Episode 68
Having made all the preparations, I took a deep breath. Today was the day I had to go to the Seirthe Marquisate with Sylvia.
“Valerie, come here.”
“Yes, Miss Sylvia.”
I had hoped for rain. But the sky, clear and scorching, seemed to have ignored my wish.
“The weather is nice today.”
“Yes. Perfect for a tea party.”
I smiled brightly for the other maids and replied. Sylvia teased me playfully,
“Really? I thought it might rain.”
“Oh, Miss, you’re so silly. It’s obviously a bright, sunny day.”
“Hee hee. That’s true.”
The maids, puzzled by our exchange, looked at each other.
The nanny cleared her throat at their bewildered expressions, and the maids, snapping back to reality, bowed their heads. As expected of veteran maids with years of experience working at the Veronica County.
The nanny, after giving them a warning, gently held Sylvia’s hand and said,
“Don’t come back too late, Miss.”
“I will, Nanny.”
As I had felt when I first met her, she was a gentle yet firm person.
“And Valerie, please take good care of Miss Sylvia. If you make any mistakes, it will reflect poorly on her. Be extra careful since you’re new here.”
“Yes, I understand.”
The carriage arrived. We carefully boarded and headed towards the Seirthe Marquisate.
Alone in the carriage, I quietly warned Sylvia about what to be careful of today.
“She hasn’t become close to you yet, so she probably won’t act rashly. But she must have guessed that you have feelings for His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Sylvia’s cheeks flushed slightly at my blunt words. It seemed like the flow of their relationship was heading towards the Crown Prince, as in the original story.
Hoping Cesar would eventually move on, I continued,
“As you might have heard from rumors, she’s like a sharpened sword. She’ll do anything to get what she wants. That’s why she has many followers.”
“She sounds like an amazing person.”
“But she’s not a good rival. She loves His Highness, but she also loves his position, so she’s determined to become the Crown Princess.”
And she was also skilled at threatening and manipulating people.
“She’ll try to become friends with you and then slowly extract information that could be used against you.”
“I don’t have anything that could be used against me.”
“Even trivial remarks from your daily life can become important information. For instance, that you sometimes forget to close the window before sleeping, or who your guards are.”
“Ah.”
“You share more information than you realize when you become close to someone. Lady Seirthe is good at exploiting those loosened boundaries. So be careful. She’s the type to even orchestrate a kidnapping to get rid of you, Sylvia.”
If the original story unfolded as it should, the kidnapping incident would happen. Fortunately, Sylvia hadn’t revealed anything about her Spirit Arts, so she was safe for now… but she could still be sold to another country.
Looking back, I didn’t understand why I had just stood by, assuming the heroine would be able to resolve it because it was her fate. If the original story had a fixed plot, there must be parts that changed because of my intervention.
“Lily, your expression is serious.”
“Sorry. I was just thinking.”
“Am I making you worry too much?”
I felt her hands cup my face. Clear, bright eyes, like a tranquil lake, looked at me with concern.
“No. And it’s a maid’s duty to protect her mistress. I won’t let anyone hurt you, Sylvia.”
“That’s why I like you, Lily.”
She stroked my hair. A gentle smile graced her kind face.
I smiled back, my mind racing. If we went to the Seirthe Marquisate today, Prea would surely approach me.
There was no easier target than a maid who was openly cherished by her mistress. In the original story, it was someone else, but… now it was me.
I hadn’t told Sylvia the details because I didn’t want her to worry, but if Prea tried to lure me today, I planned to play along.
Prea couldn’t personally screen every maid, and there were plenty of replacements.
‘Even if it’s dangerous, I have no choice but to pretend to be swayed by Prea.’
If Sylvia, who was smiling and stroking my hair, knew, she would surely stop me.
I quietly thought about what I had to do, enduring Sylvia’s endless head pats until we arrived at the Marquisate.
The carriage stopped in front of the Seirthe Marquisate.
As Sylvia carefully stepped out of the carriage, the butler, who had been waiting with a perfect posture, spoke politely,
“Welcome. I’ll guide you to the tea party, Lady Veronica.”
