TFR 60

chapter 60

When it was time for dinner, among the maids, today’s events had become the hottest topic of conversation. Although it wasn’t unusual for the steward to take maids along to the wardrobe, everyone was excited by the fact that the emperor, who usually didn’t even notice whether the maids were present, had spoken to them several times.

“Tell us everything! You really got to see His Majesty up close?”

“That’s right. And he even talked to us! He asked for our opinions too!”

Maxi said with a slightly smug expression.

“At first, we couldn’t even make eye contact, but he was extremely kind the whole time. He even asked us to help choose what color shirt he should wear. And he actually considered our opinions!”

“You mean for the outfit he’ll wear to the social party?”

“Well, to impress Miss Demeteria, he probably needed discerning maids. Just look at us—we’re presentable, right? That’s why he brought us along.”

“Maxi, he just happened to run into us and took us along. Don’t exaggerate.”

Lexi scolded Maxi, who was puffing up with pride. Maxi snorted and sipped the soup that had been served.

Rosellina, who had been quietly sitting among the maids, ate the boiled baby potatoes without any salt. No matter the quality of the meal, this was a rare experience for her. She could sit at the table during mealtime, take as much as she wanted, and chat leisurely.

She wanted to join in and listen to the other maids’ conversation, but her nature didn’t allow it, and thoughts of Dantes kept intruding in her mind, refusing to leave her alone.

Even just looking at him, she knew he was tall and well-built. But actually touching him revealed that he was even firmer and smoother than she had imagined.

Rosellina habitually nibbled her finger while putting a potato in her mouth. The sensation on her fingertips was still vivid. She touched her fingertip with her tongue along with the fluffy texture of the potato. It was an unconscious act, and she quickly pulled her hand away, startled.

“What’s wrong with her?”

“I’m sorry.”

Sophie, a maid who had been enjoying Lexi’s story, frowned sharply. She was trying to assert herself, warning Rosellina for interfering despite being a trainee.

“Thanks to Lexi and Maxi, if you get cocky about meeting His Majesty on your first day, I won’t let it slide.”

“Sophie, don’t pick on Lina. She was just scared. His Majesty scolded her several times.”

“That’s right. It wasn’t fair how it seemed like Lina was always at fault. He kept questioning her repeatedly, and even minor stumbles were harshly pointed out. I told him she’s a trainee and it’s her first day… Perhaps His Majesty is even stricter than Lady Vanessa.”

Lexi and Maxi spoke protectively of Lina, looking sympathetic. Sophie snorted.

“If a maid can’t work well, it’s natural to scold her. But if she holds it in and can’t even eat properly, how will she survive? How could she ever become a maid of the royal household?”

“You were full of mistakes when you first started too.”

“That’s ancient history!”

Rosellina thought it fortunate that the maids were bickering; it had driven away the absurd, impulsive desire that had arisen earlier.

As the maids loudly raised their voices, there was no room for other distracting thoughts. She couldn’t stop them anyway, so she just quietly observed. Sophie jumped up from her seat, tidied her bangs, and spoke with a triumphant expression.

“If I had been there, His Majesty would have liked me. I’m such a capable maid. He’d ask how such a diligent maid exists and promote me immediately!”

The other maids laughed off Sophie’s excited words, though Lexi responded seriously.

“Do you really think His Majesty would notice a mere maid? He has Miss Demeteria, after all.”

“That’s right. I saw Miss Demeteria briefly when she came to deliver flowers. Oh my, she’s even more beautiful now. I’ve never seen such a beautiful woman in my life! And her dress—so delicate and graceful, it suited her perfectly!”

A maid at the end of the table chimed in. Rosellina had also seen Demeteria Peril once. How much more mature she must have become now, just as Dantes had grown. She was probably a fully-fledged young lady.

Rosellina recalled the conversation she had had with Dantes in the wardrobe.

“Do you think Miss Demeteria would like it?”
“Yes. I’m sure she would.”
“Then that’s enough. There’s no need to look further.”

