“Goodness, who would scribble on the wall like a child?”
I fumbled through my pockets, looking for something to wipe it with.
‘Oh shoot, I left the dish scrub and the cotton cloth behind.’
I quickly wiped my hands on my apron and headed toward the back door of the manor.
“Young Master?”
The Young Master was inside the room that had been created by magic.
“What is it?”
“I left something behind.”
The Young Master gazed at me blankly.
“It seems you’ve developed a case of forgetfulness.”
He then casually picked up one of the items sitting on the shelf.
“Is this what you’re looking for?”
“Pardon?”
As I was shoving a cotton cloth into my apron pocket, I saw the lace held in the Young Master’s hand and was struck with horror. Unable to even let out a scream, I lunged forward and snatched it away, causing the Young Master to knit his brows.
“Have you gone mad?”
“I-I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
“What is that? Let me see.”
“…Clothes.”
“Speak up.”
“Women’s underwear!”
I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror; my face was flushed beet red. I stole a glance at the Young Master, who remained frozen with a feigned expression of anger, and asked cautiously:
“Do you… really want me to show you?”
“I… don’t recall ordering such a thing.”
He remained expressionless, but he was clearly flustered. I had written ‘Adult maid uniforms, one of each size, including undergarments, shoes, and hair ties,’ but I had never mentioned the specific details of the underwear.
I handed the Young Master the letter that had come with the delivery. Upon reading the first line—‘Since I do not know your preference, I have sent a variety’—the letter was crumpled in his grip.
Have those mages collectively lost their minds?
“Young Master?”
“Do not say a word.”
Even as a woman, I was shocked to see them, so I could only imagine how the Young Master felt. I pointed toward the kitchen and bolted out of there.
In the space Liliata had vacated, the Young Master’s gaze, which had been scanning the room with murderous eyes, stopped at the large mirror. He thought of the mage who had died before his eyes.
“Not only did he attempt a pathetic trick, but he dared to commit voyeurism in my manor.”
Even if she was an ignorant girl destined to die after today, for this one day, that ignoramus was his maid. For someone to watch his maid in such a manner was no different from insulting him, her master.
‘Filthy thing.’
His disgust deepened as he recalled the image of the mage who had died smiling. He was about to shatter the mirror when another thought occurred to him, and he held his hand back. Instead, he called out to his maid.
“Liliata Hayes.”
His voice echoed like a melody in the ears of Liliata, who was heading toward the kitchen.
Huh?
I raised a hand to cover my ear.
‘Wasn’t that the Young Master’s voice just now?’
The hallway behind me was empty. Though puzzled, I retraced my steps just in case. Through the open door, I saw his brilliant blonde hair.
“Young Master, did you happen to call me?”
The Young Master nodded and pointed toward the full-length mirror.
“Take that up to my room on the second floor.”
“Yes, sir!”
Watching Liliata carry the mirror toward the second floor, the Young Master smiled quietly. Even filthy things were useful sometimes. Only half a day had passed since the new maid arrived at the manor, yet unexpected events continued to unfold. He found that he didn’t quite dislike this small commotion, a feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
He thought that perhaps it would be fine for this ignorant maid to stay alive for exactly one more day.
“Whew, finally finished organizing everything.”
I had only done some simple cleaning and tidying, but the clock already pointed to five in the afternoon.
“It’s already dinner time.”
Rubbing my dry, cracked hands, I went looking for the Young Master. The first-floor backyard and the Young Master’s room on the second floor were both empty.
“Where did he go?”
Then, my gaze shifted toward the door leaned carelessly against the wall.
“Oh, right. I need to fix the Young Master’s bedroom door and the front door before going to bed. I forgot to order the hinges.”
‘Am I really becoming forgetful?’
I was never like this.
‘It must be because I’ve been under a lot of stress lately.’
As expected, the root of all misery was Joffrey. That bastard.
I searched for the Young Master before it got any later.
“Young Master, where are you?”
Just then, the Young Master’s voice drifted from the end of the second-floor hallway.
“You’re noisy.”
It was a secluded room at the very end of the hall.
“Young Master, what are you doing here?”
“Why?”
“I came to ask what you’d like for dinner. Also, I need to repair your door and the front door, but I forgot to order the hinges.”
“I’m not eating dinner.”
“To be honest, I’m still full, too.”
“And just leave the doors be.”
“Pardon? No, I can’t! It even snowed yesterday; it’ll be freezing at night. What if you catch a cold, Young Master?”
“I don’t catch colds.”
“Every patient says that.”
“I said I’m fine, so stop nagging.”
“What’s wrong is wrong. I can’t let your health suffer because of me.”
I had to serve the Young Master. Safely. I had to serve him better than anyone else. Perfectly.
“You’re saying no?”
“I am.”
I could clearly see the Young Master’s eyebrows arching as if to say, ‘Look at this one,’ while he glared at me fiercely. Because the Young Master’s eyes were naturally long and sharp, he looked truly menacing when he glared with an expressionless face.
However, I knew that this was merely the stubbornness that patients often flaunt. And while I didn’t know his exact age, how could a frail, beautiful boy of fourteen or fifteen be just scary when he glared? He was scary, yes, but also pretty, and cute, and all those things.
“Liliata Hayes.”
“It’s no use calling my name so terrifyingly.”
“Ha?”
The Young Master’s jaw dropped as if he found me utterly absurd. I rubbed my ear where his voice still seemed to linger. The Young Master’s voice was clear like a boy’s, yet it could drop incredibly low depending on his emotions, creating a strange resonance like a sound echoing in a cave. It was a demonic voice that could bewitch a person.
But I couldn’t just let myself be swayed and manipulated by that voice. Since I had decided to stay at the manor, I was determined to be the most steadfast maid possible.
“Do you… feel nothing at all?”
“About what?”
“Is it because you used your strength earlier?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m saying you’re annoying.”
“That hurts my feelings…”
“Believe what you want.”
I sighed inwardly as the Young Master nonchalantly turned his head away. My Young Master is quite stubborn in the strangest ways.
Then, my eyes naturally drifted to the items displayed in the room.
“There are so many things here that look wonderful.”
At my words, the Young Master turned back to look at me.
“Wonderful?”
“Yes. The paintings and the statues—every single one of them looks so elegant and incredibly expensive.”
“That is true. You have quite the eye.”
Considering every single one of them was paid for with a life.
“Do you want one?”
“Me?”
“I happen to be in a decent mood for once.”
It seemed he was in a good mood after eating all that delicious food. I should make sure to give our Young Master delicious things every day.
“Pick one. Carefully.”
The Young Master urged me. I suppressed a laugh at how cute he was being.
“Thank you, Young Master.”
The room was filled with a variety of artworks, ranging from large statues that looked centuries old to small accessories with exquisite craftsmanship.
Among them, three things caught my eye.
