“Master, it’s Meg.”

After knocking twice and waiting in silence, a voice from within finally granted her leave to enter. Meg quickly smoothed her attire before placing her hand on the door handle.

Inside the stillness of the study, her master stood by the window, a glass of liquor poised in his hand, his long legs crossed in an air of ease. Even as she stepped inside, his gaze did not waver. It lingered beyond the glass, fixed on the gardens outside.

The lady of the house must still have been there, having departed only moments ago. Yet even in her absence, his eyes hardly shifted. He searched every corner as though seeking something—or someone—until at last, his gaze fell upon Meg.

But the truth remained unshaken: he had been watching his wife.

Determined to say only what was necessary, Meg parted her lips.

“There is one matter I wish to consult you on.”

“What is it?”

His chin remained angled toward the window, but his eyes turned to her. The posture was steeped in arrogance, yet carried a kind of effortless grace. A perfect nobleman. Perhaps, Meg thought, that phrase had been coined for this man alone.

“It concerns the Madam.”

In an instant, his languid gaze sharpened with clarity.

“Speak.”

Meg knew that look well. It was a warning—that if she spoke even the slightest nonsense, what awaited her would be biting scorn and relentless derision.

She swallowed once, steadying herself, and began.

“Per your command, I have been instructing the Madam these past few days in the matter of account ledgers. Though unfamiliar at first, her eagerness to learn is strong, and she has improved with remarkable speed.”

“My wife wished to continue?”

“Yes?”

One of Delphius’s eyebrows arched slightly. Only then did Meg realise her mistake, hurrying to correct herself.

“Ah, yes. The madam took great pride in completing tasks independently. Even the simplest calculation would fill her with joy. She also made a real effort to review and practice what she had learnt independently whenever she picked up something new…”

“So, what’s your point?”

“…That is precisely what I wished to raise, Master.”

How many times had she weighed and rehearsed this matter before daring to speak? She had even sought the butler’s counsel, unwilling to trust her judgment alone. She moistened her parched lips and lifted her gaze.

“Would you not consider allowing the Madam to receive other lessons as well?”

“Lessons? What kind?”

“Instruction in the broader manners of society, my lord.” Madam is polite enough, but compared to others, her manners are little more than child’s play. If she is thr*st into society in her current state, she will undoubtedly struggle. Social engagements cannot be avoided forever — she will have to face them at some point. For the sake of both the lady and the dignity of House Lukehardt, I implore you to consider—”

She had prepared more words to press her case, but a voice—calm yet cutting—severed her efforts in an instant.

“Did Ilenia ask for this?”

The weight of authority crashed down. The oppressive force of his words made Meg instantly aware: her master did not welcome this topic in the slightest.

“…No, my lord. The Madam has said nothing of the kind.”

“In that case, there’s no need for my wife to be pushed into anything prematurely. If she has a desire for it, Ilenia will decide to do so herself. Don’t you think?”

“…I overstepped.”

Meg bowed her head quickly. Delphius swirled the glass in his hand, the ice clinking as it melted into the liquor.

“If there’s nothing else, you may go.”

A flawless dismissal, leaving no room for protest. Meg had no choice but to withdraw, closing the door without adding another word.

“…Haa.”

She had served him for nearly ten years, yet Delphius was no easier a master now than he had been at the beginning.

“To think I still cannot read him.”

Even those closest to him rarely glimpsed his true thoughts. Some might call it discipline, his relentless control over himself—but still…

“…Does he even have a place where he can rest in peace?”

From what she had observed, he had lived his whole life under constant restraint. Even when routines became familiar, the strain on his mind must have been considerable.

Her gaze lingered on the study door, weighed down by worry. Above all, she wished that her lady might fulfil even a small part of that role for him.

But that would require the madam to become more familiar with society’s ways. The thought left Meg feeling uneasy.

“…Haa.”

Meg turned away, suppressing the sigh that rose from deep within her. Since she had displeased her master, she would have to try harder. The fouler his mood, the more sensitive he became to disorder. He would certainly become even more demanding.

Determined to fulfil her duties, she quickened her pace.

······ ✦ ✧ ✦ ······

It did not take long for Meg’s worries to prove true.

