A moment in the past.
In a quiet study, the sound of fingers tapping on the desk echoed repeatedly.
Lord Arvian Valaxar of the North.
With eyes filled with deep anguish, he gazed at the documents laid out in front of him.
-Name: Alice
-Age: Estimated to be between 14 and 17
-Origin: Unknown
-Family relations: Unknown
-Residence: Traces found of her residence in the past in Valaxar. No other surprising information available.
-Additional information: No one in Valaxar knows of her existence. Identified as a suspicious individual.
Tap-tap-
The documents contained information about Alice.
“……”
He asked for a background check after making the request.
Even if it seemed despicable, there was no other choice.
Regardless, Alice, the maid, was the only person to care for his beloved daughter.
He couldn’t just overlook it.
Especially considering her physical abilities and combat skills.
They far exceeded those of an ordinary person.
He couldn’t overlook such a suspicious individual.
The Duchess had been betrayed by her former maid before.
And the price was Selena’s life.
Such a thing must never happen again. That’s why he ordered a thorough background check on Alice.
The result lay before him in the documents.
However, the contents were profoundly disappointing.
“Birth… Status… Family relations… All suspicious.”
He had spent a considerable amount of money on the investigation.
But the results were futile.
Usually, those with such identities are predetermined.
People who grew up as orphans without status.
Or those who have diligently concealed their status since birth.
The possibility of being an assassin couldn’t be ruled out either.
It would be right to expel her from the Duchess’s service immediately.
Or perhaps to torture her until the truth emerges.
Someone with such a background could never be allowed by the Duchess’s side.
The Duchess must grow up as a monster within the safe fence she created for herself.
No other dangers could be tolerated within it.
Yes.
Expulsion is the right choice.
Naturally, it should have been done.
But…
[This is just too much, no matter what I do. Calling them parents?]
[Get lost, you piece of trash… You’re not even worthy… of being called a parent…]
[You damn whiny garbage, pretending to be a parent like that.]
“Speeches that one cannot utter unless they are in their right mind.
Speaking boldly in front of oneself, even before the royal family takes notice.
The Duke hesitated deeply at her previous remarks.
Alice’s actions were so incongruent.
Would an assassin really say such things?
If she had decided in her heart, Alice would have been executed immediately.
Could an assassin who has hidden their identity so thoroughly be so foolish?
And above all.
Could they have eyes that shine just like Selina’s?
He had tested her once before.
he had offered a large reward for killing the Duchess.
But she had refused without hesitation.
And even under the threat of killing her if she did not leave, she dared to fight against, thinking only of the Duchess.
Would such a person… truly harm the Duchess?
It didn’t seem likely.
Above all, if she had intended to harm the Duchess, she would have attempted it long ago.
And above all, the reason for hesitation.
Alice was giving the Duchess affection that she could never reciprocate.
Just by seeing the recent change in the Duchess’s appearance, one could tell.
I don’t want to compare Selena to anyone.
But I had to admit.
Alice shared as much love with the Duchess as the Duchess did with Adrielle.
No. Perhaps even more.
If only I knew her identity, I would have to chase her away immediately.
But my instinct tells me that I must keep Alice by the Duchess’s side at all costs.
Even if she decides to leave.
“I hope my choice is not wrong.”
The documents in the Duke’s hand began to burn.
The paper containing information about Alice turned into ashes.
Alice had already risked her life twice for the Duchess.
A foolish person who clearly goes to die.
If we can’t trust even such a person.
Then no one in this world can be trusted.
I decided to trust Alice despite the risks.
No, actually, I believed in her from the beginning.
It was just a feeling of suspicion after checking her identity.
Nothing has changed.
‘But if…’
If even a hint of a threat to the Duchess appears.
“I will personally kill her at that time.”
It’s cruel enough to beg for death.
***
“Ah…”
The bustling streets of the magnificent empire.
Stretching my arms to loosen my stiff body.
Sitting in the carriage for half a day made me feel like I was suffocating.
I looked up at the sky for a moment.
The vivid heat was so different from the North.
