I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 528

Chapter 75: Everyone is the Same

As night fell, stars twinkled in the sky.

Knights of the kingdom gathered around bonfires, singing and dancing, raising their cups in celebration.

“Long live the princess!”

This year, the beast disaster at the border was worse than in previous years, but with the Lionheart Princess Charlotte leading the charge, it all turned out to be just a few close calls.

Dragons and other beasts were torn apart, their skins becoming trophies for the knights.

The Lionheart people cherished martial prowess. This included not just personal strength, but military talent as well.

If there had been doubts about Charlotte among the direct relatives of Leo Reinhardt, after the battle at the border, all knights of the kingdom finally recognized her—a girl enshrouded in flames, leading the way as a true future Lion King.

However, after toasting the princess at the high table, everyone’s gaze turned to the blonde girl sitting next to her.

Apart from Charlotte, the highest respected figure was none other than this maid knight from the Ainbrad family.

Fearless and skilled, she had fought on several battlefields, using her exquisite sword techniques to slay countless beasts and healing many soldiers’ lives with her warm Holy Light.

Additionally, beneath her seemingly cold exterior was a loyal knight’s heart. Whenever praised, she would humbly downplay her achievements, saying she was nothing compared to her master.

Even the older generation of strong warriors couldn’t help but be impressed by her character.

Leaving aside the princess and the sworn knight, the blonde Alice Angelia had clearly become the third most revered figure among the young generation of the kingdom.

The toasts and praises at the victory feast naturally rang out continuously.

However, the blonde girl didn’t quite fit into such a boisterous atmosphere.

After a few rounds of drinks, Charlotte noticed Alice’s weariness and made an excuse to let her leave early.

As Alice walked through the military tents, receiving salutes from soldiers along the way, she finally returned to her own tent, letting out a sigh of relief.

Taking off her light knight armor, removing her boots, and slipping into a shirt, her golden hair flowing down, she knelt on the bed, transforming from the cold and stern knight into a shy and adorable little girl.

Then, she pulled out a uniform jacket that was obviously a size too large for her.

Looking at the jacket in her hands, her lake-blue eyes started to glimmer with mischief.

After confirming with her extraordinary senses that no one would disturb her, she swallowed hard and gently snuggled the shirt close to her chest.

The tension on her face completely eased, and her plump toes curled slightly as Alice couldn’t help but let out a soft, fluffy moan, like a cotton candy about to melt, exuding a gentle atmosphere.

Ah…

This is the master’s scent.

Indeed, just as knights need fine wine and delicacies to recharge their spirits, Alice also needed to regularly replenish some elements.

Elements from her master!

A toy of a golden-haired puppy could relieve her fatigue and help her sleep well. But it seemed only the scent of her master could truly lift her spirits!

Unfortunately, most of her master’s shirts had been taken by Nia, and just the jacket wouldn’t have much scent left after a few sniffs.

As Alice immersed herself in the fabric, imagining being in Roy’s embrace, her face couldn’t help but flush with intense shame.

As a maid, occupying her master’s clothing… doing something like this…

It’s too disrespectful.

But just for a jacket, it should be fine, right? She’d wash it properly and return it.

Her master would forgive her, right…

At first, Alice would always feel guilty and uneasy, especially after each time she indulged. She’d pat her cheeks and swear never to do it again, promising to be a good child who deeply cared for her master.

Regrettably, she found herself unable to control it.

Her infatuation with her master ultimately overwhelmed her guilt.

However, clothes are just clothes.

They have no warmth, can’t smile, and can’t gently pat her head.

After a while, Alice finally regained her composure and lifted her head from Roy’s jacket, mumbling dreamily, “I wonder how the master is doing right now…”

Thinking of her master all alone back at home, Alice felt a twinge of regret about her decision to return to the country for training.

But one can’t give up halfway.

To help her master, she had to work even harder.

And to work harder, it was okay to replenish her energy a little!

The blonde girl lay down, burying her entire head in Roy’s jacket, her fair and soft bare feet swaying up and down like the joyful tail of a golden-haired puppy.

But just as the girl was lost in her master’s scent, a faint noise came from outside the tent.

“Greetings, Your Highness! If you’re looking for Miss Alice…”

“!”

Alice was startled, her hair standing on end.

If everyone found out she was doing this to her master’s clothes, her maid career would be over!

She quickly stuffed Roy’s jacket back into her bag and hid it under her bed, just barely one or two seconds before a red-haired figure stepped into the tent.

“Alice, you don’t seem very energetic…?”

Looking at the blonde girl sitting on the bed, wide-eyed and spirited, Charlotte felt a bit puzzled.

Wait, wasn’t she just dazed from exhaustion? Why does she look so vibrant now?

Her hair was a bit messy, and she was a tad out of breath—what had she been up to just now?

Charlotte couldn’t help but think of some extreme scenarios from light novels, but she couldn’t believe the pure little maid would engage in such things.

“N-no, it’s nothing! Alice is just a bit tired, thank you for your concern, Charlotte.”

“I just happened to pass by to check.” Charlotte waved her hand, stifling a yawn as she sat down next to Alice. “Besides, I didn’t really care for that noisy banquet anyway.”

Alice nodded. “After all, the master isn’t here.”

“Exactly! I wouldn’t bother to… cough cough! Why did I suddenly mention his name?!” Charlotte exclaimed, flustered like a cat with its tail stepped on.

“Don’t talk about me! You’re the one who must be missing Roy terribly, right?” Charlotte poked Alice’s forehead, helplessly saying, “I have royal duties that require me to be here, but you’re just his maid. You could have stayed behind to accompany him!”

Alice lowered her gaze. “Even so…”

Stealing glances at the red-haired princess beside her, a hint of complex emotion flickered in the girl’s eyes: “Just being with him isn’t enough.”

“Master always risks himself, returning with injuries, and each time, Alice can only watch from a distance.”

The blonde girl clenched her small fists, her gaze turning resolute: “Alice doesn’t want to always just watch. One day, even if just a little, Alice wants to share some burden with her master.”

The dim candlelight reflected the determination on the blonde girl’s face.

Seeing the girl devoted to her master, Charlotte couldn’t help but shake her head, chuckling: “With a maid like you, that guy is really lucky.”

Having witnessed the boy dash towards a blood-drenched fire dragon while feeling powerless herself, she fully understood Alice’s feelings.

“However…”

“Not being able to spend the Holy Grace Festival and New Year with her master is still a bit lonely.” At this point, Alice hung her head again, showing a hint of gloom.

Charlotte, thinking more optimistically, patted her shoulder and smiled: “Look on the bright side.”

“Nia and Leanna can’t spend time with Roy either, feeling lonely and dejected. Everyone’s in the same boat.”

If everyone suffers together, doesn’t that make it less of a burden? Just share the pain, right?

If only she were the only one suffering, while the other two got to cozy up with Roy—it’d drive Charlotte up the wall.

Hearing Charlotte say this, Alice felt somewhat better.