a little puzzled by this strange question. I looked up to the young prince whose piercing red eyes shone against the candle light in the lamp- yet they were filled with nothing but mistrust. I found myself a little speechless to this as Dante went on-

"Were you paid some money to come and check on me? Did the head maid instruct you to look after me? Or did you just think sucking up to me would get you taken off your duty sooner?" Dante listed a number of accusations to me as I was a little taken back by his words for a moment.

"I- I'm not sure what you mean your highness..." I told him honestly, rather confounded by his sudden questioning as Dante simply tch'ed at me, looking back to his plate.

"Nobody tries this sort of stuff without getting some sort of gain from it..." he put it simply to me as I remained quiet to this statement... I quite suddenly realised that to this child, there wasn't really anybody worth getting to know... afterall, he was the prince- no perhaps I always did know that, looking back on it, I did recall the Dante of the game bringing up something similar. Then again as a maid I guess I never truly expected to have to confront these issues with him either. A child who was angry and alone, it made sense why he seemed the view the world as his enemy, even if he could be a bit irrational with it. It was true that yes, I most certainly did not want to be working as his entertainment, the past week had been rather hellish. Though my only real reason for doing this other than me being clinically insane was just that I wanted to understand what Dante was. Then that way I could probably avoid a bad end for everyone in this situation, maybe even Dante himself. Even if that first step was simply getting him to eat his food.

I took a deep breath as I thought on what to say. I had an idea if what to say, but I'd probably be taking a risk on it. However I had a good feeling that just using fake pretences wasn't going to work, rather I had learned from experience, nothing got past this child. So I decided that risky was far less risky than what most would consider safe.

"I'll be honest, I haven't really enjoyed this week... if I could have the chance to be let off duty right now I would take it..." I began as instantly I was met with a corrosive glare from the child before- please wait before you incinerate me child, I was getting to the meaningful part in this.

"However, my reason for coming in here is simply just that I want his highness to eat his food..." I told him, the prince's glare remaining sharp on me as he didn't say anything. I looked down at my hands. "You know I went through a phase of not eating myself... I did it because I was going through an issue I didn't have an enemy for, so I had to make my own enemies. I decided it would be the people who looked after me" I decided to bring up an old story, recalling my conversation with Hugo earlier. "Unfortunately that made me rather ill... in the end the only person I was really hurting was myself. An old friend of mine was the one ti tell me off for it..." I reflected, recalling my old hospital friend with a faint smile... I looked back to the ever none talkative prince who didn't shift in expression- "as much as I'd probably for his highness to become sick, I wouldn't wish that upon anybody..." I told him sincerely... afterall... I gripped my hand slightly in recollection- I more than anybody, knew the woes of being unable to look after your body. Once again there was a lack of response from Dante- however, it could have been my eyes playing trick on me, but it seemed that his expression had at least softened from earlier. Was it possible- had I maybe gotten through to him? "N-Not just that, but also this food is very delicious looking, it'd be a shame not to eat it after the maid who cooked it put great effort into feeding you-" I started off a bit more enthusiastically... when it was then I was interrupted by something...

Gyyuuuuuu

I froze in place at the occurrence of such a strange sound. It sounded sort of like the sound you'd hear when you stepped on a dodgy wooden plank in the dead if night when you least wanted a dodgy plank to make a sound. Ah but, that strange noise was a familar one and if anything it couldn't have had worse timing. Dante simply looked at me with a disdainful look on his face.

"You dare stand here and lecture me about eating when you haven't been eating yourself?" Dante then pointed out the obvious after my stomach decided to make it's unnecessary input- ALL MY HARD WORK FOR NOTHING!! I began to sweat again as my mind racked for answers amidst my stiff and awkward laugh- he did realise that the reason I hadn't eaten today was because he summoned me in so early. I was awaiting my potential new death flag when it was then that Dante gave a sigh, simply picking up his fork again.

"I'll finish off eating, after that you are dismissed so make sure you eat after that..." Dante told me, keeping his eyes off me as I gave the child a rather surprised look at this... so... my talk hadn't blown up in my face? I watched quietly as the young prince ate more, a wave of relief coming with the realisation that I was safe. It seemed not... was there a chance I had at least tamed the angry prince? I instinctively gave a relieved smile and sigh-

"I'm glad that you are finishing it..." I told him as Dante simply shrugged biting into more of his food as he kept his face off me.

It wasn't too long before he had finished eating, I had a feeling he partially ate quicker so as to het rid of me sooner but overall I didn't mind that too much at all, if anything I had sort of over stayed my welcome. I looked around the room- I wondered where Hugo had been all this time. It seemed like an abnormal amount of time to change into new clothes. Part of me also wondered where it was that Dante had been earlier considering it didn't seem that he had seen my cleaning escapade earlier... it was as he pushed his plate away that I decided before I went to ask him about it.

"Say, your highness, where were you earlier?" It had seemed I had become comfortable enough to at least ask these questions.

"I'm done eating, you can leave now..." he completely bypassed my question as I gave a flat smile to this- in fairness I should have expected such a response.

"Of... of course..." I answered, deciding that now my main reason for even being in this room had been eaten up, that it would not be best to overstep my boundaries... however it was as I went to grab the plates that Dante gave a response.

"I was in the library..." he then told me, giving an honest answer I was prepared for... wow I had really managed to tame him for now if he wasn't flat out ignoring my questions... I gave a curious expression to what he said.

"Library?" I double checked, not quite recalling any of the library rooms in this manor house being blacked out.

