Chapter 70: Behave
When Axelius returned to his room, he didn’t bother to change or take off his shoes. He just walked straight to the bed, jumped on it, and sank his face deep into the pillows, letting out a loud groan like the world had just ended.
He didn’t even get to fully enjoy the muffin he stole or laugh at Owen one more time when suddenly—click—the door creaked open, and the soft but clear voice of Millie filled the room.
"Young Master Axelius," she said while bowing slightly, standing at the doorway with two other maids behind her. "The Duke has called for you."
Axelius didn’t even lift his head from the pillow. He let out a muffled sound before saying, "Nah, don’t wanna."
There was a long pause before Millie, her voice a little more urgent now, spoke again, "I’m sorry, Young Master, but we can’t allow the Duke to be angry with you again. Please cooperate."
Axelius let out another loud sigh but didn’t resist when the other maids walked in, gently pulling him off the bed and dragging him toward the bathroom like a sack of potatoes. He was too tired to fight back and too annoyed to care.
He just stood there while they scrubbed him clean, combed his hair, splashed him with expensive soap that smelled like flowers, and poured warm water over his head. After that, they dressed him in one of the grandest outfits he had ever worn—layers of noble clothes in deep royal blue and silver, with buttons that probably cost more than a whole street.
One of the maids carefully tied his long hair into a low ponytail, letting it lay over his shoulder in front. Axelius sat there the entire time with a huge frown on his face, arms crossed tightly, and his body stiff like a statue being forced to wear a crown.
"What?" he muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I’m invited to Ellory’s birthday now? Didn’t he say I’m grounded?"