True King's Ecstasy

"Master, they are doing great, you some have to worry about their skills, I will teach them everything they should know," The head maid, who was personally employed by Velian bowed her head and said in a respectful time looking at the mother and daughter in front of them.

"Did you decide? What you are going to do from now on? I won't mind if both of you work as full-time maids," Velian was happy to see them wearing clean clothes.

Akiyo was also there since Velian asked him to join, but he didn't have a happy face, instead, he was a little scared.

"We want to serve Master Velian and Master Akiyo," She still remembered the horrors, she had to go through and steeled her heart to protect her from anything.

The most convenient way for them to do that was by serving under the new royal family and using up ranks.

"Good! You two can leave, I have something I want to discuss with Akiyo,"

"Head maid, you're doing great, I'm glad my choice was right," Velian said to which the middle-aged woman reacted with a smile.

He was really impressed with her ability and skills. Velian found her when he decided to arrest a noble family, and he found out how badly they treated their servants.

It wasn't Velian's idea to employ these people instead, Daphnia was the one, who actually forced Velian to do that and just like she said, none of them ever disappointed Velian.

But now he had something more important in front of him.

As soon as everyone left Velian looked at Akiyo and questioned.

"Do you have something you want to say?" His was so neutral, that Akiyo misunderstood it as his anger.

"W-what? What are you talking about brother?" Akiyo trembled and looked at Velian.

His heart pounded in his chest. He knew the question that was coming, and he dreaded it.

"So," Velian began, his eyes piercing into Akiyo's,

"Tell me about your relationship with my fiancé."

Velian had no idea to beat around the bush, as he questioned Akiyo directly.

Akiyo felt a lump form in his throat. He had to think quickly. He couldn't let Velian misunderstand him, so he quickly looked at him with desperation.

"It's not what you think it is, brother," Akiyo said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I have no idea about her, she's the one who confessed her love to me, Of course, I refused her request," Hearing his words Velian wondered why he didn't know about Julie's fake relationship with him.

"So you don't like her?" Velian wanted to know the truth since he knew, Akiyo might consider Julie as a friend or he was just afraid to admit the truth.

But looking at his body movements and how he averted his eyes, Velian knew this boy was genuine but he want to sacrifice his crush for her brother.

"I d-,"

"Don't lie to me, tell me the truth," Velian said before he could complete the sentence showing he saw through Akiyo's lies.

Velian leaned forward, his eyes narrowing even further.

"I beg to differ," He said.

"If you're lying to me about this, what else are you lying to me about?"

Akiyo felt a wave of panic wash over him.

"I do like her brother, but I don't want to betray you, so I don't mind-"

Velian's eyes widened in surprise and pity, so he got close to Akiyo before he could even complete the sentence.

"I'm disappointed, Akiyo," He said.

"Why are you giving up so easily? Didn't Asumi and my sister both teach you to not give up?" Hearing his words, Akiyo's eyes widened in surprise.

"Besides, I don't know why that woman doesn't tell you about this, but our relationship is a fake one, I just wanted to see if people will believe the former royalty over us," Velian said and went back to his seat.

"You gave up on her just because of me? Akiyo, that's just cowardice," Velian said, his voice laced with disappointment.

Akiyo remained silent, fidgeting with his fingers. He knew that Velian was right, but it still hurt to hear it from him.

"You love her, don't you?" Velian asked, his voice softer this time.

Akiyo nodded slowly, his eyes still cast downwards.

"Then why give up on her so easily? If you truly love her, you should fight for her, not run away like a scared rabbit," Velian said, his tone becoming more sympathetic.

Akiyo finally looked up, his eyes filled with tears.

"I- I just-"

Velian felt really bad for a moment and he decided not to chase this anymore, but he had another thing to do.

"Julie, come in, why are you peeping on us?" Velian easily detected her, but he just wanted to know why this woman decided to keep their relationship a secret.

Akiyo quickly wiped his tears and looked at Julie, who entered the room with an awkward expression.

"How did you-"

"That's not important, tell me, why you decided to not tell him about our fake relationship?" Velian questioned.

"I just wanted to see who he'll choose, and I'm not really surprised by this development," She said with a little sadness in her voice.

Velian smiled, a sense of relief washing over him.

"That's what I want to hear. And who knows? Maybe he'll choose you over me someday," Velian said, his voice full of pride seeing Akiyo not forgetting about his family.

"Julie, I will officially abort our contract, don't worry, your brother won't lose anything," He said and looked at Akiyo.

"I don't know what you two are going to do, but I want to know about your decision once you decided to make one,"

"And Julie, don't do these types of tests on him again,"

Velian said and asked both of them to leave but, Julie looked at Veliam one last time and said something unexpected.

"I'm sorry for thinking of you like a wild man, you're actually kind,"

Leaving those words with Velian both of them left the room and decided to talk properly to clarify their relationship.