Chapter 12: The Princess’s Guard Maid
THINGS had gotten much more hectic since I started my third year at the academy, mostly due to an increase in military assignments
The classroom was dead silent as we were presented with yet another painful task. Awkwardly, everyone’s eyes were on me. We were to choose someone to act as Princess Marlena’s bodyguard on her tour of inspection. Ever since her societal debut, Marlena had proactively involved herself in official matters. She had never been on a royal tour before, however, and it turned out that her security detail was lacking.
“Bern.”
“Definitely Bern.”
A couple of classmates volunteered my name, and Stern and Felzen immediately disagreed:
“I object.”
“So do I.”
Such moments made me realize the true value of friendship.
“I mean, look at his elegant mannerisms,” someone said, undeterred.
“Or his slender physique.”
“Or his lack of facial hair.”
“You just don’t want to wear the maid uniform, do you?”
They ducked their heads, smirking. Yep, it wasn’t just any escort mission, it was an escort mission dressed as a maidservant. Usually, students fought tooth and nail for every assignment—not the one currently up for grabs though. They were desperate to foist it on someone else. Sure, just make me take the fall! Problem solved!
“I’m sure it’ll suit you, Bern!”
“I’d die to see you in a maid outfit!”
“No!” I cried. “I don’t want to wear it either! Who’s ever heard of a five-seven maid? No one!”
“Five-foot-seven? That’s like your average female actress! What’s not to love?”
“Do I look like ‘your average female actress’ to you?!”
“Hey, relax. I’m sure you’ll look positively stunning.”
“Then why are you laughing!”
“Okay, if we’re being serious for a moment, you’re the only one we can trust to keep their cool around Princess Marlena.”
“Yeah, exactly. We’d get all nervous around her, start sniffing her perfume.”
“She’s just too cute for her own good.”
“What if we got to be in a room together, all alone?”
“And got to see her tightening her c-c-corset?”
The sight of them drooling at the mouth made me think that maybe I was better suited for the job after all.
Stern—Marlena’s brother—cleared his throat. His gaze met those of the other students, and the room fell into awkward silence.
“I suggest we pass the assignment on to one of Eisberk’s female cavalry soldiers,” I proposed.
“Seconded! They’re the coolest!”
Hearing a classmate voice their enthusiastic support filled me with joy. And yet, it appeared fate had other plans for me.
“Denied. We were given the assignment, not Eisberk’s Cavalry Brigade,” said our instructor, swiftly shooting down my proposal. It didn’t help that the all-women squadron, being newly established, lacked reliable experience. “Taking everything into account, I believe Bernstein’s the man for the job. Princess Marlena also listed you as her top pick,” he continued.
“I see. If only we had a female knights order here in the royal capital,” I replied in defeat.
Stern heaved a sigh. “I think it’s about time we seriously consider establishing one,” he admitted, and my heart leaped.
I wouldn’t have to live a lie anymore, I thought.
In the end, I was picked for the job. I put on the long black dress and tied a white, frilly apron around it. I pulled my hair into a bun, topping it off with a mobcap. I look like a palace maid. I had a real maidservant do my makeup. I stuffed a few precautionary anti-magic implements into the skirt. When I reappeared before the class, everyone was speechless.
“Laugh! Come on!” I barked.
“I…uh…”
Don’t look away all bashful like!
“This is… Wow.”
“He’s cute. Beautiful even.”
“K-Knock it off!” I felt like exploding. Think of all the maids you’re spitting on when you call me that!
“No, really. You’re cute as hell!”
“Cute? No—pretty.”
“I want to be punished! Slap me.”
“I’d go gay for you.”
The sound of a fist banging onto a desk shook the room. I looked over to see that Felzen had stood, flames rising from his back. “We had our fun yet?” he growled.
Felzen, who rarely ever lost his composure, had completely snapped over what was obviously some light fun. Even I was frightened, and that was despite knowing his anger was out of concern for my safety.
“Y-Yes,” mumbled the other students.
Silence descended once more.
“This…this is why I objected,” Stern muttered. He wasn’t pleased either.
A dark cloud hung over the room, and it was because of me. I had to do something. “No need to comfort me out of pity, friends, but if you think you’ve got what it takes to knock me off my feet, you’re more than welcome to try!” I jested, settling into a fighting stance.
Everyone began to laugh.
“Some things never change.”
“Who’d want a woman like that?”
“Knock you off your feet? You, Bern the bear slayer? Never in a million years.”
I was relieved that the mood had lightened yet felt a sting in my chest. “There, you had your fun. Now I’m going to get dressed.”
I ran out of the classroom. Once outside, I clenched my fist. I’d done what I had to, so why did I feel sad, empty, humiliated?
As I took a long, deep breath, Felzen jogged up from behind and put his arm around me. His warm hands melted my frosty heart. “Sorry for earlier. I didn’t mean for things to turn out that way,” he murmured.
His words made me feel a bit better. “I’m such a burden, huh?”
“You’re no burden. I’ll do whatever it takes because I want us to graduate together.”
“Thanks.”
“I also—er, forget it.”
“Out with it,” I demanded.
“I also think you look cute…in the maid outfit.”
“Sorry?”
“The way they seriously seemed to be into you set something off inside me. Sorry.” Felzen looked away, his face reddening. His reaction caught me by surprise, and I flushed in tandem.
How…unlike him. “I, uh, is this where I say thanks?”
“No need. Our relationship means more than that.”
“O-Okay then?”
“I have to say though, the outfit goes perfectly with your modestly sized chest.”
“Why you!” I decked him in the nose, shaking off his arm.
“Ouch! That was a compliment!”
“Back off, boob guy!”
“Hey! I’m into asses too, you know!
“Back. Off.” I upped my pace. Felzen followed closely behind, attempting to placate me. The silly exchange brought a smile to my face, the tension in my shoulders easing. Everything’s fine.
Felzen caught the changing room door as I tried to close it. Confused, I glanced up at his face, a set of serious, fiery red eyes staring back at me. “Don’t let their words get to you. You’re beautiful inside and out, never forget that,” he said, releasing the door.
Shocked, I sat down. Now I see. My eyes watered. Their comments, they…hurt. I made a laughingstock out of my woman self, and hearing their laughs hurt. Felzen saw right through me. He was tending to the wounds I didn’t even know I had.
“Since when are you so considerate,” I whispered. His kindness overwhelmed me. I realized then exactly why Felzen was so popular with the ladies. His compassion made me feel happy and simultaneously pathetic for needing it.