On a day warmer than usual, the Madam had decided to visit the nearby lake. She insisted on packing the basket herself, and so Meg followed her to the kitchen.

“…Don’t you think our lady is acting strangely?”

Before opening the kitchen door, Ilenia froze at the sound of a sharp, bitter complaint. Her hand stiffened on the handle.

“That’s what I mean. She’s only been a noble for a short time, yet she acts as if she were born to it. Acting like the mistress is laughable.”

“……”

Pathetic. The lady stood frozen, unable to move, unable even to collect herself. Meg could only acknowledge her failure. If she had known it would come to this, she should have stepped in—should have borne the disgrace herself rather than let her mistress endure it. She should have silenced the maids with swift punishment before they had the chance to say another word.

Did they even realize? The very woman they mocked was laboring on their behalf. Instead of treasuring her efforts—efforts born from compassion, from her desire to ease their hardships—they ridiculed her.

Meg remembered how her mistress had glowed with joy only days ago when one of her proposals was accepted. There was no allowance for herself, no personal benefit at all, and yet she had celebrated simply because it promised better lives for the servants.

And yet those ingrates…

“I should cast those girls out at once—”

“No, Lady Meg. Leave them be.”

“My lady.”

Letting go of the handle, Ilenia gave a small shrug.

“If I try to suppress even idle grumbling, it will only stir up resentment. It’s better to let it pass.”

“But such insolence is unacceptable for servants. Their conduct is intolerable.”

“Do you really think scolding them now will change their ways? Or make them suddenly think better of me?”

“……”

“So let them be.”

“But, my lady…”

As if she knew every worry weighing on Meg’s heart, Ilenia offered her a quiet smile.

“Still, if their behavior is left unchecked, the atmosphere in the house will start to deteriorate, won’t it?”

“Of course. Not only will the mood falter, but the household discipline will too. You must show authority as its mistress.”

“…Understood. I’ll try.”

‘Try? Try what, exactly?’

Meg’s doubts rose, but since her mistress had declared she would handle it herself, there was nothing more Meg could say.

“If I fail, may I seek your counsel then, Lady Meg?”

“Of course, my lady. If you ever need my help, speak at once.”

Unlike her stiff posture a moment before, Ilenia gave another radiant smile.

······ ✦ ✧ ✦ ······

A quiet morning.

While the busy housekeeper was out, another maid named Lily took her place. Today, the mistress had put the ledgers aside and was engrossed in embroidery.

The duke was at work, making the estate unusually quiet. The only sound in the room was the soft rhythm of the needle moving through the cloth.

“Lily.”

“Y–yes, my lady?”

Startled, Lily sat bolt upright. She had been half-asleep behind her mistress. Why had she called so suddenly? The lady usually said very little, often not speaking at all unless Lady Meg was present. Had she caught her napping?

“You’re the one who changes the flowers in the vase each day, aren’t you?”

“Ah—yes! Yes, my lady.”

Relieved it wasn’t the scolding she feared, Lily let out a small breath before answering.

“I… I pick them from the garden. The gardener knows as well, yes.”

“Thanks to you, I’ve begun each morning with their fragrance.”

Ilenia smiled, lifting a small container from her side.

“Here. It’s not much of a gift… let’s just call it a token of gratitude for your thoughtfulness.”

When Lily opened it, she found fine biscuits and confections neatly arranged inside. A present costly enough to feel special, yet modest enough not to burden her. She accepted without hesitation, bowing deeply.

“Thank you, my lady!”

“There’s hardly any need for thanks at all.”

Ilenia’s suspicious behavior did not end there. After that day, whenever she found herself alone with a maid, she would suddenly begin showering them with gifts.

“You always prepare things before I even ask. Thanks to you, I can carry out my work in comfort.”

“You’re the one who brings my wash water, aren’t you? The lukewarm temperature is always just right.”

Each warm word of praise was followed by a gift. Sometimes it was cookies. Other times, a small trinket. Always modest enough not to burden anyone, and so the maids accepted them readily.

“Thank you, my lady! I’ll work even harder.”

How many times did she repeat such gestures?

In less than a month, a new kind of talk began to spread among the servants.

“Hey, don’t you think our lady’s actually… pretty decent?”