‘This is definitely Prea’s mansion.’
Just like someone who valued etiquette and decorum above all else, she wouldn’t keep anyone unsuitable around her.
I saw the perfectly manicured garden, the fountain, and the neatly trimmed paths. Even a hint of her fastidious nature was visible.
As I cautiously followed Sylvia, observing my surroundings, someone blocked my path.
“I’m sorry, but the maid cannot enter.”
“What do you mean? I have to attend to Miss Sylvia!”
I retorted, acting like a model maid, and the butler smiled awkwardly.
“I understand, but Lady Prea strongly dislikes being disturbed during tea time. She wouldn’t tolerate any mistakes from outsiders at a tea party she’s hosting.”
I knew Prea’s personality. I had anticipated that she would try to separate us.
I saw Sylvia looking at me hesitantly. There was nothing I could do. Insisting would only provoke Prea.
“I apologize for the commotion. It’s my duty to attend to Miss Sylvia…”
“The maids at the Marquisate are highly skilled, so you don’t have to worry.”
The butler smiled kindly and led Sylvia away.
I wasn’t too worried since Prea wouldn’t try anything today, so I was wondering where I should wait for Sylvia when a maid from the Seirthe Marquisate appeared before me.
“There’s a separate waiting area for servants from other mansions. You can wait there.”
“Thank you.”
I followed the maid.
As we walked towards the outer area of the mansion, I cautiously observed my surroundings. It was suspicious that she was leading me to such a secluded area, even if it was for the servants.
After walking for a while, the maid stopped.
“This is it. You can go in and rest.”
I thanked her and carefully opened the door. As I stepped inside, I saw a woman with an extravagant appearance sitting there.
“Come in. Aren’t you going to thank me for waiting for you personally?”
Prea, who should have been at the tea party, was sitting there, smiling brightly.
I had expected her to approach me, but through another maid. To bring me here directly and talk to me herself… she was truly a bold character.
“It’s an honor to meet you again. Thank you for waiting.”
As I bowed my head, I heard Prea’s amused voice.
“You’re quick-witted. I like that.”
Her voice was seductive, yet menacing, like a viper’s tongue.
“Is there a reason you waited for me here? Unlike a lowly maid like me, Lady Seirthe’s time is precious.”
“Your words are polite, like a maid’s, but why do they sound like you’re scolding me for keeping your mistress waiting? Is it just my imagination?”
Her words were sharp, but her voice, laced with interest, was waiting for my response.
“How could a maid like me dare to speak with such intentions? I was just puzzled that a high-ranking noble like you would want to spend time with someone like me.”
“Do you really think that? Lady Veronica would prefer to spend time with Lady Cartlow at the tea party, wouldn’t she?”
“Of course not. Miss Sylvia is kind to everyone. She’ll enjoy spending time with you, my lady.”
“Hmm. Well, alright. I didn’t expect you to speak ill of your mistress anyway.”
I heard the clicking of heels, as if she had stood up. My eyes, fixed on the expensive, polished floor, saw the pointed toe of her shoe.
“Lift your head.”
I carefully raised my head.
“You should make eye contact, shouldn’t you?”
Her tone was gentle, but it was a command.
As our eyes met, her red eyes held me captive, like a predator eyeing its prey.
“I like you. I don’t usually ask for help from others, but… won’t you do me a favor?”
Her haughty eyes curved into a beautiful smile.
My mouth fell open involuntarily. Her beauty was captivating. Perhaps that’s why poisonous mushrooms were so brightly colored.
“…What kind of favor?”
“Don’t be so wary. I want to become friends with Lady Veronica.”
“You want to be friends with her?”
“Yes.”
As I looked at her with a puzzled expression, Prea put on a pitiful expression, like a wilting flower. Her acting was so good that anyone who didn’t know her true nature would be completely fooled.
“For some reason, Lady Veronica seems to be uncomfortable around me… You seem to be close to her, so I was hoping you could tell me how to become friends with her.”