Chapter 6

Estelle’s eyes shook uncontrollably. 

When the Duke of Giselleberg brushed her wet lips, Estelle’s neck stiffened. 

He licked the tea drops on his hand, tasting the bitter and astringent flavor. 

“It’s not undrinkable.” 

From the beginning, Theodore did not suspect this maid. Compared to the countless assassins he had dealt with, she was far too dull and not at all the type to act. 

It only twisted his mood. 

This woman was careless. She was no different from the countryside itself. 

Above all, the scent drifting from her body was exactly that of a country girl. 

She had only been working as a maid for about two days, but it seemed she had done plenty of hard labor before. The rough texture felt on her hands, the smell of water, straw, and animal fur. 

To Theodore, who had lost his sight, these unfamiliar smells came to him with heightened sensitivity. 

He could sense things that normal people would never notice. 

If that woman ever committed m*rder, the best she could do would be at a slaughterhouse. He had just felt her arm, so thin it was almost impossible even for that. 

“……” 

No words came from the rigid woman. 

He had not permitted defiance, so there was nothing she could say. 

It was boring. 

She was no different. 

“……Your Grace.” 

Then, a voice trembled, unable to hide its shakiness. 

“Since you’ve already had a drop, I believe that means you trust me at least that much.” 

“……” 

“When it rains, one or two drops first touch the ground, and gradually the heavy rain soaks your clothes. I will try to slowly earn your trust in the same way, Your Grace.” 

“……Ha.” 

At her bold words, the corners of Theodore’s lips curled. He let out a dry chuckle between his well-shaped lips. 

Then came the sound of tidying up the teacup and teapot. 

“Why did you think I would like tea?” 

“When I encountered you yesterday afternoon, Your Grace, it was because of the scent I noticed from you.” 

“Scent, you say.” 

He was more sensitive than he appeared. 

“There was also the scent of medicinal herbs besides this tea. So I thought perhaps you are someone who cares deeply about health, Your Grace.” 

The Duke pressed his temple as he listened. 

In the end, she wasn’t wrong. 

Her attitude, saying whatever she thought without being intimidated by him, was both irritating and fascinating. 

“There must be a reason you go this far. I’m curious what that is.” 

Theodore quietly gauged the maid’s intentions. 

He had dismissed dozens of servants so far. Those who came to work at the main house could not withstand his foul temper. 

“Please allow me to keep working at the Duchy.” 

It was a reason that did him no harm. 

“Is that all? No other reason?” 

“None. Just please don’t dismiss me.” 

From the sound of her hair softly falling, it seemed she was bowing her head. Begging not to be dismissed—the reason was surely money. 

Asking to work at the mansion out of respect was hardly a believable reason. 

It was better to honestly plead not to be fired. 

“That’s all?” 

Rustle, rustle—the sound of her hair brushing against her clothes. 

The maid must have been nodding her head firmly. 

“Leave.” 

“Then, about the dismissal……” 

“You must think I have nothing better to do. I’ll consider dismissal next time.” 

“……Thank you!” 

Her voice rose a little, mixed with joy. 

Theodore found the noise irritating, but also somewhat intriguing. 

When was the last time he had heard words of gratitude? 

Come to think of it, for nearly a year, he had only heard words of worry or resentment. 

At least, ever since he lost his sight. 

“Thank you, huh……” 

Pressing his throbbing temple, the Duke gazed at the doorway where the maid had already left.

* * *

“I’m back.” 

Returning home, Estelle let out a sigh. 

Being a maid was much more physically demanding than being a caregiver. 

But Estelle had known since she was young that there was always a reason for high pay. 

She was delighted to see the money she had managed to gather close to the lid of a glass jar. 

‘I’d better hide it in a safe place.’ 

If her parents or Lumiere found out, it would be a problem. They would surely take it all away. 

Taking advantage of the moment when no one else was home, Estelle rummaged through the odds and ends in her room. There was one item that no one paid attention to. 

An old canvas. 

A dusty canvas that Estelle had covered with drawings as a child. She peeled off the painted canvas cloth and laid a new one. 

