I Choose The Villain Duke

Euphemia told Lucien all about plays in her world. They would need to recruit a lot of people and it would be a lot of work but Euphemia looked so excited, Lucien wanted to support her.

"So, what do you need first, Lady Euphee?" Lucien asked.

"Hmm . . . a story. I think the first play needs to be written by someone from Aderlan so more people can relate to it. I would have to look for a writer," Euphemia said.

"I can take you to the library," Lucien said and got up.

"No, it's fine. I'm gonna ask around instead. I just want someone who's good at writing stories, not necessarily someone who has his books already in the library. I'll go now. Bye!"

Euphemia left and Lucien was left alone with Hansel. Lucien was dumbfounded.

"Stop it. I know you're not laughing, Hansel," Lucien said with a glare.

"Pft! No, Your Grace, I would never laugh at you," Hansel said, obviously holding his laughter.

Lucien rolled his eyes at his personal aide.

"I'm not really sure how to help her," Lucien said.

"Did she mention where she's going to hold the play?" Hansel asked.

"I think she has not mentioned that yet. Good thinking! Let's see where we can set up the venue of her play before she beats us to that," Lucien said excitedly.

*

*

*

Euphemia decided to ask the maids if they had favorite stories or books they liked to read. Unfortunately, several of them did not even know how to read. It made Euphemia sad. The education system in Aderlan favored only the nobles and even noble women could read only a little.

"If I may, Lady Euphemia, I know someone who has written good stories," Helen, the head maid said.

"Have you read them? What are they about?" Euphemia asked.

"I am also unable to read so he would just tell us the stories he had written out loud. The writer is my childhood friend from a fallen noble family. The stories are mostly about forbidden romance with the nobility and the commoners. Sadly, no one published his stories. The nobles do not want to be portrayed as evil or in love with a commoner so they bribed all the publishers to not accept his manuscripts," Helen said.

Euphemia frowned. That was so unfair of them to crush the writer's dreams just because they wanted to preserve their reputation. It reminded her of the rich families she had been acquainted with in her original world.

"Do you know where he is, Helen?" Euphemia asked.

"Yes, Lady Euphemia. If he still lives there, we can try to talk to him. I am just not sure if he will accept your officer. He hates nobles with a passion," Helen said worriedly.

Euphemia smiled. "It will be fine. I'm not a noble. I'm the Saintess from another world."

*

*

*

Euphemia and Helen went to a poor side of the kingdom. The houses were all rundown. Several of the people were just sitting on the streets too exhausted to move out of hunger. Euphemia wanted to help them but she had not brought enough coins with her. She promised to herself that she would help them one day.

Helen led Euphemia to an old small house.

"He lives here," Helen said.

Euphemia nodded and knocked on the door. There was no answer. Euphemia knocked again several times but there was still no answer.

"Are you truly close to him?" Euphemia asked Helen.

"When we were children, yes. When I became a maid, I only heard how he's been doing from my other friends," Helen said.

"Then let's hope, he'll forgive us," Euphemia said with a smile and kicked the door.

THUD!

The door did not open. Euphemia kicked it again with greater force.

THUD!!

The door gave away, the hinges were damaged from the force.

"Oh my!" Helen exclaimed.

The house was dark inside but Euphemia could see that there were bottles of wine on the floor, and lots and lots of papers. The manuscripts perhaps.

"Who are you?" A gruff voice came from the darkness.

"It's Helen. I've brought the Holy Saintess with me, Fred. She wanted to meet you," Helen said.

Euphemia noticed that Helen who usually looked emotionless actually looked concerned towards the writer.

The writer came forward. He had dark circles around his eyes, thick beard, and messy blonde hair. The writer glared at them.

"What does the Holy Saintess want with me?" Fred said with disdain.

"I wanted to read your stories. Helen told me you've written good stories. If I like your stories, I will make them into a play and everyone will be able to watch your stories come to life. Even those who cannot read will be able to read your stories," Euphemia said.

Fred glared at her."You must be a trap set by the nobles. I'm not falling for your trap! You're going to execute me!"

"Fred, she's telling the truth! You should listen to her!" Helen said.

Fred smirked at her. "You didn't even go back to this hellhole ever since you became a maid to that Demon Duke. I think you're just like them."

"I shall not allow you to call my fiancé the Demon Duke. If you are to work for me, you will have to respect us. I am offering you a chance, Fred. Let me read your stories and perhaps your stories will finally be known by the people. If you don't take my offer, you'll just die here in this hellhole, your stories buried forever," Euphemia said.

The writer stared at her intensely for a while then turned his back. Euphemia sighed and went towards the broken door. She would have to find someone else.

"Here. Take these," the writer said.

Euphemia looked back. The writer was holding several papers in his hand.

"These are my best ones. I hope you'll like them, Holy Saintess," Fred said.

Euphemia smiled. "I will let you know."

*

*

*

Euphemia was on a reading frenzy that night. She stayed up to read the several manuscripts given to her. They were really good. The stories were filled with moments of laughter, love, and heartbreak.

There was a knock on the door. Euphemia looked at the door in a daze. What time was it already? She had not slept yet.

"Lady Euphee, the maids have told me that you have not slept yet." It was Lucien's voice.

"Come in," Euphemia said.

Lucien went in. He was wearing silk black pajamas. He went towards her bedside. His eyes went to the papers strewn across Euphemia's bed then to Euphemia who was wearing a nightdress.

"It's past midnight, Lady Euphee," Lucien said gently.

"Sorry. I couldn't stop myself from reading," Euphemia said.

"You can continue reading them tomorrow," Lucien said with a wry smile.

"But I'm almost finished! Ah! I can show you the ones I've already read. Tell me if you like them," Euphemia said excitedly and picked up some of the papers on her bed.

"Lie down. We can read them together," Euphemia said, motioning Lucien to lie down beside her on the bed.

"N-no, I can't! It would be improper. Also, it truly is late already. You should be sleeping, Lady Euphee," Lucien said.

Euphemia chuckled and suddenly pulled Lucien's arm. Lucien's head landed softly on Euphemia's pillow.

"If you don't stay with me, I'll continue on reading until morning. Stay with me for a while and tell me what you think of the stories," Euphemia said.

Lucien could not think of anything else except Euphemia being beside him on the bed. Her body was so close to his. He could smell roses from her hair. It must be the roses from her bath.

Euphemia raised her hand holding the papers in front of their faces while she chatted excitedly what the manuscripts were about. Lucien tried to make some comments about them but he was much too distracted. She was so close to him. If he rolled to his side facing her, he would be able to hug her tight.

An hour later, Euphemia was drained of energy and she eventually fell asleep. Her hand was still holding some papers, her arm on Lucien's chest, her head on Lucien's chest.

He wasn't sure how Euphemia went to that position but she fell asleep comfortably on his chest.

Lucien could not get out of her bed without waking her up.

He wasn't sure if he even wanted to get out of her bed.