Ryuko had been asked to spend time with Reiko. Shinya had a conversation to finish with the creepy Grand Duke and he didn't want her there to hear it. So that's basically why she was spending time with the princess who did not seem interested in what she had to say.

The other kids in the palace, such as one of the kids that were there for the ball, like Princess Momo, was really fascinated by her. Momo was about a year older than Reiko.

"So... you aren't a princess?"

"I am not."

"So when you marry Shinya, you'll be a queen consort?"

"He wants to get married?" She asked.

"Well no, but when you two eventually want to, if that ever happens, you'll be queen consort."

Ryuko thought about that for a second. She was having memories of Chitose wanting to manipulate Shinya and forcing her plans onto him.

"Right..." Ryuko hissed. She was nervous about that happening. What if they contacted Chitose... what if she wasn't ok again?

"Ooh! Cmon we have to get you ready for dinner! No offense but, you don't look that good right now." She said. If Himiko had said such a thing, she would be offended. This was an innocent girl who was trying to help, so she found it much different.

Momo grabbed Ryuko's hand and dragged Reiko with her. Well, she had picked Reiko up in her arms because Reiko was tiny. Reiko was fine with it as the walked into Momo's room. It was mainly white but the bedspread was different than the rest of the house. It was white and black instead of the light orange colors.

"Woah." Ryuko gasped, spinning around. Momo's room was smaller than the attic but she had been living in the attic for so long that it didn't matter. It was actually a bit cold. "You sleep in here? Like every night?"

"When I'm here I do! Are you going to be sleeping in Shinya's room?" Momo asked with innocence in her voice.

"Oh... I doubt I will. I'll probably sleep on the floor or something." She laughed nervously.

"Oh! That wouldn't be necessary! You can sleep in here if you'd like. Reiko and I can have a sleepover!"

"No thank you." Reiko whispered. Ryuko raised an eyebrow.

"It's alright! Honestly! I'll sleep on a sofa or an area like that." Ryuko reassured the little girl. She seemed very excited about meeting her and Ryuko didn't know why...

"Lady Ryuko, His majesty would like to see you." A servant said. Ryuko was surprised by the new title of "Lady". Isn't that what Mistresses were called?

...

Was that what she was? A mistress? She wasn't married to him, so maybe she was a mistress? She didn't know. She hadn't been involved in politics in years.

Ryuko followed the man to Shinya's office. The Grand Duke stormed out of the room and glanced down at her. He gave her a happy expression but his eyes were forcefully shut. Like a stubborn child trying to appear asleep.

"Hello Shinya!" She said when she walked inside. She corrected her mistake and immediately said "Your Majesty," instead.

"It's fine, no need for formalities," he said, smiling down at her. "I wanted to personally escort you around."

She really needed that. She didn't want to follow people around during her stay. She didn't exactly know how long she was staying. Hopefully long enough for Chitose to... Disappear?

Shinya walked out of his office with her. He held his arm out for her to grab onto gently as they walked. She noticed and gave a tiny gasp as she wrapped her arm.

"This is the library. Reiko's library is downstairs, don't go in there."

"This is the kitchen,"

"This is the music room," he said, opening the door to a room. It was filled with orchestra instruments. The grand piano in the corner was the first thing she noticed. Then the golden harp. She knew how to play it, and was just very rusty, but she could try it.

"I assume you're interested in music?" He snickered a bit. The shimmer and excitement in her eyes told him what he needed.

"I am! It's very beautiful to me. Do you like the orchestra?"

"I apologize but, it's not exactly my type. I much rather prefer singing."

"Oh? What kind?" Ryuko asked. She was curious.

"Throat singing? Have you heard of it?"

"I have! I haven't heard it myself though." She responded. "I like classical singing. I do it a bit but, it's nothing crazy." She sighed, looking up at the ceiling. The chandelier was diamonds and the light was coming from the outside light. The ceiling was painted with multiple designs that she found gorgeous.

