FROM HIS MAID TO HIS QUEEN

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Lily's POV

"Who are you?" His voice was sharp like a blade, cutting through me and shattering my heart. This time, it was more terrifying like a hunted lion ready to tear apart anything in its path. My heart pounded so violently that I had to clutch my chest. Maybe it was because this was my first time facing him directly. I had seen him from afar on TV, in magazines, during interviews but standing before him in person was entirely different.

He was tall, powerful, and his presence was commanding. His blue eyes were cold and piercing, impossible to look away from. Despite the chill in his gaze, he was undeniably handsome. Or maybe he looked even more striking because of his coldness. But what was I thinking? Any normal person would be on their knees, begging for their life. Yet, here I was, admiring him.

"You came here to clean? Here?" His cold voice shattered my moment of distraction.

"Y-yes, sir. I was instructed to clean the last room in the east wing." Oh no, I can't believe I’m stammering now.

"And you thought this was the last room? Are you that daft? I know you’re a maid, but is your IQ so low that you can’t tell this isn’t the last room?"

What? Did he just say my IQ is low? Just because you're rich doesn’t mean you can say whatever you want! Of course, I wouldn’t dare say that out loud.

"Sir, I’m sorry, but I didn’t know there was another room. I thought I had reached the farthest end, and since there was so much space in between—"

I hadn’t even finished explaining when a low, menacing laugh echoed through the room. My heart skipped a beat. Did I overstep? Was I too bold? I only wanted to clarify that it was an honest mistake. But why was he laughing like a demon about to strike? I had seen it in movies when demons laughed before they attacked.

"Are you talking back to me?" His voice dropped lower, more dangerous. "Or are you trying to correct me?" He stepped closer, his piercing gaze locked onto mine.

Was he going to grab my throat?

"No, sir! I didn’t mean to, sir!" I quickly dropped to my knees.

"Bring me the chief maid."

I ran as fast as I could to fetch her and explained everything, my heart still hammering in my chest.

"What? What have you done?!" she exclaimed. "That’s his secret room! No one not even his parents can enter! There was a time when the CEO of Smith Corporation tried to break in, and he suffered severe consequences. The young master ended their partnership and even blacklisted their company! And you... You actually entered?! God help you."

My stomach dropped. If he treated a CEO that way for just attempting to enter, what would he do to a mere maid who had actually stepped inside? Oh God…

"Young master, please forgive her. She’s new. It was an honest mistake. I will make sure "

"You trained her, didn’t you?" Sebastian’s jaw clenched. "And yet, she walked into my private space. I hope she already understands the misfortune she has brought upon herself."

I fell to my knees again, pleading for forgiveness. I had no idea it was this serious. I was still begging when an unwelcome presence arrived ….Victoria.

Victoria was like a mosquito—always there to bite when you least expected it.

"Lily," she drawled, her voice laced with mock surprise. "You’re here again? A mistake, indeed."

She turned to the chief maid. "Why would you hire the daughter of a high-class prostitute to work in the Kingsley mansion? Do you think just anyone can work here? A girl raised in filth? What if she steals something? The Kingsleys can’t afford that kind of embarrassment."

Her words made my hands clenched into fists. I had been insulted before, countless times but never in front of Sebastian, never in front of so many people. What if they stopped talking to me? What if they sent me away?

"I would never steal," I said quietly.

Victoria scoffed. "Oh, of course not. But tell me, does your mother say that too before she spreads her legs for money?"

My anger surged to the surface. "Don’t you dare talk about my mother like that!"

How I wished I could slap her. How I wished I wasn’t a maid here. How I wished my mother wasn’t what she accused her of being.

Before I could react further…..

Smack!

She slapped me.

I froze, my cheek burning, but what could I do? Who was I to retaliate? I could only clutch my face.

"Oh? And what will you do about it?" she sneered. Then, turning to Sebastian, she feigned shock. "Sebastian, did you see that? She raised her voice at me! This girl has no respect. She doesn’t deserve to be here."

Sebastian lifted a hand. Everything went silent.

"Enough."

His gaze shifted to me. "What’s your name?"

"Lily, sir."

"You can go. But this must not happen again."

What? Did I hear him correctly? The mighty Sebastian Kingsley let me go unpunished?

The staff exchanged stunned glances, whispering among themselves. Sebastian never forgave anyone, yet he had let me walk away.

"Everyone, get back to work."

As I turned to leave, Emma, one of the maids, whispered, "You’re really lucky. Who are you, really, for the young master to forgive you?"

I smiled faintly. "I’m just Lily Seren."

That night, around nine, one of the senior maids pleaded with me to deliver fruit to the young master’s room.

"I think you’re special," she whispered. "I’m too scared to go. Please help me."

For some reason, I agreed. Maybe because she was my senior.

I knocked on Sebastian’s door. No response.

I entered, placed the tray on the table, and turned to leave

When he stepped out of his bathroom.

Wearing nothing but a towel.

I gasped, covering my eyes in panic. "I’m sorry! I’m sorry!"

He chuckled. "Why are you sorry? Bring my nightwear from the wardrobe."

What? I expected him to yell at me, not

I hesitated but retrieved the clothes. "Here it is."

"Dress me."

My brain short-circuited. "W-what?"

"You’re my maid. You’re supposed to serve me. So, dress me."

I hesitated but nodded. "O-okay."

I never imagined how difficult it would be to dress a grown man. Not just any man, but one so tall, broad-shouldered, and… insanely attractive. My eyes unintentionally traced his chiseled abs. I bit my lip.

He smirked. "Oh? Do you like what you see?"

I jumped. "W-what? No!"

"Then why are you biting your lip?"

I turned away, flustered. "I’ll get going now, sir."

"You’re not done with the buttons."

"Oh, sorry—"

He leaned in, his voice teasing. "Or am I too hot for you, Lily?"

Hearing him say my name sent a strange thrill through me. Was he drunk?

His voice turned cold. "Did you see anything when you entered my secret room?"

I swallowed hard. "No, sir."

"You sure? No matter what you see, if you speak… you’re gone."

A shiver ran down my spine. "Yes, sir."

"Goodnight, dear Lily."

What? "Dear?" Was he flirting with me?

I smirked as I walked out. Something wasn’t right. Was this a trap?

Sebastian’s POV

Wait… am I flirting with her?

I laugh. Me? I’ve never flirted before, never used sweet words. Always cold. But with this maid… is she different? Or am I falling for her charm?

No. That’s impossible. But something about her feels strange.

I called my secretary. “Look into her background. Family, history, everything. And bring me childhood pictures.”

A few hours later, he returns. “Sir, here’s what you requested about Lily.”

I scan the documents. No father. Mother: Diana Seren, a prostitute. No high school education. A troubled past. No wonder she keeps to herself.

She grew up in Auburn. Auburn? That’s where my grandfather lives.

“Here’s her childhood picture, sir.”

I freeze. She looks familiar. I’ve seen this face before. But where?

“Sir, you meet countless people daily. But I’ve never seen you investigate someone unless they were important. And she’s just a maid.”

"Yeah," I mutter. "That’s what’s bothering me."

He chuckles. “Maybe she’ll be your queen someday.”

I smirk, then my face turns cold. "Oh, really? We must be getting too close."

His smile fades. "N-No, sir. I’m sorry!"

"Get out."

I glance back at the pictures and freeze. A necklace.

I know this necklace. I remember picking it up once. But when?

Heart pounding, I rush to my secret room and open a small box.

It’s the same necklace.

She’s the one.

My Queen.

I’ve finally found her.