Chapter 23
Rudiche glanced at the small carved bird that decorated her desk.
“I want to buy that ability of yours.”
At her words, the girl’s eyes deepened. They were filled with visible conflict.
“For someone who has nothing, my offer is an act of kindness. But for me to use your ability to get what I want—that’s me exploiting you.”
“I don’t think you’re exploiting me.”
Sera carefully replied, stealing a glance at Rudiche’s expression.
She half-expected Rudiche to get angry, but surprisingly, she was smiling brightly.
“I’m tricking an innocent dwarf girl and dragging her off to the barren western lands. If that’s not exploitation, then what is?”
The innocent one seems more like you, though.
“No, I mean it.”
As if answering the words Sera couldn’t say aloud, Rudiche laughed gently.
She was strange.
All the nobles Sera knew were unbearably arrogant—issuing commands, demanding obedience. But this woman was different.
She asked for Sera’s opinion. Asked what she wanted to do. And then, even called herself the villain.
So strange…
It was at that moment.
The tightly closed door opened and a man stepped inside.
“Quinlan!”
Instantly, the woman before Sera lit up with a radiant smile. Her entire face blossomed like a flower.
“Oh, I didn’t know you had a guest.”
The platinum-blond man entered, and the lady stood gracefully, moving toward him with a soft demeanor.
“She’s an important guest.”
At her words, the man’s gaze shifted to Sera.
His sharp eyes swept over her, as though finely honed.
Ah… Am I going to be chased out now? Well, just because the lady accepts me doesn’t mean others will.
Sera braced herself, as always, for harsh words directed her way.
But instead—
“Ah, so this is the young craftswoman candidate you said was so skilled?”
“Yes. It’s frustrating, though—she won’t be swayed easily.”
“As if you could ever fail.”
“She’s not an easy girl.”
Rudiche tilted her head slightly as she spoke, her loose strands of red hair swaying gently.
“So what brings you here?”
“Ah, I came to fetch Phil. I need him to confirm something in the preparations.”
“Phil will be delighted. It’s been a while since he’s had the honor of assisting you.”
Sera stared blankly at the two of them.
Hearing their conversation, a warm, fuzzy feeling welled up in her chest.
It was something she had never felt before. The sensation reminded her of the time Sam crafted her a carving knife and ruffled her hair afterward.
And so, she found herself simply staring at the two of them, thoughtlessly entranced.
How much time passed, she wasn’t sure.
Just as she was realizing the man must be of high rank, and that she had missed the proper moment to stand—
“Well then, I wish you success.”
The man ended the conversation with a soft smile, then turned to Sera.
“Draphania will treat you with the highest regard. So I suggest you carefully consider her offer.”
“…Y-yes.”
Flustered, Sera stammered her reply. The man nodded, exchanged farewells with Rudiche, and left.
Silence fell. At the same time, Sera’s thoughts began racing.
Platinum hair. Blue eyes. A commanding presence.
And beside him, a red-haired lady.
Draphania. Draphania…
Suddenly, his words struck her.
“Draphania!”
She shot to her feet in shock, blurting the word out loud.
“Oh, heavens.”
Sera turned wide eyes to Rudiche.
A tall woman for her gender. That relaxed expression. That red hair.
“The Duchess of Draphania…”
To think she hadn’t recognized her.
Good grief.
Sera collapsed back into her seat. It felt as though her luck had run dry.
Her face was clearly stricken.
Rudiche only smiled faintly, waiting patiently for Sera—who kept mumbling “The Duke’s house of Draphania, what have I done…”—to calm down.
She’s kind of adorable, in her own way.
To come all the way to the Imperial Palace and not even realize who she was…
Well, Rudiche had only told her to come to the secondary palace, after all.
So that’s why she was so bold? Cute.
Once she had somewhat composed herself, Sera cautiously asked:
“Then, the man who just came in… he’s the Duke?”
“Is there anyone else in the Empire that handsome besides Quinlan?”
