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Chapter 17
“After all, even a lowly peacock decorates its feathers to attract a mate.”
There was no way His Excellency could have been pleased with such a tacky woman, worse than a mere creature.
Technically, it’s the male peacock that flaunts its feathers, not the female… but unfortunately, Celia didn’t even know that.
The important point, in any case, was that the maids’ claims made no sense.
“So, she must have stolen it, right?”
Celia confidently answered, following the smooth flow of her own logic.
Meanwhile, Becky and Marie couldn’t help but snicker to themselves.
Both of them knew that when dealing with higher-ups’ harassment, it was better to quietly endure rather than resist.
Moreover, this woman wasn’t just any maid—she was the cherished daughter of a Count.
Among the other maids, the advice often circulated: when possible, just conform to Celia’s whims.
But at this moment, they simply couldn’t tolerate it.
Celia had crossed the line. She was picking a fight not only with them but with their angelic Viola as well!
Just as Becky was about to shout, the usually slow Marie was half a beat faster this time.
“P-please don’t insult Lady Viola…!”
“That’s right! We’ve done nothing wrong! Don’t say such things!”
The firmness and confidence in their voices made Celia flinch.
“If you’re innocent, you can just say so. Why are you yelling like this? So uncultured.”
Without further ado, she roughly snatched the jacket from Becky and Marie.
“Anyway, I’ll check this myself. If you’ve dared to lie to a noble, you’ll be punished.”
“Yes! Please do!”
Did she really think they’d be intimidated by her words? Becky instead squared her shoulders and declared boldly:
“You can check with Conrad. He specifically instructed us to take special care!”
“Conrad?”
Celia furrowed her brows in disbelief.
As the Duke’s right-hand man, Conrad wielded considerable power in this mansion. Celia had once tried to curry favor with him, but he would always send her away with a polite smile, leaving her with nothing.
Yet now, Conrad was supposedly giving someone special treatment? It was hard for her to accept.
In the end, she caught a passing servant to confirm the truth.
“Really? Did Lord Conrad actually give such instructions?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what he ordered.”
The unsuspecting servant looked troubled, and Becky smiled triumphantly.
Why would someone suddenly accuse Viola of being a thief? It was infuriating enough to involve Viola.
‘She must be fuming inside,’ Becky thought, giggling as she glanced at Marie. Marie didn’t speak, but her relieved expression showed she felt the same.
Being a maid was supposed to be a privilege, serving high-ranking people. But everyone knew Celia’s goal wasn’t that.
She openly aimed for the position of the Duke’s wife.
She thought she was clever: by becoming Jaden’s maid, she’d naturally have more opportunities to interact with Cain, hoping in the process to seduce him…
‘That’s never going to happen.’
No cunning fox could win against a kind-hearted squirrel. The wind, not the sun, stripped the traveler’s clothes!
Becky and Marie walked to the laundry with a much lighter mood.
No sooner had I sent the maids away than I found myself in a serious predicament.
And a very big one at that!
“Mom! Waaah!”
“Wait, calm down! You just fell lightly, that’s all!”
“Waaah!”
Melody had noticed my bandaged arm and started crying. I suppose she had never seen such a severe injury before, and she was understandably shocked.
‘That’s why I tried to hide it!’
While washing Melody, some water splashed onto my sleeve, revealing the bandages I’d hidden beneath. Who could have known?
Ugh. Bittersweet frustration filled my mouth. No time to dwell—I had to soothe Melody quickly.
“I wrapped it with lots of bandages, it looks worse than it really is. You’re almost fine.”
“Waaah…”
“It’s just a scratch from cleaning broken pots. No need to worry.”
But just as her crying was slowing, Melody lifted her head sharply, rubbing her eyes.
“Mom?”
Her gaze seemed to have caught a lie. Hmm, did I say I just fell…?
Children with good memories like hers can be troublesome.
The tears resumed, streaming down her cheeks.
“Waaah! Boohoo! Hiccup!”
Despite crying, the child stomped her feet with determination.
Ugh, this was serious. She was really angry.
“I told you it was an accident!”
“Waaah!”
“Really, it is.”
“No!”
She shook her head firmly, refusing to believe me.
It was as if she wanted me to reveal the culprit immediately. But I couldn’t tell her.
“Melody, it’s my fault. I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful from now on.”
Realizing she wouldn’t get the full story from me, Melody pouted her lips.
“Uh…”
Hate me?
“Uh-uh.”
No…
She slowly shook her head, her honest answer making me smile.
“You’re so good.”
I gently ruffled Melody’s hair; her duck-like pout slowly relaxed.
Somewhat calmed, Melody reached out her hand as if demanding something.
“Huh?”
“Uh!”
Frustrated, she thumped her chest and grabbed my wrist. Closing her eyes, she seemed to focus.
“Melody, are you trying to heal me? Don’t. I’m fine. I already applied the medicine, and by tomorrow it will be completely healed.”
“Hmph!”
But the child was stubborn.
‘Really, I’m fine.’
The “Seong-ryeok” (vital energy) was akin to a blessing. It greatly accelerated healing.
Extremely useful, but before mastery, it consumed a lot of mental energy.
‘Even in the original story, Melody had a hard time with this.’
Given her past abuse in the temple, she didn’t have fond memories of using her power. Every time she did, it exhausted her mentally.
‘I hope she doesn’t overdo it because of me.’
But if I withdrew now, Melody would sulk for a week.
‘At least if she’s just sulking, that’s better. But if she refuses to brush her teeth…!’
No way that could happen.
I let her take my arm. Soon, a brilliant golden light flowed from her body, wrapping my arm. The faint pain instantly vanished.
When I unwrapped the bandages, the flesh that had been scratched had already regenerated.
Exhausted, Melody immediately yawned repeatedly.
“Thank you, it doesn’t hurt at all now.”
“Hehe.”
From crying to a light smile—she seemed reassured.
I carried the sleepy Melody to bed.
“Goodnight.”
Patting her back, she quickly fell asleep. I gently poked her soft cheek and smiled.
‘Looks like Melody has already adapted here.’
Maybe I’m getting used to this place, too.
At first, I had been worried about many things, but with only good people in this mansion, I could relax considerably.
“Mm…”
Melody murmured, and I felt drowsy too.
At that moment, I had no idea I would face an unpleasant person the very next morning.
The sun rises, and so must one go to work.
After a quick stop at the apothecary, I headed to see Jaden.
Exiting the annex, I reached the third floor of the main building.
I stopped at Jaden’s door as I heard voices inside.
‘Oh, a visitor.’
The thick walls muffled the conversation; anyone not a Dragon-Blooded would hardly hear it.
I stepped back to wait outside.
Then, a woman’s voice drifted through the door crack:
“When will this illness ever be cured? Hah, they said he’s Dragon-Blooded, but isn’t he weaker than common street children? The young master has to recover quickly for the Duke’s sake…”
Her irritating tone made me frown.
‘What the heck? No matter how worried she is, why talk like that?’
