Episode 9
Asterophe closed her eyes as she breathed in the soft scent of flowers.
The bathtub was filled with red rose petals—flowers that were hard to find in Serpiewood. Mixed in were medicinal herbs to ease fatigue and small wildflowers added carefully to deepen the fragrance.
They were different from what she had used back at her family home, but they weren’t inferior. In fact, some of the flowers and oils here were even rarer than what she’d had before.
After all, Callian would get anything for Asterophe if it was for her.
‘So he can give me luxury without limits, and he can love me… but he doesn’t want me to have any role as the grand duchess?’
She remembered the way Callian’s expression had instantly turned cold.
He had acted as if this was something she shouldn’t know—and something she didn’t need to do.
Before, Asterophe had found that comfortable.
Now, she didn’t.
She wanted to firmly settle into her place as the Grand Duchess.
Someday, when Billish and Callian stood against each other, she didn’t want to be someone helplessly tossed around.
She wanted to protect this fortress as the Grand Duchess of Serpiewood—and fight back.
And she wanted to crush him.
Revenge.
That was the clearest emotion she felt.
But alongside it, other feelings tangled inside her.
She leaned her head against the smooth stone edge of the tub and closed her eyes. Her body was relaxing, but her mind was a mess.
“I thought he’d be happy…”
She had never imagined Callian would be flustered—or reject her.
She thought he’d be pleased and try to tell her more.
She’d even worried he might go too far and insist on touring Serpiewood together, showing her every corner of the territory.
Now those thoughts felt ridiculous.
Asterophe lifted her arm and looked at it.
There were no wounds from torture.
No filthy flea bites.
Only smooth, pale skin.
Her body, no longer itchy, still felt unfamiliar.
Because the memories were too vivid, she kept feeling restless.
“I rushed it too much.”
Callian felt that yesterday’s her and today’s her were different.
She could feel his confusion clearly.
And it made sense.
She remembered everything—right up to the horrific ending.
But for him, that future hadn’t happened yet.
Asterophe wiped her face once.
A knock echoed through the large bathroom.
“Who is it?”
Her sharp voice rang out.
Anne’s trembling reply followed.
“Y-Your Grace…”
“What is it? I told you not to disturb me.”
Her tone grew sharper without her meaning to.
She had thought she should keep Anne close and treat her well—but rudeness still needed to be corrected.
“The Grand Duke ordered us to assist you with your bath.”
“I said I didn’t need it.”
“Y-Your Grace… then at least allow us to wait inside the bathroom!”
Anne sounded terrified.
Asterophe frowned and told them to come in.
Behind Anne, more than six maids entered.
Last came an older woman she didn’t recognize, who stepped forward to stand at the front.
“And who are you? I haven’t seen you before.”
“I am Maria, the new head maid assigned to serve you starting today.”
She was the complete opposite of the previous head maid.
Older. Calm. Composed.
The former head maid had been talkative—both in front of Asterophe and behind her back.
Because Asterophe was sensitive about her reputation, she had pushed that woman into meaningless chores.
Still, as someone from a notable family, the head maid couldn’t simply be dismissed outright.
Yet now, without Asterophe ordering it, the position had changed.
And unfamiliar maids had filled the room.
‘What is going on?’
Asterophe scanned the maids with a deep frown.
All of them were trembling, their faces pale as if powdered white.
“Anne. What did I order?”
“That… you wished to be alone, and that no one was to enter until you called for them.”
“Then what is this?”
“T-That is…”
Anne shrank back, hiding behind Maria.
Maria stepped fully in front of her and spoke.
“The Grand Duke was greatly angered by our inadequacy. He was especially concerned that Your Grace might have been harmed on the terrace today, which is why we committed this discourtesy.”
“So this was all the Grand Duke’s order?”
“Yes.”
“And the head maid was replaced too?”
