Rem's return to her life with Subaru was meant to bring solace, a return to the warmth of their shared dreams. But as Julius's leg healed, he made an unexpected request that shattered her fragile sense of peace. "Rem," he said, his voice smooth yet commanding, "join me in the bath again." A wave of discomfort surged through her, her skin prickling with dread. She hated him—his arrogance, his presumption—but her role as his maid bound her to comply. With a tight nod, she agreed, her heart heavy with resentment.
In the bath chamber, the air was thick with lavender-scented steam, the marble tub gleaming under soft light. Rem's mind churned with memories of their last encounter, Julius's hungry gaze on her naked form fueling her anger. She clutched a towel tightly around her body as she undressed, determined to shield herself from his scrutiny. Her slender frame was barely concealed, the towel clinging to her curves—her full breasts with their small, pink nipples, her smooth, shaved skin below, prepared for Subaru but now exposed to this man she despised. She stepped into the tub, keeping the towel wrapped snugly, her movements cautious to avoid his touch.
"Julius-sama, Rem will assist you," she said, her voice soft but strained, forcing a smile to mask her loathing. She focused on her task, lathering a sponge to wash his muscular frame, her hands moving swiftly over his scarred chest and shoulders. But Julius's eyes roamed her, his admiration blatant, his length stirring in the water. "You're as captivating as ever," he murmured, his tone laced with desire, making her blood boil. She hated how he objectified her, reducing her to a spectacle for his pleasure.
Determined to maintain control, Rem kept the towel firmly in place, dodging his attempts to take the sponge. "Rem can manage, Julius-sama," she insisted, leaning forward to wash his arm, her body shifting awkwardly to keep her distance. In her effort to balance the towel and her task, her leg slipped, landing firmly between his thighs. The sudden contact pressed her pussy against his muscular thigh, the heat of his skin searing through the thin barrier of water. Her breath hitched, her cheeks flushing scarlet as she froze, mortified by the intimacy.
Julius's hands moved to her waist, his grip steady but possessive. "Are you alright, Rem?" he asked, his voice low, concern masking a deeper intent. His fingers tightened, one hand sliding lower to rest on the curve of her ass, the towel slipping just enough to expose one breast, its cute nipple hardening in the humid air.
"Rem is fine," she stammered, her voice trembling as she tried to pull away, but his hold kept her in place, the towel barely covering her now. She resumed washing him, her movements jerky, each motion causing her pussy to rub against his thigh, sending unwanted jolts of sensation through her. She hated it—hated him—but the friction was undeniable, her body betraying her with a heat she fought to suppress. Julius's grip ensured she didn't slip, but it also kept her towel precariously loose, her breast fully exposed now, the soap suds glistening on her skin.
"Wash my hair as well," Julius said, his tone casual but his eyes dark with intent, his hand still on her ass, fingers brushing possessively. Rem bit her lip, her anger flaring as she reached for the shampoo, her body forced to lean closer. The towel slipped further, her curves swaying with each careful movement, her pussy still pressed against his thigh, rubbing with every shift. Julius subtly guided her hips, encouraging the motion when she hesitated, his arousal evident in the tightening of his grip.
Rem's heart burned with fury and shame, her mind screaming to escape this violation of her boundaries. She focused on the task, lathering his purple hair, her fingers working quickly to finish. She made a silent vow: she would assert her limits, find a way to protect herself without risking the stability she and Subaru needed. Her love for Subaru was her anchor, and no matter how Julius tested her, she would not let him define her worth.
The steam in the bath chamber hung heavy, wrapping Rem and Julius in a suffocating haze. Rem's heart pounded with resentment, her hatred for the arrogant knight burning hotter with each moment she was forced to endure his presence. The towel clung precariously to her curves, barely covering her full breasts and the smooth, shaved skin below, as she leaned over to wash his hair. Her body moved with cautious precision, her slender arms reaching for the shampoo, but every motion rubbed her pussy against his thigh, the unwanted friction sending sparks of heat she despised herself for feeling.
