Chapter 24
Only then did the head maid, who had been giving a rude look, turn to Fiorentia and speak.
“It’s quite late, but I noticed the light in the annex window is still on, so I came to check. I thought you might need something since it seems you’re not asleep yet.”
So she was watching from outside too.
Fiorentia hid her annoyance and replied politely.
“How thoughtful of you.”
She pretended to be deeply touched.
The moment seemed so funny that Teodor couldn’t hold back a quiet laugh. It was because Fiorentia acted so differently around the maid than she did with him.
To prevent the head maid from noticing, Fiorentia leaned into Teodor and pressed her weight on his arm as a subtle warning.
It was supposed to be a warning, but it didn’t bother Teodor at all.
‘Why is this so light?’ he thought. He couldn’t even feel her weight.
Luckily, the maid was far enough away, and Teodor’s small laugh went unnoticed by Esther.
“May I ask why you responded so late?” the maid asked, now looking toward the bed where Fiorentia and Teodor were. She spoke arrogantly.
Fiorentia deliberately made a small sigh. She hesitated as if embarrassed to answer and began her act.
“I guess I didn’t hear you… I was focused.”
“Focused?”
“Yes. The doll seemed dirty, so I was cleaning it.”
The maid looked annoyed and asked sharply, “You did it yourself?”
“Yes. There’s no need to trouble others for something like this.”
“But it’s quite big. It must be hard to do alone.”
“I don’t have much else to do. Doing this helps pass the time. And… it’s actually kind of fun.”
“But… you might find it unpleasant…”
“No. I enjoy it.”
“Enjoy…?”
“Yes. Their body is different from mine in many ways.”
Teodor clenched his teeth. ‘Does she really think I’m a doll?’
Even the maid looked surprised at Fiorentia’s answer. She coughed awkwardly to stop Fiorentia from explaining more.
Teodor struggled to hold back a reaction, biting his cheek to keep calm.
“Are you okay? Choked on something?” Fiorentia asked, pretending to worry about the maid.
“No, I’m fine,” the maid replied, relieved to stop her forced cough. She glanced at Fiorentia and Teodor, slightly shaking her head.
‘Yes, it probably looks strange,’ Fiorentia thought. She understood Esther’s perspective.
Fiorentia wasn’t eight, she was eighteen—her body was nearly adult.
So, seeing her, lonely and playing with a peer as if he were a doll, wouldn’t look normal to anyone.
‘Good if she avoids coming again, but she’ll probably keep watching,’ Fiorentia sighed. The thought of it was exhausting.
Esther would still perform her duties thoroughly. She would check in at unexpected times, because that’s what surveillance meant.
While Fiorentia was lost in thought, the maid glanced around the room one last time, but it was just a routine check—nothing was there.
Teodor stayed still on the bed, drawing no suspicion.
“All right… understood,” the maid finally said, preparing to leave.
“Have a good night. It’s late,” she added.
“Ah! Yes! I’m done cleaning,” Fiorentia said.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Ah! Yes!” Fiorentia got off the bed to see the maid to the door.
A noble seeing off a servant—it felt backward, but it was just how she lived.
‘Better to act normal to avoid suspicion,’ she thought. Esther, being loyal to Desdemona, wouldn’t find it strange.
“Goodbye.”
“Call me if you need anything,” the maid said.
“Thank you, head maid.”
“You’re welcome. It’s my duty.”
Despite her polite words, Fiorentia knew that if she ever asked for something, the maid would scowl and probably run to report it to Desdemona. Fiorentia could already imagine the lecture she’d get afterward.
‘No need to dig my own grave,’ she thought.
Click. The door closed.
Fiorentia exhaled, turning back to the bed.
Teodor had sat up, straightening the shirt she had undone, glaring at her.
“Don’t touch me again,” he said, voice low and tight with anger.
Fiorentia realized he was seriously angry. She quickly apologized.
“I didn’t have time to explain. I’m sorry.”
Teodor nodded, heavy but restrained. At least he was trying to understand her situation.
‘That’s not too bad,’ she thought.
Fiorentia debated whether to coax him once he calmed down or to make a point now.
‘Better now,’ she decided. It was clear that if she waited, it would cause more trouble later.
“I can’t promise it won’t happen again,” she said.
Teodor froze, looking at her sharply.
“Are you serious?”
“Shh. Be quiet,” she whispered, moving quickly to cover his mouth as he tried to speak.
They couldn’t risk being heard by the maid. Fiorentia could not lose Teodor to Desdemona now.
“Do you want to get caught?” she asked, her eyes sharp beneath her mask.
Teodor stayed still, just staring at her silently, which surprised her.
“I’m not doing this for fun. Who’d want to do this at our age? It’s necessary,” she explained quickly.
Only then did Teodor respond.
“Then explain.”
Fiorentia flinched. She could feel his lips move just under her hand.
