The Royal Deal

ould ask the same of you,” he countered.

“Taking a walk,” she said.

“At this hour?”

“Unfortunately, yes.” Amethyst sighed.
“I can’t seem to fall asleep.
I was just walking around and saw that the lights in here were still on.”

“Well, I’m…” The duke gestured to the documents on his desk.
“As you can see.”

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As Alexcent replied curtly, Amethyst turned to look around at his surroundings.
Every inch of the surface of his desk was covered in documents.

“People might think you are the only working member of the empire.”

“Precisely.”

‘Pfft.
Seriously this guy.
Wouldn’t know sarcasm if it bit him in the face.’

Looking around, she realized that before she intruded, Alexcent must have been really busy; he picked up a pen and resumed working on his document, writing something intently.

Scribble.
Scribble.

She found the sound of pen against paper strangely soothing.

“I won’t disturb you, I promise.
Can I stay here for a little while?”

Alexcent looked up at her blankly not saying anything at all.

“I just can’t fall asleep.
It’s quiet in there…and weirdly enough, I find the sound of you writing so comforting.
Please.”

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“What do you-? Oh, Alright.
Do as you please.” He sighed and gave in eventually.
Amethyst, eagerly took her place on the sofa opposite him.

In the silence, only the sound of his pen could be heard as he scribbled and occasionally crossed something out.
After quietly listening to it for some time, Amethyst was reminded of something that she wanted desperately to share with him, even at the risk of breaking her promise to not disturb him.

“It’s like Cinderella.”

“Cin…what?” Alexcent’s hand did not stop, nor did he look up at her, but he still replied.

‘Yes, Cinderella.
Who was fatigued both in body and mind for 11 years.

Perhaps it was with the help of a fairy or god she fell into this world, was coincidentally invited to the royal wedding, met a duke and got married to him—a contract marriage.’

“Mmm…It’s a book that I read when I was young.
About a young girl, who lived in suffering for a long time but eventually with the help of a fairy godmother, she manages to go to a Royal ball, where she meets a handsome duke who falls in love with her at first sight.
Even as the ball comes to an end, the duke, unable to forget the beautiful Cinderella, turns the entire village upside down in search of her, and eventually finds her and marries her.
A typical fairy tale, isn’t it?”

“So… let me get this straight.
You are referring to yourself as that Cinderella?” he asked rather quizzically, raising an eyebrow but not looking up from the documents.

“Well, don’t you think this is a similar situation?”

“Absolutely not.” He declared firmly, finally looking up at her.