Despite wearing thin clothes, I felt the heat, perhaps because my body had adapted to the North.
“Then I will come back to pick you up in two days.”
“Yes, thank you.”
The groom who had driven the carriage exchanged a few words and then turned back the way we came.
I watched the carriage, which was getting further away, for a moment.
The pattern of a white wolf drawn on the carriage.
It was a carriage specially given to me by Head Maid.
Thanks to the carriage, we could pass through the imperial gate without any suspicion.
It would have been quite awkward if they had asked for identification or anything else.
After all, I don’t know anything about Alice.
I didn’t even have any interest in her in the first place.
“…This is my second time in empire.”
I looked around for a moment.
People and merchants bustling about.
There were bright and cheerful smiles on their faces.
I had been here once before when I had a meal.
But even seeing it again, it was still quite a strange street.
It was so different from the cold North.
“Well, I’ll come back here anyway. I’ll have to adapt.”
This was my final destination.
Setting up a large café on the streets of the capital.
It was a dream I had always had.
“Is that place good? No, that place is too remote… That place has steep hills… That place…”
I muttered as I looked around the street.
I was instinctively searching for a good spot for business.
I must have been carried away by excitement too.
“No… Get a hold of yourself.”
I slapped my cheek a few times with sudden realization.
I came to get the Duchess’s medicine, not to scout out cafes, didn’t I?
It wouldn’t be too late to find a café after the Duchess matured enough to be independent.
“Let’s see… the alchemist’s house…”
It was mentioned like this in the novel.
Located east of the empire, Hall of Angel’s.
Her residence was said to be there.
It might sound grand calling it Hall of Angel’s.
But it’s just a shabby inn with nothing special.
First, I should head east.
Without hesitation, I set off on my way.
Imagining the Duchess waiting for me at the mansion.
“Just wait a little longer, Miss!”
***
The bright sunlight illuminated the Duchess’s room, but due to the tightly closed curtains, the Duchess’s bedroom was only dark.
The gloomy atmosphere was returning to the room that Alice had brightened up.
It hadn’t even been a day since she left.
But the room was gradually returning to its gloomy state from before.
“Alice… Alice…”
Adrielle clutched the black ring tightly in her hand and muttered to himself, her gaze unmoving as she only repeated the name of her personal maid.
Adrielle was anxious. She had received even Alice’s precious belongings. She had made promises with her, even wagering her fingers.
But still, what if Alice didn’t return? She was afraid of being alone with the daunting Grand Duke. What would she do if Alice left her?
The unbearable anxiety overwhelmed her. Just as one who knows the morning fears the night, Adrielle, having found the brightness of Alice, was too afraid that the bright light would disappear.
Adrielle bit her small fingernail until it bled, unable to shake off the torment. The writhing seed within her showed no sign of calming down.
“No… she said she would come back… I believe Alice…”
But the young girl tightly shut her eyes and hugged her pillow. She resolved to believe in her personal maid and their promised pinky swear.
She struggled to calm her trembling heart and got out of bed. Adrielle ran towards the window on her short legs.
-You need to get sunlight, Miss!
She pulled back the curtains to let the bright sunlight in.
-If the room is messy, the heart will be too.
She neatly arranged the crumpled blanket and pillow.
-You need to eat on time to stay strong!
She looked at the cart Alice had left behind.
Food neatly packed in the freezer compartment. She had said that if you just operated the heat magic, you could eat. Adrielle walked briskly to eat the traces of love Alice had left behind.
And then. Creak- Her door, which she hadn’t thought would open for a while, opened. Adrielle’s dark pupils cleared in an instant. Could it be that Alice had returned? An uncontrollable smile spread across her lips.
Her heart started to beat without any sign of calming down. Adrielle turned her gaze towards the door with a faint blush rising.
“A… Alice…”
“Hello, Miss!”
But it wasn’t Alice who entered the room. A maid with blonde hair, whom Adrielle had never seen before, opened and entered Adrielle’s room.
“I’m Andy, who will be your personal maid instead of Alice for three days! Nice to meet you.”
“…What?”
