Chapter 75
The head maid silently watched Rosé, who showed no sign of joy despite receiving a large sum of money. Then she spoke again.
“Ah, and His Highness said to give you a week’s vacation as a reward for your hard work.”
“…Vacation?”
Rosé fidgeted with the envelope, looking uncomfortable, and then her eyes widened at the unexpected words. The head maid gave a small nod to confirm.
“Ah… no, I don’t need a vacation, Head Maid.”
Rosé blinked a few times before quickly shaking her head. Time spent with her child was already like a vacation to her. She didn’t want to waste her precious time under the meaningless label of “holiday.”
“So I’d like you to decline it for me…”
“It is His Highness’s order, and a reward. Do you mean to refuse it?”
The head maid clicked her tongue, frowning. Since she didn’t know Rosé’s true circumstances, her reaction was natural. Rosé looked troubled, at a loss for what to say—until an idea suddenly came to her.
“Then… may I just use half a day for myself? I don’t need more than that.”
“Rosé.”
The head maid called her name in exasperation, but Rosé continued, trying to persuade her.
“I mean it. I truly don’t need it, Head Maid. Even if I took the vacation, it’s not as though I have anywhere to go. As you know, I don’t have any family… So I’d honestly rather just keep serving the Young Lady here.”
Her voice nearly faltered midway, but she forced herself to finish. The head maid clicked her tongue again and sighed.
“You’re foolish, Rosé. Everyone else complains about not getting vacations.”
Those who had come from far-off provinces would use a holiday to shop in the capital and enjoy rare moments of rest. But this foolish girl seemed not to know how to enjoy herself at all.
Even so, the head maid reluctantly gave in.
If Rosé truly disliked it, how could she push her further? Forcing her to take time off against her will would be no different from coercion.
“Thank you, Head Maid.”
At last, Rosé smiled and bowed gratefully. Inside, she let out a breath of relief.
She hadn’t yet been able to leave regularly, so this was her chance to quietly stock up on medicine in advance.
“Then, take your rest.”
As if she had said all she needed to, the head maid turned to leave. Rosé followed her toward the door, but just as the head maid opened it, she glanced back.
“In any case, well done, Rosé. …It’s a relief that you’re by the Young Lady’s side. Thank you.”
“…!”
Rosé’s eyes flew wide. The head maid’s tone, usually blunt and cold, was unexpectedly gentle. The surprise was plain on Rosé’s face, and the head maid, looking a little embarrassed, scrunched her nose before walking out.
“Th-thank you, Head Maid!”
Rosé called after her, her voice filled with joy—far more joy than when she had received money or vacation time.
To be so delighted by a simple word of thanks… I can’t understand it at all.
Shaking her head at Rosé’s cheerful gratitude, the head maid nevertheless found her lips softening into a smile.
“An outing? If you want to go out, who am I to say no? After all, it’s a holiday granted directly by His Grace. Am I wrong?”
When Rosé asked for permission to go out briefly, the nanny gave her a sour look and answered in a cutting tone. Rosé lowered her head, unable to reply. That only seemed to annoy the nanny more, and she snorted before turning away.
“Do whatever you like. Isn’t it ridiculous, even to you, asking permission from someone who’s already being pushed aside?”
“Nanny, it’s not like that…”
“Enough. I can already guess—you’re off to look at houses with the money you got yesterday, aren’t you? Don’t waste time standing around here. Go.”
Without listening to Rosé’s attempt at explanation, the nanny slammed the door behind her. Rosé stood there a moment, then gave a bitter smile. It seemed she and the nanny would never get along.
“Well, at least I’ve gotten permission. I’d better hurry.”
Murmuring to herself, Rosé left the room. She wasn’t comfortable leaving Flitta behind, but she couldn’t risk running out of medicine.
Back in her quarters, she changed out of her maid’s uniform into her outing clothes. They weren’t anything special—just a clean brown skirt, a white blouse, and a dark gray coat, the neatest among what she owned. Still, the change in attire gave her a different air than usual.
As she hurried, she heard the neighing of horses.
“Ah…”
Rosé froze. A carriage stood outside the mansion—an elegant one, clearly not a common street carriage.
Someone’s come to visit?
She began cautiously heading toward the back, when footsteps echoed from inside. It was Haven. Apparently no one was visiting; rather, he was preparing to go out.
Quickly, Rosé stepped aside and bowed politely. Haven was instructing the butler when he noticed her.
Her appearance was unlike her usual self. His brows rose slightly before he remembered what the head maid had mentioned that morning—about the foolish maid who had declined a week-long vacation and asked instead for only half a day’s leave.
So this must be that outing.
He nodded to himself, then called out to her.
“Rosé.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
She bowed deeply again at the sound of her name. Unlike her usual neatly pinned hair, her long, chestnut-brown braid drew his eyes.
“You’re going out?”
“Yes, Your Grace. I… I received permission from the Head Maid.”
“I know. I’ve already heard everything. No need to be self-conscious. I also heard you refused a week’s holiday and asked for just half a day.”
“Th-that was…”
Rosé faltered, at a loss to explain. With a small sigh, she lowered her head again.
“Thank you, Your Grace. Then I’ll be on my way…”
Just as she turned to leave, Haven spoke.
“I’ll go with you.”
“…Pardon?”
Rosé blinked, not understanding. Haven gestured toward the waiting carriage.
“Let’s ride together. I don’t know where you’re going, but I’ll take you there.”
“N-no, Your Grace. I can just walk.”
Her eyes widened, and she shook her head quickly. For a maid to ride with the Duke in his carriage—it was unthinkable.
But Haven seemed unwilling to withdraw the offer.
“It’s fine. Get in. I’ll take you.”
“B-but, Your Grace…”
Her face paled. She was heading to the healer—if she accepted, he would learn where she was going. But unaware of her inner turmoil, Haven persisted.
“…Yes.”
Left with no choice, Rosé agreed. Refusing his kindness repeatedly would seem rude to others. And she felt awkward making him wait because of her hesitation.
Suppressing a sigh, she approached the carriage. She waited for him to board first, but instead, he extended his hand to her.
“…?”
Rosé stared at the offered hand, then lifted her eyes to him. Haven calmly repeated the gesture.
Surely not…
It couldn’t be, she told herself. Flustered, she stammered.
“Your Grace should board first…”
“Are you trying to make me a boor without manners? Ladies first.”
He gave her a faint smile.
Good heavens. Rosé swallowed the words on her tongue, helpless. She couldn’t refuse and insist he board first. Neither could she ignore his hand and climb in on her own.
Finally, she clenched her hand, then placed her fingertips lightly atop his. With polite composure, Haven helped her into the carriage.
“Oh my! His Grace…”
A voice rang out somewhere nearby—one of the maids had witnessed the scene.
Rosé shut her eyes tight as soon as she sat down. She dreaded the rumors that might spread. At that moment, Haven entered and seated himself across from her. As she opened her eyes, the carriage began to move.
“…”
Silence filled the space. Unless it was about Flitta, she had no reason to converse with him. Which left Rosé unsure where to look, or what to do with herself, in the confines of the carriage they now shared alone.
