Chapter 45 A Ladys Private Interest
A heavy sigh escaped Esmeralda's lips as she collapsed backward onto her bed. The room that was filled earlier, is now almost empty.
It was just Belle and herself that was left.
"...I'm bored."
The words echoed dramatically against the walls of her room, as though the very air sympathized with her suffering.
Beside her, Belle stood with her usual composed posture, hands folded neatly in front of her apron.
"My lady has said that five times in the past ten minutes."
Esmeralda turned her head slightly, her cheek squished against the soft mattress.
"...Make that six."
Belle blinked.
"Belle—"
"What do maids even do during their free time?"
The question came so suddenly that Belle paused, clearly caught off guard.
"...Free time, my lady?"
"Yes. When you're not hovering over me like a very elegant shadow."
Belle lowered her gaze, thinking carefully.
"Some... rest. Some converse with the other staff."
"...That sounds boring."
"...Some read."
That caught Esmeralda's attention.
She slowly pushed herself up, her silver hair cascading over her shoulders as her eyes narrowed with interest.
"...Read what?"
Belle hesitated.
That alone made Esmeralda suspicious.
"...Belle."
"...Romance novels, my lady."
"...Romance?" Esmeralda repeated, tilting her head. Even in the life before this one, she had always been a fan of reading romance novels.
"Yes, my lady. There is one in particular that is... quite popular among the ladies."
That tone.
That very careful tone.
Esmeralda's curiosity sharpened instantly.
"...Bring it to me."
Not long after, Esmeralda found herself alone in her room.
The curtains were drawn just enough to let soft sunlight spill across her bed. A tray of untouched tea sat by the window.
And beside her—
A neat stack of books.
At the very top lay an innocent-looking volume.
Esmeralda stared at it.
"...Why does this feel suspicious?"
Still, she opened it and immediately froze.
Her eyes scanned the page.
Then widened.
Then widened further.
Her ears turned red in an instant.
His hand slid down her waist—
Esmeralda slammed the book shut.
Silence.
...T-This is the kind of book that's too embarrassing to buy in a public bookstore—
She stared at the cover again.
Slowly—very slowly—she opened it again.
Her eyes moved faster this time.
Her expression shifted from shock... to disbelief... to something dangerously close to fascination.
"...I-Is that even possible?!"
She buried half her face into her pillow, her shoulders trembling—not from distress, but from the sheer absurdity of it all.
Calm down, self... This is just educational, she told herself firmly.
A few pages later—
"...Oh."
Another page—
"...Oh?!"
She flipped faster.
Her feet kicked lightly against the mattress.
Her face was now fully flushed.
So this is what noble ladies secretly read...
Why is this... kind of good...?
Esmeralda froze.
Her head snapped toward the door.
Panic struck instantly.
The book nearly flew out of her hands as she scrambled, shoving it under the biology cover and stacking it neatly among the others.
"Y-Yes?!"
Belle's voice came from the other side.
"My lady, His Highness, the Crown Prince, requests an audience."
Esmeralda's soul left her body.
Why now?!
"Tell him I cannot grant him an audience as I am asleep."
"I can hear you, Esme." Rael said with a firm voice.
Silence.
Then—
"...Let him in," she resigned then managed, smoothing her hair, composing her expression—failing only slightly.
The door opened.
Rael stepped inside.
As always, he carried himself with quiet authority. Composed. Untouchable.
But his gaze—just for a moment—lingered.
Taking her in.
Her posture.
Her expression.
The faint flush on her cheeks.
"...How are you feeling?"
The question was simple.
Too simple.
Esmeralda blinked.
"...Perfectly fine, Your Highness."
Rael studied her for a brief second longer.
"...I see."
His voice was calm, but there was something careful beneath it.
His gaze shifted—
To the bed.
To the books.
To the one resting closest to her.
"...I see that you are studying?"
Esmeralda nearly choked.
"Y-Yes!" she answered far too quickly. "Of course! Very... enlightening, really. Who knew human anatomy could be soo..."
she gulped, "..interesting."
She smiled.
Too wide.
Too stiff.
Rael raised a brow slightly, though his expression remained composed.
"...How diligent of you."
Esmeralda felt sweat form at the back of her neck.
If I survive this, I'm burning that book.
There was a brief pause.
A quiet one.
Rael's expression softened—just slightly.
"...You seem well... I'm glad."
The words were simple, but they lingered.
For a moment, it almost felt like he wanted to say more.
But he didn't.
Instead, he turned.
"...I will take my leave."
"Let me escort you out—"
Esmeralda quickly stood, determined to at least escort him out properly.
And that—
Was her mistake.
The moment she rose—
The book slipped.
Fell.
Hit the floor.
Flipped.
And revealed—
Its true cover.
Complete silence.
Utter.
Silence.
Esmeralda stared at it.
Then slowly—
Very slowly—
She looked away.
"...Ahaha... how did that get there—" she pretended to be oblivious.
Rael had gone still.
Not dramatically.
Not obviously.
Just—
Still.
For a fraction of a second.
His gaze dropped to the book.
Then back to her.
His expression remained perfectly composed.
Unmoved.
Unreadable.
But internally—
Everything had stopped working.
He bent slightly, picking up the book.
A pause.
Then he placed it back on the bed.
Carefully.
Gently.
As if it were something... precious.
"No need to see me out, my lady."
His tone was calm.
Measured.
"You seem to be already quite busy." he added.
Then, just as he turned—
"...I hope you enjoy your... alone time."
And he walked out.
The door closed.
Silence filled the room once more.
Esmeralda stood there.
Frozen.
Processing.
Then—
"IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!!!"
Her voice echoed through the entire estate.
Far too late.
A/N: Just had to insert this chapter. ??