Inside the master room, the sounds of rustling fabric and soft murmurs filled the air. Isabel had just finished the arduous task of drying Diana’s hair and was now navigating the ever-so delicate challenge of maneuvering her into warm silk pajamas.

Across the room, Sadie had just pulled the towel away from Kurt’s head, having finished drying his own damp locks.

Kurt ran a hand through his hair, feeling the warmth of the fireplace nearby. "Thanks, Sadie. Although I could have handled that myself."

"Nah. Remember what Wendy told you, bossman. Don’t fret over the small things. It’s our job to look after you, so just relax and leave the details to us."

Letting out a small chuckle, he then stood up and reached into his wardrobe to grab a fresh set of sleeping clothes. "Fair enough. I’m going to step into the bathroom to change really quick."

"Where do you think you’re going?!" Diana’s voice rang out, loud and slurred. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, swaying slightly as Isabel struggled to button her top.

"Just changing, Diana. It’ll only take a second."

"Change here!" she demanded, pointing a finger at the floor.

"If I change here," Kurt said slowly, as if explaining to a child, "then Sadie and Isabel are going to see me naked. Are you sure you want that?"

The realisation hit her like a bucket of ice water. Her eyes went wide, and she immediately turned into a protective lioness. She whipped her head toward the two maids.

"Out! Both of you! Out right now!"

Isabel fumbled with the buttons with a flushed face. "But Ms. Valentine, I’m not finished! Your top isn’t buttoned fully and you’re still in your... well, your undergarments."

"I don’t care! I can do it! Go!" Diana shooed them with her hands, nearly falling off the bed in the process.

Isabel looked at Sadie, who shrugged with an amused expression. They both bowed. Before Isabel crossed the threshold, she turned back to Kurt, her face turning a deep shade of crimson.

"Please... Master Rossana, make sure she gets dressed properly. She’s... she’s a handful tonight." She gave him a lingering, shy look before closing the door behind them.

Now alone, Diana patted the bed with a goofy grin. "Okay. No maids. Change now."

’I feel like there’s something seriously wrong here.’

"You should finish up too, Ana. You’ll catch a cold if you haven’t already."

"I will~, I will~," she giggled.

Kurt turned his back to her and began to pull off his damp shirt and pants. However, the skin on the back of his neck began to prickle. He sensed eyes on him. Not just any eyes, but a predatory, focused gaze. He glanced over his shoulder and nearly choked.

Diana was lying on her side; her hair draped over her shoulder and face. She was watching him with wide, hungry eyes, her top still open, holding her breast with one hand while the other was tucked firmly into the waistband of her panties.

"Ana! What are you doing?!" Kurt dropped his shirt and lunged across the bed to grab both of her hands, pulling them away.

She let out a flustered, tinkling laugh, her face flushed with wine and heat. "I couldn’t help it! Rosie, you’re way too sexy when you’re changing~ My body just... reacted!"

"And you are way too drunk," Kurt groaned as he felt his own face heating up. He let go of her hands and grabbed her pajama top, beginning to work the buttons with clumsy, hurried fingers. "We are getting you dressed before you do something we both won’t be able to walk away from."

"Hehehe~ Ah~ Haah~ Where are you touching me, Rosie~?"

Diana didn’t make it easy. Every time his knuckles brushed against her skin, she let out a soft, intentional moan, leaning her weight into him. Kurt kept his face as stony as a statue, focusing entirely on the tiny silk buttons.

"You’re blushing, Master Rosie~ I can see it~"

"S-Shut up and stand up. I need to put your pants on."

She stood up, but instead of cooperating, she draped her arms around his neck and hooked one leg around his waist, pinning him close. Kurt took a deep, shaky breath, fighting a losing battle against the temptation radiating off her.

"Stop it, Ana," he whispered.

She didn’t listen. She buried her face in the crook of his neck, her lips and tongue trailing hot across his skin as she began to suck and kiss his pulse point.

"Mmm... put my pants on, I’m getting cold. So cold..."

"You sure you aren’t feeling hot instead?"

He waited for a witty retort, but none came. He felt her weight grow slack against him, her breathing evening out into a deep, rhythmic tempo. He pulled back slightly and saw that her eyes were closed as her head rested peacefully on his shoulder.

She had passed out mid-seduction.

Kurt let out a long, weary sigh of relief. Or disappointment?

He carefully finished dressing her, tucked her under the heavy down comforter, and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. After changing into his own clothes, he slipped out of the room, moving quietly down the grand staircase.

As he reached the foyer, the front doors creaked open. Dominik was stepping out, looking exhausted but wearing a faint smile. He was carrying a snoring, incoherent Mia in his arms.

"Dom?" Kurt called out.

"Hm? Oh hey, man. Long day?"