Julius's hands, already resting possessively on her waist, tightened suddenly, his fingers digging into the soft curve of her ass. The grip was firm, commanding, pulling her down to keep her close. "Let me make this easier," he murmured, lowering his head for her to wash, his voice smooth but laced with intent. Rem's breath caught, her cheeks flaming as she tried to focus on lathering his purple hair, her fingers trembling with anger. She hated his touch, the way it violated her boundaries, yet her role as his maid trapped her in this moment.
As she worked, Julius's hand slid from her waist, where it had been holding the towel, and joined the other on her ass, squeezing with deliberate force. He pulled her closer, her body pressing against his in the warm water. The sudden movement caused her to feel his hardened dick against her leg, its pulsing heat unmistakable through the thin barrier of water. Her heart raced, fury and shame colliding as the towel slipped further, fully exposing her breasts. The soap suds glistened on her skin, her small, pink nipples hardening in the humid air, and Julius's face, now level with her chest, had an unobstructed view of her tits, his eyes darkening with unabashed desire.
"Julius-sama," Rem said, her voice strained but clinging to her practiced deference, "Rem is only here to assist with your bath." She tried to shift away, to reclaim some distance, but his grip on her ass held her firmly, the pressure forcing her pussy to grind against his thigh with every slight movement. The sensation was maddening, a betrayal of her body that fueled her hatred for him and her guilt toward Subaru.
Julius's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile, his gaze lingering on her exposed breasts. "You're doing wonderfully, Rem," he said, his tone dripping with a mix of appreciation and provocation, his hands kneading her ass as if testing her limits. The towel was barely a formality now, clinging to her hips but leaving her upper body bare, her curves swaying vulnerably with each motion as she scrubbed his hair.
Rem bit her lip, her fingers working faster to finish the task, her mind screaming to escape this violation. She hated him ,his entitlement, the way he reveled in her discomfort. Yet, the heat of his body, the pressure of his hands, and the friction against her skin stirred a chaotic mix of sensations she fought to suppress. Her love for Subaru was her anchor, and she clung to it.
s Rem scrubbed Julius's purple hair, her fingers trembling with barely contained fury. She hated him—his arrogance, the way his hands gripped her ass with possessive force, pulling her closer until her pussy pressed firmly against his thigh, each movement sending unwanted jolts of heat through her body. The towel, barely clinging to her hips, had slipped entirely from her chest, leaving her full breasts exposed, their small, pink nipples glistening with soap suds under his hungry gaze. His hardened dick pressed against her leg, a constant reminder of his desire, and though her body betrayed her with a forbidden warmth, her heart burned with loyalty to Subaru.
"Julius-sama," Rem said, her voice soft but edged with resolve, "Rem has finished." She straightened, determined to escape the suffocating intimacy. Her hands moved swiftly, grasping his wrists to pry his fingers from her ass. His grip was strong, but she tugged firmly, her slender arms tensing as she broke his hold, her curves shifting with the effort. As she stood, the water cascaded off her body, revealing the smooth, shaved skin of her pussy to Julius's gaze for a fleeting moment. His eyes darkened, his arousal evident in the way his length twitched beneath the water, his breath catching at the sight.
Rem's cheeks flushed scarlet, a mix of shame and unwanted heat coursing through her. She was horny—her body responding against her will, the friction of his thigh and the intensity of the moment igniting a fire she despised. But Subaru's face flashed in her mind, his loving smile her anchor, and she shoved the feeling down, refusing to acknowledge it. With a quick motion, she grabbed the towel, wrapping it tightly around her body to cover her glistening breasts and the vulnerable skin below, her movements graceful but hurried.
"Rem apologizes, Julius-sama," she said, her voice polite yet firm, maintaining the facade of a dutiful maid. "She will step out to prepare your clothes and return to assist you from the bath." She stepped back, her long legs trembling slightly as she moved out of the tub, her hips swaying unintentionally as she turned.
"Rem," Julius called after her, his voice low and laced with desire, his eyes still fixed on the memory of her exposed body. But she pretended not to hear, her heart pounding as she exited the chamber, the towel clutched tightly against her curves.
Rem found herself ensnared in a relentless routine, the steamy bath chamber becoming a prison of her own making. What began as a singular obligation to assist Julius with his bath had morphed into a recurring demand, woven into her duties as his personal maid. Each time she stepped into the warm, lavender-scented water, her heart churned with self-loathing. She cursed her failure to establish firm boundaries, allowing this invasive intimacy to fester. Her resentment for Julius, with his commanding presence and unrelenting gaze, burned fiercely, yet a deeper, more troubling conflict gnawed at her soul.
