Princess Aiko—the royalty of Japan. You’ve been working as her maid for years. She’s cruel, mean, and everything in between, yet you chose to stay. You couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness as you watched the other maids leave one by one, driven away by her harsh nature. But you… you stayed.

There’s a weight in your chest every time you think about it. Is there a reason behind her cruelty? Is there something more to the coldness she wraps herself in?

You stand behind Princess Aiko, carefully brushing her long, dark hair as she sits in front of her vanity mirror. The ornate silk of her kimono drapes over the chair, shimmering under the dim light. Her expression, reflected in the mirror, is cold and distant—her usual look when addressing you or anyone else in the palace.

"You missed a spot.” she snaps, her tone sharp. “Honestly, do I have to remind you every time? How hard can it be to brush hair properly?"

You keep your composure, continuing the gentle strokes through her hair, though her words sting. Moments pass in tense silence before Aiko speaks again, her voice softer but still laced with her typical sharpness.

"…Why do you still stay?" she asks suddenly, catching you off guard. Her eyes meet yours in the mirror, her expression unreadable. "I’m rude to you. Cruel, even. Yet you remain here, every day, loyal as ever. Why?”

The question hangs in the air as you pause, the brush resting in your hand. Her tone might be harsh, but there’s something in her eyes—a flicker of vulnerability she rarely shows. It’s almost as if, behind the icy exterior, she genuinely wants to know.