The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Chapter 137 The Maid Lira (End) Affection

The first time I laid eyes on him, I knew I wasn't going to like him.

He was odd — eccentric, with a frivolous demeanor that seemed to clash with the gravitas expected in the royal court.

An outsider from another world, chosen by Her Majesty as her consort, of all people.

He spent his days preoccupied with strange hobbies, things like collecting bugs, watching anime on the peculiar devices he'd somehow brought with him.

The very sight of him made me feel distant from Elowen, even more than I already did after she'd ascended the throne.

I couldn't understand it, and that frustrated me to no end.

What did she see in him?

His carefree, infuriatingly relaxed nature?

His odd interests?

He certainly wasn't like the other candidates for her hand.

He had no military accomplishments, no significant political influence, nor the kind of charisma that would usually win people over.

I knew he was the safest choice for Her Majesty among the potential husbands.

Someone without an existing power base, who could never become a threat.

But despite that, I just couldn't fathom why this man was the one who made her eyes light up in a way I hadn't seen since we were children.

He had this ridiculous smile — infuriating, really.

It wasn't the smile of a schemer, nor that of a calculating politician.

Instead, it was carefree, almost as if he was completely oblivious to the weight of his position as the Queen's consort.

He'd stroll through the gardens, humming some unfamiliar tune, his steps almost childlike in their carefree nature, while the rest of us struggled to maintain order and stability within the kingdom.

I found myself sneering more than once at his antics, which seemed so out of place in the court.

"Your Highness, it's improper to—" I'd start, but he'd always cut me off with that smile, that infuriating smile.

"Oh, come on, Lira. Why don't you relax for a bit? We're in the middle of a beautiful garden. Aren't we supposed to enjoy it?" he'd say, his voice light and teasing.

I never had a good retort for that.

The carefree way he spoke, as if the world wasn't weighing on his shoulders, it grated at me.

And yet, Her Majesty looked at him with eyes filled with that unmistakable warmth—a sparkle I hadn't seen in years.

Why him?

Why not someone more serious, more deserving?

It just didn't make any sense to me.

"Isn't he fascinating, Lira?" Elowen said softly, her eyes never leaving Mikhailis. "He sees wonder in the smallest things."

I couldn't stop myself from letting out a small scoff.

"If by fascinating you mean completely inappropriate for his position, then yes, Your Majesty."

"Now, now," she chuckled, "you're being too harsh. Besides..." She paused, her expression becoming more serious.

"He's the safest choice among all the candidates. Sometimes, what appears frivolous on the surface holds the most depth."

I wanted to argue, but I bit my tongue. It wasn't my place to question Her Majesty's decisions, even if I disagreed with them. Still, watching this man—this oddball from another world—prance around our carefully maintained gardens while spouting references to those animated shows he loved so much, I couldn't understand what made him special.

The sarcasm came easily, then.

"Your Highness, perhaps it's time you did something productive instead of... whatever this is," I'd say, crossing my arms as I watched him tinker with one of his many gadgets. He'd always reply with a chuckle, brushing it off as if my words held no weight at all.

I heard Elowen suppress a laugh beside me, and my frown deepened. How could she find his nonsense charming?

This man, who seemed to take nothing seriously, who approached everything with that same carefree attitude—how could he possibly be worthy of her?

The worst part was being assigned as his personal maid. I was used to being Elowen's right hand, standing beside her through thick and thin.

Suddenly, I found myself attending to him—this annoying, odd, frustrating man. It felt like I'd been cast aside, traded in for someone who, to me, was utterly undeserving.

I served him because it was my duty, but my disdain was thinly veiled, and he knew it.

My tone towards him was sharp, my words laced with thinly veiled criticism whenever I could manage it.

"Is that how a prince consort should behave? Spending your days playing with insects?" I'd snap when I found him lying in the garden, his gaze fixed on the ground, watching a beetle scuttle across a leaf.

He'd only smile and wave me over.

Wasn't she supposed to be the Queen, above such emotions?

And yet... despite my disdain, I found myself wondering. Wondering if perhaps there was something more to him than I had given him credit for.

The turning point came when we were attacked.

The Technomancer League ambushed our carriage, their strange modernized magic-wielding members swarming us from all sides. I had been assigned to escort His Highness, to ensure his safety, but when the attack began, it all spiraled out of control so quickly.

One moment, I was shouting orders, trying to keep the attackers at bay, and the next, everything was chaos—shouts, flashes of light, the ground trembling beneath us. In the midst of the confusion, I heard a shout, and before I could even react, he was there.

He grabbed me, throwing me towards Lady Vyrelda, who had just arrived to reinforce us.

"Get her out of here!" he yelled, his eyes fierce.

I barely registered what was happening.

One moment, I was on the ground, dazed, and the next, I watched as His Highness faced down the attackers alone, his expression set, determined.

As I lay there, watching helplessly as they dragged him away, I finally understood. This man, who everyone dismissed as frivolous and carefree, had calculated everything in that split second. He knew I wouldn't be able to fight them all off. He knew Vyrelda had a better chance of protecting me than I did of protecting him. He had chosen to save me, knowing full well what would happen to him.

Why did he do it? Why did he risk himself for me? I was supposed to be the one protecting him. That moment stayed with me, haunting me in the days that followed. It wasn't just bravery—there was something more. He had acted without hesitation, without a thought for his own safety.

It wasn't until later, when he was rescued, bruised but alive, that I allowed myself to truly think about it.

Maybe, deep down, I had known all along. Maybe that was why I had watched him so closely, why his smile frustrated me so much.

Because behind that smile, behind the jokes and the frivolous nature, there was something real.

Something strong and genuine.

And maybe that was what Her Majesty had seen from the start.

Now, here we were, at Count Arvis's estate in the Northern Province.

His Highness had excused himself from the banquet, retreating to the guest estate specifically prepared for visiting royals.

I had watched him leave, the exhaustion evident in his posture.

I bet he's tired from all of those formalities, I couldn't help but smile thinking about his tired face.

After a while, I decided to follow.

When I entered the room, I found him sitting on the sofa, his face serious, his eyes distant. I paused at the doorway, watching him. It was a side of him I rarely saw—quiet, contemplative, that rare serious expression on his face again.

I study his profile, thinking about how wrong I'd been about him.

This man, who hides his brilliant mind behind jokes and anime references, who makes himself seem harmless to put others at ease, who calculations always consider everyone's feelings and comfort—even at the cost of his own dignity.

Those eyes of his, usually twinkling with mischief, now show their true depth.

Eyes filled with passion, understanding, and endless curiosity.

The same eyes that had captured Her Majesty's attention, and now, somehow, had captured mine as well.

Before I can stop myself, I move closer and sit on his lap, wanting to break through that serious expression, to see his usual smile again.

Ah...

I remember.

Ever since I was a child.

I always want to get princess-carried by a prince riding a white horse, aren't I?

Back when I was a child.

I guess I thought.

Even a maid is allowed to dream, right?

"...Lira?" His voice carries surprise, but not rejection, and something in my chest warms at the sound of my name on his lips. Your journey continues with empire

"Are you fine?"

Such a gentle voice that filled with concern for me.

That's the problem with him.

He always notice.

And because of it.

"Yes, it's me, Your Highness. I'm fine,"

Please let me take advantage of your kindness again today, Your Highness.