Chapter 17 — Complete English Translation
“What’s your name?”
“Nancy, ma’am.”
“Alright, Nancy. What tasks have you been in charge of at the estate?”
“I cleaned the hallways and staircases in the east annex of the main estate.”
“That large area? With whom?”
The annex of the estate was as vast and grand as the main building. For Sellakia, who had caught a cold just cleaning a small, single-story cottage, the task of cleaning a five-story annex seemed as daunting and mysterious as the deep sea.
“By myself. It took me all day, but I worked diligently every day.”
“You cleaned that entire annex alone? Who assigned you this task?”
“The head maid did.”
To think such a small girl, not even of age, was tasked with cleaning the entire annex alone.
Sellakia frowned at the heartless decision, but it wasn’t her place to intervene. Instead of meddling in something beyond her authority, she said,
“Since Tenus approved this, from tomorrow on, come to my room instead of the annex.”
“But…”
Nancy fidgeted with her skirt hem, clearly hesitant about the new assignment.
Seeing the girl hang her head, unhappy with the change, made Sellakia uneasy as well. But there was no other choice. The reason Tenus had selected this girl to accompany her today must have been because he was sure she wasn’t Aldrich’s spy.
Sellakia herself lacked the ability to distinguish who was trustworthy in the mansion, so she had to rely on Tenus’s judgment. Just like with Roberta—who knew when she’d get another opportunity like this?
“Nancy, there’s no need to worry. You managed that difficult cleaning job every day. That already proves your dedication. I don’t need anything more than that.”
As long as she doesn’t try to kill me, that is. Sellakia stifled the urge to add that aloud.
“I don’t go out, so I don’t need help dressing up. And I don’t get involved in the affairs of the duchy either, so you won’t have much else to do.”
Nancy looked up hesitantly at Sellakia. Hoping to put her at ease, Sellakia gave her a warm smile. A soft blush spread across Nancy’s pale cheeks.
“Are you sure you’re okay with me, ma’am? I’m sure there are others who would serve you better…”
“Nancy. I’m counting on you. You’ll stay by my side, right?”
Sellakia gently took Nancy’s hand. Her small, rough hand matched her petite frame.
“Ah…”
Nancy’s face turned bright red.
Was she angry? If Nancy flatly refused, Sellakia couldn’t force her.
Just as she was regretfully about to let go, Nancy suddenly grabbed her hand tightly.
“I—I will give you my utmost loyalty, ma’am!”
Nancy shouted with a loud voice and bowed deeply. Sellakia blinked in surprise, staring down at the top of Nancy’s head.
I don’t need loyalty… but she’s offering, so it’s hard to refuse. Sellakia simply nodded. She didn’t know what had changed Nancy’s mind so suddenly, but it was a relief.
Nancy, who had been so terrified earlier, suddenly became quite chatty.
“I’m actually the strongest among the maids. I can chop firewood, and I’m so healthy I can get stung by bees and be fine. I grew up in the mountains, so I can tell medicinal herbs from poisonous ones. I don’t sleep much either. I’ve stayed up sewing for two or three days straight before. I don’t eat much, either.”
Her enthusiastic list of qualifications was so endearing that Sellakia couldn’t help but chuckle and praise her now and then. Each time, Nancy squirmed shyly.
After listening to Nancy’s innocent little tales for a while, the drawing room door opened. Only Roberta came in—Tenus was not with her. He had finally decided to leave her alone!
Sellakia welcomed Roberta with visible joy. Nancy, equally excited, said she would go bring tea and left the room.
“Did you have a good talk with Tenus?”
“Yes, well…”
But Roberta’s expression seemed sour.
Did Tenus pressure her into changing her mind? Sellakia suddenly felt determined to win her over no matter what. Having just succeeded with Nancy, her confidence was soaring.
“You don’t look very pleased. Was my sudden request uncomfortable?”
“No, that’s not it. Please don’t misunderstand. It’s just… ugh.”
Roberta let out a pained groan and began ruffling her own hair wildly. Her hair, already loosely tied, came undone and became messy.
