~Chapter 122~
A personal maid.
At first, Ancia hadn’t gotten one because of Rosa’s interference. Later, she hadn’t felt the need since her regular maid was enough.
So when this personal maid suddenly appeared, Ancia was confused.
Especially since Richard had grown so sensitive to every little thing — why would he suddenly allow a stranger so close to her?
And seeing Ellie standing off to the side, nervous and restless, made Ancia’s heart ache even more.
Anna quickly bowed deeply, noticing Ancia’s discomfort.
“Though I may be called a Baron’s wife, I’m a noble in name only. I’m not fit to serve as your personal maid. If you dislike it, I will refuse the position through the steward at once.”
“Oh, no! I’m not displeased at all. It’s just… Anna, you know I was kidnapped and only just returned after months. I just find it odd that the Duke allowed someone new to be by my side at such a time.”
“I understand. I believe it’s because my husband has returned to the knights, and so I, as his wife, was recognized for my devotion in serving the Duchess.”
Anna was polite and proper throughout, which made it difficult for Ancia to push her away.
“I’m just a little surprised. Forgive me, but for today, may I be served by Ellie instead?”
“There’s nothing to forgive, my lady. If you command it, I’ll simply wait outside.”
“No, it’s your first day. Why don’t you just sit nearby and watch?”
“Sit? Impossible.”
They say couples resemble each other — and Anna, like her husband Gail, seemed strict and overly serious.
Even when told to sit, Anna stood rigid against the wall, making Ancia feel slightly uncomfortable.
“Milady, please drink your tea,” Ellie said.
She scooped a spoonful to taste first and couldn’t help but frown at the bitterness.
Yes, the same bitter tea Ancia always had.
Thinking she wouldn’t have to suffer the taste alone anymore made Ancia chuckle.
After the herbal drink, she washed it down with tea and a sweet treat. Only then did her head feel clearer. Since Bianca had always prepared this tea, Ancia naturally thought to ask:
“Ellie, has Bianca been released?”
“Yes, milady. She was freed at dawn, brewed your herbal tea, and then collapsed asleep. Shall I wake her?”
“No, let her rest. She must be exhausted.”
Ancia had worried Bianca might have been mistreated, but thankfully that wasn’t the case.
Last night, Ancia had waited all night for Richard in their bedroom. Only when she could no longer fight her drowsiness did a servant arrive with his message: he was buried in work and would see her at lunch tomorrow. Lunch, not breakfast. Disappointed, she had fallen asleep immediately.
Since she had slept late, she woke late — but there was still plenty of time before lunch.
“I should walk around and look over the house.”
At her words, Ellie quickly helped her change into light clothing for a stroll. Anna followed silently with her eyes until Ancia gave her a task.
“Could you choose a light shawl for me to wear in the mansion?”
“Yes. I’ll find the perfect one for you.”
Though her answer was simple, Anna’s face lit up. Not being rejected seemed to make her happy.
If keeping Anna close helped Richard feel at ease, Ancia decided she could accept her.
Besides, Anna’s seriousness reminded her of Julie, and slowly she began to feel less uncomfortable.
As Ancia walked through the mansion with guards, maids, and Anna, the servants they met couldn’t hide their joy. Some fought back tears, others bowed deeply.
She greeted them warmly one by one. But she also wanted to thank the knights who had worked so hard to find her.
As she started walking toward the knights’ quarters, a guard spoke up cautiously.
“If you wish to visit the knights, my lady, it would be better to schedule it.”
Ancia assumed it was because of knightly duties and nodded — but Anna turned sharply, confused.
“The Duchess is walking inside her own home. What does it mean to schedule her movements?”
“They’re in the middle of training. It might be uncomfortable for her to see.”
“Whether it’s uncomfortable or not is for the Duchess to decide. Without clear explanation, telling her to schedule her steps makes it sound like you’re belittling her authority.”
“…I misspoke. I only meant that training can sometimes be rough, and I worried for her safety.”
“Wait, wait,” Ancia interrupted with a laugh. “You two talking over me like I’m not here is a little awkward.”
She smiled playfully, but Anna’s stern face didn’t soften. She bowed stiffly toward Ancia.
“As your maid, I cannot overlook even the smallest slight. Especially when it could lower your dignity.”
It felt like… a tiny Rosa. Or maybe how Rosa might have been if she had ever cared for Ancia. Anna’s stubborn loyalty made her feel difficult to handle.
When it had been Rosa, Ancia could ignore it — since Rosa’s malice had been part of the original plot.
But Anna’s rigid devotion, all for her sake, seemed like it would cause many inconveniences in the peaceful life Ancia wished for.
Did she really need a personal maid if she wasn’t even planning to be active in society?
“Ancia!”
Surprised, Ancia turned.
Richard was striding toward her, face pale.
Oh no. After just one day apart, he already looked worse.
“Duke? Why are you— ah!”
Before she could finish, he swept her into his arms.
“W-what’s going on? Is something wrong?”
His face, shadowed even in the bright light, worried her. She touched his cheeks gently with both hands.
At her tender touch, Richard’s furrowed brow relaxed, and his eyes blinked slowly.
“My wife… wasn’t in her room.”
He hesitated before speaking, as though carefully choosing his words.
No matter his fears, he was trying not to show them — which was both touching and sad.
Ancia stroked the shadows under his eyes. His sharp gaze softened at once.
“I was just walking around the mansion. I’ve been gone so long, I wanted to see it again.”
“I know.”
“If you knew, why did you rush here like that?”
She smiled while smoothing his cheek. His eyes glistened, on the verge of tears.
Embarrassed, she glanced around — but everyone had already stepped far back, pretending to study the walls.
Richard gently turned her face back toward him with his hand.
“Ancia.”
“Yes, Duke.”
“The Duke’s mansion should be as solid and safe as a fortress… but right now, I’m not sure it is.”
Inside the Duke’s home, unsafe? That made no sense to Ancia.
Who would dare harm the Grand Duke of the North in his own fortress? Only the royal family could — and they had no reason to.
The Emperor had lost interest in her after Richard married her, a minor noble. And once he thought Richard had taken a commoner mistress (Bianca), he cared even less.
But then Ancia remembered — that was the original story.
Now that she hadn’t divorced Richard, the story had already changed.
She was still at his side, offering resources to revive the Duchy. That might have irritated the royal family. The Crown Prince himself had even visited under the excuse of a festival.
If there had been royal interference while she was gone, then Richard’s wariness made sense.
While she thought, Richard had already begun walking. She realized she was being carried naturally in his arms.
They were heading toward the annex, which puzzled her.
“To the annex?”
“Yes.”
“It’s been so long since we ate together. A warm place sounds wonderful.”
She praised his thoughtfulness, but he didn’t answer.
On the way, soldiers stood at strict intervals like it was a checkpoint.
At the annex gate, a heavy iron door had been installed — completely different from before.
She almost joked about its ugliness, but the cold gazes of the knights standing guard killed any humor.
Inside, the path was also different. Where once a garden had opened, now a new wall blocked the view. Two knights combined their keys to open another door.
This feels so familiar somehow…
Still held in Richard’s arms, Ancia finally entered the annex.
It was still warm like a greenhouse, but the newly built high walls shocked her. In the center stood a tall tower-like building, guarded by a knight of unusual presence.
“Duke, what is that building? And why are there so many knights?”
Ancia already had a guess, but she asked brightly, not wanting to step on a landmine.
that’s your new ✨prison✨. honey