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Chapter 6
“Can I get another massage next time too?”
After the massage ended, Sylvia asked Melody without hiding her disappointment.
“Of course. We’ll do it again tomorrow as well, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Tomorrow too? Then can I get one the day after that, and the day after that as well?”
“Naturally. Whenever you wish, Young Lady.”
“Melody, have I ever told you that I love you?”
As Sylvia spoke as if openly trying to court her, Melody laughed silently.
After finishing the massage, Sylvia returned to the dressing room once again, where another set of clothes caught her eyes.
“My goodness, what are all these?”
In front of her stood mannequins dressed in five different gowns, each with its own unique beauty.
“If there are no designs you like, I can bring new ones.”
“New ones? There are even more?”
“Yes.”
At Melody’s smiling answer, Sylvia could not close her gaping mouth.
Every single dress was made from fabrics so luxurious and expensive that Sylvia could not even dream of owning something like them.
“So I just need to choose one outfit to wear here, right?”
“That is correct.”
Sylvia carefully began examining the dresses.
Since she was going to wear one anyway, she wanted to choose properly.
After all, if it was revealed that she was not Vivian, she would probably never even get the chance to touch dresses like these again.
‘No… even if I’m not Vivian, the Duke said he would compensate me…’
As soon as she reached that thought, Sylvia shook her head.
She could think about the future later.
“I’ll wear this one.”
After carefully considering her options, Sylvia chose a beige frilled dress.
The maids skillfully began dressing her.
“These beautiful clothes are much harder to wear than I expected.”
Only after tying the ribbons connecting the front and back of the dress did the maids finally step away.
Still, the reflection in the mirror was dazzling enough to make all the effort worthwhile.
“You truly are beautiful, Young Lady.”
“Thank you, even if you’re only saying that to be polite.”
“I’m not saying it just to be polite.”
“Then thank you even more.”
Sylvia laughed helplessly at Melody’s admiring words.
After turning once in front of the mirror, Sylvia tightly pressed her lips together while looking at how surprisingly well the expensive dress suited her.
But aside from liking the reflection staring back at her, one thing still bothered her—she did not resemble the people of the Werner family at all.
‘Why is Duke Werner so certain that I’m Vivian? Because of the power of water?’
Yet Sylvia remained doubtful even about that.
Julia had said she could feel the power of water from Sylvia, but Sylvia herself did not know how to control water at all.
Julia had to be mistaken about something.
And sooner or later, everyone would realize that Sylvia possessed no power over water whatsoever.
‘I wish I really were Vivian.’
Growing emotional for a moment, Sylvia gave a bitter smile.
“Let’s go now.”
Turning away from the mirror, Sylvia made the suggestion.
Melody skillfully guided Sylvia forward.
With every step she took, the silk fabric rustled softly.
“Dinner is usually served in the western dining room.”
“The western one?”
“Yes.”
Melody nodded with a smile. Sylvia was about to let it pass naturally, but sudden curiosity rose within her.
“Melody, can I ask you something?”
“Of course. Even if it’s more than one question, please feel free to ask anything you’re curious about.”
Smiling together with Melody’s pleasant expression, Sylvia hesitated before speaking.
“It’s not really important, but I got curious about something.”
“What is it?”
“You just said we’re going to the western dining room, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“So… are there eastern, northern, and southern dining rooms too?”
Realizing only then what Sylvia found strange, Melody let out a small laugh.
Feeling embarrassed, Sylvia’s cheeks turned red.
“There aren’t, right? It’s just called that because it’s located in the west?”
“No. Just as you first thought, there are dining rooms in the east, north, and south as well. They are used respectively for breakfast, lunch, and entertaining guests.”
“No way, really? You’re not teasing me, are you?”
Sylvia’s eyes widened at the completely unexpected answer.
“There is also a separate dining hall in another building for the employees. Altogether, there are five dining rooms in the estate.”
“So there really are five dining rooms. That’s amazing. Though I’m not sure why anyone would need that many…”
At Sylvia’s words, not only Melody but even the other maids accompanying her let out small laughs.
They had tried their best to hold it in, but they could not stop themselves from laughing at such an unexpected way of thinking.
“Well… I guess it would also be strange if a building this huge only had one dining room. But then cleaning everything must be difficult. There are way too many places to clean.”
“That is true, but there are also many people responsible for maintaining everything, so it is manageable.”
“Do you clean too, Melody?”
At the continued question, Melody shook her head.
“No. Cleaning is not my responsibility. Instead, I assist the members of the ducal family. Just as I am assisting you now, Young Lady.”
“That’s a relief. Cleaning is really hard work.”
Sylvia nodded and looked around the hallway.
The estate was maintained so perfectly that it was difficult to find even a single speck of dust in the corners.
Sylvia knew very well that such perfection was only possible because of the hard work of unseen people.
“Back at the orphanage, I hated cleaning so much. No matter how much we cleaned, it never seemed to end.”
Before finding work at the café, Sylvia had no choice but to follow the orders of the orphanage director.
Since she was not financially independent at the time, all she could do was miscellaneous chores around the orphanage.
“Normally the director wasn’t that strict, but whenever visitors were scheduled to come, we had to clean even more carefully. But this place has so many expensive things that I think my hands would shake while cleaning.”
“There are indeed many artworks and valuable items, so it can be like that.”
“If someone accidentally broke one of those expensive things while cleaning, what would happen? Would they have to pay for it here too? Though honestly, if even a ducal family did that, it would seem kind of stingy…”
Remembering her orphanage days, Sylvia’s shoulders trembled slightly.
“Ah, I think I said something unnecessary. It just reminded me of old memories, so you don’t need to worry about it.”
“Yes, understood.”
Melody answered softly, as though trying to comfort Sylvia.
The western dining room was located at the end of the left hallway on the first floor.
As soon as the dining room doors opened, everyone inside turned their eyes toward Sylvia.
“Welcome, Vivian.”
“I’m sorry for being late.”
Sylvia flinched slightly at being called “Vivian,” but quickly apologized to the duke and entered the room. In response, a warm laugh came from Duke Werner.
“No, not at all. We only just arrived ourselves, so there is no need to feel sorry. Come, sit down.”
Duke Werner’s voice was overflowing with affection.
Sylvia’s seat was to the left of the duke, the seat of honor, while Julia sat across from her.
“Then bring in the meal.”
As soon as the duke gave the order, the head chef gestured.
Servants immediately began carrying dishes from the connected hallway leading to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Sylvia carefully observed Duke Werner and Julia.
Perhaps because he was finally dining with his youngest daughter again after so long, the duke looked happy.
On the other hand, just like when they first met, Julia showed almost no expression.
Sylvia found herself curious about Julia.
Whether Sylvia truly was Vivian remained uncertain, but if they genuinely believed she was Vivian, then Julia’s reaction felt strange.
Even after finding the younger sister who had been missing for ten years, she did not seem particularly happy.
It could have simply meant Julia was not expressive with her emotions, but Sylvia somehow felt that was not the only reason.
“Now then, let’s eat.”
While Sylvia was lost in thoughts about Julia, Duke Werner announced the start of the meal.
The duke and Julia naturally began moving their utensils.
A short distance away from the table, the head chef was explaining the menu.
However, Sylvia could not bring herself to taste the food.
‘Um… which one of these am I supposed to use?’
There were simply far too many different forks, knives, and spoons arranged in front of her.
