Year 3010 of Queen Aurel's Reign
Aurel Kingdom, Capital Outskirts – Manor of the Duke of the FarShore
"Young Master, your breakfast includes a refreshing cup of Kali coffee, cheese and bacon fried eggs, donuts, fresh mushroom soup, and a fruit salad for after-meal."
A familiar voice reached his ears, followed by footsteps moving from his side to the window.
The thick sky-blue curtains were drawn open, golden tassels brushing the floor. Bright and intense sunlight poured onto the person who had opened them.
Dressed in a maid outfit, she had long, pointed ears, seductive and beautiful dark brown skin, and silver-white hair that gleamed under the sunlight.
Ordinarily, her race—the dark elves—feared the sun. But this dark elf maid was an exception.
"Got it…"
Long lashes fluttered as a fierce internal battle raged in his eyes.
Lying in bed, Nayre lazily looked toward the graceful figure by the window, but he still felt drained from staying up late last night.
"Mm\~ah…"
He let out a bored, soft yawn. The very young Duke slowly sat up, the fluffy comforter slipping down his bare white skin, revealing a body clothed in nothing but a soft golden glow.
"Young Master Nayre, please mind your manners."
Wearing a pure black over-knee dress, a white lace apron, and white stockings outlining her long, graceful legs—his personal maid Cassia stepped forward with elegance. Her delicate, alluring features came into focus, her violet eyes mysterious and bewitching. Her long ears twitched slightly, exuding the dark elf's natural charm.
"Tomorrow you'll be returning to Aurel Knight Academy. You can't stay up late researching again, even if you *are* the Duke of the Far Shore and a pioneer of magical technology."
"Oh."
Nayre responded vaguely, his eyes hazy and unaffected.
He didn't even fully open his eyes as he sat at the edge of the bed, watching Cassia lift her slender arms to help him dress, waiting quietly.
Cassia's ears twitched again. Though she kept her expression neutral, she clearly took her role seriously.
She picked up a prepared white shirt, a deep black double-breasted coat, and straight dress pants, then leaned forward to help her young master dress.
Her fingertips brushed his smooth white skin, gliding gently like rare silk from the Eastern kingdoms.
"Sometimes it's just too much trouble…"
His voice, haughty but languid, sounded beside her ear. Cassia slightly raised her head.
A pair of beautiful, cold eyes looked down at her, crimson irises glowing like dew-covered spider lilies.
"There's no one else around. You don't need to be so strict, do you?"
"It's the rules, Young Master."
Cassia answered calmly as she carefully buttoned his shirt, one by one, then smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothing.
"These are the rules I follow as your maid."
"What rules?"
Supporting himself with both hands, Nayre slowly lifted his legs, allowing his maid to handle him as she pleased.
"..."
Cassia said nothing. She knelt on one knee, holding Nayre's delicate, slender foot, her fingers gently rubbing and playing with his round, refined toes—feeling an odd sense of satisfaction.
"I swore an oath when I chose to follow you—my life will be dedicated to your service."
"For how long?"
"Longer than forever!"
This time, unlike her earlier silence, Cassia answered firmly and without hesitation.
"I asked about *you*, not your oath."
Her ears twitched again, and although her head remained bowed, helping him into his shoes, her brown cheeks flushed faintly red.
"A soul-bound oath cannot be broken. I will uphold it for the rest of my life."
Though it sounded like a proper answer, Nayre already knew the truth.
He was just teasing this dark elf who constantly tried to restrain herself in front of him.
The final item of clothing was a pair of dark blue tailored trousers. Cassia gently helped the young noble into them, stopping when she knelt before him.
Nayre calmly stood, thinking it was time to reward his devoted maid.
Cassia's tall, alluring body subtly pressed against him as her hands encircled his waist, carefully smoothing out his clothing.
A slightly rough breath stirred his black hair.
Sometimes, one had to admit—
Dark elves were truly creatures ruled by desire.
A faint smile tugged at Nayre's lips. Though this wasn't the first time, Cassia never dared go too far while he was fully conscious.
"All done?"
That familiar, crisp voice rang in her ear, with a teasing tone.
Cassia paused, finally stopping her hands. Her smooth brown skin began to warm up.
Almost...
She cleared her throat and tried to take a step back—but was gently pulled in by a pair of strong arms, one around her neck, the other around her waist.
"Even if I'd allow it, you shouldn't get carried away."
Nayre looked at her with those clear, familiar eyes, silently and gently gazing at her.
Her heart began to race wildly.
"But you have to take good care of me, because I am…"
"Nayre Farshore! One of the rare male knights in the kingdom ruled by Queen Aurel! A rising noble who developed magical technology a hundred years ago, advancing both the kingdom and its society! A genius who welcomed other races, accepted me as his own maid, engaged in cross-racial trade! And also the inventor of the groundbreaking 'Magical Automaton' technology!"
Cassia ended her flurry of praise with a deep breath, trying to calm her pounding heart.
Almost… almost fell for it again.
She liked him—very much so—but she really wanted to be the one to initiate for once, rather than being drawn in by his teasing little by little.
So… she mustn't fall for it!
Hehe.
Nayre chuckled softly, half-smiling at his dark elf maid.
Teasing a maid pretending to be serious—what fun.
And this was the *second time* already.
Still, what Cassia just said—he really did enjoy hearing it.
After the lively morning, Young Master Nayre finally felt more awake.
The master and his maid began walking down the ornately decorated corridor toward the dining hall for breakfast.
"The Academy, huh… I can't believe I'm going back. I already graduated ages ago."
"Young Master, students at Aurel Knight Academy are allowed up to ten years to graduate. When did you graduate?"
"I entered at 15, graduated early at 16. That's why I'm the Young Master."
Nayre walked alongside his dark elf maid, chatting casually as always.
This was when he was most relaxed and clear-headed—something that made Cassia, who had served him for years, feel at ease too.
Even though her master was always one to indulge in the finest pleasures, she had to admit—she preferred this dependable version of him.
At the window, they paused.
Outside, four knight guards were patrolling. Their armor bore the crest of Queen Aurel.
"They arrived yesterday, offering to serve the Farshore family as honorary knights."
"Hmm… everything's ready, then. Just waiting for me to return to the Academy tomorrow."
One of the four was not a knight, but a tall magical automaton.
It marched in perfect formation, but when it saw its master watching, it stopped and turned to face Nayre inside the window, bowing respectfully with its large, sky-blue magic eyes.
The three knights beside it also noticed, kneeling on one knee in formal greeting.
—Not bad. Those knight girls seemed proper.
Nayre waved a hand casually, signaling them to relax.
He was hungry. First things first—breakfast.