8. The Maid’s Night Out (Part 1)

Eirin had thought these days of happiness would last. After all, she could now be with her beloved Alexander once they held their wedding ceremony. Their hearts were now perfectly in sync, so all that was left was true happiness.

But an unexpected obstacle was waiting.

The day after Alexander had properly proposed, Eirin’s brother Stefan summoned her. The stern-faced Stefan looked at Eirin’s flushed face.

“It seems Alexander visited the estate while I was briefly away yesterday.”

“Ah, yes. That’s right.”

It was fortunate that Stefan wasn’t present. Otherwise, Eirin wouldn’t have been able to have a proper conversation with Alexander.

Blushing, Eirin tapped her foot on the carpet. Not only the sweet conversation she shared with Alexander, but also their passionate intimacy naturally came to mind. No matter how many times she recalled it, the scorching, melting sensation remained.

Staring intently at Eirin’s face, Stefan frowned.

“The wedding is about two months away now.”

“Yes.”

“So for the next two months, try to avoid meeting Alexander as much as possible.”

“Huh?”

Eirin lifted her head at Stefan’s words.

What is he saying? The wedding is just around the corner, and he wants me to not see the groom? I want to see him today, and tomorrow, and…

Blinking her eyes, she questioned, unsure if she had heard correctly.

“What do you mean by that?”

“If you must meet him, do it when I’m around.”

“Why would you say that? I don’t like that.”

Eirin, who rarely asserted her own opinion, spoke firmly.

“I don’t like it.”

After repeating herself several times and shaking her head, Stefan spoke up with a sigh.

“Dislike it all you want, but I can’t help it. I’m still your guardian. It’ll be different once you’re married. Anyway, it’s fine not to see him for about two months before the wedding.”

Two months? Two months?!

I can’t be restricted to only seeing him under my brother’s strict gaze for that long.

‘It’s fine not to see him’, he says. That’s his opinion, not mine.

“Even if you’re my guardian, you can’t just do as you please. The marriage is already decided.”

At Eirin’s words, Stefan slammed his palm on the desk.

“Eirin.”

“Yes?”

“There are some unpleasant rumors about you. Rumors that even before the marriage, you and Alexander have already…”

The usually direct Stefan hesitated a few times.

“Rumors that you’ve already entered into that kind of relationship.”

It’s not an unpleasant rumor, but the truth.

But before Eirin could argue, Stefan spoke sternly.

“So you absolutely must not meet him. Understand? This is not up for negotiation.”

“Brother.”

“For the sake of your and our family’s honor, endure it for about two months. It’s not a difficult matter.”

After that day when her brother Stefan said those words, Eirin did not see Alexander at all. Not even once. It had only been three days, but she already craved to be in his embrace, to breathe in his scent, to hold his warm hands. Those three days felt like an eternity to Eirin.

And night fell again. At night, Eirin wanted to see Alexander even more. But now he was no longer in the study.

Maybe I should read a book, get some inspiration.

Unable to sleep, Eirin headed to the first-floor study. As she slowly walked down, her eyes caught sight of Stefan, fully dressed.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m heading to the club.”

Eirin twisted her lips at Stefan’s words.

Stefan, who had been her lifelong guardian, had become a duke at a young age and had to sacrifice a lot for her and their family. Eirin usually respected him deeply for that, but not today.

I can’t believe he’s out clubbing while I’m not even allowed to see Alexander.

Or maybe he’s going to meet a woman. What about Victoria then?

It’s so unfair.

The complex emotions were clearly reflected on Eirin’s face, prompting Stefan to frown and ask.

“What are you thinking about again?”

Seeing Eirin’s still protruding lips, Stefan continued.

“It’s late, you should go to bed.”

“I can’t sleep, so I was going to the study.”

“To read books again?”

“What’s wrong with books?”

Stefan stared at Eirin’s face for a while, but unlike his usual nagging about her constant reading, he didn’t say much this time, perhaps because the marriage was already decided or because he felt guilty about not letting her see Alexander.

“I’ll be late today because I have a card game at the club.”

“Does Alexander come to the club too?”

At the mention of Alexander, Stefan raised one eyebrow.

“No. He said he has some paperwork to take care of at home, so he won’t be coming. You can’t go to the club to meet him.”

Women were not allowed in the club he frequented. 

Eirin murmured.

“No, I was just curious.”

Who said anything about going to the club?

At that, Stefan chuckled.

“I’ll send a letter for him to drop by the house tomorrow.”

“Ah, okay.”

