Arthur And Kei

“Ugh… something feels heavy…”

The next morning, Arthur awoke to a soft, weighty sensation pressing against him. Strangely enough, it was the most peaceful awakening he’d had in a while. For once, he hadn’t dreamt of that recurring nightmare—his own execution.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself face to face with Kei, sleeping peacefully and breathing softly.

“KYAAAAAAAH!!!”

Arthur let out a scream so shrill it could’ve belonged to a girl. Despite getting a second chance at life, just like in his previous one, he still had little to no experience when it came to romance.

“Wait, wait, what is going on?! Huh? Did I… do something?!”

Thanks to his healing ability, people had always treated him differently. His relationship with his fiancée had been the worst, and the revolution had come before he ever had a real romantic experience. His life had ended without any such events.

So for someone like him, waking up with a girl in his bed was simply too much stimulation.

“Ah… I’m so sorry. I must’ve fallen asleep too. I’ll get breakfast ready right away.”

“Ah, uh… why are you here, Kei…?”

Arthur, still visibly shaken, watched as Kei smiled with amusement.

“Hehe. I knew it—Marianne was overthinking things. I was just a little worried about you and came to check in. More importantly, did you sleep well last night?”

“Last night, huh…”

Now that he thought about it, he really had slept soundly for the first time in ages. Was it because she had been there? It had to be. Maybe he was freed from the nightmares because someone who had cared for him—even in his past life—had stayed by his side.

Arthur felt grateful for Kei, someone who had saved him not just in his previous life but now again in this one.

“Thank you. I slept so well thanks to you. If it’s alright… would you stay with me again sometime and hold my hand like that?”

“Eh? Stay with you…? You mean…?”

Seeing Kei’s face turn bright red, Arthur realized how it sounded and immediately tried to clarify while blushing furiously himself.

“No, no! I didn’t mean it like that… Just holding my hand until I fall asleep is enough. Of course, I wouldn’t do anything.”

“Oh, I see. Hehe. You really just wanted someone to spoil you, didn’t you, Lord Arthur?”

“Someone to spoil me, huh…”

As she said it, Arthur found the idea surprisingly fitting. He had never had anyone to lean on before. His family had never felt much different from strangers. His mother disappeared shortly after giving birth to him, and his father was too busy to care.

His older brother had occasionally spoken to him, but he’d only met his younger half-brother, Mordred, a few times. There had never been anyone who would just sleep beside him.

“Well then, I may not be able to be your mother… but I think I could be your big sister.”

“Huh? Mother? Sister?”

Arthur tilted his head in confusion at the slightly off-kilter conversation. He didn’t even remember what his mother looked like, and he had no concept of a sister—he’d never had one. He felt nothing toward the idea.

Still, if Kei wanted to act like an older sister, that was fine. He intended to honor any request from someone as loyal as her.

Besides… in his previous life, he never imagined being able to lean on anyone. But with her, it brought a strange sense of peace.

Thinking that, Arthur nodded.

“Alright, then. I’ll count on you.”

“Yes, of course! In return… could you tell me more about yourself, Lord Arthur?”

“About… me?”

Arthur found himself repeating her words in surprise. Until now, no one had ever expressed interest in him that way. People only cared about his powers.

Even the personal maid in his previous life had never tried to get to know him. She would give him whatever he asked for, but never tried to learn his preferences. That’s why Kei’s words made him so happy…

“I’m really glad I made you my personal maid.”

Arthur meant it from the bottom of his heart, and a warm feeling welled up inside him.

“Hehe, if you say things like that, I’ll get embarrassed. But you’re always welcome to lean on your personal maid more, Lord Arthur.”

And so, Arthur began to open up to her. He talked about how he was aware of being naive, how he’d gotten interested in street stalls after Kei mentioned them in his past life, and about his likes and dislikes.

Even though it probably wasn’t that interesting, Kei listened with genuine delight. That made Arthur feel refreshed—and incredibly happy.

And just like that, Kei truly became his personal maid in every sense.