As she bathed him, her slender hands moving the sponge over his scarred, muscular frame, Rem couldn't ignore the stirrings within her. Julius's murmured compliments—praises of her graceful curves, her full breasts with their delicate pink nipples, the smooth expanse of her shaved skin—began to spark a forbidden warmth in her chest. A shameful thrill flickered through her, and she despised herself for it. Her loyalty to Subaru, the man whose love anchored her, should have been an impenetrable shield, yet these treacherous feelings crept in, blurring the line between duty and desire.
Guilt consumed her, a heavy weight that pressed against her heart. She blamed her own frailty, her inability to quell the heat that Julius's words ignited. It wasn't his fault, she told herself—his advances were bold, but it was her weakness that allowed them to take root. Her role demanded she serve him, tend to his needs during his recovery, but the boundaries had dissolved, leaving her adrift in a sea of conflicting emotions. Each bath, each moment of closeness, deepened her turmoil, her body responding against her will while her mind screamed for Subaru.
As days bled into weeks, Rem's inner conflict grew unbearable. She longed for the solace of her life with Subaru—the quiet evenings, his warm smile, their shared dreams of a better future. Yet, the undeniable pull toward Julius, the connection forged in these intimate moments, tore at her resolve. It was a bitter truth, one that carved a hollow ache in her chest. She had sacrificed so much for Subaru, for their stability, but at what cost to her own heart?
In the quiet of one sleepless night, clarity pierced through her despair. She could no longer endure this cycle, this violation of her spirit. She would reclaim her agency, set unyielding boundaries, and end the baths with Julius. The decision was daunting, fraught with the risk of jeopardling his anger or jeopardling her precarious position, but her well-being and her love for Subaru demanded it. She would not let her weaknesses define her.
Rem's day unraveled into a storm of frustration, her nerves frayed by the weight of her unspoken struggles. As she moved through the Juukulius mansion, her heart heavy with resentment for Julius and guilt over her conflicted feelings, Joshua, the head butler, caught her in a quiet hallway. His sharp eyes gleamed with a knowing glint, sensing her vulnerability. "Enjoying your time in the bath with Master Julius, Rem?" he teased, his voice low and laced with mischief. "It must be quite the honor to serve him so... closely."
The words struck like a blade, igniting a spark of fury within her. Her usual composure cracked, and she whirled on him, her blue eyes blazing. "Enough, Joshua-sama!" she snapped, her voice sharp but trembling with barely contained rage. "Rem's duties are not for your amusement!" Her outburst echoed faintly in the polished corridor, and Joshua raised his hands in mock surrender, a smirk lingering as he retreated.
But the encounter was only the beginning of her torment. Later, as Rem cleaned the dining hall alongside the other maids, their whispers turned cruel. "Look at her, so devoted to Master Julius," one murmured, her tone dripping with insinuation. "Bet she's already carrying his child," another giggled, casting a sly glance at Rem's slender frame. The words cut deep, stoking the embers of her anger into a roaring flame. She slammed down the cloth she was using, her voice low and venomous. "Go to hell with your rumors!" she spat, her face flushed with indignation. The maids fell silent, their eyes wide, but the sting of their words lingered, burrowing into her already troubled heart.
Despite her fury, Rem forced herself to maintain her professionalism, moving through her tasks with mechanical precision. She polished silverware, arranged linens, and prepared Julius's evening tea, her hands steady even as her mind churned. The teasing remarks, the butler's taunt, the relentless cycle of baths with Julius—it all fueled a maelstrom of resentment and confusion. She hated Julius for his arrogance, for the way his presence stirred feelings she couldn't control. Worse, she hated herself for letting those feelings take root, for allowing her loyalty to Subaru to waver even slightly.
The rumors, though baseless, gnawed at her, amplifying her guilt. She imagined Subaru's face, his trusting smile, and the thought of betraying him—even in thought—twisted her insides. Yet, the memory of Julius's admiring gaze, the forbidden warmth it sparked, refused to fade. Her heart was a battlefield, torn between duty, love, and the unsettling pull of her own desires.
