CHAPTER 12
When Butler Jones returned with another maid, Alice let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"Thank God." She muttered, stepping away from the door.
The second maid, a younger girl named Macy, peeked inside curiously, a foot tray on hand. "She's still here?" Marie whispered.
"Of course, she's still here." Alice snapped under her breath. "Where else would she go?"
Butler Jones cleared his throat, bringing their attention back. "Serve it to her already so she can eat."
Macy brought the tray inside, and there was another maid with more food. They settled the tray on the coffee table in the smaller lounge area in the room.
Alice slid closer to the butler as she straightened and spoke in a lower voice. "Sir, I don't think she's just some crazy cosplayer. I mean, she still talks like she's in a medieval play or something, but it's more than that." She glanced at Diandra, who was now waiting for the maids to finish putting the dishes on the small table. "She doesn't know what a TV is."
Jones frowned at her. "What?"
"She asked about it like she had never seen one in her life. And not just that—she touches things like they're completely new to her. Like she's never been inside a house before."
Jones blinked. "You mean, she has amnesia?"
Alice hesitated, then nodded. "It makes sense, right? Maybe she hit her head or something? Forgot everything?"
Jones crossed his arms, watching Diandra carefully. "Amnesia or mentally unstable."
Diandra was sitting at the small table, eating like a starved soldier after battle. She had no care for table manners—each bite was swift, each gulp desperate. The warm food soothed the ache in her stomach, but she barely tasted it. Survival came first.
Butler Jones and Alice weren't in the room anymore with her. But another maid was left watching her like a hawk. She didn't spare her any glance as she was focused on devouring everything in front of her.
In the living room downstairs, Butler Jones and Alice stood in front of Kael, who leaned back on the couch with arms crossed.
"So, what is it?" Kael asked, exasperation clear in his tone.
Butler Jones exchanged glances with Alice before speaking.
"She might have amnesia."
Kael raised a brow. "Amnesia? That's the excuse now?"
"It might not be just an excuse." Alice cut in. "She doesn't know what a TV is, sir. A TV. Who doesn't know that?"
Kael frowned slightly but didn't say anything.
"And it's not just that." Alice continued. "She acts like everything is alien to her. The way she moves, the way she touches things… It's like she's seeing them for the first time."
"Or she's just a goddamn good actress." Kael scoffed.
Alice shook her head. "I thought so too, at first, sir. But if she's acting, then she's the best I've ever seen. Everything about her confusion is real."
He leaned forward, rubbing his temples. A fan with amnesia? This was getting messier. "So, what should we do about it?" He asked.
Jones sighed. "That's for you to decide, sir. But if she truly doesn't remember anything, then sending her away without help might be dangerous."
Kael tapped his fingers on the armrest, deep in thought.
If this was real amnesia, then dropping her off at a police station wouldn't be easy. No ID, no memory—just a lost woman with a medieval complex. But if this was an act, then he was dealing with a dangerously committed stalker.
Either way, he had to get to the bottom of this. To end this craziness.
"Fine." He finally said. "I'll talk to her myself again."
Jones and Alice exchanged glances, then nodded.
Kael stood up with an obvious determination on his face. "Let's see if she's still acting when I'm alone with her."
He walked back up to the second floor. Into her room. His steps were measured, his expression unreadable.
He saw Diandra now seated properly. Hands folded on her lap. Her back was straight. She was looking at the window, which was still closed, but the curtain was slid to the side. The remnants of her meal had been cleared away, and the maid had retreated after giving her report.
Kael shut the door behind him.
"Alright." He said, his tone was sharp. "No more games. I want the truth."
She flinched and seemed like she was snapped back to reality when she heard his voice. She jolted to her feet and bowed with a curt greeting. "Your Majesty."
He swallowed hard as his gaze hardened, already irritated.
"First of all—stop calling me that." He ran a hand through his hair, trying to keep his cool. "I don't care who you are. I just want you to stop this realistic drama you're playing. I'm not interested in participating in it. And I'm never fond of pranks like this."
