#chapter 1a

Last week, I wanted to go to see a movie with him. After we arrived at the theatre, I was so excited to finally get to enjoy this time with him, but instead of being excited with me, he blatantly refused.

“As milady’s butler, I shall wait patiently for milady to return from watching her movie.” He said as he bowed.

“But Louis!” I retorted, “I wanted to see this movie with you!” I then pointed to a poster of this year’s top-rated horror movie.

He once again bows. “I am your butler. To do so would be shameful.”

“Shameful?!” Mouth agape, I grew angrier by the second. “Well, fine then! I’ll go by myself if it’s so shameful to go with me!” I marched off to buy a ticket. Then after, as I started to walk towards the room where the movie was being projected, I looked back at Louis. There was a saddened expression on Louis’ face. I felt my heart clench from the growing guilt. I knew it was highly uncharacteristic of me to act in such a way, but when it came to Louis and how much I had my hopes up… I just… I’m an idiot to blow a fuse like that…

Since that day,  I tried to put that day aside and I’ve been repeatedly trying to spend more time with him. Yet, like that day, he kept refusing on the premise that he is my butler…

Attempt Day 2:

“Louis, let’s have dinner together!”

“I’m sorry, milady. A butler cannot eat in front of his mistress.”

Attempt Day 3:

“Louis! The amusement park just opened a new ride! Let’s ride together!”

“I’m sorry, milady. As your butler, I cannot do more than observe from afar. Please understand.”

Each day I tried my best to remain positive about his rejections, but today, I just couldn’t take it any more. I’ve had it! “Louis just wants to keep the relationship ‘a mistress and butler’ one and I should respect that.” I begrudgingly said to myself as I grit my teeth.

“Milady!” Louis suddenly called out as he quickly walked over to me.

“Yes, Louis?” I spoke in a tone as stereotypical of a lady as possible.

“What would you like to do today?”

I looked off into the distance, “I just want to have tea here in the garden.”

He stood silent for a moment and then bowed as he said, “I’ll prepare the tea right away. I’ll bring it to the gazebo in the garden so please wait for me there.”

“Alright,” I said as I started to walk towards the gazebo.  

After about 15 minutes, Louis wheeled over a cart with the tea. He poured the tea into a flower-shaped cup and placed it in front of me. I lifted it up and took a sip.

“It’s delicious. Thank you.” I said in a rather monotone voice. I set the cup back onto the saucer and then I looked at Louis. I was expecting to see his “butler face,” but instead he looked pained. I cleared my throat. “Is something the matter, Louis?” I asked as I picked up the cup, looked to the side and took another sip to make it seem like I was just casually asking.

He was silent for some time that I had to look at him for a response. I then saw that his expression had drooped even more. With his saddened, puppy eyes, he then said, “It should be me who should be asking you that… You’re not acting like yourself today…”

At that moment, instead of feeling warmth from his worried words, something in me just snapped. “I’m just trying to be a lady, Louis! Just how you wanted!”

“ ‘How I wanted’?” He echoed.

“Yes! When I wanted to spend time with you-“ I stopped myself. I knew it was pointless to take my anger out on him. “You know what? Just forget it. Let’s just end it here today.” I started to get up. “Thanks for the tea, Louis.” Without waiting for a response, I stormed to my room.