As she worked, Rem resolved to reclaim control. She would confront Julius, end the baths, and silence the whispers that threatened to unravel her.
Rem's heart pounded as she approached Julius's study, her resolve steeled to confront him about the intolerable cycle of baths and assert her boundaries. The mansion's opulent halls felt suffocating, each step amplifying her resentment for the knight whose arrogance had pushed her to this edge. She knocked softly, her voice steady as she announced herself. "Julius-sama, Rem requests a moment to speak."
Julius looked up from his desk, his purple hair catching the lamplight, his eyes sharp yet curious. "Of course, Rem," he said, his tone smooth, but before she could speak, he raised a hand. "Actually, I have something to ask first." His voice lowered, carrying a weight that made her stomach twist. "Would you... be willing to assist me more intimately? Perhaps... a handjob?"
Shock surged through Rem, her breath catching as disbelief and fury collided in her chest. Her blue eyes widened, then narrowed, her voice cutting through the air with a firm, unwavering "No." Her hands clenched at her sides, her body trembling with anger. How could he dare to ask such a thing? The audacity of his request felt like a betrayal of her role, a violation of the trust she'd fought to maintain despite her hatred for him.
Julius's expression faltered, his confidence giving way to regret as he registered her reaction. "Rem, I'm sorry," he said quickly, his voice softer, tinged with shame. "I misread your actions. I thought... perhaps you felt something for me. It was a grave mistake, and I apologize for making you uncomfortable."
Rem took a deep breath, her anger simmering but tempered by his sincerity. She saw the flicker of remorse in his eyes, and it gave her pause. Part of her rage turned inward—she hadn't been clear enough, hadn't drawn the line firmly from the start. The baths, her silence, her forced compliance had blurred the boundaries, allowing this moment to happen. But now, clarity burned within her, and she would not let it slip away.
"Julius-sama," she said, her voice calm but resolute, her posture straight as she met his gaze. "Rem is your maid, tasked with serving your household needs, not engaging in intimate acts. My duty is to maintain professionalism, and I ask that you respect my boundaries henceforth."
Julius nodded, his expression earnest. "I understand, Rem, and I'm grateful for your candor. I assure you, I'll honor your boundaries moving forward. My actions were inappropriate, and I deeply regret any distress I've caused."
Relief washed over Rem, mingling with a renewed sense of determination. She had faced this challenge head-on, confronting not only Julius but her own role in the confusion. The weight of her silence, the guilt over her conflicted feelings, began to lift. She knew now that she must be unwavering, setting clear limits to protect her dignity and her heart, which belonged wholly to Subaru.
As she left the study, Rem felt a spark of empowerment ignite within her. This confrontation was a turning point, a step toward reclaiming her autonomy.
The grand dining hall of the Juukulius mansion buzzed with the clink of glasses and murmurs of nobles, their opulent attire gleaming under the chandeliers. Rem stood beside Julius, her maid's uniform crisp but her heart pounding like a war drum, uncertain of what his sudden call for attention might bring. When Julius raised a hand, the room fell into a hushed silence, every eye turning to the knight with his striking purple hair.
His voice, resonant with a blend of regret and resolve, cut through the stillness. "I've been remiss in my duties, both as a knight and a man," he began, his gaze sweeping the gathered nobles, including his own family. "I've made mistakes, acted with arrogance, and failed to uphold the honor I strive for. But today, I seek to right those wrongs."
Then, in a shocking move, Julius dropped to his knees before Rem, his piercing eyes filled with a sincerity that made her stomach lurch. "Rem," he said, his voice steady but fervent, "will you marry me?"
The words struck her like a thunderbolt, her mind reeling in a chaotic storm of disbelief and panic. Her eyes darted around the room, the weight of noble stares pressing against her, their whispers already weaving rumors. In her shock, her gaze landed on Subaru—his familiar face, his warm, trusting eyes—standing among the crowd. But as she blinked, he flickered, a mirage born of her desperate heart. Subaru wasn't there; it was a hallucination, a cruel trick of her mind conjuring the one person who anchored her.
