“It’s me, my lady.”

At Ilenia’s question, the one standing at the front stepped forward. Her posture was flawless, flowing as though not a single movement were out of place.

“I am Meg, the head maid of this household. From now on, I will be serving at your side and assisting you in all matters.”

“I look forward to working with you, then…”

“You may simply call me Meg, or Head Maid.”

Meg lowered her head with immaculate courtesy, bowing so deeply that the crown of her head was visible. And yet, for some reason, Ilenia could not bring herself to believe that this woman was truly paying her respect.

“If you have no other engagements, my lady, I would like to acquaint you with the household’s arrangements now. Would that be acceptable?”

“Please do.”

Under Meg’s direction, the assembled servants dispersed in perfect order. Once they had gone, silence fell over the corridor, leaving only the two of them to walk its length together.

Until now, Ilenia had barely noticed the estate’s surroundings because she had kept her eyes fixed on Delphius’s back.

“The main residence of Lukehardt lies on the lands bestowed by His Majesty. However, for the sake of business affairs, the master has taken the winter estate here in the capital as his primary residence.”

She had heard before that nobles kept separate houses for the seasons. But to think this entire place was meant for just one season’s passing—it forced her once again to confront how utterly different their sense of money was from hers.

“The master is not fond of unnecessary staff wandering the halls. He values efficiency, preferring that each servant work only where they are needed.”

“I see.”

To Ilenia, it was not a sentiment she could easily grasp. To her eyes, the ten or so servants she had seen already felt like more than plenty.

Then perhaps the one who had tended to their bedchamber was among those who had gathered that morning.

Her face flushed hot. She recalled the sheets, soaked through with the blatant traces of last night’s intimacy, replaced with immaculate perfection by the time she awoke.

“Unless you specifically request additional attendants, my lady, we cannot dedicate ourselves entirely to your service.”

The chill in Meg’s voice broke her from her wandering thoughts.

“I wanted to make sure you understood that.”

Only then did Ilenia truly realize that Meg’s gaze was far from kind. It held a silent warning, as though to say that she must not disturb the unspoken order of this perfect estate.

Instead of answering, Ilenia simply chose to follow in silence.

“This will be your study from today onward, my lady. The furnishings were arranged at our discretion, but the master instructed that if there are any pieces or decorations you wish for, an interior craftsman may be called at any time to alter them.”

So they arrived at the study. Ilenia turned lightly around the room. The furniture, each piece in its proper place, carried an air of opulence. Pressing her hand to the desk, she expected the creak of a loose joint, but instead felt the solid, unmoving strength of its construction.

“What is it I should do from today?”

“There is nothing in particular required of you. A few letters arrived, but the master has already reviewed and sent replies himself. There is nothing left for you to do.”

“…Delphius did that himself?”

Her hand, brushing across the desk, paused.

“Yes. The master gave us strict instructions that your stay here should lack for nothing—that you must be served without the slightest deficiency.”

Of course, in truth, her master had given rather different orders: that she be given every support she needed to adapt, and that whatever she desired should be granted without question.

Still, he had not ordered them to decide what she herself should want. Within those limits, Meg needed only to guide the lady properly.

There was no time to waste teaching someone ignorant everything they needed to know. With the household already short-staffed, and each servant burdened with heavy duties, it was only natural that Meg would place the new mistress lower on her list of priorities.

“Make yourself comfortable…”

Even in Hildebalt, Ilenia had always been kept busy. The thought of having nothing to do at all made her hesitate before turning her head.

“Is there any cloth I could mend?”

“If you wish to embroider, I can prepare a frame for you.”

“That’s not what I meant…”

She had meant rags or torn fabric, but then she suddenly remembered Delphius, who would tear her dresses apart during s*x simply because they got in the way. She closed her mouth at once. Here, there would be nothing left for her to mend.

“Is there nothing else I can do?”

“As I said, with so few staff, there is no one to teach you directly. If you wish for a personal maid or companion, it would be quicker to ask the master.”

“I don’t need anyone else.”

“In that case, perhaps you might look through last year’s ledgers? You may find something there that aligns with what you wish to do.”

Meg tapped lightly on the pile of papers she had set aside on the desk. The documents were piled high and she rapped her knuckles against them. If the new mistress ever tried to act like the true head of the estate, Meg intended to use these very records to show her her place. She was quite happy that they could serve another purpose now. With a slow sweep of her hand, she slid the papers forward.

“If it would help, I could read them aloud for you—”

“There’s no need. Don’t worry.”

