Chapter 21

The head maid, who had meticulously styled her hair earlier, slowly began to comb it out strand by strand. The gentle and delicate touch almost lulled her to sleep.

“Long ago, I briefly cared for the Young Master when he was just a child. Back then, he was such a shy and quiet little one.”

The head maid spoke in a calm tone, recounting the past. She talked about how kind and adorable young Seth had been, and how heartbreaking it was when such a child was forcibly sent away to the temple.

“I couldn’t help the Young Master when he was struggling with the loss of his family or when he suffered under the weight of false accusations. So, at the very least, I decided to trust and support his choices.”

“······.”

“From the moment the Young Master chose you, I have been on your side. Not just me, but everyone here supports you, Young Lady.”

The head maid stood before her after finishing the combing. For the first time, her eyes were filled with kindness.

“Please make the Master happy. That is all I ask.”

She wanted to ask—

How could I make Seth happy?

Would Seth be happy if he opened his heart to me, if he came to like me?

Seth clearly liked her. But it wasn’t much different from the affection one might have for a cute puppy.

When she mentioned inheriting his mother’s legacy, Seth had asked no questions. He didn’t ask if she had heard about the rumors surrounding his past, nor did he attempt to deny them. He didn’t seem curious about how she felt about him either. As a result, she couldn’t bring herself to ask about his past or share her thoughts about him.

That was when she realized. While her presence might provide Seth with temporary comfort, it could never make him truly happy.

‘From the beginning, I was only a stand-in, someone who would disappear in two years.’

She couldn’t fulfill what the people of the Duke’s household desired. Instead, she resolved to do her best in the ways she could.

‘I’ll start inspecting the training grounds tomorrow.’

Looking down at the sparkling ring, she let out a small sigh. It seemed a leisurely life was out of the question.

***

Lady Larisa Clemence.

Once the Duke’s fiancée, now the wife of a Prince.

Renowned as the most beautiful woman in the kingdom, she was sitting in front of her vanity.

Her face, framed by shimmering golden hair, was angelically beautiful. Her large brown eyes shimmered as if tears might spill at any moment, and her small lips were as red as roses.

But the gaze Larisa directed at the mirror was as cold as ice. She examined her face meticulously, as if appraising a product.

Just then, a soft knock was heard, and a maid entered. Larisa’s brows furrowed slightly at the interruption of her most important time. The frightened maid respectfully held out what she had brought.

“I’ve brought the portrait you requested.”

Larisa took it indifferently. But as she looked at the portrait, her eyes sharpened like never before.

After scrutinizing the portrait, Larisa curled one corner of her lips.

“So, this is the commoner the Duke brought in?”

“······Yes.”

“Nothing special. Burn it.”

Larisa scoffed briefly and tossed the portrait onto the floor. The maid hurriedly bent down to pick it up.

The portrait depicted a woman with a bright smile. Her pink hair fluttered in the wind, and her unadorned laughter left an impression.

A young lady from a good family would never smile so openly, showing her teeth. Modesty dictated that one should bow their head and smile shyly or barely curve their lips into a faint smile. However, the sunny, radiant smile in the portrait had a refreshing charm.

The artist had particularly emphasized the woman’s eyes. Her round eyes with slightly upturned corners were strangely captivating. She wasn’t a conventional beauty like Larisa, but there was something about her that made it hard to look away.

The beautiful young lady who had captured the heart of the Duke, known as “the stone.”

Even the picky King had reportedly wanted to take her on as a maid upon seeing her. Larisa had heard those rumors and had demanded the portrait be brought to her.

‘If you were just going to glance at it and throw it away, why did you demand it so urgently?’

The maid, who had gone through much trouble to obtain the portrait, grumbled internally. Larisa had an odd obsession with the Duke, her former fiancé. Even after marrying the Prince, she still considered the Duke hers and hated any woman who approached him.

The Viscountess of Nassau, who once admired and pursued the Duke, had returned to her homeland after a terrible ordeal. The maid was certain Larisa had been the one to orchestrate it. Then, Larisa, turning her gaze to the mirror, asked,

“Didn’t you say your sister works at Lily Palace?”

“Pardon? Y-Yes, that’s correct.”

Startled, the maid quickly replied. Larisa continued without even looking at her.

“Good. Spread some rumors there.”

“W-What kind of rumors?”

“That the commoner dared to refuse to become Her Majesty’s maid. That she behaved arrogantly in front of Her Majesty, relying solely on the Duke’s favor.”

“······”

“Such rumors must already be circulating, but stir them up further. Add a bit of exaggeration and lies.”

The maid swallowed dryly.