Adrielle’s head turned to the side. What did that woman just say? She’s going to be the personal maid instead of Alice? Who. You.
“You Dare?”
“Hey miss, would you like to have some food?”
The blonde maid, with a bright smile, came in and cleared away the cart that was in front of Adrielle.
“Don’t eat this tasteless and cold food! I brought your meal from the kitchen!”
The maid offered a plate in front of Adrielle.
The food prepared by Alice disappeared.
In its place, a loaf of bread with steam rising was placed.
“How is it? Looks delicious, right?”
Andy, who had cleared away Alice’s food, looked pleased.
Adrielle looked at her without saying a word
Adrielle’s blue eyes, clear for a moment, sank into emptiness to the point where no light could be seen.
“I see. You came… instead of Alice.”
Adrielle said, looking at Andy.
Andy replied with a bright smile.
“Yes! You don’t have to worry because I can serve you much better than Alice.”
Adrielle looked at Andy for a while.
On the face of the noble lady who had been staring silently, a blush rose.
‘As expected… there’s no one like Alice.’ Anxiety that she was trying hard to suppress.
Something small wriggling inside her.
She was so frustrated that she felt like smashing everything right away.
But she couldn’t because of Alice.
Perhaps Alice even anticipated this situation.
It seems she knew herself well enough to bring a present.
“Yes. I entrust you with this.”
Adrielle extended one hand to Andy.
Andy stared blankly at the hand extended in front of her.
‘3 days… I’ll wait for you… you must come back, Alice…’
There was a twisted smile on Adrielle’s lips.
Andy finally regained her senses and immediately grabbed the noble lady’s hand and shook it.
“I… I will definitely serve you well, miss!”
A big smile appeared on Andy’s face.
Her heart began to beat wildly with joyful fantasies.
‘Indeed… the rumors were exaggerated!’
It seemed her sharpness was just an impression after all.
As she expected, the miss was just a child.
To accept herself so innocently.
If she continued to occupy the position of the personal maid, it wouldn’t be a dream to aim for a rise in status someday.
‘Alice has been monopolizing this position alone.’
A moment in the past.
In a quiet study, the sound of fingers tapping on the desk echoed repeatedly.
Lord Arvian Valaxar of the North.
With eyes filled with deep anguish, he gazed at the documents laid out in front of him.
-Name: Alice
-Age: Estimated to be between 14 and 17
-Origin: Unknown
-Family relations: Unknown
-Residence: Traces found of her residence in the past in Valaxar. No other surprising information available.
-Additional information: No one in Valaxar knows of her existence. Identified as a suspicious individual.
Tap-tap-
The documents contained information about Alice.
“……”
He asked for a background check after making the request.
Even if it seemed despicable, there was no other choice.
Regardless, Alice, the maid, was the only person to care for his beloved daughter.
He couldn’t just overlook it.
Especially considering her physical abilities and combat skills.
They far exceeded those of an ordinary person.
He couldn’t overlook such a suspicious individual.
The Duchess had been betrayed by her former maid before.
And the price was Selena’s life.
Such a thing must never happen again. That’s why he ordered a thorough background check on Alice.
The result lay before him in the documents.
However, the contents were profoundly disappointing.
“Birth… Status… Family relations… All suspicious.”
He had spent a considerable amount of money on the investigation.
But the results were futile.
Usually, those with such identities are predetermined.
People who grew up as orphans without status.
Or those who have diligently concealed their status since birth.
The possibility of being an assassin couldn’t be ruled out either.
It would be right to expel her from the Duchess’s service immediately.
Or perhaps to torture her until the truth emerges.
Someone with such a background could never be allowed by the Duchess’s side.
The Duchess must grow up as a monster within the safe fence she created for herself.
No other dangers could be tolerated within it.
Yes.
Expulsion is the right choice.
Naturally, it should have been done.
But…
[This is just too much, no matter what I do. Calling them parents?]
[Get lost, you piece of trash… You’re not even worthy… of being called a parent…]
[You damn whiny garbage, pretending to be a parent like that.]
“Speeches that one cannot utter unless they are in their right mind.
