‘Knock, knock.’

While Ertel was still at a loss for words, a knock came at the door.

“My lord, I’ve brought her.”

It seemed to be at Icarus’s command, as a maid’s voice came from beyond the door. Icarus, as if he had been waiting, placed his hand on Ertel’s shoulder and gestured toward the door.

“Ah, Ertel. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the door opened, and measured footsteps approached Ertel.

“Go ahead, introduce yourselves.”

“Who is this…?”

“This is your live-in tutor, who will be responsible for your education.”

The person Icarus introduced was a woman in her mid-twenties with blonde hair, fair skin, prominent freckles, and sharp blue eyes that radiated intelligence.

She greeted Ertel politely and introduced herself.

“Hello, my lady. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Sarah Stewart. Please feel free to call me ‘Sarah.’ From now on, I will be teaching you everything you need to know to become a remarkable duchess for the Duke. I’ll dedicate myself to educating you in etiquette, piano, French, sports, and various other areas of refinement.”

Listening to the rapid-fire introduction, Ertel blinked her wide eyes.

So many things were changing compared to before her regression, and her mind was in turmoil.

Before her regression, she had married as soon as she entered the mansion. But this time, a tutor had been assigned to her beforehand.

Was it because she had chosen to become a maid instead of accepting Icarus’s proposal?

It seemed Icarus had arranged this because he wasn’t pleased with her decision to become a maid.

‘A new person entering my life… This is an unexpected variable.’

The weight of her decisions was heavier than she had anticipated. A single different choice had led to a vastly altered future.

Her amazement lasted only a moment. Meeting Sarah’s gaze, who was waiting for her response, Ertel hurriedly greeted her.

“Yes, Sarah. My name is Ertel. I look forward to working with you. Please guide me, as I have much to learn.”

“Of course, my lady.”

Icarus looked at the two women with great satisfaction.

“This is a wonderful sight. Ertel already possesses an innate nobility, so it won’t take long for her to refine herself. Eventually, she’ll reign above all the noble families. Work hard and prepare for that day.”

“Yes, I will.”

Ertel felt a mixture of emotions. The idea of marriage still felt surreal, despite it drawing closer with each passing day.

It was said that the wedding would be as grand as a royal ceremony.

That day would undoubtedly be a significant one.

“For now, I’ll go pack my belongings to bring to the bedroom.”

Ertel went upstairs to the room she had been staying in.

In truth, she didn’t have many belongings, as she hadn’t owned much even when she lived in the forest. So, there wasn’t much to pack.

She simply needed some time alone to process her thoughts.

‘A lot is going to happen from now on…’

Perhaps this fleeting peace would be her last.

As she folded the clothes in front of her, the image she had seen that morning came to mind—the dignified figure of her father, Adin, as she passed by in the carriage.

‘The father who abandoned me.’

He probably didn’t even know his daughter was still alive.

He wouldn’t recognize her face, either.

Even if they met by chance, he wouldn’t realize she was his daughter.

Thinking of her father made her left chest ache. More precisely, it felt like the Kaiya Stone embedded in her heart was reacting.

“Ah…”

Overwhelmed by the indescribable sensation, she set down the clothes she was holding and clutched her chest.

‘It hurts.’

At that moment, the door suddenly opened, and Icarus entered.

With a concerned expression, he asked,

“Have you finished packing?”

“Yes, almost.”

“The maids have prepared bathwater. If you’d like, you can take a soak.”

“A soak?”

“You’ve been tense all day.”

“Ah…”

He wasn’t wrong. From the moment she had unexpectedly seen her father that morning, to meeting the king and dealing with the nobles, the day had been exhausting. A soak in hot water might indeed help relieve her fatigue.

Appreciating his thoughtfulness, Ertel asked,

“What about you, my lord?”

“Shall we bathe together?”

“What?”

Startled, her voice rose higher than usual, and Icarus let out a sly chuckle, his gaze playful.

“I’m joking, just joking.”

“What kind of joke is that…?”

“Well then, take your time and relax.”

>><<

When Ertel entered the bathroom, Lisa was sprinkling chamomile powder into the tub.

“You’re here, my lady.”

“Yes, Lisa.”

An awkward silence settled between the two, whose relationship had reversed overnight.

Unlike before, Lisa now seemed hesitant, glancing at Ertel nervously.

It was understandable; after all, she had wronged her.

Did she still hate her?

The thought of their strained relationship weighed on Ertel, making her feel fatigued. Ignoring it any longer felt impossible.

Lisa gestured toward the tub.

“You can enter now, my lady.”

“Thank you.”

Ertel, with only a towel loosely wrapped around her, stepped into the tub, starting with her feet.

Thanks to Lisa and the other maids’ efforts, the bath was prepared perfectly, allowing her to relax.

Once Ertel fully submerged herself in the water, Lisa checked the temperature one more time.

Regardless of her personal feelings, Lisa seemed determined to do her job well.

“How is the water? Should I add more?”

“No, it’s perfect.”