Diandra's forehead knotted. She was out of words. She understood what he said, but at the same time, she didn't get what he meant. She bit her lower lip, thinking, processing his words.
Kael was anticipating any response from her. But she looked like a three-year-old kid who doesn't understand what he said. He exhaled sharply as he rumpled his hair again and shifted on his feet.
He took a sharp, hissing breath through his lips. "Who are you really?" He tried in another way. "And don't give me that 'Dame Diandra' nonsense. Where the hell did you come from?"
She frowned slightly. "I have told you my name. I am a knight sworn to protect the emperor."
"And what? You think I'm that Emperor?"
Diandra didn't hesitate. "I do not think. I know."
Kael clenched his jaw. "Listen, lady—" He stopped as he stared at her.
She was dead serious.
Not a flicker of doubt in her silver-blue eyes. Not a single crack in her conviction. He heaved another breath, hoping he could inhale some more patience too.
"Tell me something." He narrowed his eyes at her. "Who is this emperor? What's his name?" He asked again.
During the first press launch of the upcoming drama. The characters' names were revealed, and each of the actors gave a slight description about their roles and the individual's traits. But he understood earlier when he first asked her about it; her answer was vague. She should be able to answer as it was announced publicly. He just found it unsettling that she had no answer to it. But then again, it could just be another method in her acting. She was definitely winning an award for this.
Her lips parted, but she didn't look him in the eyes. "Kael. Your Majesty's name is Kael." It was what she heard from the few people around her when they entered the room. "Emperor Kael."
It was Kael's turn to be in flat-out confusion. His mind just went blank. He felt ready to explode. He turned around and stepped away for a moment, trying to compose himself. He covered his face with his palms, trying to hide from the madness.
Then he snorted, laughter came out of his lips. He put down his hands and shook his head as he stopped. If intimidation didn't work, maybe charm would. He faced her again and let a slow smirk tug on his lips.
"Alright, let's forget the whole 'knight' thing for a moment." His voice dropped into something smoother, more playful. "You're a beautiful woman. Maybe this was all just an act to get my attention?"
Diandra blinked at him, clearly caught off-guard.
"Excuse me?" She tilted her head slightly. She was trying hard inwardly not to get blinded by his smile. If only he didn't say those words, she would have felt pleased at herself that she made him smile. But he was telling her things she'd never even thought of doing.
Kael stepped closer. "Come on, I get it. You show up dressed like a knight, conveniently saying I'm your 'Emperor'." He chuckled softly. "Sounds like a rather bold attempt at seduction, don't you think?" He was about to close more distance between them, but she, Diandra, just stared at him in confusion.
"Seduction?" Then, as if understanding what he meant, she retreated a step away from him. "If it is attention you seek, Your Majesty…" She said with perfect composure. "Then I advise you to summon a courtesan to satisfy your desires. That is not my duty."
Kael's smirk faltered.
Did she just—
His brows twitched upward, and then, to his own surprise, he laughed.
Is she serious?
"A courtesan? Seriously?" He let out another chuckle as he ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head. "Wow. That's unique."
Diandra remained poised. She was neither offended nor flustered. But she felt light seeing him laugh in front of her. Though she didn't entirely get what he meant, seeing her emperor happy felt good. Then again, she had to remind him of what she was only meant to do as a knight. He was in his prime after all, and she understood that he was active in that kind of thing.
"A knight serves her ruler with loyalty, not with seduction." She said matter-of-factly. "If that is what you seek. I will call for someone more suited for the task." Though she wished he wouldn't ask her that right now, for she didn't know how to get someone exactly. But she would make a way for it to happen, with the help of Butler Jones and Alice as the only other people she just knew.
Kael stared at her. She wasn't playing coy. She wasn't pretending to be above him. She was simply stating facts.
No woman had ever dismissed him so cleanly before. Not like this. For the first time, his usual tactics didn't work. And that, more than anything, intrigued him.