She spread the money tightly across it, added two layers of cloth, and finally covered it with the old painted cloth, then fastened it back onto the frame. 

Its appearance gave no hint that a large sum of money was hidden inside. 

“Estelle!” 

At that moment, her mother’s voice rang out. 

Estelle casually hid the canvas among other things in the corner and went down from the attic. 

“Hey! Why are you coming out so late? Do you plan to crawl out only after your mother collapses from exhaustion?!” 

“I’m sorry, Mother.” 

Catherine Muhamot, mother of Estelle and Lumiere, scolded fiercely as she set down the dog and basket. 

The brown dog with shiny fur was the one Mrs. Muhamot cherished most after Lumiere. She seemed to have returned from the market with purchases. 

The basket was full of Lumiere’s favorite foods, Lumiere’s favorite snacks, Lumiere’s favorite accessories, and Lumiere’s favorite fancy hats. 

Estelle glanced at her mother’s shopping basket, wondering if there was anything for her. 

“What are you doing, sneaking around like a petty thief? Hurry up and tidy things!” 

“Yes, Mother.”

There was not a single thing bought for Estelle. 

At that moment, she saw an accessory with lace that looked similar to Lumiere’s hat. 

Could this possibly be hers? 

“Look at our Labrador. Isn’t she so pretty? How does it look? Doesn’t it suit her well?” 

But that accessory was for the dog. 

Estelle cooled her face, feeling embarrassed for having held even a little expectation. Estelle agreed with her mother’s opinion. 

“Very cute.” 

“Right? Hohoho.” 

Catherine took off her shoes and tidied up the house that had become messy in no time. 

The Muhamot family’s house was very small. 

Her father was a missionary, often away from home for religious activities. 

In Barrenfield, the Muhamot family held a somewhat unique meaning. 

The house where angelically beautiful twin sisters lived. Of those sisters, one was a devil and one was an angel. 

Missionary Charles Muhamot was a religious figure who set an example for others, and his wife Catherine Muhamot was also a kind and gentle person. 

Their nature was just like their first daughter, Lumiere, while their second daughter, Estelle, was so wretched that it was hard to describe in words—that was the perception of the villagers. 

“Hey, but how is it on Barrenfield 27th Street? Is it alright?” 

“Yes, it’s manageable.” 

“No! Not that. Who cares how you’re doing your work? I’m asking what the Duke looks like.” 

Catherine, having tossed her hat carelessly onto the table, asked. She looked at Estelle with an incredulous expression. 

“They say Duke Giselleberg is single! Where else could you find such a groom? In this backwater, in Barrenfield. From the most frivolous girls to noble ladies, everyone is in a frenzy trying to linger around his house!” 

Estelle let out a faint sigh at the crude question. 

“What could Lumiere possibly lack compared to those girls? What do you think? There’s a rumor that there’s something wrong with the Duke. Is it true?” 

Catherine chattered with sparkling eyes. 

She clearly wanted to push Lumiere into the Giselleberg Duchy. But Estelle knew her mother’s ambition was nothing more than excessive vanity. 

“Servants don’t get to see His Grace.” 

Estelle chose to lie. 

“……Tsk, really? What a shame. Even if there’s something wrong with him or he’s an old man with not much time left, it doesn’t matter. He’s a Duke. Just imagine how beautiful Lumiere would be if she became a Duchess! Such splendid jewels—exactly what she deserves!” 

Estelle listened to Catherine’s cackling and rambling as she tidied up the house. 

While cleaning Lumiere’s room, she happened to find a man’s clothing item there. 

‘If you want me to believe you, you should give me what you were drinking.’ 

Estelle recalled the Duke, who had grabbed her chin and brushed her lips. 

Just as Catherine said, the Duke who teased maids and Lumiere, who changed men almost daily, might actually suit each other. 

Where his touch had reached felt as if it had been scorched, but Estelle endured it. 

Until she saved enough money to leave this house, she had to shamelessly stick it out no matter what. 

‘He said he wouldn’t fire me.’ 

Estelle decided to trust the Duke’s words as they were. She hoped she would be able to go to work safely tomorrow as well. 

Estelle wished for luck to be on her side.