“Please hand it over here.”

When she opened the door to leave, suddenly a middle-aged man took the tray. Well-dressed with a courteous manner, it was Richard, the butler of the Larson estate.

“Hello.”

“Yes. Hello, Miss Vivianne.”

To address someone wearing a maid’s uniform as ‘Miss Vivianne’ – it was an excessively formal title that felt embarrassing to hear.

On her first day, she had gone to greet him with Matilda. Back then, he had merely given a simple nod. His attitude had changed overnight. It was strange.

“I can carry it. I’m fine.”

Vivianne waved her suddenly empty hands, not knowing what to do with them.

“No, I have something to relay to you. Would you mind if I accompany you for a moment?”

“…Yes.”

If the butler had something to relay, it must be Kian’s orders. Vivianne obediently followed behind Richard.

“There will be special duties today.”

“Special duties? What are they?”

“I don’t know the details myself yet.”

The butler walked looking only forward. Vivianne struggled to match his pace while dragging the slippers. Noticing this, he slightly slowed his steps but still wouldn’t look to the side.

No matter how long she stared, all she could see was his meticulously groomed profile.

Everything felt vague. Where they were going, what these special duties meant. Her head was full of questions.

“There are orders for you to wait in the head maid’s room until further instructions.”

“Then what about my other duties…”

Wait in Matilda’s room? But she had cleaning to do and various other chores. Suddenly being pulled away would create gaps in the work schedule.

“As you know, Miss Vivianne, you haven’t been formally hired as a maid yet. You’re just helping with the work – Larson cannot have work gaps just because you’re absent.”

“…I see.”

Though true, somehow it felt like a denial of her existence at Larson.

“I’ve already explained everything to the other maids. They’ll manage well enough on their own. So don’t worry about anything else. Just wait comfortably.”

Though she would be waiting in Matilda’s room, what came after was the problem. It was obvious they would whisper about why she alone got special treatment again. Though she knew it couldn’t be helped, her head throbbed.

“Ah, since you have something important to keep safe, you are to sleep there tonight as well. Matilda won’t return until tomorrow morning anyway.”

Richard glanced at the shoe box. He seemed to be checking if she was holding it properly.

Since he had bestowed precious shoes, the order must be to prevent them from being stolen. After what happened recently, it was natural to be cautious.

Richard continued silently toward Matilda’s quarters, apparently intending to escort her all the way.

“Um, the tray must be heavy. I can go alone from here.”

“I have more instructions to give you in the room, so please bear with me.”

“…”

Since there was a proper reason for everything, she had nothing more to say. Vivianne pressed her lips shut.

As they passed through the long corridor, they crossed paths with numerous maids. Their gazes were purely contemptuous.

The butler’s respectful treatment, carrying her tea tray, her holding an expensive gift box, and the sound of dragging the master’s slippers – all of this would provoke them.

She had been lonely in the mermaid kingdom too. However, perhaps due to her status as princess, she had rarely experienced such pure hostility.

Could she handle this going forward? Would she eventually get used to such gazes if they continued?

Just as her head felt like it would burst from complexity, they arrived at Matilda’s room. Richard stopped abruptly in front of the door.

“The master requests the return of the slippers you’re currently wearing.”

“These?”

“Yes. As they are what he usually wears in his bedroom.”

Though it was right to return them since they weren’t hers, without them she would be barefoot again. Though disheartening, there wasn’t really any other option.

“They must be dusty. Is that okay? Let me clean them a bit first.”

“That’s not necessary, please remove them now.”

His tone was kind but firm. As if unwanting any unnecessary variables. Vivianne silently removed the slippers.

Taking them, Richard quietly left the room.

* * *

Her head felt heavy from tossing and turning all night. Vivianne had a light meal from what the butler brought and tried to take a short nap. She felt uneasy, presumably waiting for these special duties.

What could these special duties be?

The only work she could do here was laundry and serving tea. Or perhaps they would give her some new task? Not being able to even guess made her more anxious.

Having nothing to do seemed to make her thoughts more complicated. After sitting blankly on the bed, she began tidying the room.

Perhaps because it had been empty for a week, dust had settled everywhere. Vivianne wiped away dust from every corner with a cloth. Imagining Matilda’s happiness at seeing the clean room upon her return made her feel better.

As she finished cleaning, the luxurious gift box on the bed kept catching her eye. Vivianne opened the box and carefully took out the shoes.

“…They’re beautiful.”

The first gift Kian had given her. Would she be punished for being a little greedy? Though concerned about others’ gazes, honestly she didn’t want to return them.

The high-heeled shoes fit perfectly as though they had been made for her feet. The incline made it feel like walking on tiptoes. Though somewhat uncomfortable to walk in, they made her about a hand span taller.

This height would mean she wouldn’t have to crane her neck as much when looking at him while standing. The thought gave her an odd feeling. Vivianne walked around the room wearing the tall shoes.

What would happen if she returned the shoes and left Larson with her wages?

Honestly, it was unclear. Of course, she might be able to find suitable work nearby by asking Matilda or Theodore for help. But what came after was the problem.

Chances to talk with him? Clearing up misunderstandings or developing their relationship? How would she fulfill the contract with the witch?

Above all, even within the same mansion they could only meet during work hours – if she left this place, would she ever see Kian again?

“…”

In truth, she already knew the answer.

Going to his room tomorrow morning wearing these shoes – that was the only option.

Though outwardly she had been given a choice, this was effectively a matter where she had no real authority to choose.

Just then, knock-knock—

There was a knock at the door.

Opening it, Richard stood stiffly before her.

“Miss Vivianne. The master has specifically requested tea service.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

The time was well past lunch already. Still, being asked to do something she knew how to do was somewhat relieving.

“Please come out wearing the shoes.”

It was the beginning of the special duties.

* * *

The large glass greenhouse was full of brilliant flowers. Vivianne was walking through it with the butler.

When Matilda introduced this place on the first day, she said they grew something called ‘roses’ here. The fully bloomed ones were as magnificent as coral, and the buds were as cute as sea anemones.

And she learned that the overwhelmingly rich fragrance all came from these roses.

Though there were many pretty flowers in the outdoor garden as well, perhaps because this place was completely enclosed? The fragrance made her head spin.

Colorfully pretty, overwhelmingly fragrant, and warm enough to make one drowsy with all the sunlight pouring in. It was her favorite space in Larson.

She had thought she’d like to come back someday, but she hadn’t been allowed time to visit this place.

While diligently following behind the butler, Vivianne couldn’t hide her excitement as she kept looking around.

In the center of the greenhouse was a table and chairs. She had heard that sometimes they had tea and meals there when the mood struck.

It seemed Kian needed a change of mood. Such a simple thought occurred to her.

Thinking back to her time in the mermaid palace, she would sometimes sit in the seaweed garden with Annabel to eat when feeling down.

How far had they walked? Richard and Vivianne were now approaching the center of the greenhouse. In the distance, she could see Kian sitting at the table.

Though she had worn these shoes only because she couldn’t come out barefoot, she wondered how Kian would react seeing her in them.

“Master, I’ve brought the tea.”

Richard announced the arrival of tea service to his master. Vivianne carefully stopped in place and raised her gaze.

“It’s been a while, Richard.”

An unfamiliar voice she was hearing for the first time. There was someone else there besides Kian.