Speaking boldly in front of oneself, even before the royal family takes notice.
The Duke hesitated deeply at her previous remarks.
Alice’s actions were so incongruent.
Would an assassin really say such things?
If she had decided in her heart, Alice would have been executed immediately.
Could an assassin who has hidden their identity so thoroughly be so foolish?
And above all.
Could they have eyes that shine just like Selina’s?
He had tested her once before.
he had offered a large reward for killing the Duchess.
But she had refused without hesitation.
And even under the threat of killing her if she did not leave, she dared to fight against, thinking only of the Duchess.
Would such a person… truly harm the Duchess?
It didn’t seem likely.
Above all, if she had intended to harm the Duchess, she would have attempted it long ago.
And above all, the reason for hesitation.
Alice was giving the Duchess affection that she could never reciprocate.
Just by seeing the recent change in the Duchess’s appearance, one could tell.
I don’t want to compare Selena to anyone.
But I had to admit.
Alice shared as much love with the Duchess as the Duchess did with Adrielle.
No. Perhaps even more.
If only I knew her identity, I would have to chase her away immediately.
But my instinct tells me that I must keep Alice by the Duchess’s side at all costs.
Even if she decides to leave.
“I hope my choice is not wrong.”
The documents in the Duke’s hand began to burn.
The paper containing information about Alice turned into ashes.
Alice had already risked her life twice for the Duchess.
A foolish person who clearly goes to die.
If we can’t trust even such a person.
Then no one in this world can be trusted.
I decided to trust Alice despite the risks.
No, actually, I believed in her from the beginning.
It was just a feeling of suspicion after checking her identity.
Nothing has changed.
‘But if…’
If even a hint of a threat to the Duchess appears.
“I will personally kill her at that time.”
It’s cruel enough to beg for death.
***
“Ah…”
The bustling streets of the magnificent empire.
Stretching my arms to loosen my stiff body.
Sitting in the carriage for half a day made me feel like I was suffocating.
I looked up at the sky for a moment.
The vivid heat was so different from the North.
Despite wearing thin clothes, I felt the heat, perhaps because my body had adapted to the North.
“Then I will come back to pick you up in two days.”
“Yes, thank you.”
The groom who had driven the carriage exchanged a few words and then turned back the way we came.
I watched the carriage, which was getting further away, for a moment.
The pattern of a white wolf drawn on the carriage.
It was a carriage specially given to me by Head Maid.
Thanks to the carriage, we could pass through the imperial gate without any suspicion.
It would have been quite awkward if they had asked for identification or anything else.
After all, I don’t know anything about Alice.
I didn’t even have any interest in her in the first place.
“…This is my second time in empire.”
I looked around for a moment.
People and merchants bustling about.
There were bright and cheerful smiles on their faces.
I had been here once before when I had a meal.
But even seeing it again, it was still quite a strange street.
It was so different from the cold North.
“Well, I’ll come back here anyway. I’ll have to adapt.”
This was my final destination.
Setting up a large café on the streets of the capital.
It was a dream I had always had.
“Is that place good? No, that place is too remote… That place has steep hills… That place…”
I muttered as I looked around the street.
I was instinctively searching for a good spot for business.
I must have been carried away by excitement too.
“No… Get a hold of yourself.”
I slapped my cheek a few times with sudden realization.
I came to get the Duchess’s medicine, not to scout out cafes, didn’t I?
It wouldn’t be too late to find a café after the Duchess matured enough to be independent.
“Let’s see… the alchemist’s house…”
It was mentioned like this in the novel.
Located east of the empire, Hall of Angel’s.
Her residence was said to be there.
It might sound grand calling it Hall of Angel’s.
But it’s just a shabby inn with nothing special.
First, I should head east.
Without hesitation, I set off on my way.
Imagining the Duchess waiting for me at the mansion.
“Just wait a little longer, Miss!”
***
The bright sunlight illuminated the Duchess’s room, but due to the tightly closed curtains, the Duchess’s bedroom was only dark.
The gloomy atmosphere was returning to the room that Alice had brightened up.
It hadn’t even been a day since she left.
