Chapter 6. The Day of the First Snow (1)

“Are you going somewhere today?”

As I leisurely chose a dress after waking up early for the first time in a while, Vivian, who was tidying the bed, asked me.

“How did you know? I’m going out today, so just do a light touch-up, please.”

Today was the day I’d be visiting the Raven Duke’s estate. I had been invited almost by force, so I couldn’t sleep properly out of nerves. I ended up waking early and checking the dark circles that had formed under my eyes in the mirror.

Wow, this is bad. Can I even cover this up with makeup?

Looking at my face from different angles, I seemed even more worn out than usual today. I’d pulled too many all-nighters studying for exams lately, so my skin condition was a disaster. Hmm, I can’t go to the Duke’s estate like this.

“Vivian, could you help me with my makeup?”

“That’s unusual… Are you going somewhere important?”

Well, if you put it that way, it is an important place. The Raven Duchy — the famous family said to hold power second only to the imperial family. I never imagined I’d be going there myself.

What if I mess up? Oh, should I bring a gift? I’ll stop by that cake shop I visited before and grab a strawberry cake or something.

“But hey, Vivian.”

“Yes, my lady?”

As I felt her fingers lightly patting my face, I casually asked her,

“Should I bring a bodyguard knight with me?”

“Of course, that goes without saying.”

“By the way, Vivian.”

“Yes, miss.”

As Vivian gently patted makeup onto my face, I casually struck up a conversation.

“Do I really have to take a bodyguard knight with me?”

“That’s only natural.”

She looked at me like she was saying, ‘Don’t even dream of stepping out without one.’

Vivian, I can go out on my own just fine! Sigh—her overprotectiveness lately was starting to get suffocating.

“Then… isn’t there a kind of bodyguard knight who goes whoosh! and shows up, then poof! disappears?”

I recalled the bodyguards of Madame Martina that I’d seen on the street. They were tall and agile, like people out of a movie, appearing swiftly out of nowhere—it had left a lasting impression on me. And Madame Martina herself had looked so elegant, summoning her knights with just two claps of her hands… I want to do something like that too!

Hearing me, Vivian paused mid-makeup and gave me a flat, frosty look.

Oh my, why are you looking at me like that?

“Where would you even find knights like that?”

“That’s how the Duchess Martina’s knights were.”

Flinch. Vivian jerked so hard it was like her whole body recoiled—and then she froze like an ice sculpture. I even clapped my hands in front of her face, but she didn’t blink.

What the—was she sleeping with her eyes open?

“Is the place you’re going today by any chance…?”

“Yeah. I’m going to the Raven Duke’s estate. I was invited by the Duchess.”

I answered casually, and Vivian suddenly started trembling. V-Vivian? You’re acting really strange today. Worried, I cautiously reached out a hand, but she set down the makeup brush and spoke seriously.

“I’ll summon all the maids in the house.”

Her expression was so firm I was at a loss for words. Vivian alone should be more than capable of preparing me—why was she suddenly this motivated?

“Vivian, what are you—”

“Miss, you should have told me earlier. You weren’t seriously planning to wear this dress to the duchy, were you?”

“I-I was… uh.”

As I tried to answer, I quickly shut my mouth. That look in her eyes—it was like an eagle eyeing its prey. Why do I keep getting glared at like I’m about to be devoured lately?

Vivian swiftly undid my braided hair and shoved me toward the bathroom.

“Wash up before the other maids arrive.”

“Huh? I already washed! And you just did my makeup too!”

“We’re  redoing all of it, so wash your face thoroughly!”

Dragged into the bathroom against my will, I looked pitifully at Vivian. But she heartlessly slammed the door shut behind me.

Where did my humble and kind Vivian go? Bring her back!

“Sigh, guess I have no choice.”

In the end, I sank deep into the bath. I had just washed up earlier, but here I was, bathing again… And this time, rose petals were floating gently in the grand bath. Hmm, the scent of roses was stronger than I expected. At this rate, I might suffocate from the fragrance.

After washing up and slipping into a robe, I stepped out to find a crowd of maids waiting for me. Startled by their inexplicable energy, I instinctively took a step back, but Vivian gently took my arm.

“My lady.”

“Uh… yeah?“

“Now, just relax and leave yourself to us.”

Something about that phrasing felt off.

I tried to object, but when I saw Vivian’s cheerful smile—a smile I’d never seen before—I froze. Looking closely, I realized her mouth was smiling, but her eyes weren’t. It was the kind of smile that warned you: if you ran or resisted now, you’d regret it later.

“To think my lady was invited to the duke’s estate…”

“We’ll make you absolutely stunning!”

W-Wait a second. Your eyes are scary. As I sat there frozen stiff, countless hands rushed at me all at once.

I’m scared. So scared.

It felt like every repressed desire they’d had to dress me up and do my makeup was exploding all at once.

“H-Hey… I can do it myself—ahh! Where are you touching?!“

Their hands were relentless. It kind of felt like I was being bullied, but when I saw my reflection in the mirror growing prettier and prettier, I couldn’t bring myself to run away. Not that I had a chance to run in the first place.

