Chapter 8
Episode 8
At that moment, he suddenly recalled the time he had caught her when she nearly fell while getting out of the carriage.
Her, startled and shoving him away.
*To freak out so much just from touching a mercenary like me. Her future looks rough.*
Of course, he could understand her hating him. Even if it was just carrying out the emperor's orders, he was still the one who had wiped out the duke's family.
He had been a little impressed by how she had immediately apologized politely after shoving him away. What incredible mental fortitude.
However, unlike her seemingly strong spirit, her body was far too frail.
How could women's waists be that slender? Are her organs even properly inside those ribs?
To Laslo, with his tree-trunk-like torso, it was utterly incomprehensible. And he couldn't believe she had endured the uncomfortable journey to escort her with such a rigid posture.
He had ordered the carriage to go slowly at a normal pace, fearing her body might shatter, and it was a good thing he had.
*Spoils of war*
If the carriage had been rattling wildly, he might have missed the sign of her trying to unlock the door.
*I don't know what she's so desperate to protect, even at the cost of her life.*
*Duchess*
Laslo ran a hand through his still-damp hair and sighed as he rose from his seat.
*Written by ruly lemon frog*
*Well, maybe something useful will come out of keeping her around.*
He decided to think about complicated matters tomorrow and extinguished the oil lamp.
Even after the light vanished, feeling the lingering warmth of the lamp, Laslo pictured Edel's retreating figure. He didn't know why Edel came to mind.
Edel awoke in the early morning as faint light seeped in.
Even though she had fallen asleep as if fainting, her body moved by habit. It was probably around 6 a.m. now.
She washed her face with water so cold it felt like it would freeze her skin, gathered her wits, wrung out a rag from the corner of the bathroom, and cleaned her room.
-2-
.
There had been so much dust that she had to rinse the rag four more times midway.
Few people knew she had entered the estate the previous evening, so most looked at Edel with curious eyes.
*I actually slept well in a place like this.*
A hollow laugh escaped her.
Young men eyed her with anticipation or whistled lowly, but the maids, who were short-handed, seemed openly pleased.
Marsha watched the scene quietly before tossing out a remark.
“Why don't you introduce your experience a bit? Former Lancaster Duchess?”
Edel wasn't surprised, knowing Marsha wouldn't let it slide easily.
But the others were naturally startled, and the kitchen quickly filled with murmurs.
“Huh, I can do it. It's fine.”
“Lancaster? Isn't that the place the master crushed this time?”
She tidied her appearance, encouraged herself, picked up the empty tray, and headed to the kitchen.
“Yeah, that's right. She said so earlier. That she was the duchess.”
The kitchen was filling with male and female servants coming for breakfast.
“Eek! Duchess? And she's doing maid work here?”
However, contrary to the warning about being caned if not arriving before 7, it was past 7 and there were still empty seats, with no sign of Marsha.
“No way!”
The servants gathered at the tables only glanced at Edel while whispering among themselves, none approaching her first.
Lifelong servants accustomed to waiting on nobles couldn't easily accept that a ·duchess· had become their colleague.
*But it wouldn't be proper for me to speak first either.*
However, Marsha said coldly, as if mocking them all.
As she observed the atmosphere in line with high society etiquette out of habit, Marsha entered the kitchen around 7:30, yawning.
“Quiet, quiet! What's there to make such a fuss about? She's just a sinner who deserved death, spared only by His Majesty's mercy. Her status is the same as ours or lower.”
A couple of maids who seemed a bit more arrogant than the others followed behind her.
Now everyone seemed to be gathered.
The maids who had entered behind Marsha giggled in agreement. In particular, Mina, who had shown Edel to the bathroom and room yesterday, looked especially triumphant.
Marsha waited for the mood to settle a bit before asking Edel.
“Is everyone here?”
“Edel! Do you know what a new maid starts with?”
Seated arrogantly at the head table, Marsha surveyed all the estate's servants gathered there, her brows furrowed even in the morning.
Her gaze landed on Edel at the very end of the table, and she smirked.
“No. I'm not sure.”
“I thought a duchess would know such things inside out, but apparently not?”
“....I'm sorry.”
“Today, we'll introduce our new colleague first. Newbie! Stand up and introduce yourself.”
At her call, Edel quietly rose and obediently bowed her head.
Sensing Marsha's clear intent to provoke her, Edel deliberately acted even more meekly. She didn't know much about new maids' duties, but she was certain it would be the most tedious and grueling task.
Marsha looked down at Edel haughtily, speaking like a judge pronouncing a sentence on a criminal.
“Pleased to meet you. I'm Edel. Starting today, I'll be working as a maid in the Crisus Count estate.”
“You're assigned to the laundry room. After breakfast, follow Celia. And Celia!”
.