But the room was gradually returning to its gloomy state from before.
“Alice… Alice…”
Adrielle clutched the black ring tightly in her hand and muttered to himself, her gaze unmoving as she only repeated the name of her personal maid.
Adrielle was anxious. She had received even Alice’s precious belongings. She had made promises with her, even wagering her fingers.
But still, what if Alice didn’t return? She was afraid of being alone with the daunting Grand Duke. What would she do if Alice left her?
The unbearable anxiety overwhelmed her. Just as one who knows the morning fears the night, Adrielle, having found the brightness of Alice, was too afraid that the bright light would disappear.
Adrielle bit her small fingernail until it bled, unable to shake off the torment. The writhing seed within her showed no sign of calming down.
“No… she said she would come back… I believe Alice…”
But the young girl tightly shut her eyes and hugged her pillow. She resolved to believe in her personal maid and their promised pinky swear.
She struggled to calm her trembling heart and got out of bed. Adrielle ran towards the window on her short legs.
-You need to get sunlight, Miss!
She pulled back the curtains to let the bright sunlight in.
-If the room is messy, the heart will be too.
She neatly arranged the crumpled blanket and pillow.
-You need to eat on time to stay strong!
She looked at the cart Alice had left behind.
Food neatly packed in the freezer compartment. She had said that if you just operated the heat magic, you could eat. Adrielle walked briskly to eat the traces of love Alice had left behind.
And then. Creak- Her door, which she hadn’t thought would open for a while, opened. Adrielle’s dark pupils cleared in an instant. Could it be that Alice had returned? An uncontrollable smile spread across her lips.
Her heart started to beat without any sign of calming down. Adrielle turned her gaze towards the door with a faint blush rising.
“A… Alice…”
“Hello, Miss!”
But it wasn’t Alice who entered the room. A maid with blonde hair, whom Adrielle had never seen before, opened and entered Adrielle’s room.
“I’m Andy, who will be your personal maid instead of Alice for three days! Nice to meet you.”
“…What?”
Adrielle’s head turned to the side. What did that woman just say? She’s going to be the personal maid instead of Alice? Who. You.
“You Dare?”
“Hey miss, would you like to have some food?”
The blonde maid, with a bright smile, came in and cleared away the cart that was in front of Adrielle.
“Don’t eat this tasteless and cold food! I brought your meal from the kitchen!”
The maid offered a plate in front of Adrielle.
The food prepared by Alice disappeared.
In its place, a loaf of bread with steam rising was placed.
“How is it? Looks delicious, right?”
Andy, who had cleared away Alice’s food, looked pleased.
Adrielle looked at her without saying a word
Adrielle’s blue eyes, clear for a moment, sank into emptiness to the point where no light could be seen.
“I see. You came… instead of Alice.”
Adrielle said, looking at Andy.
Andy replied with a bright smile.
“Yes! You don’t have to worry because I can serve you much better than Alice.”
Adrielle looked at Andy for a while.
On the face of the noble lady who had been staring silently, a blush rose.
‘As expected… there’s no one like Alice.’ Anxiety that she was trying hard to suppress.
Something small wriggling inside her.
She was so frustrated that she felt like smashing everything right away.
But she couldn’t because of Alice.
Perhaps Alice even anticipated this situation.
It seems she knew herself well enough to bring a present.
“Yes. I entrust you with this.”
Adrielle extended one hand to Andy.
Andy stared blankly at the hand extended in front of her.
‘3 days… I’ll wait for you… you must come back, Alice…’
There was a twisted smile on Adrielle’s lips.
Andy finally regained her senses and immediately grabbed the noble lady’s hand and shook it.
“I… I will definitely serve you well, miss!”
A big smile appeared on Andy’s face.
Her heart began to beat wildly with joyful fantasies.
‘Indeed… the rumors were exaggerated!’
It seemed her sharpness was just an impression after all.
As she expected, the miss was just a child.
To accept herself so innocently.
If she continued to occupy the position of the personal maid, it wouldn’t be a dream to aim for a rise in status someday.
‘Alice has been monopolizing this position alone.’
