Chapter 63:
I sat on my sofa in my bedroom. Agnes ca to and started to brush my hair.
It was a busy day and after a hot bath, I felt relaxed. As Agnes brushed my hair slowly, I felt sleepy.
I shook my head a little to wake myself up and ordered, “Please find out about Yulia des Maximillian.”
“Yulia... des Maximillian?”
“Yes. Let know everything about her including her reputation.”
“I have never heard of that na before.”
Agnes seed curious. She was busy working on preparing for the ball today that she wasn’t present at the eting with the Countess Ilan and her nieces.
I told her what had happened and what I knew of Yulia.
“She is the daughter of Viscount Morian. She will work as my maid starting tomorrow.”
“Pardon?”
Agnes seed surprised. She replied, “I rember you saying you would hire another maid, but I thought you have forgotten about it since things have been so hectic.”
“... It’s true that I did forget. I have indeed been very busy.”
After a brief silence, Agnes replied, “Viscount Morian... Now I rember. Many years ago, Countess Ilan’s sister married him.”
“That’s right. The new maid is one of Countess Ilan’s nieces.”
Agnes nodded.
“I did hear that Countess Ilan has been taking care of her nieces like her own children. Her sister died after the birth of those girls.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Countess Ilan took great care to arrange a good marriage for the older girl. I heard she has been worried about getting a good husband for the younger girl too, so she must have been very happy when you offered this position for the girl.”
I agreed silently.
“...”
I tried imagining Yulia standing next to Lucretius, just like I did with Lisbeth.
Yulia seed intelligent and tranquil. Unlike Lisbeth, I found her to be a good match for the emperor.
‘They will make a good couple.’
Once I realized this, I felt unhappy. I started to get upset.
Why?
I almost felt sick. Did I eat sothing bad today?
I was very nervous about eting Countess Ilan, so perhaps I was just tired from all the stress.
Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice.
“Why are you looking so sad?”
W, what the...!
I turned around in shock to find Lucretius standing quietly.
“Y, you scared ... How long have you been standing there?”
“Not long.”
“You need to make so noise when you co in!”
“I wanted to surprise you.”
The servant always announced him when he entered a room, which ant he must have ordered them to remain silent. He had done this a few tis before.
When I sighed deeply, he laughed.
“By the way, that maid of yours...”
“Pardon?”
I was shocked. How did he already know about the new maid? Who told him? Agnes? Samantha?
I hid my shock and answered calmly, “Yes, I decided to get another maid.”
“Hmm?”
“Pardon?”
“... I was talking about that silly blond. You know, the Duke of Aeal’s daughter?”
We were talking about different girls. I thought he was referring to Yulia, but he was actually talking about Lisbeth.
“Oh...”
Lucretius didn’t seem to notice my mistake. In fact, he was now openly staring at my hair as Agnes brushed it.
He asked, “So you are getting a new maid?”
“Oh, yes. I need more help with my work. It’s Countess Ilan’s niece.”
“I see. I’m sure the Countess is very happy about it. It makes sense you need another maid since one of them is actually quite useless.” He laughed at his own joke and continued, “Anyway, about that senseless maid.”
“Her na is Lisbeth.”
“I don’t want to rember her na. Anyway, she acted ridiculously again when I ca in just now.”
“Pardon?”
What did she do this ti?
He explained proudly as if he deserved praise.
“That woman was waiting for at the door half naked.”
He paused for to show interest. I asked reluctantly, “So what did you do?”
“I said this to her...” He cleared his throat and repeated what he said to her in an ice-cold voice, “You look absurd.”
“...”
That must have hurt. I asked him.
“S, so... What did Lisbeth say?”
“She didn’t say much.”
“Really?”
“She just started to cry and ran out.”
“...”
I decided to feel a little sympathy for her.
Just for one second.
“I can’t believe you said sothing like that to a young girl...”
Lucretius scoffed and replied, “She annoys . If I didn’t do sothing like this, she would try again.”
“Hmm...”
This was true. Lisbeth was persistent. She must have felt hurt today, but I knew in a few days, she would try sothing else.
I couldn’t help but feel happy about Lucretius’ nastiness towards Lisbeth. What an awful person I am!
Lucretius continued to stare at my hair as Agnes brushed it. After a few more seconds, he seed confident. He nodded and took the brush from Agnes.
He then started to brush my hair.
I laughed at his silliness.
“My hair is all brushed now, so why are you doing this?”
“Because I want to. I see that the more you brush, the shinier your hair becos. Your maids must be treating you well. All of them except for one.”
“Yes. Except for one.”
“When I first t you, your hair looked so rough like straws, but now, they look like silk.”
This man had a knack for making a complint sound like an insult.
I murmured, “It wasn’t that bad.”
“Yes, it was.” He grinned and continued, “Especially compared to my hair.”
“...”
Whatever.
***
I was so sleepy. I was ready for bed.
The comfortable bed beckoned seductively. I was about to climb it when Lucretius stopped .
“How are your dance lessons going?”
I was tired, so I answered quickly, “Very well. I am practicing every day.”
The first dance at the ball was to be perford by the emperor and his empress. Since there was no empress, I had to dance with him as his only wife.
It would in front of the most important people in this world. I didn’t want to embarrass myself, so I had been practicing daily.
Lucretius grinned mischievously and took my hand.
“I’m not sure if I believe you. I’ll have to see for myself.”
He wanted to dance right now?! In the middle of the night?
It was a quiet night. I took his hand and followed his steps. There was no music, but it had been almost a month since I started the lessons, so my body moved easily.
At first, I was worried I might make mistakes. I had stepped on Elza’s feet a few tis already during my practices.
I had never danced with Lucretius until now. I didn’t know how well he danced.
I was pleasantly surprised. He danced like a professional. He led well and I felt comfortable following him.
Lucretius comnted, “Not bad.”
I narrowed my eyes and replied, “Do you have to be so stingy with complints?”
He grinned and offered his hand again like a gentleman.
“Then would you like to dance with again, my lady? I will be generous with my assessnt this ti.”
This felt pleasant. I no longer felt sleepy. I took his hand demurely.
“If you insist.”
The moon shined through the window. The only sound I could hear was our hearts beating together. It was enough. There was no need for music.
Even if I returned to earth, I knew I would never forget this mont.
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