"I have one more room to show you. Or at least, the last important room. Especially since I have to return to work after this." He said. "But, I would love for you to join me for dinner tonight. Would you enjoy that?" He asked.

"I would."

He introduced her to her bedroom. It wasn't decorated in a certain way, but it was better than the attic. She would take it without any complaints!

"Do you like it? I can find a better room if you'd like?"

"Your M- Shinya, It's fine. I like it." She smiled. She noticed two women walk inside and usher her to the bathroom inside of her room.

"I'll see you in an hour." Shinya waved goodbye to Ryuko before leaving the room.

Ryuko was confused until she saw the bathtub fill up with water. It was funny. They were preparing so much just for her. The tub was huge. It was in the shape of a gigantic square. There was bubbles and rose petals, perfumes, and other things, just for her. No one else. Just her...

It felt nice.

Ryuko stripped herself down and quickly jumped into the water. The young servants helped tend to her bath. She couldn't help but compare this treatment to what she did in her own home. She was sure there would be one stain on her skin that they couldn't get rid of just because of what happened at her home.

The tub was warm. Hot, actually.

Ryuko felt like she could doze off with the servants bathing her.

------

Dinner was held at seven. It was quiet with Shinya being the only one there. He sat alone with a plate in front of him, waiting for Ryuko.

"Your Majesty, the Lady is on her way now." A butler said. Shinya nodded and returned to his thoughts. His hair was clawed at as he thought about the main concern of the ball that had been held.

The main purpose was for him to get married.

Find someone who would be a good queen. Noble blood or not. Ryuko just happened to be the daughter of the late grand Duke, making her nobility.

She didn't seem like the type of person to want to settle down so fast.

He decided to wait two months before asking her. It would just be better for him to do. He didn't want to scare her off because of what he was supposed to do. He didn't know much about her. What made her laugh, what made her upset, what pissed her off, he didn't know much about her at all.

Just a few months. Just a few months.

"Hello." Ryuko said, appearing at the other side of the table. She wore a light pink dress and a white headband. The blonde of her hair and pink of the dress looked amazing.

"I apologize, I didn't notice you even though you look fantastic." Shinya apologized again and again.

"You apologize quite a bit." Ryuko said. She felt out of place and it was obvious. The quite room made her kind of nervous and anxious.

"How was your bath?" He asked. They both weren't very good at conversation. It was the last thing they had done

"It was pleasant. I didn't know you could make a bathtub smell so nice. It smelt like roses and lavender." She said, laughing at how dumb she sounded.

"Oh, I assumed you had people that would do that sort of thing for you, being that your from a noble family. Sorry for assuming."

"Again. You apologize a lot."

"Sorry." Ryuko glared at him in a joking manner. He laughed a bit at himself. "So how are you adjusting? I assume her highness wasn't very welcoming."

"Both of the girls were very sweet. Princess Momo was very generous."

"Ah? That's expected. She's always been an angel. Reiko is... less generous." Shinya sighed.

"Does Momo ramble when she's passionate about something?" Ryuko had to question. The young girl's curiosity gave off those types of vibes.

"She certainly does. I haven't know her for very long but I know she rambles quite a bit. What'd she go on about this time?"

"Well, my bedroom, my clothing, our relationship." She laughed a bit before trailing off and looking away. "What is our relationship exactly? Would I technically be a mistress?"

"At the moment, you are just a Lady. It is the same title we give mistresses, but you'll be referred to as Lady Ryuko for the time being."

For the time being.

"Oh? Ok. I was just curious. I haven't exactly been in that kind of spotlight."

"Yes, that's something I don't understand. I'm sure you'd still have those types of rights even with your father's passing."

"Oh. That's a story for another time if that's okay."

She didn't exactly want to share what she had been doing for the past fourteen years. Being a scullery maid despite having a noble father seemed embarrassing.

Just a story for another time.