I Became The Extra King With Seven Wives-Chapter 7: Maid Alice

When you have the Flames of Helios sizzling inside your body, it comes with a lot of perks.

Like instant hot water.

With a mere flick of my wrist, the water in my golden bathtub began to boil, steam billowing upward in white clouds.

Any ordinary human would have suffered greatly the moment they dipped even a single toe in, but for me it was just comfortably warm.

I took my time enjoying the bath, soaking for half an hour, letting the heat seep into my new muscles and soothe the last aches from the awakening.

Eventually, I stepped out, water slithering down my body. I grabbed a towel, rubbing my hair vigorously as I walked back into the bedroom.

I scanned the room for the clothes Mother should have brought, but instead my eyes fell on the bed.

There lay Hyperion inside its sublime golden scabbard.

The Sword of Helios Legends, said to have been forged by Helios himself for Apollina.

I smiled as I looked at it.

My father’s sword and now mine.

"Hm?"

Feeling a presence, I turned around and saw someone standing near the doorway.

It was a maid.

It was Alice.

My maid.

A cute and pretty girl my age, with shoulder-length blonde hair and wide brown eyes that seemed too innocent for life inside a castle. She had served me since I was ten.

Right now, however, she was frozen on the spot.

In her hands, she clutched a pile of clothes, my father’s clothes, undoubtedly given by Mother.

But Alice wasn’t moving, her eyes locked onto my naked body, wide as saucers.

Her mouth hung partially open. Yes, she was completely paralyzed by the sight of a naked man.

Then slowly, her entire face turned a deep shade of red.

She opened her mouth and blurted out,

"I—I! I am! Ha...God...No...oh no...I just...APOLOGIZE!!"

I smirked, leisurely wrapping the towel around my waist, covering what she had definitely seen, and walked toward her.

Alice immediately thrust the clothes forward, her hands shaking.

When I stopped in front of her, the heat coming off her blushing face was almost visible. She squeezed her eyes shut, turning her head away.

I took my white breeches from the pile and let the towel drop from my waist.

She didn’t see it happen, but she clearly knew, because she shivered violently, her face turning an even deeper crimson.

Now this girl was really cute.

I pulled on my breeches, then took my white royal tunic. As I buttoned it up, I kept my eyes on her. She had lowered her hands now that they were empty, clasping them tightly in front of her apron.

"Your Majesty... umm, do you need—"

"Why won’t you look at me, Alice?" I asked.

She flinched.

Then hesitantly, she turned her gaze back toward me. The blush hadn’t faded at all. When her eyes met mine, she opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water before quickly looking down at her shoes.

"You... have changed a lot, Your Majesty... I was surprised," she stuttered.

"I awakened the Bloodline of Helios. Change is part of the package, Alice," I said, walking over to the dressing area to grab my day boots and sitting down to pull them on.

"You look wonderful, Your Majesty..." Alice mumbled quietly.

I smiled as I stood up.

Walking back to the bed, I picked up Hyperion and turned toward her abruptly.

Alice immediately averted her gaze as I stepped closer.

I reached out and gently cupped her chin, tilting her face upward until she had no choice but to look into my eyes.

Her beautiful brown eyes shimmered, slightly wet.

"Y—Your Majesty..."

I leaned in, closing the distance until I could feel her breath on my lips, and softly pressed my lips against hers.

She shivered against me, a small, cute sound escaping her throat.

"Thank you for everything you have done for me until now, Alice," I whispered against her lips.

Pulling back, I let my finger linger on her chin for a moment longer.

Alice’s eyes were now enthralled, completely absorbed in mine.

My smile widened slightly before I released her and walked past her.

I left my bedroom and stepped out into the corridors.

Alice stood frozen for a few seconds before scrambling to follow, falling into step behind me, her burning face lowered as we strode through the halls.

I couldn’t help teasing this girl a little.

I was very fond of her.

Even when I was fat and miserable, she had been kind, caring, and never hypocritical. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

And God, I hated hypocrites.

Alice had tried to reassure me when the nobles mocked me.

I had been too pathetic back then to answer them.

But that changed today.

"Your Majesty..."

Alice’s small voice reached me.

"What is it, Alice? Perhaps you wish for more than a kiss?" I glanced over my shoulder, smiling. "I’m afraid you’ll have to be patient. I need to put some old men back where they belong—which is usually beneath my boot."

"It’s not that!" Alice stuttered in fluster, slapping a hand over her mouth. "I—I apologize!"

"Then what did you want to say?" I asked.

She lowered her hands, twisting the fabric of her skirt. "About the King... I am very sorry..." She bit her lip, looking down.

"No need, Alice," I said, my voice hardening slightly as I faced forward. "My father fought for his beliefs, and he died peacefully at least. That’s more than I can promise for the ones behind his death. They won’t have the luxury of a peaceful end."

"W—What?" Alice choked out, shocked by the implication.

I didn’t reply.

To the rest of the world, King Marconius had died of natural causes. But unfortunately for the men who tried to make everyone believe that and very fortunately for me, I had the cheat sheet.

I knew the plot.

I knew the characters.

And honestly, I couldn’t care less about following the game’s story.

I wasn’t here to roleplay a hero.

But I was absolutely going to weaponize every scrap of knowledge I had for my own agenda.