“Yes. Because of our failings. Please forgive us, Your Grace. From now on, we will remain at your side like shadows and become your hands and feet—”
Asterophe raised a hand, cutting her off.
Then she spoke tiredly.
“Bring me a robe. When does the Grand Duke’s meeting end?”
“It isn’t certain, but he said he could have dinner with you.”
“Then I’ll need to prepare before dinner.”
It had been a long time since she’d said words like that.
Maria and the maids bowed deeply.
Asterophe stood up from the water.
Two maids supported her arms, while others hurried to dry her hair and body with large towels, then dressed her in a soft robe.
Her room was much warmer than before she’d gone to bathe.
Since she disliked lighting fires, it seemed they had used every other method to heat the room in advance.
As soon as she sat down, the maids rushed in—drying her long hair, rubbing expensive oils over her body, carefully filing her fingernails and toenails.
Meanwhile, Asterophe chose a dress.
Dozens of dresses she had bought but never worn were brought in and taken out one by one.
She flicked her finger left and right.
Right meant she liked it.
Left meant she didn’t.
Her finger pointed left every single time.
None of them pleased her.
The maids acted as if this was normal.
If anything, they seemed to think her quiet behavior over the past few days had been strange.
After twenty-four dresses had come and gone, her finger finally pointed right.
It was a cream-beige silk dress with a full skirt.
The neckline and chest were tightly decorated with lace—something her usual self would never have worn.
“I want a red brooch.”
“Yes. We’ll prepare all ruby and garnet brooches.”
“Braid my hair into one and let it fall.”
“Shall we match the hair ornament to the same gemstone?”
“Yes.”
Asterophe looked at her reflection in the mirror.
Wearing a nearly transparent dress and sitting before a large mirror, she looked unfamiliar—even to herself.
There had been a time when this kind of beauty was fun.
Now, it wasn’t.
But this was the only way to reassure Callian.
She stared at the mirror, unable to hide her dissatisfaction.
The maids moving in perfect order behind her bored her.
“Your Grace, if there is anything you dislike, please tell us. We will correct it immediately.”
Maria, quick to read the mood, spoke carefully.
Asterophe shook her head and looked down at her neatly groomed fingers.
“Where is old man Tama?”
She asked as casually as she could.
Tama was the man who had raised Callian since childhood and now served as the chief steward of Serpiewood Castle.
He was the person Callian trusted most.
Maria answered calmly.
“He is currently overseeing repairs to the mage tower.”
“The mage tower?”
“Yes. I heard the Grand Duke gave urgent orders today.”
“Does he think I’ve been bewitched by a witch or something?”
At her cold sarcasm, Maria hurriedly replied.
“N-No, Your Grace. I was told it’s to strengthen defenses due to increased monster activity near the eastern border.”
She had asked casually, just to test the waters.
Yet even calm Maria was shaken.
It seemed the servants had been ordered to stay alert regarding Asterophe’s changes.
“I’m disappointed in the Grand Duke. He says he acknowledges me as the Grand Duchess, yet he treats me like a bird locked in a cage.”
“Y-Your Grace, that isn’t— His Grace doesn’t mean—”
“Are you sure?”
“Would you bet your life on it?”
Under Asterophe’s cold gaze, Maria bowed deeply.
“Yes. I would stake my life on it. The Grand Duke is only worried about you. He does not doubt you, nor does he wish to cage you.”
Her voice trembled, but her loyalty to Callian felt genuine.
Asterophe slowly looked her over from head to toe.
“What was your name again?”
“Maria.”
“And which family are you from?”
“The Wizmen family.”
At the name Wizmen, Asterophe studied her closely.
The Wizmen family ran the largest school in Serpiewood, meaning Maria was likely far more educated than most maids.
Head maids were usually chosen by old man Tama.
That he had selected Maria—rather than someone obsessed with luxury like the former head maid—during such a sensitive time…
This wasn’t a simple decision.
Asterophe’s eyes filled with interest.