Her thoughts waged a frantic battle. Say no, her heart screamed, her love for Subaru a blazing truth. But the room was a sea of nobles, their expectations a suffocating tide. Refusing Julius here, in front of his family and peers, could cost her job, her reputation, and any chance of future employment in Kararagi. No one would hire a maid who publicly humiliated a knight of his stature. The financial stability she and Subaru depended on hung in the balance, and the pressure crushed her resolve.
Caught in the moment, her instincts betrayed her. "Yes," she whispered, the word slipping out unconsciously, barely audible. The room erupted in a mix of gasps, murmurs, and scattered applause, the sound crashing over her like a wave. Her heart thudded painfully, realization dawning as the gravity of her impulsive response sank in. She had said yes to a man she despised, a man whose advances she had fought to resist, all while her soul belonged to Subaru.
Regaining her composure, Rem forced a steadying breath, her blue eyes locking onto Julius's. His sincerity was undeniable, but it only deepened her turmoil. She knew she couldn't let this stand. She had to confront this mistake, to speak with Julius and explain the truth—that her heart was Subaru's, that her "yes" was a reflex born of fear and pressure. And she had to face Subaru, to confess everything—the baths, the proposal, her silence—and beg for his understanding.
As the nobles resumed their chatter, Rem's mind churned with determination. She felt the weight of uncertainty, but also a spark of resolve. This was a mistake she could not let define her. She would navigate this with honesty, no matter how daunting. The next chapter would demand difficult conversations, raw introspection, and choices that would test her strength. With her love for Subaru as her guiding light, Rem vowed to reclaim her path, to honor her heart and the bonds she held dear, even if it meant facing the consequences of this chaotic moment head-on.
The grand dining hall of the Juukulius mansion vibrated with the fervor of celebration, the clink of crystal glasses and the swell of applause echoing off the gilded walls. Nobles in their finery raised toasts, their voices a cacophony of congratulations for the newly announced engagement. Rem stood frozen beside Julius, her heart plummeting like a stone into a dark abyss. The weight of her impulsive "yes" to his marriage proposal crashed over her, a relentless wave that threatened to drown her in panic. Her blue eyes, usually so steady, darted frantically across the room, searching for an escape from the chaos she had unwittingly unleashed.
Julius, radiant with joy, clasped her hand tightly, his fingers warm and possessive. His smile was wide, oblivious to the storm raging within her. "Rem, you've made me the happiest man here," he said, his voice rich with emotion, his purple hair glinting under the chandeliers. But the warmth of his touch only deepened her dread, her mind screaming at the mistake she'd made. How could she have let the pressure of the noble crowd, the fear of losing her job, push her to betray her heart?
With a subtle twist, Rem freed her hand from his grasp, her movements gentle but deliberate as Julius's uncle, Alviero, approached. A towering man with a fatherly demeanor, Alviero clapped Julius on the shoulder, his weathered face beaming with pride. "My boy, you've chosen well!" he boomed, his voice carrying the weight of a patriarch who had raised Julius like a son. Rem's stomach twisted as Alviero turned to her, his eyes kind but oblivious to her turmoil. "Welcome to the family, dear girl."
Before she could respond, Maria, Julius's aunt and the maternal figure in his life, swept forward, her elegant gown rustling. Her wide smile radiated warmth, but her words pierced Rem like a dagger. "Oh, Rem, I'm overjoyed!" Maria exclaimed, clasping Rem's hands. "You're such a good girl, perfect for our Julius. And thank you—truly—for giving him the nudge he needed to step up, to move your bond beyond master and maid." Her words dripped with sincerity, but they sent a chill through Rem. She realized, with a sinking heart, that Julius had misinterpreted their conversation about boundaries as a sign of mutual affection, a green light to propose.
Maria leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You know, Joshua told me all about you and Julius—how close you've grown. I hope those rumors are true, dear. I can't wait to be a grandmother!" Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and the nobles nearby chuckled, their gazes heavy with expectation.
Rem's mind reeled, her thoughts a chaotic jumble. Joshua's reckless gossip, the maids' cruel rumors about a pregnancy—how had it spiraled so far? How had her silence, her failure to set firm boundaries, led to this moment where an entire room believed she was in love with Julius? The weight of her impulsive "yes" bore down harder, crushing her under the realization of the web she'd woven. She thought of Subaru—his gentle smile, his unwavering love, the life they'd dreamed of—and guilt clawed at her heart. How could she have let herself be swept away by the moment, saying yes without a thought for the consequences?
