Previously
Thiel visits Cassius in his office, where he surprises her with gentle physical affection and treats. He explains that the light she manifested is a legendary Power of Light, a special ability that makes her unique rather than weak.
Thiel gripped Leah’s sleeve tightly, her gaze darting among the maids peppering her with questions.
‘What on earth is going on here?’
She had woken up late today and enjoyed warm bread with a cup of hot cocoa and fruit, lounging comfortably in Leah’s lap for breakfast.
Then, out of nowhere, an excited flurry of maids arrived, eager to learn Thiel’s preferences.
.
Thiel loved the idea of having a pretty room decorated for her, but she was far too shy to answer.
‘I don’t even know what I like or dislike…’
Having grown up wearing only the clothes Rowen threw away, such a thing was only natural.
The place she had stayed was an attic where mice sometimes darted out, and her meals were always cold soup or stale, hard bread.
Having been raised like that, being asked about her preferences naturally made her feel terribly embarrassed.
Unable to answer or brush off the questions, feeling completely at a loss, Thiel turned to Leah with a pleading look for help.
Noticing Thiel’s expression, Leah was about to tell the maids to leave when a knock sounded at the door.
As if moving together, every maid staring at Thiel turned toward the door at the same time.
The door opened to reveal Sophia, a senior maid of the Astrian estate.
Sophia clicked her tongue as she looked over the maids.
The maids exchanged awkward glances, then took a step back with gentle smiles.
Thiel looked toward Sophia while still clutching Leah’s dress, bowing her head politely.
Sophia’s sharp gaze softened as it landed on Thiel’s small hand tightly clutching Leah’s clothes.
With that, Sophia offered Thiel a polite bow, noticing how flustered the child had become under the crowd of maids.
At Sophia’s words, the maids nodded and bowed their heads in agreement.
Once she made sure the maids had lowered their heads, Sophia looked toward Thiel and smiled.
Comforted by Sophia’s gentle voice, Thiel relaxed slightly, gave a small nod, and opened her mouth to speak.
The girl hesitated, fumbling for words, her face blushing red as she avoided eye contact with Sophia.
Thiel suddenly felt a pang of self-pity, realizing she was seven years old and still didn't even know her favorite color.
At the same time, she grew afraid that everyone in the room would find her pitiful.
Her fears, however, melted away with Leah’s gentle voice.
Leah did her best to reassure her. Thiel looked at Leah’s face, then glanced at Sophia, and said,
Thiel smiled, the corners of her eyes curving delicately.
Everyone in the room closed their eyes tight, utterly charmed by the sight of Thiel looking like a little angel.
‘She can’t be real…’
‘She is way too cute…’
Even without saying a word out loud, it seemed as though they could all read each other’s minds.
Even Sophia, the maid renowned throughout the Astrian estate for her coldness,
flushed red to the verge of bursting at the sheer sight of such an adorable child.
Leah smiled softly, hugging Thiel tightly as the other maids stood by in awe of her cuteness.
Thanks to the enthusiastic maids and the furniture craftsmen who were paid double, Thiel’s room was completed at astonishing speed.
They chose rounded wooden furniture to keep the child from getting hurt, and layered soft blankets across a large bed to make it pillowy and gentle.
A lovely pink cover was fitted over a pillow tailored to the child's size, and sheer silk curtains alongside a prism suncatcher that refracted light at a dozen angles were hung before the sunlit window.
A warm rug covered the floor so the little girl wouldn't catch a chill even if she walked barefoot.
Right beside the bed lay a carpet crafted from the finest wool.
By the personal orders of Cassius and Alvinus, Thiel’s room had been furnished only with the absolute best, resulting in a truly magnificent sight.
Shown into her room for the first time since its completion, Thiel was struck speechless with wonder, only able to blink in disbelief.
Thiel could barely manage the words, staring at Butler Barden with wide, doubtful eyes, unable to believe what she was seeing.
The room was far too grand for a seven-year-old child to have all to herself.
Thiel was still just a child, so she couldn't tell whether the wood was top tier or the fabrics of the highest grade, but she knew it was beautifully appointed beyond words.
In the Nestian manor, the most lavish rooms had been her grandfather's bedchamber, his office, and Rowen’s bedroom.
Yet Rowen’s bedroom couldn't even begin to compare to this.
Thiel’s new bed was twice the size of Rowen’s, with fluffy duvets and charming decorations everywhere far outshining Rowen’s room.
Thiel stood there confused, convinced that she was unworthy of such a room, then turned hesitantly toward Barden.
Realizing the young lady wanted to say something, Barden bent down respectfully to Thiel's height, bringing his ear close.
Hesitating slightly, Thiel looked at Barden and whispered carefully into his ear.
On the day she first arrived at the Astrian manor, she had offered to sleep in the stables or anywhere else.
She had even thought that sleeping in the streets would be better than going back to Nestian.
‘I really don’t deserve a room like this!’
Seeing her lost in such thoughts, Barden considered for a moment what could have brought the child to say that, then spoke.
“My Lady, there is nothing in this estate that is too precious for you.”
"…"
Within her shimmering golden eyes, Barden’s reflection flickered.
Barden’s gentle voice tickled Thiel’s ear.
The title
the room? It is a wonderful room that suits you perfectly. If you see anything you dislike, do not hesitate to tell me. I will have it changed at once.”
With Barden gently resting a hand against her back to usher her forward, Thiel cautiously stepped inside the room.