Ilenia lifted one sheet of paper from the tall stack, causing it to flutter lightly as it was released. Even at first glance, it was clear that the page was covered in tiny, tightly packed letters, making it hard to imagine how long it would take to read.

“It looks like this will take some time. You can leave me now and attend to your work.”

“That will not do.”

Meg’s refusal was firm.

“Even if this is your home, my lady, you never know what might happen. A maid must always accompany you.”

“But aren’t you, as head maid, the one responsible for this entire household?”

“That is true, but…”

“You must be busy, so it’s fine to bring someone else. Go about your work freely.”

Her voice was calm, yet it carried the weight of dismissal.

Meg had expected anger or punishment for being disregarded so openly. Instead, the mistress lowered her gaze and immersed herself in the dense lines of the documents, her expression firm with quiet determination.

Watching her with suspicion, Meg waited. Minutes passed, and Ilenia did not so much as stir. Finally, Meg bowed her head.

“…I’ll bring someone trustworthy.”

Since what Ilenia said was not wrong, Meg called another maid. Let’s see how long that act lasts, she muttered inwardly, shrugging her shoulders before hurrying off to tend to her other duties.

Days passed. Meg found herself in disbelief at how peaceful life remained, even after welcoming a new mistress into the household.

Peaceful—and unchanged.

So little had shifted that more than once, the servants had even forgotten her presence, preparing meals again and again when she failed to appear.

With a faintly exasperated look, Meg turned her gaze toward the study. The lady had shut herself inside for days now.

At first, Meg thought it was just for show and that she would cling to her pride for a day or two before giving in. She was certain of it. After all, rumor had it that the mistress had lived like a commoner, unaware of her true origins. Now that her station had been restored, Meg thought, she would surely try to make up for all that had been denied her, abandoning the ledgers in favor of the comfort and luxury the master provided.

But the new mistress defied all expectations.

Aside from the hours she spent with the master and her sleeping hours, Ilenia scarcely left the study. Meg even asked the attendant if she might be sleeping there.

But the answer was always the same.

“She’s reading the papers Lady Meg gave her. She reads and rereads until she’s convinced she understands, and if she still doesn’t, she takes notes.”

…Perhaps.

Weighing the future, Meg quickly shook her head. Everything depended on how the mistress revealed herself in the days ahead.

If she grew weary and showed her true colors, then she would be treated accordingly—nothing more.

But if not…

“That too must be rather burdensome.”

With a sigh, Meg quickened her pace. As always, it was a busy day.

······ ✦ ✧ ✦ ······

“Isn’t our lady easier to serve than we expected?”

Behind the mansion, near the well, a few maids whispered among themselves.

“Exactly. She’s nothing like the stories made her out to be. Maybe it was all just lies?”

“No, it wasn’t. I heard from someone who has a cousin working in Hildebalt.”

At their back-and-forth, one maid set down her laundry bat with little strength, disappointment clear on her face.

“How dull. I thought there’d be something—what with the talk of her being a commoner, or a lost daughter, or that she grew up poor and greedy. But there’s nothing.”

“And isn’t that better? If the one we serve has a difficult temperament, we’re the ones who suffer.”

Their chatter rose for a while, laughter mingling with the sound of water.

“You know what I mean. This mansion is always so quiet.”

Indeed, nothing ever happened here. Although peace was welcome, it also made life monotonous. The staff never heard so much as a hint of romance, thanks to a master who found such things detestable.

“With a master that frightening, there’s no chance for strange rumors to spread.”

“Still, the lady came from outside. I thought maybe something exciting would happen… but no. I guess not.”

“She may have lived as a commoner, but she’s still someone of high station now. Of course it’ll be hard. After all, she fought for that place—wouldn’t she do anything to keep it?”

“Her fate’s turned for the better, that’s all.”

With a curt voice, another maid slammed the bat down onto the wet laundry.

Splash!

A spray of water scattered over the cloth.

“Just look at us. Born and raised in the same countryside, yet one of us marries a noble because her blood is considered rare, while the rest of us are stuck fetching cold water from the well to scrub laundry.”

“Hey, hush! You know the head maid hates hearing that kind of talk—”

“What’s this commotion?”

Eek!

Speak of the dragon and she appears. Startled at Meg’s sudden presence, the maids fumbled, scrambling to gather the wet laundry they had dropped.

“That must be rather tiring too.”

Meg let out a sigh and quickened her steps. As always, the day was busy.