As Julius turned to her, his eyes alight with affection, he leaned in for a kiss, the crowd's anticipation pressing against her like a physical force. Her heart raced, panic surging, but she knew she had to play the part to avoid humiliating him in front of his family and peers. With a heavy heart, she met his lips, a brief, mechanical kiss that tasted of betrayal. Her mind was elsewhere, consumed by Subaru's imagined face, the hallucination from moments ago that had anchored her to her true love. The applause swelled again, but to Rem, it was a hollow roar, amplifying her dread.
As Julius leaned in, his eyes alight with triumph, their lips met in a kiss that was meant to seal their union before the jubilant crowd. But as his tongue pushed forward, forcing its way into her mouth, Rem's world tilted, her stomach churning with revulsion.
The kiss was long, far too long, and invasive. Julius's tongue met hers, connecting in a dance that felt like a violation, his saliva fusing with hers in a way that tasted foreign, sharp, utterly unlike Subaru's gentle warmth. She wanted to pull away, to scream, but the nobles' eyes pinned her in place, their cheers and counting—"One, two, three!"—a relentless rhythm urging Julius on. Her thoughts spiraled, no longer with Subaru's loving presence but tangled in this moment with Julius, a man she despised. The kiss, meant for someone you love, was being claimed by him, his aristocratic fervor pouring into every second as if to prove his dominance.
Rem's tongue, against her will, was drawn into the fray, coerced by the force of his. It moved, responding to his insistence, slipping briefly into his mouth, surrounded by his taste—a bitter, unfamiliar heat that made her skin crawl. She hated it, hated him, his arrogance, his entitlement. Her mind screamed apologies to Subaru, her heart aching with betrayal. I'm sorry, Subaru-kun, she thought, I never meant for this, never wanted his disgusting tongue in my mouth. She tried to count the seconds, hoping to exhaust Julius's resolve, to make him tire and end this assault. But the nobles' encouraging chants—"Four, five, six!"—spurred him on, as if he were determined to prove something to the room, to her.
Every part of her mouth felt invaded, his saliva coating her tongue, overwhelming her senses with its foreignness. Her impatience surged—how much longer could this go on? She shifted her thoughts, trying to focus on anything but the slick pressure of his tongue, but it was futile. Julius's intensity, his noble confidence, pressed against her, claiming the moment as the crowd's cheers grew louder.
Finally, the kiss broke, Julius pulling back with a triumphant smile, oblivious to the turmoil in her eyes. The nobles erupted in applause, but Rem's chest heaved with suppressed fury and shame. Her lips burned, not with desire but with the sting of betrayal. She had to fix this—undo the "yes," escape this lie, and return to Subaru, whose love was her true north. Her mind raced, plotting a way to confront Julius privately, to confess the truth.
As the nobles resumed their chatter, toasting the engagement with renewed vigor, Rem's panic intensified. She stood amidst the celebration, a solitary figure drowning in a sea of jubilation. Her thoughts raced, piecing together a plan to undo this disaster. She needed to speak with Julius—privately, honestly—to confess that her "yes" was a mistake, a reflex born of pressure and fear. She had to make him understand that her heart belonged to Subaru, that their bond was professional, not romantic. And she had to face Subaru, to lay bare every secret—the baths, the proposal, her silence—and beg for his forgiveness.
The thought of those conversations filled her with dread, but also a flicker of determination. She couldn't let this lie fester, poisoning the love she and Subaru shared. Her impulsive decision had been a betrayal of her own heart, but she refused to let it define her. She would confront Julius with the truth, no matter the risk to her job or reputation. And she would return to Subaru, her anchor, and rebuild the trust she'd endangered.
Her blue eyes flickered with resolve, and she leaned close to Julius, her voice low but firm. "Julius-sama, Rem needs to speak with you privately."
Julius's face lit up, mistaking her urgency for affection. Without a word, he swept her into his arms in a princess carry, her slender frame pressed against his chest. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as he strode toward the hallway, his purple hair glinting under the chandeliers. Rem's heart pounded, her hands clutching his shoulders to steady herself, her mind racing with the need to undo her impulsive "yes" and reclaim her truth.
