Chapter 7 – Part 2

Madeline, who immediately recognized Liese, opened her eyes wide but remained silent, understanding the situation.

Remembering Madeline’s kindness, Liese felt uncomfortable. Instead, she looked at Haley and spoke calmly.

“If the food was unsatisfactory, you could simply refrain from eating. After all, the banquet started after dinner, so it shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

“I don’t understand why Lady Brennan is lecturing me.”

Haley tilted her chin, trying to look innocent.

“Do you, by any chance, feel some sort of kinship with this maid?”

Someone snickered. It seemed there were whispered conversations about Liese’s past. Anticipating this, Liese responded calmly.

“There’s no need to feel kinship. Anyone would frown upon seeing a person unfairly bullied into serving one individual’s whims.”

“Then keep your frowns to yourself. Meddling in matters that don’t concern you is hardly noble behavior.”

Liese narrowed her eyes, wondering what this woman’s standards of nobility were.

The banquet after the orchestra’s performance was hosted by a nobleman with connections in Bachmann. But it was also one of the summer socials, and there was a name to be mentioned.

“I had no intention of disregarding Lady Dawson’s dietary concerns. I’ll inform the host, the Duke, of this issue and see if we can find a satisfactory solution. Since the Duke hosts these banquets most frequently, it seems wise to consult him.”

Haley raised an eyebrow, no longer able to keep Madeline on her toes at the mention of Marcus.

“Lady Brennan, if you insist on challenging me in everything, you’ll regret it.”

“I wouldn’t call it a challenge. I simply couldn’t ignore an immoral act.”

Haley curled her lip in displeasure. She glared at Liese, who stood her ground, undaunted.

Unable to argue further, Haley turned on her heel and stalked away. Her eyes glared back at Liese.

Liese looked back at Madeline. Madeline, who had been rolling her eyes at the sudden turn of events, quickly ducked her head.

She seemed to realize that they were no longer on equal footing. Looking at her with somewhat bitter eyes, Madeline, who had been glancing around, quickly whispered.

“There’s a staff-only area that’s hardly frequented if you pass the first-floor corridor where the break room is. Let’s talk there later.”

Then she paced away. It would have been awkward to be polite and thank her for her help, but Liese was inwardly grateful to Madeline for not pretending she didn’t know. As she waited for an opportunity to leave, a familiar voice suddenly spoke in her ear.

“Your grandfather would be so proud of you.”

Marcus, who had been standing close by, patted Liese on the back and casually wrapped his arm around her waist.

“A granddaughter who’s a terrible shot but a foul-mouthed one, I wonder if there’s anyone in the world who could handle you on the battlefield.”

“There is one. One who would never lose to me.”

Marcus let out an amused chuckle.

“What’s the point of beating someone as small as you?”

“That’s….”

Liese barely swallowed the question she should have asked herself. Marcus patted her on the back playfully, as if he knew. It was an impure gesture.

“How long have you been watching?”

“Since the beginning. Are you going to blame me for not intervening?”

“No. Thanks to mentioning the Duke, it was settled, so it’s as if you helped.”

“That’s good to hear. I always enjoy watching you being so bold.”

“Perhaps the Duke is the only one who thinks so. I’m afraid I’ll have a long and difficult relationship with Lady Dawson.”

“I suppose so. Do you regret clashing with her?”

“No, I don’t. It was probably inevitable anyway.”

Liese glanced up at Marcus.

“Do you think my conduct was right this time too?”

“Yes.”

He nodded, surprisingly crisply.

“It’s the fool who pretends not to see such unpleasant behavior. I somewhat agree with your opinion.”

“And what do you think my opinion is?”

“That you should show respect to those below you?”

Marcus asked, sarcasm in his voice. Liese narrowed her eyes questioningly.

“I’m sorry, but you don’t strike me as someone who agrees with that.”

“My way of showing respect is money.”

“…Ah.”

Marcus twisted his lips when Liese, who couldn’t help but agree, remained silent.

“It’s only natural to pay them a generous salary for their troublesome service. They’re indispensable for our convenience, and it’s even more foolish to pay them for their uselessness.”

It was an inhumane statement, but it wasn’t wrong. Liese blinked silently at the man’s inability to resist the occasional common sense comment.

‘…Now that I think about it.’

She’d never seen the Duke bully anyone other than Liese before.

In retrospect, it was true. Unlike when he was bullying Liese, Marcus had treated all servants with the same casual demeanor.

Being a man fixed at the top of the social hierarchy, she had a prejudice that he would arbitrarily belittle his subordinates. That’s why her first encounter with Marcus had been extremely mortifying. However, the Duke, though he did not show warm consideration, never showed contempt for those working in the mansion.

‘Why only me….’

Feeling wronged, Liese lowered her eyes gloomily.

What part of him was this sarcastic and mean-spirited personality that said she was a servant by nature?

