I Choose The Villain Duke

"You were amazing, Lady Miyu," the woman beside her said.

"No, it was because you were my partner. Thank you," Miyu said humbly.

Euphemia came forward from the audience seat still clapping her hands.

"That was amazing, Miyu! This isn't even the real thing yet but you really did a great job! You'll be great at the show. I'm sure of it," Euphemia said.

"Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Mia," Miyu said.

It wasn't the real show yet. This was a dry run to rehearse for the play itself that will be held in the town plaza. Miyu had been busy in practicing for the play and they had lots of practice already but this was the first time that Euphemia had come to watch her. The other members of the play said they could do a dry run for the beginning part of the story. Euphemia had to leave soon for her trip so she could only watch for a short while.

"I have to go now. Luci is waiting for me. Thank you for that marvelous performance. I know you'll do great at the show," Euphemia said.

Miyu thanked her again and bade her goodbye to Euphemia.

"Will the princess accept a flower?"

Miyu turned.

"Glenn!" Miyu said smiling brightly.

Glenn grinned at her and gave her a flower. 

"What is this?" Miyu murmured, receiving the flower. 

The flower didn't look like any flowers she had seen before. It was long like a staff and it looked like it was composed more of glass and ice than petals and leaves. The petals were light blue and when Miyu touched them, she was surprised to find out that they were hard to touch.

"Do you like them?" Glenn asked.

"Yes, it's beautiful! What is this? Is this a glass flower?" Miyu asked while marveling at the strange beauty of it. 

"No, it's made with blue diamonds," Glenn said smiling with his eyes closed.

"What?!" Miyu squeaked.

"It won't die so you don't have to worry about it wilting," Glenn said

"I'm more worried of this getting stolen," Miyu said. 

"They can try but they won't get far," Glenn said.

"Why? Do you have a tracker on these things?" Miyu asked.

"No, I just know things," Glenn said with a mysterious smile.

Miyu rolled her eyes at him.

"It's sturdy too because it's made of diamonds. You can hit anyone with this if someone dares to insult you," Glenn said. 

"Ah I have something to hit you with now!" Miyu said. 

"Oh my. I didn't know you had that kind of hobby," Glenn said.

Miyu glared at him and Glenn laughed. 

"Thank you. It's really pretty," Miyu said. 

"Nothing less for my girl," Glenn said and winked at her. 

Miyu blushed.

"Did you watch my performance?" Miyu asked.

"Of course. You truly looked like a goddess of the moon," Glenn said.

"I hope I don't mess up at the real play. I hate to embarrass Mia for picking me for the role," Miyu said.

Glenn placed his hands on her shoulders and looked at her seriously.

"You're perfect. You have nothing to worry about," Glenn said.

Miyu smiled at him.

"Thank you," Miyu said.

"Is the Moonlight Princess craving for anything?" Glenn asked.

"That ale you ordered before," Miyu said.

Glenn gave her a disapproving look.

"No, anything but that. You'll accuse me of getting you drunk and you'll kiss me again. Wait. That's a good idea. Let's go," Glenn said.

Miyu pinched his arm.

"Ouch!"

"I'm craving for bacon. Do you have that here?" Miyu asked.

"Yes, and I know just the place. They have different kinds of meals with bacon in them," Glenn said.

Miyu's eyes seemed to twinkle.

"Let's go there," Miyu said excitedly.

Glenn chuckled.

"May I hold your hand, my dear Moonlight Princess?" Glenn asked.

Miyu laughed but gave her hand. Glenn smiled in satisfaction as he held her hand.

Miyu quietly gazed at Glenn's handsome face as they walked. She was falling. She knew she was and it made her feel like she was walking on clouds but one wrong step could end up to her end.

Glenn sensed her gaze and turned to look at her. He grinned at her and she looked away blushing.

She knew that she should make it clear with him what their relationship really was. She didn't want to be getting the wrong idea and get hurt again.

*

*

*

Meanwhile, Euphemia had arrived back at the Ashburn Residence . . .

"Euphee," Lucien greeted her.

"Sorry. Did I take too long?" Euphemia asked.

"No, it's still early actually. How was the play?" Lucien asked.

"She was amazing. Miyu is really talented," Euphemia said.

"You have good instincts," Lucien said. "Have you brought everything that you'll need?"

"Yes, I think so. What about you? Have you finished checking your things?" Euphemia asked.

"No. I trust Hans brought everything that I would need," Lucien said

Euphemia gave him a wry smile.