As they passed, Maria, Julius's aunt, stepped forward, her elegant gown rustling, concern etching her face. "Julius, wait," she called, her voice sharp with worry. "This is too fast. You should wait for your wedding night—don't rush her!"
But Alviero, Julius's uncle, caught her arm, his weathered face creasing with a knowing grin. "Let them be, Maria," he chuckled. "Times have changed. The young ones need their fun. Besides, you've heard the staff's whispers—those two have probably already..." His voice trailed off with a wink, oblivious to Rem's mortification.
The nobles' eyes followed as Julius carried her out, their murmurs blending with the clink of glasses. In his room,
The opulent chambers of Julius felt like a gilded trap as he carried Rem inside, her heart racing with a volatile mix of dread and unwanted anticipation. The memory of the public proposal, the invasive kiss where his tongue had claimed her mouth, and the nobles' cheers still burned in her mind. She despised Julius—his entitlement, his presumption—but the flicker of sincerity in his eyes and the warmth of his touch stirred a confusing heat she fought to suppress. As he set her gently on the edge of his bed, Rem summoned her courage, her voice trembling but firm. "Julius-sama, this is moving too fast. Rem needs time to process... to understand everything."
Julius sat beside her, his expression softening as he leaned in, his lips brushing her neck, leaving a warm, tingling hickey that sent an involuntary shiver through her. "I love you, Rem," he murmured, his kisses trailing along her skin, each one a quiet reassurance. "I'd never force you into anything you don't want. I'm sorry for proposing so publicly. I hope you're not angry. I'll be gentle, give you the space you need." His eyes held a knight's earnestness, but as he spoke, his hand slid beneath the waistband of her maid's uniform, fingers brushing her skin, slipping lower to slowly caress her, teasing her sensitive folds.
The intimate touch sent a jolt of heat through Rem, her body betraying her with a rush of sensation that clashed with her fury. Her breath hitched, her thighs tensing as his fingers moved with deliberate care, igniting a fire she despised herself for feeling. Her heart pounded, torn between the forbidden pleasure and her unwavering loyalty to Subaru. "Julius-sama, stop," she said, her voice sharp but strained, grabbing his arm to pull his hand away. Her grip was firm, her blue eyes blazing with resolve as she forced his fingers from her, the lingering warmth of his touch a bitter reminder of her vulnerability. "You put Rem in an impossible situation. I said yes in front of the nobles because refusing would have ruined both our reputations."
Julius's face lit up, misreading her words as concern for their social standing. "I'm glad you thought of our honor," he said, his tone warm with approval, oblivious to her true intent.
Her frustration flared, her voice cutting through the air. "Julius-sama, Rem is your maid. Your proposal has cost me my job. The moment you claimed me as your fiancée, I could no longer serve here." Her words carried the weight of her reality, the fragile stability she and Subaru depended on now shattered by his reckless act.
Julius's brow furrowed, but his smile held, misguided in its optimism. "As my wife, you won't need to work, Rem. I'll provide for you."
Her eyes narrowed, anger surging like a tide. "No, Julius-sama. Rem needs to work. You don't understand." Her thoughts raced to Subaru—his weary smile, his relentless fight for their future, the man she loved with every piece of her soul. The fear of Julius discovering she was married, and to the man he had brutally defeated in Lugnica's capital, sent a chill through her. The scandal would destroy everything—her job, her reputation, their life in Kararagi. She couldn't let that happen.
"I'm leaving," she declared, rising from the bed, her voice firm despite the storm in her chest. "Rem cannot stay here, not like this."
Julius's expression faltered, confusion clouding his earlier confidence. "Rem, please, let's talk—"
But she shook her head, her blue hair swaying with her resolve. "No, Julius-sama. Rem has made her choice." Her heart ached with guilt for the kiss, for the moments her body had betrayed her loyalty, but Subaru was her truth. She would face the consequences of this chaotic day, confess her mistakes to him, and rebuild their trust. With a final, determined glance, she turned and left the room, her steps steady despite the lingering heat of his touch and the turmoil within