“When it’s hard to decide what to do, act according to what you believe is right, Lieselotte. Don’t keep looking to me for approval, not that I’ve noticed you doing that anyway.”

“Yes. I’ll take that to heart.”

“Now, go meet your friend.”

By then, they had reached the entrance of the banquet hall. Liese watched Marcus’s back with calm eyes as he walked away, then she began to move.

It wasn’t hard to find the place Madeline had told her.

“Lieselotte!”

As she entered the quiet area, Madeline rushed over and grabbed Liese’s hands.

“Oh, my God, it’s so good to see you!”

“Good to see you, too. I wanted to say hello, but it was nice of you to bring me here separately.”

“No need to thank me for that. I heard early on that you were a noble lady. The whole mansion is already buzzing with the news… Oh, should I be more formal?”

Madeline looked embarrassed. Liese laughed softly.

“Don’t be. I didn’t reveal it because I didn’t want to draw a line between us.”

“Oh, thank you for standing up to that nasty lady earlier. I was having a hard time serving drinks to other guests because she kept interfering. I hope things didn’t become awkward between you and her because of it.”

“She was a difficult person to get close to anyway. Madeline, I would have done the same thing if it weren’t for you.”

They sat side by side on the narrow couch. They chatted over cookies, which Madeline always carried in her pocket.

“I thought you only worked until the social season came around, so what are you doing at the concert hall?”

“I’ve gotten a full-time job at the Duke’s estate.”

Madeline puffed out her chest proudly.

“They needed extra staff to serve some important guests in the city. They offered good extra pay, so I volunteered. The head maid gladly approved, saying I have a non-fussy personality.”

“I would have done the same, Madeline, for you are very dependable.”

Madeline smiled warmly at Liese, who smiled back. It was good news, since she’d always wanted to work full-time at the ducal residence, where the paychecks weren’t too shabby.

Madeline kept her head down, seemingly unharmed by Haley’s outrageous comments. Unlike Liese, she had a way of getting along in the mansion.

“By the way, you look really beautiful, Lieselotte.”

Madeline carefully examined Liese’s dress with curious eyes, gently touching it.

“It suits you well. It’s like you’re finally wearing clothes that fit you. Is the Duke treating you well? I heard you’re seeing each other with good feelings. How is it? Isn’t he a bit peculiar?”

“Well… he’s a better person than he appears to be.”

Madeline continued to chirp like a sparrow.

“Before the social season started, you and the Duke danced a waltz in the annex, right? The ballroom door was open then. All the maids, including me, gathered to watch.”

“Ah, that day…. I had no idea anyone was watching.”

“I figured. You and the Duke didn’t take your eyes off each other for a second.”

Madeline giggled mischievously. Rumors of the two falling in love had begun to circulate within the manor from that point on.

It was a memorable day for Liese, too. It was the day she gave Marcus a glass jar full of candy and an album.

Dancing in the golden-lit ballroom at dusk, just the two of them, basking in the red glow of the setting sun through the wide windows. It was a dreamlike time when she didn’t find Marcus hateful for the first time.

Until she heard his voice telling her how his mother died. Until she received an envelope of money for her efforts to please him.

“Lieselote, have you ever been to the Lantern Festival?”

Madeline interrupted my mixed emotions.

“What’s the Lantern Festival?”

“Oh my. What have you been doing all this time if you haven’t been there!”

Madeline exclaimed, excitedly explaining.

“It’s a festival held every night on the Melir River, where hundreds of lanterns float in the night sky, and you can ride a two-person boat under them. On the first night, all the couples in Bachmann went out on the boats.”

“Wow… that must be really pretty.”

“They say this weekend is the last day. You should go. Preferably with the Duke.”

Liese’s eyes sparkled as she envisioned the festivities.

“I don’t think the Duke would want to go to a place like that.”

She was curious about the Lantern Festival, of course, but she didn’t want to go with a man she didn’t feel comfortable with.

“At least ask him. You don’t have anyone else to go with, do you? Don’t get me wrong. I mean, it’s a romantic night festival and a boat ride meant for couples.”

“…….”

“They say this weekend is a day of rest for the party-weary nobility, and I’m sure the Duke has no outside appointments, just catching up on paperwork at his mansion.”

Madeline whispered secretively, like she was now an informant for the Duke’s mansion, with an ambitious smile.

“You must go, Liese. They say if you go on a boat ride under the lanterns, love will surely come true.”

Liese responded with a forced smile. Madeline, who had no idea of the complications that existed between her and the Duke, was as cheerful as ever.

A boat ride under the lanterns leading to love with Marcus? It seemed utterly unrealistic. Even a leisurely festival stroll felt like an extravagant luxury.

She finished chatting with Madeline, hiding her true feelings. After some time, they returned to the banquet hall, leaving behind the pleasant reunion.