"Hansel is no longer your butler, Luci. He's your business partner. He shouldn't be doing butler things anymore," Euphemia said.

Lucien sighed.

"But he has always taken care of matters for me. I wouldn't know what to do without him. We've been together for years!" Lucien said.

Euphemia rolled her eyes.

"Exactly and now, Hansel needs to take care of his own personal matters. He needs a life, Luci," Euphemia said putting her hand on his shoulder.

"But he has me! He doesn't need to leave," Lucien whined.

"I thought you gave him your support when he told you that he was going to become a noble," Euphemia said.

"Of course, I did but it doesn't mean I want him to leave me," Lucien said.

Euphemia shook her head at him in amusement.

"You sound like a jilted lover. Just let him go and let him be happy with his love life," Euphemia said.

"But I don't have a butler anymore. Who do I order around then?" Lucien asked looking like a sad kid.

"Did anyone call for me?"

Euphemia and Lucien turned.

"Hans!"

"Hansel!"

Hansel grinned at them. He was wearing his usual butler suit.

"Your Grace, you hurt me. Were you going to leave for your trip without me? After all the preparations I made for you. Tsk. Tsk," Hansel said.

"You said you weren't going to be my butler anymore! Wait, have you changed your mind? Are you going to stay with me again?" Lucien asked excitedly.

Euphemia bit her lip to keep herself from laughing. Lucien was now sounding like a clingy lover.

"No, I haven't changed my mind. We agreed to be business partners, didn't we, Your Grace?" Hansel said.

"So why are you here dressed up as my butler?" Lucien asked.

"Because I haven't found a replacement yet. I shall still be your butler until I have found a suitable replacement who will be able to serve you like I have," Hansel said.

Lucien frowned, obviously not liking the idea of having a replacement butler.

"He must at least be at par with your skills. I expect nothing less of your replacement," Lucien said.

"Yes, Your Grace," Hansel said with a bow.

"Luci will miss you but I do wish the best for you, Hansel. I am happy that you and Ruby are doing well together," Euphemia said.

Hansel's features softened at the mention of Rubiella.

"Thank you. I appreciate it, Lady Euphemia," Hansel said.

"Luci, you should congratulate him too," Euphemia said.

Lucien was still sulking but he relented to Euphemia's request.

"Hans, my butler and oldest friend," Lucien began.

"Your only friend, Your Grace," Hansel corrected.

Lucien glared at Hansel.

"Hans, do your best in this path that you've decided to take. Make your lady happy and may you have a happy family with her," Lucien said.

"I wish the same to you too, Your Grace. Just call for me if you need further lessons on . . . a certain subject matter," Hansel said.

"No! I don't need more lessons on that!" Lucien said.

Euphemia blushed, remembering their steamy night. Yup. Lucien didn't need more lessons on that.

"If you say so, Your Grace," Hansel said with a shrug.

Lucien glared at him.

"Hmph. Have you packed already? We are to depart this day," Lucien said.

"Yes, my luggages were the first things loaded in the carriage. I believe yours have not even been loaded yet," Hansel said.

"What?! Why?!" Lucien exclaimed.

"Tsk. Tsk. Your Grace, it seems that you truly are too reliant on me. You haven't even checked if your belongings are the ones inside the carriage. How would you ever survive without me?" Hansel said.

"That's why I need you!" Lucien said.

"No matter. I shall train my replacement so that he can make up for all your shortcomings. You'll be just fine, Your Grace," Hansel said.

Euphemia covered her mouth to keep herself from laughing out loud.

"Hans, get my things before I accidentally burn your hair. Accidentally setting things on fire might be one of my shortcomings," Lucien said.

"I'll be quick, Your Grace. Try not to burn our horses!" Hansel said and dashed off.

Euphemia couldn't hold it in anymore. She laughed out loud while Lucien had an exasperated look on his face.

A few moments later, everything has been loaded in the carriage.

"Euphee?" Lucien said, offering her a hand to get in the carriage.

Euphemia took his hand and smiled.

"Luci," Euphemia said and got in the carriage.

"Your Grace, try not to shake the carriage too much," Hansel said wiggling his eyebrows with a knowing look.

Lucien's ears reddened.

"Let us depart," Lucien said and went inside the carriage.

"As you command, Your Grace," Hansel said.

Hansel was outside the carriage seated at the driver's seat while holding the reigns to beautiful two black horses.

"Ha!" Hansel shouted and spurred the horses.

It was their first ever journey outside Aderlan together. Everything felt right. They had no idea about the darkness that was to come in Aderlan.