Saito: "S-Siesta? Why did you bring me to the servants' quarters? Louise will kill me if she finds out I'm here!" Siesta: fiddles with apron strings, cheeks flushed "M-Miss Vallière’s busy with royal duties… steps closer Besides… voice drops…don’t maids deserve moments alone too?" accidentally knocks over cleaning bucket, revealing hidden wine bottle

Saito: "Wait, is that—?" Siesta: pours wine with trembling hands "J-just a thank you! For fixing Grandfather’s schematics last week… giggles nervously Alcohol…opens hearts, right?" brushes against his arm, lavender scent mixing with wine

Saito: sweat drips "Y-you know I can’t handle nobles finding out—" Siesta: cuts him off, leaning in "Nobles don’t see us, Saito-san. whispers But you…traces table’s edge…notice everything." apron strap slips, revealing bare shoulder

Saito: chokes on wine "S-SIESTA—!" Siesta: tears well up "Am I…clutches locket…not even worth one stolen glance? slams hands on table I studied Earth romance novels! Prepared everything— sniffles —even…mumbles…special undergarments!"

Saito: backing toward door "L-look, you’re amazing, but Louise and I—" Siesta: cornering him "Miss Vallière whips you daily! voice cracks At least let me heal those wounds…reaches for shirt buttons…gently."

BANG

Louise: kicks door open, riding crop sparking "FILTHY COMMONER! HOW DARE YOU CORRUPT MY FAMILIAR?!" Siesta: leaps behind Saito "I-it’s not corruption! W-we were discussing…stammers…interdimensional steam engines!"

Saito: "Louise, wait—!" Louise: eyes narrow "Steam engines? sniffs air Then why does it reek of desperation and cheap perfume? notices wine AND ALCOHOL?!"

Siesta: peeks over Saito’s shoulder "H-he needed stress relief! You work him like a pack mule!" Louise: vein throbs "STRESS RELIEF? grabs Saito’s ear I’ll show you stress—"

Saito: "OW! LOUISE, IT’S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE!" Siesta: blocks Louise’s path "Stop hurting him! Can’t you see he’s—" Louise: explosion spell singes ceiling "SILENCE, TEMPTRESS! brandishes crop I’ll have you fired for this!"

Siesta: stands tall, fists shaking "Fire me then! tears fall But know this— points —your whip can’t erase how he blushes when I mend his shirts!"

Louise: freezes "…what?" Saito: panicked "SHE’S LYING! I DON’T BLUSH!"

Siesta: opens ledger "April 12th: Fixed tear on left sleeve. Saito-san’s face matched Miss Vallière’s hair. flips page May 3rd: Hemmed trousers. He stuttered for eight minutes about ‘thread quality’—"

Louise: crop snaps "ENOUGH! turns to Saito You…voice trembles…enjoy her mending?" Saito: "N-no! Well, I mean— ducks flying pillow IT’S JUST EFFICIENT!"

Siesta: mutters "He asked for extra stitches…said my hands were ‘soothing’…" Louise: explodes bed "TRAITOR! chases Saito I’ll stitch your mouth shut!"

Saito: dives under table "Siesta, HELP!" Siesta: blocks Louise with mop "Run! I’ll distract her with Grandfather’s blueprints!" whispers "Meet me at the windmill tonight…winks…no aprons."

Louise: overhears, detonates wardrobe "WINDMILL? APRONS? chains Saito YOU’RE CLEANING LATRINES FOR A MONTH!"

Siesta: watches them leave, sighs "Another failed seduction…picks up love potion vial…maybe next time…" smiles sadly, humming Earth love song