Indeed, Larisa was right. Even the maid’s sister had been complaining about the “arrogant commoner.” A little more provocation, and malicious rumors would spread like wildfire.

But this was a very dangerous task. It involved tarnishing the King’s dignity. She might even be expelled from the palace for speaking carelessly.

As the hesitant maid remained silent, Larisa sweetened her words.

“If you do well, I’ll not only help your sister but also find you a good match. Understood?”

“······”

The maid realized this was an order she couldn’t refuse and obediently bowed her head.

***

Unpleasant rumors circulating in the palace soon reached the King’s ears. Fiona, the head maid of Lily Palace, promptly punished those who had spread the rumors. However, she couldn’t stop the rumors that had already spread.

‘Larisa, that woman is causing trouble again.’

The head maid had identified Larisa Clemence as the instigator.

But she couldn’t punish Larisa based solely on a maid’s testimony. After all, Larisa was the wife of a Prince. Unless it was a crime of treason, she was untouchable. In the end, the best course of action was to let it slide.

‘Her Majesty will be furious again.’

With a heavy heart, the head maid went to the King’s quarters.

“Your Majesty, it’s Fiona.”

“Come in!”

Unexpectedly, a cheerful voice responded. The head maid, puzzled, opened the door.

The King was reclining on a long chair, reading a letter. She chuckled occasionally, her legs dangling off the edge of the chair and swinging lightly.

The head maid suppressed her urge to scold the King for her lack of decorum. There was no need to provoke the King, who seemed to be in a good mood.

Just then, the King looked up from the letter and asked,

“How did it go?”

“As expected, the culprit was Larisa Clemence. She seems quite displeased with the Duke’s fiancée.”

“Not surprising.”

“Although the culprits have been punished, the rumors won’t die down easily. Many are envious of the Duke’s fiancée.”

Larisa cleverly exploited people’s malice.

Her methods were crude and clumsy, but they weren’t easy to counter. This time was no different.

The King, indifferent to the head maid’s concerns, replied,

“Such trivial rumors will fade once the social season begins.”

“This time, it won’t be so simple. The Duke has been too protective of his fiancée. Those who disapprove of her won’t stop invoking your name, Your Majesty.”

In other words, they would cling to the only point of contention and exploit it relentlessly.

The head maid spoke gravely.

“Your Majesty, please give up on making Evelyn Hynes a maid. It will do more harm than good.”

“Hmm, but I don’t want to.”

“······Your Majesty.”

“Fiona, read this first.”

The King handed over the letter she had been reading. The head maid, confused, accepted it. The seal bore two lions and a shield.

“This is the Duke’s crest. Did the Duke send this letter?”

“No, it’s from the Duke’s fiancée, Evelyn Hynes.”

The King smirked mischievously. The head maid, puzzled, unfolded the letter and began to read.

[Your Majesty, greetings!

I am currently staying at the Duke’s annex. The annex is a very splendid and beautiful castle. However, it’s so dazzling that I have to brace myself for tears every time I walk down the corridors.

(Clumsy drawing)

This is how I look when I’m straining my eyes.

It seems the Duke intends to keep me here for a while.

For reference, my room is on the second floor. Aren’t you curious about how I’ve decorated the room?

(Clumsy drawing)

I am sitting on a couch by the window as I write this letter. Outside the window, I can see a lake, and it’s absolutely beautiful. I wish I could show this view to you as well, Your Majesty.

But, Your Majesty! It seems the Duke does not approve of our wonderful plan. He told me that if I want to become your maid, I must run ten laps around the training grounds.

The training grounds are next to the lake and are so vast that just looking at them makes me dizzy. For someone like me, who only knows how to do breathing exercises, this is far too harsh.

I asked the Duke to reduce the laps to five, but he refused. In the end, I had to urgently find a running coach.

The coach has a positive view of my running skills. They said that if I keep practicing every day, I might be able to run ten laps by next year. But next year is too late!

Your Majesty, could you please tell the Duke to reduce it to three laps?

I can currently run two laps around the training grounds. With a bit of effort, I might even manage three. So please make sure it’s three laps. I trust only in the mercy of you, Your Majesty!

Ah, by the way, Your Majesty, have you seen a badge like this in the palace?

(Clumsy drawing)

It’s a very precious item to me, but I lost it along with my dress. If you haven’t seen it, may I go to the palace to look for it?

Please keep this a secret from the Duke. If he finds out I lost the badge, he’ll surely be upset. My plan is to find it and wear it again before he notices.

Oh dear, the head maid is calling me to eat lunch. I must go before I get scolded.

Then, Your Majesty, I’ll greet you next time at the palace.

Sincerely,  

Evelyn]