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chapter 74
Dantes had, for the first time in a long while, a short but deep sleep.
After meeting Rosellina in the garden, he had washed up lightly and headed to his bedroom. His heart was pounding so hard he couldn’t focus on anything. He placed the dirt-stained handkerchief in his drawer and fell asleep.
The moment he opened his eyes, he checked the drawer. The handkerchief, still covered with dry clumps of soil, was proof that yesterday had not been a dream. Dantes smiled.
The small hands that had fidgeted in embarrassment, the eyes that had looked up at him, even the slightly parted lips when she answered his questions—
But more than anything, he liked that she hadn’t rejected his offer and had accepted it right away. Until now, it always felt as if she’d coldly brushed off every hand he extended. But this time, it was as if she had grasped even the tip of his fingers.
While Dantes was lost in yesterday’s thoughts, someone knocked. It was Milan, his chief attendant, arriving as usual at Dantes’s waking hour.
“Your Majesty, are you awake? Did you sleep well today, even a little?”
“Yes. I feel lighter.”
“That is good news. Shall I prepare your washwater?”
“Do so.”
“But… the item in your hand… it has become terribly dirty. Please give it to me. I will have it washed immediately.”
As Milan moved to take it, Dantes stopped him, even lifting his hand to block him.
“No. No.”
“…….”
“No one is to touch this. Leave it as it is.”
“But… it is very dirty, Your Majesty.”
Milan looked closely at the handkerchief as he spoke. The luxurious fabric, smudged in several places with dirt, clearly looked like something that needed laundering. But Dantes preferred it like this. He wanted the marks to remain—unchanged, forever.
“That is precisely why it has meaning.”
Seeing the faint smile spreading across Dantes’s face, Milan said nothing further about the handkerchief. Ever since last night’s walk, Dantes looked as though a great weight had been lifted. Then, he instructed that the tailor be summoned first thing the next day—even though he had always found Alfredo bothersome.
Only one person could change his expression like that, and only one person could make him call for the tailor so readily.
He really did meet her yesterday.
Milan reaffirmed his assumption as he allowed the attendants with the washbasin to enter. Dantes placed the handkerchief back in the drawer and continued speaking with Milan.
“When will Alfredo arrive today?”
“As you instructed, he will come before supper.”
Dantes planned to push all important meetings into the morning. Before supper was the time he could spend most freely. His aides would all be gone after lunch due to their schedules. He would not be disturbed by anyone.
After washing up and sending the attendants out, Dantes wiped his face and spoke quietly to Milan.
“And Madam Vanessa?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I have told her. Alfredo said that, for security reasons, he wanted the maids who had previously assisted him.”
“Good.”
Dantes answered, satisfied. Milan watched the quiet joy that refused to leave the emperor’s face. Whatever expression he wore, his mood was clearly better than ever. Milan only hoped this peaceful period would continue—without any incident at all.
After lunch, Lexi, Maxy, and Lina went straight to clean Milan’s office.
“The chief attendant usually gives this kind of task to the men… what’s going on today?” Lexi wondered aloud.
As she dusted a bookshelf, Maxy grinned.
“Be grateful it’s today. Today’s the day we’re supposed to polish the ballroom floors. We would’ve gotten filthy and smelled like oil all day. We lucked out.”
Maxy genuinely felt lucky. Rosellina did not. At her morning check-in, Madam Vanessa had warned her that she would be working in the tailoring room today.
Vanessa had noticed how Rosellina’s face darkened, but pretended not to. She believed that the more she tried to pry, the more distressed Rosellina would become.
When Vanessa questioned Milan about the sudden request, he simply shook his head and said:
“Vanessa. It is not our role to question such things. Like a river simply flowing, we must watch without interfering.”
And yet, since the maids were under her care, she couldn’t help but worry.
She couldn’t help it. Strange situations kept happening around this diligent apprentice maid. The emperor did not show it outwardly, but Rosellina was clearly receiving his full attention. Vanessa was certain that, whether Rosellina intended it or not, she would become increasingly important within the palace.
But the more she believed that, the more she repeated Milan’s advice to herself: her role was to quietly watch Rosellina find her place in the situation she had been placed in.
