Chapter 9

Asterope wiped her face once. A sharp knock echoed through the spacious bathroom.

“Who is it?”

Asterope spoke in a sharp voice, and Anne’s trembling response followed.  

“G-Grand Duchess, Your Grace.”  

“What is it? I told you not to disturb me.”  

Perhaps due to her sour mood, her words came out even sharper. While she thought she should treat them kindly since they were by her side, she also believed she needed to be strict about any rudeness.  

“The Grand Duke instructed us to assist you with your bath.”  

“Didn’t I say it wasn’t necessary?”  

“Y-Your Grace, then at least please allow us to wait inside the bathroom!”  

Anne’s voice sounded as if she were terrified. Asterope furrowed her brow and told them to come in. Following Anne, more than six maids entered the room. An older woman, who Asterope hadn’t seen before, came in last and stood at the front of the group.  

“Who are you? I don’t recognize you.”  

“I am Maria, the new head maid assigned to serve you starting today, Your Grace.”  

She was the complete opposite of the previous head maid. This one appeared older and calmer. The former head maid had been unnecessarily talkative, both in front of and behind her.  

Asterope, who was sensitive about her reputation, had relegated the previous head maid to trivial tasks in an insignificant position. Since anyone who rose to the position of head maid usually came from somewhat notable families within Serpiewood, she couldn’t dismiss her carelessly.  

Yet, without her giving any orders, the position had changed. On top of that, unfamiliar maids had entered one after another.  

‘What on earth is going on?’  

Asterope scanned the maids with a deeply furrowed expression. All of them were trembling slightly. Their faces were as pale as if they had been harshly reprimanded, almost like they were wearing white powder.  

“Anne, what did I tell you?”  

“You told me to ensure that no one entered unless summoned, as you wished to be alone.”  

“Then what is this nonsense?”  

“T-that is…”  

Anne shrank, almost hiding behind the head maid Maria. Maria fully shielded Anne behind her and continued speaking.  

“The Grand Duke was greatly angered by our inadequacies. In particular, he was concerned that you might have been harmed today on the terrace.”

“Are all of these the Grand Duke’s orders?”  

“Yes, that is correct.”  

“Even the change of the head maid?”  

“Yes, it was due to our shortcomings. Please forgive us, Grand Duchess. From now on, we will remain by your side like shadows, becoming your hands and feet…”  

Asterope raised her hand to silence Maria. Then, as if exhausted, she spoke.  

“Bring me a robe. When will the Grand Duke’s meeting end?”  

“It’s not certain, but he mentioned he would join you for dinner.”  

“Then I must prepare before dinner.”  

It was the first time in a while she had said such words. Maria and the maids bowed their heads low. Asterope rose from the water. Two maids approached and supported her by holding each of her hands. Quickly, other maids brought large towels to dry her hair and body, then dressed her in a soft robe.  

Asterope’s room was much warmer than when she had left for her bath. It seemed they had used every method possible to heat it in advance, knowing she disliked lighting fires. The maids rushed to her as soon as she sat down, drying her long hair, applying expensive oils all over her body, and meticulously grooming her fingernails and toenails.  

During this time, Asterope selected a dress. Dozens of dresses she had never worn before were brought out one by one, only to be taken back again. Asterope pointed her finger to the right or left while making her selections. Dresses that pleased her went to the right, while those that didn’t went to the left.  

Asterope’s finger consistently pointed to the left. None of them satisfied her. The maids acted as if they were accustomed to her reactions, almost as though they found it strange that she had been quiet for the past few days.  

It wasn’t until the twenty-fourth dress had been brought in and taken out that Asterope’s finger finally pointed to the right. It was a cream beige silk dress with a voluminous skirt. The neckline and chest were intricately adorned with lace, a style Asterope usually wouldn’t wear.  

“I want to wear a red brooch.”  

“Yes, we will prepare all the brooches made of ruby or garnet.”  

“Braid my hair into a single plait and let it fall.”  

“Shall we match the hair accessories with the same type of gemstones?”  

“Yes.”

Asterope gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Sitting in front of the large mirror, dressed in a gown so sheer it was nearly transparent, her appearance seemed alien to her.  