“…”
Yes, he’s handsome, but you didn’t have to say it so bluntly…
Seeing the thoughts written plainly across Sera’s face, Rudiche chuckled.
“Now, to finish the conversation we left off when Quinlan entered.”
“…”
“I intend to take you with me to the western lands. I’ll help you settle there, and I’ll train you so that you can do the work I need.”
Sera didn’t respond, but she was listening intently, not missing a word.
The more I see her, the more I like her.
With a soft smile, Rudiche continued.
“But the western domain was only recently reclaimed by Quinlan. There are still many difficulties. And I can’t be sure how the people there will treat someone of mixed blood.”
“They won’t be welcoming, I suppose.”
“Likely not. I don’t know what kind of people they’ll be.”
She added with a shrug, “It’ll be my first time there too.”
“And besides, I haven’t even found a proper teacher yet.”
It wasn’t as if such people were common.
Even so, Rudiche spoke as if it were nothing.
“So, for now, I’ll need you to be my maid.”
“My maid?”
“Yes. I don’t have one at the moment, and Phil and everyone else insists I should.”
“Ah…”
“The tasks I want to entrust you with require proper training first. So I’d like you to start as my maid.”
At that, Sera’s face filled with questions.
“But… aren’t maids normally taken from noble houses?”
“That’s true. But since I don’t have anyone suitable, there’s no helping it, is there?”
“….”
Sera couldn’t quite make sense of it. How could someone from a ducal house say she had no one suitable?
She had heard of House Draphania before—even if not wealthy, they were famous in the Empire for their integrity and martial accomplishments.
And yet, they would make a half-blood her maid?
It seemed like it would only cause trouble.
“And one more thing.”
Rudiche narrowed her eyes, her lips curving upward.
It was the very smile that Phil Evans would one day describe as “utterly beautiful, but brimming with hidden schemes—a foreboding smile.”
In a languid tone, Rudiche said:
“If we can find you a teacher, I want you to become a jewel craftsman.”
“A jewel craftsman…”
Sera murmured, dumbfounded.
Just moments ago, she had been flustered at being asked to be a maid. Now she was even more bewildered at this talk of becoming a jewel craftsman.
She had thought she’d just be given odd jobs. Being asked to serve as a maid was surprising enough. But a jewel craftsman?
One shock after another left her reeling.
At last, she managed to gather herself enough to reply.
“But jewel crafting is as difficult as sorcery. Not just anyone can do it.”
“That’s right. Not just anyone.”
“And finding a teacher is nearly impossible. Even with talent, it’s hard to succeed. So how could I possibly…?”
“Because you were chosen.”
Rudiche’s voice was calm and steady.
“Be grateful for your bloodline, Sera. Your dwarf heritage has gifted you with talent—the talent for jewel crafting.”
“….”
Sera bit her lip.
She had never once thought of her bloodline as a gift. All she remembered was being scorned and bullied for being a half-blood.
Perhaps knowing what she felt, Rudiche sent her a gentle look.
“I want to buy that talent of yours, Sera.”
Her voice turned alluring, dripping with temptation.
“I will give you a chance. In return, you will repay the favor. So let yourself be used by me, Sera.”
Like a siren’s call.
Sera gazed blankly at Rudiche.
The setting sun illuminated her red hair, surrounding her in a brilliant glow.
If there were a goddess, would she feel like this? Or perhaps not a goddess… but a witch?
“If you let yourself be used by me, I’ll make sure you’re properly rewarded.”
Sera swallowed down the surge of emotions rising inside her.
Rudiche’s eyes curved as she smiled radiantly.
Her attitude, leaving all choice in Sera’s hands, gave Sera the resolve she needed.
“I will follow you, Duchess.”
Her eyes reddened, Sera looked at Rudiche without hiding it.
“Good. I’ll make sure you never regret it. Trust me. I look forward to working with you, Sera.”
“As do I, Sera.”
“Yes.”
From Rudiche’s smile flowed a warmth Sera had never known before—a smile she knew she would want to remember for a long, long time.