At that time, Dantes said that if Demeteria liked it, there was no need to look further. It was as if pleasing her alone was enough. Dantes, the responsible crown prince, had known from the start that Demeteria Peril would be his match. The Peril family was influential.

Even during their reunion, he had said to the imprisoned Rosellina that he would marry Demeteria, have children, and do his best. Even if he realized Rosellina was a woman, nothing would change. His attitude toward her today was proof of that.

While Rosellina was lost in thought, another maid spoke up.

“But the rumors aren’t that good.”
“What do you mean?”
“The maids there change all the time. I heard they’re extremely strict.”
“Which high noble isn’t strict? And the Peril family is so prestigious that people are lining up to join. That’s probably why.”
“I heard it’s because of the conditions. A friend of mine joined but later went back to the countryside to marry a farmer.”
“If we enter the palace, won’t they treat us harshly too?”
“Eek, no. If someone so beautiful were harsh, it would feel even worse.”

The maids’ chatter went on endlessly.

‘Do all palace workers talk this much?’ Rosellina wondered, amazed by their ceaseless chattering. Topics kept changing, and there were always more maids wanting to add their voices.

At least no one made her speak, which was a relief. Even while quietly shelling peas, someone would talk:

“I met a maid who worked for the Peril family. Apparently, you’re never supposed to reveal what happened there. But they try to stop you from joining the family.”
“Isn’t that because Duke Peril has a strict personality?”
“How often would he meet mere maids? The duchess is known to have a great personality, and now there’s only one left.”
“I guess God doesn’t give everything at once. To be so beautiful and yet so moody!”
“No, he gave everything. You can live freely. And she’ll be empress soon!”
“But surely he treats the maids he likes very well. Strict noblewomen always favor their cherished maids.”
“That’s only for the ladies-in-waiting. We won’t get a glance.”
“Too bad.”
“What’s so bad about it? I’d rather live quietly than constantly worry about favors. Live long and steady.”

Rosellina felt no interest in their conversation. No matter Demeteria Peril’s personality, she was destined to live as a maid here forever. That was the price of the salvation she had received.

Having lived through life-and-death situations, Rosellina was unfazed by the whims of young ladies. She calmly finished her meal. For Rosellina, who was used to hurriedly eating, mealtime here was quite long. She tried to keep pace with others, yet her plate emptied quickly, partly because she didn’t eat much.

The maids focused less on eating and more on gossip. For them, mealtime was more like chat time.

“Anyway, I want the room assigned to me when Her Majesty comes. It looks so lavish!”
“I don’t want it. Keep your promise. I definitely won’t do it.”
“Does it even matter what we say? Lady Vanessa will assign the rooms.”
“If we say we don’t want it, she won’t listen…”

The lively chatter abruptly quieted. The sound of low-heeled shoes clicking grew louder. Rosellina looked toward the source. Lady Vanessa was standing with a stern expression, watching the maids.

“Dinner is excessively noisy.”

At Lady Vanessa’s harsh expression, the maids all stopped eating and bowed their heads. Rosellina followed suit, quietly observing.

“The meals of the first and second groups were not this loud. What is going on with the third group?”

The maids ate in three groups at different times, taking turns serving the royal household. Those in the first group ate earlier than the royals; those in the third group ate last. Though the food might not be freshly served, the third group enjoyed more plentiful portions.

Knowing this, Lady Vanessa continued coldly:

“All maids and trainee maids assigned to the third group today will each receive 1 demerit point.”

Groans arose. Accumulating demerits meant restricted outings or reduced pay. For trainee maids, it decreased their chances of becoming full maids.

Lady Vanessa’s eyes sharpened as she stamped her foot twice, silencing everyone.

“The maids who went to His Majesty’s wardrobe today, follow me.”

Lexi and Maxi looked dejected at her stern tone. Rosellina quietly got up from her seat and followed them.