“Alright, then I’ll take my leave.”

“…Wait.”

Perhaps not expecting to be called, Lisa flinched as she turned to leave.

“I have a question.”

Ertel cautiously summoned her courage.

“Do you still hate me?”

“…”

“…Because the maid who was picked up from the streets is about to become the Duchess?”

Her question was simple. She just wanted to know Lisa’s true feelings.

But Lisa lowered her gaze without saying a word.

The sound of water droplets falling onto the surface echoed for a while. After taking a deep breath, Lisa finally spoke.

“The Duke has ordered me to serve you as your personal maid after your wedding.”

“…!”

“Given that, I have no choice. Whether I like it or not, I’ll have to attend to you and ensure your well-being. So, does my true opinion even matter?”

Her words were polite, but there was a sharpness and coldness beneath them.

Ertel understood. Lisa had no intention of forming a bond with her.

Ertel’s gaze turned cold as well, dropping to the floor.

As Lisa turned to leave, Ertel stopped her once more.

“Do you like the Duke?”

Lisa’s eyebrows twitched. A flash of irritation crossed her face, and Ertel didn’t miss it.

‘Why are you testing me when you already know?’ Lisa’s eyes seemed to say.

As if confirming Ertel’s suspicion, Lisa shot back with a sharp question.

“Then, do you like the Duke, my lady?”

“What do you mean by that? I’m engaged to him.”

“I ask because I don’t sense any affection for him from you.”

“…”

“At least, not from the perspective of another woman.”

Lisa was sharp.

Every woman envied and desired the Duke of Juan, yet Ertel seemed indifferent to him. It was peculiar, almost irritating, how she didn’t seem desperate for someone so extraordinary.

When Ertel hesitated to answer, Lisa, as if she had expected nothing else, turned to leave again.

“Well then, enjoy your bath, my lady. Call if you need anything.”

“Lisa.”

“…?”

For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, Ertel felt a pang of pity for Lisa.

Was it because she could sense Lisa’s unspoken admiration for Icarus?

Or because Lisa seemed to be walking the same path as Ertel’s own pitiful past?

It wasn’t her place to interfere, but as a fellow woman, she couldn’t help but feel regretful.

Lisa didn’t know just how cruel and ruthless Icarus truly was. She had fallen for his outward charm.

Perhaps that was why Ertel felt the need to say something.

“…You shouldn’t hold feelings for someone like Icarus.”

“What?”

“A man like him… no woman in the world will ever truly satisfy him. Not even me.”

Lisa likely didn’t understand what she meant. As expected, she stared at Ertel with a displeased expression.

Then, as if deciding it wasn’t worth responding, she turned and left the bathroom.

‘She probably thinks I’m just nagging.’

Ertel sank deeper into the water.

The bath salts created soft bubbles that floated around her.

Perhaps the words she had spoken to Lisa were actually a reminder to herself.

‘I’m afraid of growing weak.’

When the water reached her neck, a wave of drowsiness washed over her.

Just for a moment.

Just for a little while, she thought, as she closed her eyes.

“Mm…”

When she came to her senses, she was resting comfortably in the tub, her arms draped over the sides.

She must have dozed off.

“Oh my.”

How much time had passed?

What puzzled her was that the bathwater was still warm.

“Falling asleep while bathing…”

She must have been exhausted from the day’s events.

Suddenly, she remembered that Icarus had mentioned it would be his turn to bathe after her. She needed to finish quickly.

As she stirred the water with her hand and began to rise, she turned her head—

“Ahhh!”

She screamed and sank back into the tub, water splashing around her.

“You’re far too careless.”

Had he seen her?

In that fleeting moment, their eyes had met. Icarus stood leaning against the bathroom wall, arms crossed.

“What are you doing here? Wh—when did you…”

Her sharp voice was cut off as she hastily closed the shower curtain.

Not that it mattered—he had already seen everything.

Biting her lower lip, Ertel glared at the silhouette of Icarus through the curtain and demanded,

“Why are you here, my lord?”

“I told you—it’s my turn after yours.”

“Oh…”

“You fell asleep, so I was waiting for you to wake up.”

“Then you could have asked a maid to wake me!”

Thankfully, the bubbles had prevented him from seeing everything.

Still, she felt mortified.

Unlike her, Icarus seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the situation.

“I couldn’t disturb you. You looked so beautiful while you were sleeping.”

“!”

“You were so captivating, I couldn’t help but admire you.”

“Pervert! Degenerate!”

The words slipped out of Ertel’s mouth before she could stop herself.

It was the first time since coming to the mansion that she had spoken so harshly.

While she was flustered, Icarus’s calm voice came from beyond the curtain.

“Ertel, we’re going to be married soon. We’ll share a wedding night eventually. Why are you so shy?”

He wasn’t wrong. Sooner or later, they would be a married couple, legally allowed to share everything.

But still, this was too embarrassing.

Oblivious to her red-faced embarrassment, Icarus casually slid the curtain open.

“Should I massage your shoulders?”