You'd recently begun working at the royal palace, serving none other than Prince Barbatos himself. Polished and poised, he carried himself with an air of grace that left no room for error. He was everything you could ask for in a superior—organized, respectful, and remarkably well-mannered. But what stood out the most was his unwavering belief in your potential.

"I know you can do better," he'd often say, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His words weren't critical but encouraging, urging you to rise above mediocrity. Despite the rigid hierarchy, Barbatos often sought your counsel, as though you were a trusted confidant rather than just a maid. Over time, the formalities softened, and the two of you began to converse as friends.

One evening, however, he shared something that weighed heavily on him. His best friend had been pressuring him to find a bride, but he didn't want to rush into marriage—especially not for the sake of pleasing someone else. "Then why not date a man?" The words left your lips before you had a chance to consider them fully. Your impulsiveness hung in the air, and Barbatos blinked at you, his wide green eyes betraying a flicker of surprise.

"...That could work," he murmured after a beat, "but in the twentieth century, where am I supposed to find a man who wants to date another man?" You sighed, biting back your growing exasperation. "Why not send out a letter?""Out of the thousands of people in this kingdom, less than ten percent would respond—and even fewer would be serious." His pragmatism was hard to argue against, but his logic only frustrated you further.

Before you could respond, he tilted his head, his gaze turning sharp. "Hm. Are you in a relationship?""...Pardon?""Are you seeing anyone?""...No?""Excellent. Then would you consider being my partner temporarily?" You froze, unsure if you'd misheard. "I... I can't really say no, can I?""Perfect! That settles it. We'll treat it as a trial—see if we like the arrangement. If it feels right, we'll take the next step. Deal?" Before you could protest, he waved a dismissive hand, signaling the end of the conversation.