Noelle

The evening light from the cathedral window shines bright at her as she was sweeping the corridor. Her everlasting smile can pacify all.

Gentle and sweet, I was stunned as she looked at me. I didn't come without preparation, I know she was always busy, so I made her a satisfying salad. It's rare to see her call me herself.

"Th-These treats are for me? Oh no, I couldn't, really. I'll make some for you too! I'll go right now, right this instant!" Noelle looks flustered as she turned around, but I grabbed her hand before she could walk away. She seems distraught, and when I touched her forehead, it was hot. S

he must be overworking again. "Not a problem, I am here to serve you. You needn't be concerned about the way I feel." Noelle said as she broke free from my grasp. She walks a few inches more until suddenly, right before my eyes, she passed out. I reach her head before I realize it. I held her in my arms as I carried her and ran toward the church.

She has been working so hard. If only I could help you just a little bit. I sat next to her bed. I can only caress her cute face as she continued sleeping. "I am worried. You have worked so hard if only you aren't pushing too hard on yourself." I held her hand from the side, so rough yet so fragile. The wind from the cider lake blew through the window. I fell light-headed Maybe it's okay if I sleep for a while. But just before I completely close my eyes.

"Aether..." She softly sleeptalking. I smiled. "Aether... pst Aether" Soft and sweet is the flavor of this smell. Light jade eyes covered in silky gray hair before I completely wake up. "Are you okay?" Her voice finally reached out to me, as I'm now completely awake. Her face is too close to me. She sat in her bed toward me. And once again, she still worried about me. A Clumsy yet pure of heart kind of person. "Are you okay, Aether? Barbara told me that you bring me here" "It's embarrassing for a maid to pass out," I told her it's okay.

"Aether I..." Her face is getting closer and closer to me. I close my eyes. Slowly I can hear her breath, my heart throbbing hard. "I can't" She stopped and took a step back.

"Aether, is it okay for a maid to be this selfish? Wanting to serve you more than others?"

She kept talking as I was silent and just looked at her with a soft gaze.

"I spend all my days handling the most trivial of matters, but as long as it helps you in your adventure, I couldn't be happier. It makes me feel like my work at least has some meaning. You gave my life a new meaning." She lay her head in my chest and didn't face me, but she tightly held my clothes.

"Aether, no matter how much I want to clean this feeling, it keeps coming back to me. I realize I fell in love with you." My heart skips a beat, I slowly tried to pat her head, but she raises her head and stands up before I could say anything.

She wipes her tears. "But it's okay, I am everyone's maid, and after all, I'm not even formally a knight yet. Until that day, I must work even harder." She smiled as she turns her back against me. I can only make a shocked face. "Noelle," I said slowly. She stopped.

How could I not realize this, Her warm smile, She who never think about herself but for others? She is the reason I feel safe and motivated. How can I not fell in love with her? I need her by my side. I don't want to let her carry this burden alone any longer.

This is too selfish for me, her dreams her works... but I can't keep the thorn of these roses keep strangling me."Noelle, I love you."

She cried and cried, "I love you too, Aether but loving you means everything I have done to become a knight is worthless" I hugged her tightly, no matter how long it takes, no matter what ground we step, no matter what fate will give us "I'll wait for that day to come."

I speak softly but clearly to her ears. For once, her stiff shoulder rests in my arm. For once, she cried and cried as her heart gave her permission to let her true feelings out. Soon she finally had stopped crying as she let out a big relief sigh. "As a maid, I should be the one serving you, but it seems you have done more for me than I could ever imagine."