PDRM 37

Chapter 37

The Duchess praised Isabella with exaggerated enthusiasm. Isabella gave a slight nod in response, then turned to gesture toward Roze.

“Come here, dear.”

“…Pardon?”

“I said come closer. Why are you so startled? I just remembered something I wanted to give you.”

Isabella smiled gently as she spoke, but Roze could feel the chill hidden in her gaze. Even so, she couldn’t refuse the summons.

Roze reluctantly stepped closer to Isabella. Then Isabella unfastened the bracelet from her own wrist and grabbed Roze’s arm.

“Y-Your Majesty, the Dowager Queen!”

Roze tried to pull away in surprise, but before she could, Isabella fastened the bracelet onto her slender wrist. The vivid red ruby gleamed heavily, as red as Isabella’s own hair.

“It suits your delicate wrist well.”

“Your Majesty, this bracelet…”

“It’s a reward for saving Flitta’s life. Accept it.”

“…What?”

Roze’s eyes widened as she quickly tried to remove the bracelet.

“This is too much, Your Majesty. I didn’t save the young lady expecting anything in return. Just knowing she’s safe is enough for me…”

“You say you didn’t expect a reward? But you’ve already received something from Heivan, haven’t you?”

Isabella raised her hand to stop Roze and continued in a mocking tone, locking her green eyes on Roze.

“You’ve become Flitta’s personal maid. Honestly, isn’t that a more excessive reward than some bracelet?”

“That’s not true, Your Majesty. Being the personal maid to someone of truly noble blood would be one thing, but how could a position serving a half-blooded noble compare to a bracelet you cherish?”

At that moment, the Duchess interrupted and chimed in. Isabella waved her hand dismissively at the Duchess.

“You’re exaggerating, Duchess. It’s just a bracelet—nothing so grand.”

“It is grand. Didn’t Lord Urtnar gift it especially for Your Majesty? Even with my old eyes, I can clearly see how brilliant that ruby is.”

Greed flashed in the Duchess’s eyes. It was far too precious a thing for a mere maid. She subconsciously took a sip of tea to moisten her dry mouth.

Isabella sensed the greed behind the Duchess’s comment and barely suppressed a scoff. She then turned back to Roze with a sweet tone.

“Anyway, just accept it. Saving Heivan’s child is reason enough for you to have it.”

“B-but, Your Majesty…”

If she could, Roze would have taken it off right away. It wasn’t something she deserved. She bit her lip and looked up at Isabella.

“What’s wrong? You accepted what Heivan gave you. Why don’t you want what I give?”

Her voice was laced with thorns despite her smile. Roze quickly shook her head, trying to explain.

“It’s not like that.”

What Heivan gave her was the opportunity to stay by Flitta’s side before she died. To be with her child for even a short time. That’s why, even knowing she didn’t deserve it, she accepted the role as Flitta’s personal maid.

But this was different. This meant nothing to her. She had never once desired flashy jewelry. And especially not something from the Dowager Queen.

Roze felt like her entire body froze, not just the wrist with the bracelet. Even though Isabella didn’t recognize her, the bracelet felt like a shackle tightening around her, and fear gripped her.

She wasn’t afraid of being exposed—she was afraid of being cast out if she was. Afraid that she would be banished and never see Heivan or Flitta again. That was the true fear.

“Tsk. Her Majesty is bestowing it upon you! How dare you hesitate to accept it? You should be bowing and giving thanks!”

The Duchess, displeased by Roze’s hesitation, sharply scolded her. Roze lowered her gaze in resignation.

“…Thank you.”

“It’s nothing, really,” Isabella said with a smile, though her brow faintly creased.

‘A bracelet isn’t enough, huh? She’s greedier than she looks. Pretending to be kind and modest… Trying to seduce Heivan with that innocent face, is that it?’

Isabella stared coldly at Roze and recalled what Flitta’s nanny had once said.

If she were her own maid, she would have already scratched that fake innocent face or gouged out those unpleasant green eyes.

The only thing stopping her was that this was the Grand Duke’s estate—and that insolent maid was employed by the Grand Duke.

‘…Well, if she keeps bothering me, I’ll just get rid of her somehow.’

After all, she was just a maid. Isabella turned away from Roze and lifted her teacup. Giving up one bracelet to get rid of a vulgar girl wasn’t a bad deal.

Before she knew it, the sky outside had gone pitch black. Just a while ago, the sunset had painted the sky red—but now darkness had completely settled in.

Roze paused halfway down the stairs and gazed out the dark window.

Moonlight streamed through the large window and bathed her face, making her look even paler—like she might collapse at any moment.

It had truly been a grueling day—for both her body and heart.

Or rather, more her heart than her body. She had spent the entire day being dragged along by the Dowager Queen’s whims—harassed one moment, doted on the next.

On top of that, she was the target of resentment from the other maids in the Grand Duke’s estate. And honestly, she couldn’t blame them. Objectively speaking, it was an honor to be chosen by the Dowager Queen to serve her.

So it was only natural that those who thought that honor had been taken from them would look at her with bitter eyes.

…Even though it was an honor she never wanted.

“Haa…”

Maybe it was from being so on edge all day, but her head throbbed in pain.

She sighed and pressed her hand to the side of her head, descending the stairs. But just before the last step, she stopped again.

‘…Is Flitta asleep already?’

Her gaze unconsciously turned back upstairs.

She hadn’t seen the child even once today. There hadn’t been time. The Dowager Queen had her handle even the smallest of tasks and never let her leave her side.

‘It’s probably too late to go see her now.’

It wasn’t the middle of the night, but it was already late for a child. Going now might just wake her up.

Roze reluctantly turned her eyes away from the floor where Flitta’s bedroom was and continued downstairs.

Her steps toward the dormitory grew slower. Her body, which had been unwell since morning, now seemed to be reaching its limit.

She trudged forward, then suddenly glanced down at her arm—more precisely, the bracelet fastened around her wrist.

“…What should I do about this?”

She muttered to herself with a frown. The Dowager Queen and the Duchess had pressured her to keep it on, so she had no choice but to wear it.

“Haa…”

She sighed again and pressed her throbbing head. Right now, she had no options. And she didn’t know if she ever would.

A subordinate had no freedom to refuse.

“…It’s too much for someone like me.”

Maybe that’s why she couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling. It was vague, but she had the sense that something bad would happen because of this.

‘…Don’t be silly.’

She muttered to herself and tried to shake off the ominous thought. Then she removed the bracelet and slipped it into the pocket of her skirt, heading to her room.

And then—

Thump thump thump! Someone came running and suddenly wrapped their arms around her legs. A small, warm body instantly transferred its heat to her.

“…Young Lady?”

She didn’t even need to look down to know. What mother wouldn’t recognize her child?

But she never expected to see Flitta here. Startled, Roze knelt down to meet the child’s eyes. Flitta beamed, her eyes curving like crescents.

“What are you doing here? You should be in bed at this hour.”

“I missed you, so I snuck out. I pretended to be asleep until the nanny left.”

Flitta grinned mischievously and mimed pulling a blanket up to her eyes. Despite the playful gesture, Roze didn’t smile.

Seeing Roze’s solemn expression, Flitta’s smile slowly faded and she blinked. She nibbled on her finger and cautiously asked,

“Did I do something wrong? I just… I didn’t see you all day. So, um… I missed you.”

“I missed you too.”

Roze gently soothed the teary-eyed child. Flitta pouted and asked again.