In no time, I was perfected from head to toe. Wow—these maids really were something else! My pale face bloomed with a soft spring-like pink, and my sleepy, dull eyes now sparkled like sunlight. My dry, cracked lips were transformed into rosy, glossy ones like rose petals.

Even the dress—a pure white, perfect for winter—fit me better than I expected. I thought such a bright dress wouldn’t suit me, but with the maids’ help, it was tailored to fit me just right.

My hair was braided up and a little uncomfortable, but since they went to the trouble of styling it, I should be careful not to mess it up. And for the finishing touch—Kyle’s necklace!

After getting completely ready, Vivian approached me as I was about to board the carriage.

“My lady, you must win the Duchess’s favor.”

“Um… sure, okay.”

Vivian held my hand tightly. Her warmth slowly seeped into me. But Vivian… I’m not going to the duchy to impress anyone… I’m going pretty much against my will. Still, seeing her uncharacteristically excited expression, I couldn’t say anything.

With Vivian’s not-quite-cheer of support, I climbed into the carriage. The coachman shouted the departure call, and the carriage began heading for the Duke’s estate.

Ah, right. The cake! I almost forgot to stop by Très Le Jour before heading out, but thankfully, I managed to buy the cake in time.

***

The Duke’s residence was unimaginably vast—so much so that, for a moment, I thought I had arrived at the academy instead.

How could a mansion be as big as the main building of the academy?

With my mouth agape, I stepped down from the carriage and was greeted by a man who looked like the butler of the Raven estate.

“Welcome to the Raven Duke’s residence. I am Sebastian, the butler.”

A name perfectly fitting for a classic butler. Hmm, I should remember it—Sebastian. I repeated his name in my head as I bowed politely.

“Hello, Mr. Sebastian.”

“Please, just call me Sebastian or simply Butler.”

He was incredibly courteous. It reminded me of when I first met Vivian. Dressed neatly in a refined butler’s uniform, Sebastian looked surprisingly young—maybe mid to late twenties?

The image of a butler I had in my mind was an elderly man in a black suit with pristine white gloves, but Sebastian was nothing like that.

Well, I’m not complaining—he’s handsome. With thick brown hair flowing in the wind and striking blue eyes, Sebastian was an exceptionally attractive man. His cold expression and immaculate posture only made him more stunning.

“Please follow me.”

So this was finally it—I was going inside the duke’s estate. I steadied my pounding heart and followed Sebastian in.

The walk to the reception room was quite long. After keeping silent for a while, I finally struck up a conversation with Sebastian.

“How long have you been working here, Sebastian?“

“I’ve been officially employed for less than a year.”

What?! And yet he’s this skilled? The way he guided me through the duke’s residence was so professional, I thought he had worked here for years…

After that brief exchange, silence returned between us. Ugh, I hate this kind of awkwardness! Sebastian turned out to be much more soft-spoken than I had imagined. He seemed like the type who only said what was necessary.

Unable to bear the silence, I gathered my courage and spoke up again.

“U-um, why did you decide to become a butler, Sebastian?“

“My family has served the Raven household for generations. I’m merely continuing the tradition.”

“Wow, then your father must have been the previous head butler, right?“

“Yes. But he suddenly left just a few days ago…”

Oh no, what a heavy topic all of a sudden… If he left, does that mean… to the other world? I looked intently at Sebastian, who spoke with a calm expression. His face didn’t show it, but I was sure he was holding back tears inside.

I looked at him with a concerned expression and tried to comfort him.

“That… must’ve been really hard for you.”

“Not exactly. More than anything, I was just very angry.”

Huh? Why? Don’t people usually say they’re sad or that they miss them? I thought I caught a flicker of anger on Sebastian’s usually calm face. What’s this? I don’t get it.

Looking at him suspiciously, I blurted out a question.

“Why? Why are you angry?“

“Because he suddenly announced his retirement and went off to a southern island to enjoy a vacation.”

Sebastian ground his teeth and clenched his fists tightly. He looked really mad—and given the circumstances, I could understand why. His father had left without any notice, dropping just a single letter before heading off for a leisurely vacation. Because of that, Sebastian, who had only been a trainee butler at the time, was suddenly thrust into the role of head butler and had to manage everything on his own.

Wow, that’s kind of terrible of his father!

So by ‘left,’ he meant ‘went on vacation’? That was a pretty misleading way to put it! Ugh, I totally misunderstood!

Hmm… but Sebastian is easier to talk to than I expected. I thought he was quiet and stiff, but he actually has a pretty human side too.

Since it seemed like there was still a bit of distance to the reception room, I asked Sebastian all sorts of questions.

We walked down the hallways of the duke’s estate for a while as I listened to his stories. Then, as we apparently reached our destination, Sebastian politely opened a door for me…

“Ah, I was so caught up in the conversation, I took us to the wrong room.”

My first impression of Sebastian changed a lot. I had thought he was flawless and meticulous, but now I realized he’s kind of a scatterbrain too.

“Ah… wrong room again.”

“……”

…Is Sebastian bad with directions?