"I have a personal study I go read in..." he answered, going to reach for one of the few books he had brought in with him as my eyebrow twinged a bit- oh yeah- he was extraordinarily rich- a boy who had a pool for a bath would obviously have an on suite study room. Nonetheless, I didn't let this the focus of my attention as I found myself a little intrigued by what he was saying.

"Do you enjoy reading your majesty?" I asked as Dante opened up the book in his hands.

"I don't particularly hate it..." He gave a dull and rather open ended answer to my question. Nonetheless this was at least something I could relate to him with finally.

"Actually I enjoy reading too! Especially none fiction books, they're really fun!" I decided to admit to him with a small smile as it was then that Dante lowered his book to this statement. He seemed to be a little interested in he conversation so I decided to speak onwards.

"Back where I was from- the orphanage I mean, I used to read alot since it helped me get past and escape from my problems at the time... ah..." I came to realise something as I then turned to Dante enthusiastically- "Reading books during things that frighten you like storms is a good idea, maybe they can help you overcome your phobi-"

"SHUT UP!"

My eagerness and idea were quickly pushed back by Dante cutting in harshly to what I was saying. The prince had now stood up and was looking at me rather angrily... hold on.... had I said something wrong?

"Uhm..."

Was the only statement I could respond to this in my bewilderment- no really- had I said something wrong to upset him? As far as I knew, talking about reading wasn't an offensive thing to do at all, unless I was mistaken- or maybe I had pushed it too far by saying that the lightning was his phobia... my brain scattered about trying to figure out what was wrong as I tried to correct my wording once more.

"Okay, maybe not phobia but-"

"That's enough!" Dante cut in sharply as I found myself very quickly silenced by his voice. Right now- he was really annoyed for whatever reason... it had seemed I was not too far off getting my reason as it was then Dante started speaking as he walked over to me-

"I don't know where you have gotten this idea that I want to be buddy buddy with you or that I even want to hear you talk, the only reason you are even in my presence is because you blackmailed me-" He started ranting as I didn't really have a response to that- he was was right, I was blackmailing him- however- I still couldn't understand his current anger, it almost came out of nowhere. Dante looked me dead in the eyes as I backed up a little. "Let me make this abundantly clear..." he began his voice going rather cold. "I despise everything about you..." he stated as my eyes widened to this fact... ah... I see, that's how it was. "I hate hearing your voice, seeing your face- just acknowledging you exist inside this manor house irritates me!" He continued on laying down the heavy hitters as it seemed all this information was only just starting to process in my mind after a minor delay of shock... hey... hang on a minute. Dante lit a flame in his hand as he glared at me corrosively. "So do me a favour and just disappear..." he went on as it was then I felt a small thing within me snap.

BUMP

It took alot in me to transform what would have been a smack into just a simple push as I pushed Dante away from me without a second thought. I would be lying if I said that, that hate speech didn't hurt- much rather my heart was feeling rather crushed right now... but more than anything...

"So why..." I began shallowly, keeping my eyes to the floor as I tensed up. "Why would you even prolong the time I had to be around you to begin with!!!" I snapped at him loudly. More than anything right now I was angry! Dante stood back seeming genuinely sort of taken back that I had the gall to shout at him let alone push him as it had seemed any pretence I had of getting on with this fellow crumbled to dust. "If you hate seeing me that much, you wouldn't have even taken me on as a maid, let alone keep me as personal entertainment for the week, your actions don't make any sense!!" I then pointed out furiously. It wasn't as if I wanted to be part of any of this to begin with- I was just trying to make the best out of what for me was a bad situation. If anything all I had wanted to do since I had found out Dante owned this manor was run away. I understood that I had been rather clumsy as of recent and maybe I had pushed my luck a little- but to be spoken to with such contempt... I wasn't expecting it, nor was I willing to just sit around and listen to it. "If that's how you really feel, I'll gladly leave you in this room sulking! But just for your information 'your royal jerkiness' I wasn't particularly fond of you either! If anything I cannot stand bratty kids like you!" I put my foot down, making my own stand for once.

Before a few seconds, I suddenly came to my senses- and rather than a sense of relief to fill my mind after getting all that off my chest, there came the abrupt sensation of dread. I had seemed to forget my own position in this situation as I raised my hand, realising something. I just pushed royalty and argued with them like I was in a fight with a kid in my ward... and it was with this horrific revelation that I raised my head to look up to the prince who moments before looked rather bewildered- only to confirm my fears were correct, the child was absolutely livid with my actions. How... How was I going to get myself out of this one?! Annie do you not know how to hold your tongue, this was worse than the time accidentally dropped tea on the brat.

It was as I started to panic that I then felt a hand on my shoulder, causing me to look back in a start. Hugo stood behind me with a stiff and awkward smile as I had never felt such a mix of dread and relief in my life. This boy certainly had his timing didn't he? Why didn't he get here sooner?!

"S-Sir Hugo-" I don't know if the fear in my voice was obvious, but I definitely stuttered. Hugo seemed to be giving a sympathetic smile to my cause before he winced a little, grabbing my arm.

"Sorry Miss Silverston..." he apologised as I stared at him blankly... before quite suddenly I felt a familiar pain in my arm as the room completely flipped over me. Ah... I see how it is...

There came a loud thud, followed by my cry of pain that could match that of the booming thunder outside, as it seemed I had been met with my fate.

I had barely survived a month in this new world and quite suddenly I had found myself carted off to a jail cell...