She thought of Demeteria Ferril, who had behaved as though she were already mistress of the palace. Such a contrast. Vanessa wondered if the final outcome would be the exact opposite. Still, she spoke calmly so as not to disturb Rosellina.
“They say it’s a security matter regarding the clothing. The tailor, Alfredo, specifically requested you.”
Rosellina knew she said it to soothe her. But having met Dantes the night before, her heart was still unsettled. She almost preferred scrubbing the ballroom floor until it gleamed.
“Still, we’re lucky today. Chief Milan’s office barely needs cleaning. It’s spotless—there’s hardly anything to do!” Lexi said as she wiped plant leaves.
Maxy giggled.
“Sophie was so jealous she had stomachaches!”
“She probably just ate something bad yesterday.”
“Who knows.”
Lexi and Maxy continued giggling. Meanwhile, Rosellina drifted back to her thoughts of the previous night. Dantes had been different—polite. Was he pleased with the current her, the maid Rosellina? He had cleaned her hands and spoken gently. That moonlit warmth felt kind and tender. Even if she had ended up helping choose clothes to impress Demeteria, still… she felt something bittersweet on her tongue.
Even so… if this brings me closer to Dantes—even just enough not to be hated—that’s enough.
She pushed away the thoughts swirling aimlessly in her mind and neatly arranged the books. After about an hour of spotless cleaning, the office door opened and Milan entered.
“Maxy. Lexi.”
“Chief attendant.”
The three bowed at once. Milan smiled warmly.
“You cleaned wonderfully. Just in time—I need a few people, and you will do.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Let’s go to the tailoring room. We will be finishing His Majesty’s attire for the banquet.”
At the mention of Dantes’s banquet attire, the maids’ faces stiffened. They had been called there last time and scolded by Madam Vanessa. Seeing their hesitation, Milan spoke knowingly:
“You don’t wish to go, I see.”
“N-No, sir!” Lexi answered quickly, though her wavering voice betrayed her. Milan chuckled.
“I heard you were scolded rather harshly last time. It’s natural to be nervous. But this time the tailor himself requested you. Madam Vanessa will not reprimand you.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Rosellina and Maxy bowed with Lexi. Rosellina felt guilty—Lexi and Maxy were being dragged into this because of her. But she could tell no one how she felt.
I’ll just have to treat them even better. And with time… everything will settle down.
She also believed Dantes’s interest in her would soon fade.
Milan headed toward the tailoring room, the girls following behind the male attendants.
When they entered, Alfredo was fussing dramatically over the clothing.
“Oh! Milan, long time no see! Good heavens, I thought all my work was for nothing—I feared this outfit would never be shown to His Majesty!”
“Alfredo. Forgive the late notice. His Majesty was occupied with state affairs.”
“That’s fine! The fact that His Majesty will see me again makes me happier than words! Shall I show you how much I’ve prepared?”
Alfredo fluttered his hands and feet excitedly. Rosellina raised her head slightly—there were lavish new garments lined up. Fewer than before, but far more striking and refined.
And in the center hung a dazzling dress. A women’s dress. Milan stepped forward in surprise.
“What is this dress?”
“What else? Miss Demeteria’s dress, of course.”
“His Majesty never requested such a thing.”
Alfredo laughed loudly.
“Oh, Milan. Must you keep secrets even from me? The entire social circle is buzzing! They all say this banquet is meant to solidify His Majesty’s relationship with Miss Demeteria.”
“That is…”
“I knew it before you said a word, so I prepared in advance! If she wears this with the outfit His Majesty chose last time, the colors and designs, though different, subtly harmonize. If the two stand together? There will be nothing more beautiful!”
Alfredo was already thrilled, imagining Dantes and Demeteria side by side in his creations. Milan decided the dress needed to be hidden before Dantes arrived. The emperor had no intention whatsoever of such a thing. And if he learned that rumors he did not want were spreading, he would surely be furious.
But before Milan could speak, a low voice cut in.
“Who spread that rumor?”
“Your Majesty.”
It was Dantes. He stared at Alfredo with a hardened expression. Lexi, Maxy, and Rosellina immediately stepped back and bowed their heads low.