Even though Stefan’s monitoring her, it’s better than not seeing Alexander at all. 

Pouting her lips, Stefan gave a final lecture that she shouldn’t stay up too late and left the house.

Stefan’s going to the club and won’t be home until late, and Alexander’s at his home… That means…

Stopping in her tracks as she watched him leave, Eirin turned and headed towards the stairs.

“Kesi!”

Eirin strode up to the second floor, looking for the maid who usually helped her with her grooming. Fortunately, Kesi was coming out of Eirin’s room and answered her call.

“Yes, My Lady?”

“I’m sorry for the late request, but I need a favor.”

Hm? Just this once. It’s a bit of a hassle, but…

At Eirin’s request, Kesi’s eyes widened.

* * *

Alexander was processing the documents that had piled up from his extended stay at the Hamilton estate. There were quite a few paperwork tasks he had put off while spending time with Eirin.

Stacks of papers covered his desk endlessly.

When he marries Eirin, they will return to his estate together. He wanted to welcome her in a perfect state. And after the marriage, he wouldn’t have much time to look at these documents as he’d be spending time with her.

He recalled Eirin’s wide, innocent eyes gazing up at him. It would take tremendous self-control not to touch her soft body.

So he had to do it now. But the endless work tasks weighed heavily on Alexander, the fatigue evident in his expression.

Knock, knock.

As Alexander was diligently moving his quill, a knock sounded.

“Come in.”

“Your Grace.”

Harden, the servant who had long assisted Alexander, opened the door and entered.

“Apologies for the late hour, Your Grace. A maid from the Hamilton household has arrived.”

“A maid from the Hamilton household?”

“Yes. She says she absolutely must deliver a letter from Lady Hamilton.”

“A letter at this hour?”

“She says it’s an urgent matter.”

“Ah, I see.”

If it was Lady Hamilton, it was Eirin. He wonders what’s going on at this time of night.

After sharing an intimate moment with Eirin in the study, like an accident, Eirin had met with Stefan. Stefan had asked Eirin to refrain from meeting Alexander alone before the wedding.

Of course Eirin wanted to see him. But she also understood Stefan’s concerns as her brother.

So with a mix of joy and worry about whether something urgent had come up, Alexander reached out to accept the message.

“Give it here.”

“Ah, well, the maid from the Hamilton household insisted on personally delivering it to you, Your Grace. She said her name is Kesi, the maid who usually attends to Lady Hamilton.”

Kesi was the petite, delicate maid who was always by Eirin’s side, diligently assisting her.

“Personally?”

“Yes, she strongly emphasized that she must deliver it to you in person.”

This is strange. What could be so important that the message must be delivered directly?

Is there some crucial matter? Or perhaps…

Eirin is always so unpredictable. She might have cooked up some mischief again. Anyway, I’ll see what the message is about.

“Alright, let her in then.”

Soon, Harden brought in the Hamilton household maid, Kesi. As she entered the room, a deep frown creased Alexander’s brow.

What is this now?

The maid who entered was indeed wearing the same clothes as the one he had seen from the Hamilton estate. However, suspiciously, she had her face completely wrapped in a shawl, obscuring her identity. And Kesi had been a petite woman, but this figure had soft, voluptuous curves that the clothing couldn’t hide. The fabric was straining tightly across the chest area.

Alexander’s brow furrowed.

“Harden.”

“Yes.”

Addressing the servant waiting outside, Alexander instructed.

“Step outside for a moment.”

Harden inclined his head.

“I need to have a deep discussion with this maid, Kesi, here.”

“Is there anything you require, Your Grace?”

“We must discuss a very… important matter, so absolutely do not come in. And make sure no one else approaches either.”

At the master’s firm words, Harden bowed.

“Understood, Your Grace.”

“Go now.”

“Yes.”

Watching Harden leave, Alexander rose from his seat. As soon as she had entered, she had been standing quietly by the door like a statue. He approached her step by step.

Pulling down the shawl covering her head, Alexander pulled her close with his other arm.

“How on earth did you get here?”

“Eek!”

At the sudden pull, a small scream escaped her lips.

“Hm? Eirin.”

As the shawl fell to the floor, the face revealed was the very one Alexander had been longing to see – Eirin.

As soon as Stefan had left the estate, Eirin had hatched a plan to flee. It was too late to go outside, but if it was urgent enough, she could send a messenger through the maids. Then a brilliant idea flashed through her mind.

Well, then I can just become a maid, right?

As long as she can get out of the Knightley Estate of the Hamilton household, no one in Alexander’s house would recognize Eirin’s face.