Despite her disheveled look, Roberta spoke seriously.
“There’s something I want to clarify.”
Roberta asked solemnly,
“Is it you, ma’am, that I should serve as my lord—or the young Duke Seiden?”
Sellakia, who had been listening attentively, suddenly felt deflated. It wasn’t her that had troubled Roberta—rather, it seemed Tenus had made a difficult request of her.
Perhaps he had asked her to report Sellakia’s every move in detail.
She had expected something like this. In the first place, Sellakia never intended to make Roberta her close aide. It was enough that she wasn’t connected to Aldrich.
Without hesitation, Sellakia answered,
“Of course, it’s Tenus.”
Roberta blinked slowly, seemingly surprised. Sellakia smiled kindly and added,
“You should prioritize his orders. As for your salary, I’ll make sure you’re paid the promised amount without issue.”
“Hmm. Well, I suppose a knight escort shouldn’t interfere in a married couple’s matters. The Duke’s jealousy isn’t something that endangers your safety…”
“…Excuse me?”
Sellakia asked in confusion, unable to grasp half of Roberta’s muttering. Roberta responded with a bright smile instead of an explanation.
“From now on, I will serve you loyally, ma’am.”
“…Yes. I’ll be counting on you, Dame Belfona.”
Brushing aside the odd feeling, Sellakia accepted her greeting with a smile.
Having every detail of her actions reported to Tenus was no problem.
There was nothing she could do until Tenus officially became the Duke. Now was the time to crouch down in preparation for a leap.
People might throw scornful looks at her lazy turtle-like days, but that didn’t matter.
“Ma’am. I’ve brought the tea.”
Nancy returned from the kitchen carrying teacups. Despite claiming she didn’t know how to do much, her amber-hued brew looked decent.
“What kind of tea is it?”
“It’s a herb tea called Dakin, from the southern region of the Count of Piregen’s territory. It’s the only kind I’ve ever prepared… Do you not like it? Should I bring something else?”
“No, the aroma is lovely. Wait, Piregen County?”
“Yes. That’s where I’m from.”
Nancy’s hometown was Piregen County—the land of House Chester. Sellakia had visited often as a child. She suddenly felt a fondness toward Nancy, like meeting someone from the same town.
“The tea is delicious, Nancy. Thank you.”
Hehe. Nancy smiled proudly and quietly stepped back to not disturb her.
As she sipped her tea, Sellakia glanced around the drawing room. Her lips curled into a smile without her realizing. It felt incredibly satisfying to no longer have that overwhelming presence dominating her view.
* * *
Tenus, once inseparable from Sellakia, now acted as though he had completely forgotten her existence. The days of never leaving her side felt like a lie.
Sellakia, who went to bed early and woke late, didn’t even notice the sounds of Tenus coming or going from the bedroom. He spent all day holed up in his study and, like her, seemed to eat his meals there too.
It was unclear whether Sellakia was avoiding Tenus, or if he was avoiding her.
She wished fervently for a month to pass without ever seeing him. At this rate, she felt she could pack her things and leave through the duchy’s front gate, and Tenus wouldn’t even glance her way.
“Ma’am?”
“Aren’t you going in?”
Yes… Sellakia truly didn’t want to face Tenus. She had come all the way to his study, only to stand frozen, staring at the doorknob.
“Should I knock?”
“No, wait. I’ll do it.”
She stopped Nancy from knocking and hesitated. Roberta and Nancy gave her puzzled looks. Sellakia mumbled an excuse.
“I’m just gathering my thoughts. I shouldn’t take too much of his time—he’s a busy man.”
There was no choice. What she needed was behind this grand door.
Yesterday, under the excuse of searching her memory, she had turned the duchess’s bedroom inside out. Nothing turned up.
Nancy, still new to the estate, knew nothing. A familiar maid she passed by whispered that Sellakia’s few belongings had all been sorted and collected—by Tenus himself.
Of all people, he had done it personally.
Filled with a mix of determination and frustration, Sellakia clenched her fist—and knocked loudly on the door.
