Chapter 5 – Part 5

The morning has arrived.

Kristin was so worried that she stayed awake almost all night. Even when she closed her eyes, she couldn’t sleep comfortably. She pulled the blanket over her head but still felt a chill throughout her body. The fear of her past life clung to her like a leech that wouldn’t let go.

“My Lady, are you awake?”

Knock, knock—

After a gentle knock, Lenci entered the room with a tray of warm water and soup, speaking in a kind voice.

“You haven’t looked well for the past few days. Are you alright?”

Kristin got out of bed and approached the mirror.

Looking at her reflection, she saw that she truly didn’t look well. Her pale face, thin body, and joyless mouth made her resemble a patient bedridden with illness. She couldn’t bear to look at her pitiful reflection any longer.

Turning her back to the mirror, Kristin walked to the bed and sat down heavily.

“I’m fine. I’m going to the shopping district today, can you help me prepare?”

“My Lady, are you planning to go to the shopping district today? You’re not feeling well. You’ve been pushing yourself too hard these past few days. Why don’t you take a good rest instead?”

Lenci’s eyes widened as she handed Kristin a spoon, speaking again.

“This morning, Cindy seemed to be in a very good mood.”

“Cindy?”

Perhaps Cindy had told Rose about the mine.

It was good for Cindy, as she wouldn’t be fired and would stay with the Edith family.

“I heard about what happened with Cindy yesterday. Other servants were saying she seemed to have eavesdropped on your conversation with the Viscount. I overheard them talking about it. I couldn’t imagine doing something like that, no matter who asked me to.”

Kristin slowly took a spoonful of soup and asked Lenci,
“It’s clear Cindy was following my mother’s orders. Did she take down the study curtains for washing after that time yesterday?”

Kristin didn’t expect the answer. There was no way the curtains had been washed. It was just an excuse.

“Washing the curtains? She hasn’t mentioned anything like that for days. So we’ve all been puzzled about why Lady Rose would lie.”

After Lenci finished speaking, she looked like she was pondering something, then spoke up cautiously.

“Cindy told me something, do you mind if I tell you?”

“Go ahead.”

Kristin stood up simultaneously, intending to take out and unfold the paper Viscount Vernon had given her from the desk drawer.

Yesterday, she hadn’t been able to bring herself to open it as she had been busy planning to meet Beatrice.

As Kristin was about to unfold the paper, Lenci spoke again.

“Cindy has been invited to accompany Lady Elena to her debutante banquet this evening. It’s not every day that a maid who is in charge of household chores gets to go to a debutante banquet, is it? I wonder how she got permission so quickly. I think Lady Elena is very fond of Cindy.”

Upon hearing Lenci’s words, Kristin continued unfolding the paper in her hand. The content was outrageous.

It was a letter from the Imperial Administration stating that Kristin Edith’s marriage would be prohibited for the time being.

Since she had publicly broken off her engagement with Duke Raphael at the wedding, her actions had been viewed negatively throughout the empire. Moreover, it had brought down Duke Raphael’s soaring authority, and thus, she was to be punished for it.

This punishment was to prevent Kristin from marrying for at least three years.

She thought it was a good thing since she had no intention of marrying anyway.

“This is a ridiculous letter. I don’t understand why they would send me this – a marriage ban? Did they think I would be shaken by that? Or were they hoping I would regret something?”

“Huh? What do you mean, My Lady?”

“It’s nothing, Lenci.”

Instead of sharing this fact with Lenci, Kristin decided to keep it a secret. Given that her stepmother and Elena might use a servant to eavesdrop on their conversations at any time, Kristin thought it best to be cautious with her words.

“Lenci, would you like to attend the debutante ball?”

“The debutante ball? Isn’t that a place where I shouldn’t go? I’m just the youngest maid doing laundry, so I don’t know if it’s appropriate for me to accompany you there.”

“It’s not hard to get there. If you want to go, I’ll take you. It’s not too much trouble for you to accompany me to the debutante ballroom.”

“Are you sure about that? My Lady?”

Lanci’s face lit up with a smile, and she jumped for joy.

Lenci hadn’t shared information about Cindy out of a desire to gain something in return; she had simply wanted to inform Kristin.

Though she had revealed a bit of her honest feelings, it wasn’t with any expectation of reward.

“But Lenci, you don’t have a dress to wear, do you? You’ll need one to attend the debut ball.”

“You’re right, My Lady. I don’t have any suitable clothes. But that’s okay, I’m sure I can find a proper maid’s dress among our things. If we go to the commercial district before the debut, I’ll take a look around and find something so I won’t embarrass you.”

“That’s all right then, Lenci.”

“W-wait, does that mean you’re not taking me along?”

Disappointed, Lenci asked, but Kristin reassured her with a gentle pat on the back.

“It’s okay, Lenci. We’re going to the shop today. We’ll be at Sharon Boutique, 7 Willington Street. There’s someone I need to meet there. And also, I’ll get you a dress from there.”

“S-Sharon Boutique? That’s the most famous dress shop in the empire! I’ve always wanted to see it. Every time I pass by on my way to my brother’s flower shop, I can’t help but admire how big and beautiful it is. It’s been my dream to step inside, even just once.”

“That’s right. It’s been a while since I’ve been there too. Let’s get ready and head out.”

“Alright, I’ll go get the carriage ready for you, Miss.”

A joyful smile spread across Lenci’s face as she spoke to Kristin.