I sat on my sofa in my bedroom. Agnes came to me and started to brush my hair.
It was a busy day and after a hot bath, I felt relaxed. As Agnes brushed my hair slowly, I felt sleepy.
I shook my head a little to wake myself up and ordered, “Please find out about Yulia des Maximillian.”
“Yulia… des Maximillian?”
“Yes. Let me know everything about her including her reputation.”
“I have never heard of that name before.”
Agnes seemed curious. She was busy working on preparing for the ball today that she wasn’t present at the meeting with the Countess Ilan and her nieces.
I told her what had happened and what I knew of Yulia.
“She is the daughter of Viscount Morian. She will work as my maid starting tomorrow.”
“Pardon?”
Agnes seemed surprised. She replied, “I remember you saying you would hire another maid, but I thought you have forgotten about it since things have been so hectic.”
“… It’s true that I did forget. I have indeed been very busy.”
After a brief silence, Agnes replied, “Viscount Morian… Now I remember. Many years ago, Countess Ilan’s sister married him.”
“That’s right. The new maid is one of Countess Ilan’s nieces.”
Agnes nodded.
“I did hear that Countess Ilan has been taking care of her nieces like her own children. Her sister died after the birth of those girls.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Countess Ilan took great care to arrange a good marriage for the older girl. I heard she has been worried about getting a good husband for the younger girl too, so she must have been very happy when you offered this position for the girl.”
I agreed silently.
“…”
I tried imagining Yulia standing next to Lucretius, just like I did with Lisbeth.
Yulia seemed intelligent and tranquil. Unlike Lisbeth, I found her to be a good match for the emperor.
‘They will make a good couple.’
Once I realized this, I felt unhappy. I started to get upset.
Why?
I almost felt sick. Did I eat something bad today?
I was very nervous about meeting Countess Ilan, so perhaps I was just tired from all the stress.
Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice.
“Why are you looking so sad?”
W, what the…!
I turned around in shock to find Lucretius standing quietly.
“Y, you scared me… How long have you been standing there?”
“Not long.”
“You need to make some noise when you come in!”
“I wanted to surprise you.”
The servant always announced him when he entered a room, which meant he must have ordered them to remain silent. He had done this a few times before.
When I sighed deeply, he laughed.
“By the way, that maid of yours…”
“Pardon?”
I was shocked. How did he already know about the new maid? Who told him? Agnes? Samantha?
I hid my shock and answered calmly, “Yes, I decided to get another maid.”
“Hmm?”
“Pardon?”
“… I was talking about that silly blond. You know, the Duke of Aeal’s daughter?”
We were talking about different girls. I thought he was referring to Yulia, but he was actually talking about Lisbeth.
“Oh…”
Lucretius didn’t seem to notice my mistake. In fact, he was now openly staring at my hair as Agnes brushed it.
He asked, “So you are getting a new maid?”
“Oh, yes. I need more help with my work. It’s Countess Ilan’s niece.”
“I see. I’m sure the Countess is very happy about it. It makes sense you need another maid since one of them is actually quite useless.” He laughed at his own joke and continued, “Anyway, about that senseless maid.”
“Her name is Lisbeth.”
“I don’t want to remember her name. Anyway, she acted ridiculously again when I came in just now.”
“Pardon?”
What did she do this time?
He explained proudly as if he deserved praise.
“That woman was waiting for me at the door half naked.”
He paused for me to show interest. I asked reluctantly, “So what did you do?”
“I said this to her…” He cleared his throat and repeated what he said to her in an ice-cold voice, “You look absurd.”
“…”
That must have hurt. I asked him.
“S, so… What did Lisbeth say?”
“She didn’t say much.”
“Really?”
“She just started to cry and ran out.”
“…”
I decided to feel a little sympathy for her.
Just for one second.
“I can’t believe you said something like that to a young girl…”
Lucretius scoffed and replied, “She annoys me. If I didn’t do something like this, she would try again.”
“Hmm…”
This was true. Lisbeth was persistent. She must have felt hurt today, but I knew in a few days, she would try something else.
I couldn’t help but feel happy about Lucretius’ nastiness towards Lisbeth. What an awful person I am!
Lucretius continued to stare at my hair as Agnes brushed it. After a few more seconds, he seemed confident. He nodded and took the brush from Agnes.
He then started to brush my hair.
I laughed at his silliness.
“My hair is all brushed now, so why are you doing this?”
“Because I want to. I see that the more you brush, the shinier your hair becomes. Your maids must be treating you well. All of them except for one.”
“Yes. Except for one.”
“When I first met you, your hair looked so rough like straws, but now, they look like silk.”
This man had a knack for making a compliment sound like an insult.
I murmured, “It wasn’t that bad.”
“Yes, it was.” He grinned and continued, “Especially compared to my hair.”
“…”
Whatever.
***
I was so sleepy. I was ready for bed.
The comfortable bed beckoned me seductively. I was about to climb it when Lucretius stopped me.
“How are your dance lessons going?”
I was tired, so I answered quickly, “Very well. I am practicing every day.”
The first dance at the ball was to be performed by the emperor and his empress. Since there was no empress, I had to dance with him as his only wife.
It would in front of the most important people in this world. I didn’t want to embarrass myself, so I had been practicing daily.
Lucretius grinned mischievously and took my hand.
“I’m not sure if I believe you. I’ll have to see for myself.”
He wanted to dance right now?! In the middle of the night?
It was a quiet night. I took his hand and followed his steps. There was no music, but it had been almost a month since I started the lessons, so my body moved easily.
At first, I was worried I might make mistakes. I had stepped on Elza’s feet a few times already during my practices.
I had never danced with Lucretius until now. I didn’t know how well he danced.
I was pleasantly surprised. He danced like a professional. He led me well and I felt comfortable following him.
Lucretius commented, “Not bad.”
I narrowed my eyes and replied, “Do you have to be so stingy with compliments?”
He grinned and offered his hand again like a gentleman.
“Then would you like to dance with me again, my lady? I will be generous with my assessment this time.”
This felt pleasant. I no longer felt sleepy. I took his hand demurely.
“If you insist.”
The moon shined through the window. The only sound I could hear was our hearts beating together. It was enough. There was no need for music.
Even if I returned to earth, I knew I would never forget this moment.