Kurt walked down the final few steps. "Tell me about it. Hey, why didn’t you tell me you were engaged? I had to find out from a drunken Mia and a very excited Diana."

"Honestly? It happened right before we left for the island. I needed something to keep me focused, you know? A reason to make sure I came back in one piece. Also, it was about time anyway. I was going to tell you once the dust settled from the mission and all the kids were accounted for, but it looks like my fiancé couldn’t keep a secret."

"Huh? No wonder you showed up at the pier looking like you’d been attacked by a swarm of lipstick-wearing bees."

Mia stirred in Dominik’s arms, let out a soft moan, and patted his chest. "Dommy... take me home. Too much wine..."

"We’re going, we’re going," Dominik cooed at her with a tenderness that Kurt hadn’t seen before. He looked back at Kurt.

"By the way, the mission is officially completed. You can swing by the station if you want the full breakdown. Also, you might be getting a visit from a royal guard but don’t worry you’re not in trouble. It’s the opposite. The king will most likely be rewarding you."

"Thanks for the heads-up."

"No prob. Later, brother."

"Later, Dom. Congrats on the engagement."

After the doors closed behind them, Kurt wandered back toward the backyard. Madam Valentine was still there, reclining on a lounge chair. She was scribbling something in a red covered book.

"Madam Valentine?"

She looked up, her eyes slightly glazed from the evening’s festivities. She closed the book, slid it between her humongous breasts, and patted the seat next to her. "Ah, Prince Charming returns. Sit. Sit down, Kurt."

’What the hell did I just see?’

Kurt took a seat on the adjacent chair and got comfortable. "I don’t see Wendy anywhere."

"Oh her? I believe she retired for the night, haha. She really knows how to hold her liquor, that one." She laughed melodically.

"You know... My baby, Diana... when we were drinking, she wouldn’t stop talking about you. "’Rosie this’, ’Rosie that’." She leaned in with a playful glint in her eyes. "I’m Julianne Valentine. Buuut, you can just call me Mom~"

"Ha..haha. Isn’t it a bit early for that, Julianne?"

"Oh? Why is that? You are planning on marrying her, aren’t you?"

"Of course," Kurt said without a moment’s hesitation.

"Mmm~ A straight shooter. I like it. So, when?"

Kurt paused, looking out over the water. "After I save the world."

Julianne stared at him with wide eyes for a second. Then, she burst into a fit of boisterous laughter, clutching her stomach. "Ahahaha! Handsome, strong, ambitious, and funny too! You really are a catch!"

She laughed so hard she began to tilt, losing her balance on the edge of the lounge chair.

"Oh–!"

"Careful!"

Before she could tumble onto the stone, Kurt moved with a blur of speed. He caught her mid-fall, sweeping her up into a perfect princess carry.

Julianne’s laughter died down as she found herself tucked against his chest. A faint, genuine blush crept onto her cheeks. "My... Thank you, Kurt."

"No problem," he replied, his expression turning serious as he looked down at her. "But please, be careful. I wouldn’t want to lose you."

’For Diana’s sake.’

Julianne’s eyes went wide, and the blush deepened until it reached the tips of her ears. Unable to meet his gaze, she looked away. "...Is that so?"

"Something wrong?" Kurt asked, tilting his head to get a proper look at her. She immediately snapped her head the other direction.

"That’s... that’s enough for tonight!" her voice pitched higher than usual. "Please put me down, I’m going to rest in the guest room."

As he set her feet on the ground, she took one step and wobbled dangerously. Kurt didn’t even wait for her to fall this time; he scooped her back up into his arms.

"I’ll take you there. You’re too tipsy."

Julianne covered her face with her hands, peeking through her fingers like a shy girl. "I can go myself! I must be so heavy! This is embarrassing!"

Kurt smiled gently at her. "I don’t want to see you get hurt," ’For Diana’s sake.’ "Let me take you. You’re not heavy at all. You’re safe in my arms, see?" He held her more securely to his chest.

Julianne stopped resisting as her fingers closed shut. She then let out a meek, "Okay."

He carried her through the silent halls to the primary guest room, opening the door and gently setting her onto the soft mattress. He knelt down and carefully slid her heels off her feet, setting them neatly by the bed.

"Is there anything else you need? Should I call a maid?"

"No," she whispered, looking up at him from the pillows. "I’m fine. I can handle the rest."

"Alright. Sleep well, Julianne."

He turned to leave, but as his hand touched the doorknob, her voice stopped him. "Kurt?"

He looked back.

"I’m glad," she said, her voice sincere and sober for a moment. "I’m glad someone like you is with my daughter. Please... look after her."

"I will. And don’t worry – I’ll look after you too."

’For Diana’s sake.’

He closed the door softly, leaving Julianne staring at the dark wood. Her heart pounded against her ribs and a stunned, bewildered expression caught her face.

"Huh?"