There had been a time when such beauty amused her. That time was long gone. But only by doing this could she put Kallieon at ease. She stared into the mirror, unable to erase the dissatisfaction from her face. The sight of the maids moving about in perfect synchronization behind her felt tedious.  

“Your Grace, if something displeases you, please let us know. We will correct it immediately.”  

Maria, the sharp-eyed head maid, quickly read her expression. Asterope shook her head and glanced down at her now perfectly groomed fingers.  

“Where is Master Tama?”  

Asterope asked as nonchalantly as she could. Master Tama was the one who had raised Kallieon since he was a child and now served as the chief steward of Serpiewood Castle. He was also the person Kallieon trusted and relied on the most. Maria replied calmly.  

“He is currently overseeing the repairs to the Mage Tower.”  

“The Mage Tower?”  

“Yes, I heard that His Grace ordered it urgently today.”  

“Does he think I’ve been bewitched by a witch or something?”  

Asterope’s sarcastic tone startled Maria, who hurriedly responded.  

“N-no, Your Grace. I heard it’s to strengthen defenses because of the recent frequent appearances of monsters along the eastern border.”  

She had asked the question just to probe, but Maria, usually composed, was visibly shaken. It seemed that orders had been given to the attendants to be on guard regarding any changes in Asterope’s behavior.  

“Disappointing. He claims to recognize me as the Grand Duchess, yet he acts as though he’s locking a bird in a cage.”  

“Y-Your Grace, that’s not true. His Grace would never…”  

“Can you be certain of that?”  

“…”  

“Would you stake your life on it?”  

Asterope’s cold gaze made Maria lower her head as she replied.  

“Yes, I would stake my life to say this. His Grace is only worried about you, Your Grace. He has no intention of doubting you or confining you to a cage.”  

Though her voice trembled slightly, she seemed genuinely loyal to Kallieon. Asterope scrutinized the head maid from head to toe before speaking again.  

“What did you say your name was?”  

“Maria, Your Grace.”  

“Which family are you from?”  

“The Wizmen family.”  

Upon hearing that Maria was from the Wizmen family, Asterope observed her for a long moment. The Wizmen family operated the largest school in Serpiewood, which implied that Maria likely had a higher level of education compared to the average maid.

The head maid was typically chosen by Master Tama. Unlike the previous head maid, who had been blinded by luxury and vanity, Tama had selected Maria. This decision carried significant meaning, especially during a time when everyone’s eyes were filled with suspicion. Asterope’s gaze brimmed with curiosity.

“What did you do before becoming the head maid?”  

Asterope asked sharply. Maria, regaining her composure, answered.  

“I assisted Master Tama as a general helper.”  

Her answer piqued Asterope’s interest even further. Maria was a maid who had worked directly under Tama’s supervision. Moreover, she was from the Wizmen family. Maria was not a young maid either; she was already well into her years. This indicated that she had experienced and grown through various challenges within the household.

Why would such a valuable individual be assigned to me? 

Asterope wondered about the reasoning behind Tama’s decision.  

“What kind of tasks did you handle?”  

“I carried out whatever was instructed.”  

“I’m asking what those tasks were.”  

Asterope’s tone grew sharper. Maria, as if she had anticipated such a question at some point, calmly continued.  

“I managed the budget for items required, oversaw repairs within the castle, and handled the training of new maids.”  

Maria had been involved in various fields, from accounting to practical work and education. This implied that she had likely participated in even more tasks overseen by Tama.

Asterope stopped asking further questions and turned her attention to the mirror. There was still plenty of time before the banquet, so her grooming proceeded slowly. Suddenly, Asterope spoke quickly.  

“Hurry up with the preparations.”  

“Yes, I will ensure there is no discomfort as I speed up.”  

“Finish quickly. I’m going to the Mage Tower.”  

“Pardon?”  

“I need to meet Tama. Let him know.”  

Asterope was not the type to suppress her curiosity, nor did she have the luxury to do so. Tama was an extremely important figure to Kallieon. In fact, in her previous life, when Asterope had deceived him and led him into war, Tama had been the only person who made Kallieon hesitate.