“My lady, have you been well?”

Unlike me, excited to see Soniel, she greeted me with a composed voice.

She was still lovely and beautiful, but the refreshing and free-spirited feeling I had when we first met was nowhere to be found.

Could someone’s aura change so drastically in just a few weeks?

I shuddered imagining what Soniel might have experienced at the Viper household.

“Soniel, it’s been a while.”

I too responded calmly, barely suppressing my emotions. But seeing Soniel up close made the gravity of the situation more apparent.

She’s lost some weight in her face.

Though she was beautifully dressed and adorned with elaborate accessories today as well, all of it seemed cumbersome.

“How have you been?”

Soniel didn’t answer immediately and swallowed hard once.

“I’ve been well, thanks to your concern, my lady.”

“I was worried when you weren’t seen for a while.”

“I still have much to learn, so I focused on studying and self-improvement.”

Anyone could tell these were lines Foil had instructed her to say.

Ugh, how frustrating!

I just want to have a comfortable conversation with Soniel.

I looked at the maids standing behind her.

Last time she came with only two maids, but today there was also a sharp-looking woman with them.

The maids looked more subdued than during their last visit, but they didn’t seem to have completely become Soniel’s people yet.

Perhaps that would never be possible.

‘That girl was quite bold. Was her name Lili?’

I looked at Johana, Lili, and the unnamed woman once before speaking.

“You must have a hard time attending to your miss.”

Johana flinched and glanced at Lili. In contrast, Lili bowed her head without any change in expression.

“Thank you, my lady. It’s only what we should do.”

“Johana, Lili. And what’s your name? Are you a new maid?”

When I asked, she twitched her eyebrow once and answered.

“I am Talena Trubie. Miss Viper’s governess.”

…Why on earth would they send a governess along?

I understand the intention to monitor what Soniel says and how she behaves, but.

Isn’t this too much?

Talena gave an impression of being more composed and somewhat colder than Lili or Johana.

“So you’re her teacher. I almost made a mistake. But Trubie… is an unfamiliar surname. Where are you from?”

I need a database on this new person.

When I asked, Talena replied without raising her head.

“I’m from Scott.”

Scott was where Soniel came from.

This time I looked toward where Soniel stood and asked.

“Were you already acquainted with Teacher Talena?”

Soniel glanced at Talena once and nodded.

“Yes, she was my teacher at the convent.”

I see.

Instead of calling Madam Pollietti, they intend to handle everything within the household.

They probably want to avoid information leaking when people come and go from outside.

I turned my head again to look at the maid.

“Johana.”

Johana seemed startled that I singled her out, wearing a surprised expression.

“Yes.”

“Is your miss now recovered from her fever?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m asking because your miss hasn’t been attending social gatherings due to a fever. Am I mistaken?”

Then Lili slightly raised her head and answered.

“No. She’s fine now.”

“You haven’t changed. I asked Johana.”

Considering the letter Soniel sent me, I wanted to line them all up and give them a good scolding.

Sigh, but I must be patient.

“I apologize, miss.”

“Fine. Now all of you may leave.”

When I gestured, the two maids looked somewhat bewildered.

“We’re sorry, my lady. The master instructed us to always attend to our miss.”

Once again, Foil seemed intent on controlling Soniel through the maids.

Not content with maids, he even sent an unexpected governess.

‘Ha, does he think I’ll stand for this?’

Sending Soniel to the imperial court to attend to the Emperor was an unparalleled opportunity.

He wouldn’t want to miss that chance, but he couldn’t allow her to become close to me either.

‘Then he should have come himself instead of sending maids. How dare he have mere maids deal with me?’

Last time, I couldn’t handle them properly because Soniel intervened and went home, but today is different.

They’ve come to meet the Emperor, haven’t they?

Soniel can’t leave claiming illness, and the maids can’t easily defy my words.

“Is that so?”

When I asked with a slant, Lili answered obediently.

“Yes, my lady.”

“Does that mean… your miss’s health is not yet fully recovered?”

“……”

“Didn’t you just say her fever was completely gone? But if she needs two maids constantly attending to her because she’s not well.”

“……”

“Then your miss cannot serve His Majesty.”

When I added coldly, all the women’s faces turned white except for Sabine’s.

“But.”

Lili tried to make some excuse, but I had no intention of listening.

“Soniel, you should come back when you’re completely well.”

I completely changed my expression and turned toward Soniel.

“You’ll be serving His Majesty during his illness and dealing with him. It’s an honorable but challenging task.”

“Yes, my lady. I understand how weighty and important this duty is.”

“So you need to be in the healthiest state of body and mind. It’s problematic with a body that needs care like now. Do you understand what I mean?”

Soniel looked extremely tense.

She then looked back at the maids standing behind her and then at me again.

While the maids exchanged glances in confusion, I winked at Soniel.

At that moment, Soniel’s frozen face relaxed instantly.

When I raised my eyebrows again, Soniel’s face became tense once more.

Of course, unlike before, I could tell now that she was acting.

“So everyone should return home today.”

At that moment, the governess tried to step forward, but Soniel calmly spoke.

“Yes, my lady. I understand.”

She looked once more at the still-confused maids and bowed to me.

“Sabine, please see Miss Viper out.”

“Yes, my lady.”

❀❀❀

“Why did you treat Miss Soniel like that earlier?”

Sabine asked me with a face that showed she couldn’t understand at all.

I leisurely sipped my tea and smiled.

“Did you think it was easy to serve His Majesty up close?”

When I spoke in a voice unlike my usual self, Sabine narrowed her eyes.

“Your lies don’t work on me.”

Ha, Sabine knows me too well now.

“Fine, I know. I realized it myself right after I said it.”

I grumbled as I put down my teacup.

“Please tell me, miss. Why did you send her back immediately? You’ve been worried about Miss Soniel all this time. You said she needed to get out of that mansion somehow.”

Yes, that’s right. Since learning about Soniel’s situation, I’ve been constantly worried about her.

But worrying doesn’t solve anything, and there wasn’t much I could do with my current power.

“Yes, I sent her back for Soniel’s sake.”

“…Could you explain it in a way I can understand?”

When Sabine spoke sulkily, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Did you see those people glaring from behind earlier?”

“Yes, they came again today without fail. Last time there were only two maids, but today a scary woman joined them.”

“Indeed.”

“Why on earth did they send a governess?”

“Probably to watch if Soniel follows instructions. Johana is too timid, and Lili, well, she’s somewhat useful but.”

He must have felt uneasy with just the maids.

As I snickered, Sabine nodded slowly and said.

“No matter what, they’re no match for you, miss.”

“Since I sent her back like this, the Duke must be getting anxious now.”

I’d like to see his panicked face up close, but Soniel will see it and tell me everything, so I’ll just wait.

“From now on, whether it’s maids, a governess, or whoever.”

I continued with a gentle smile.

“If they send anyone else along, I’ll send them all back.”

Sabine bit her fingertip, seeming a bit concerned.

“Miss, but… will Duke Viper just sit still?”

“I’m the one holding all the cards anyway.”

“What do you think will happen next?”

“Next time, she’ll come alone. He’s a smart person, so he’ll have understood my intentions.”

I finished drinking my now-lukewarm tea and smiled brightly.

“His Majesty entrusted this to me in front of everyone. So now he needs to stay on my good side.”

And my prediction hit the mark exactly.