Chapter 45: The New Maid

Pfft.

I was so surprised that I ended up spraying the asparagus in my mouth onto Jude’s face. But wouldn’t you be startled if someone who always wore a uniform suddenly showed up in a dress?

Jude’s appearance in a dress overloaded with frills seemed to have left quite an impression on others as well.

Although everyone kept their mouths shut since Jude was the Duke’s closest confidant, some couldn’t help but turn their heads away, covering their mouths as their bodies shook with suppressed laughter.

Jude, wiping the green bits off her face roughly with her hand, looked down at me.

As our eyes met, I felt genuinely sorry and decided to humble myself despite being the Duchess.

“General Jude, I apologize.”

“Please be more careful, Lady Yuria.”

Though her tone was polite, her eyes were far from it. Her violet gaze was so cold it felt almost freezing.

Ugh, so cold. I’m going to freeze to death.

“Jude—no, General. Are you alright?”

The brown-haired woman standing next to Jude poked her in the side and then pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket, handing it to her. She was wearing the maid uniform of the Auguste household.

‘Is this the maid Xavier mentioned?’

Jude took the handkerchief, wiped her hands roughly, and handed it back to the maid. She sighed deeply as she took it back.

“Jude, are you alright?”

“Yes? Yes.”

Jude’s frosty expression softened at Xavier’s single word. Glancing at me sideways, Jude wore an expression that seemed to say, ‘See that?’

‘Oh, please.’

Even the people of the Auguste household don’t act this territorial.

‘Didn’t they say the Duke took her in when she was young?’

In the novel, Jude was depicted as being quite loyal to the Duke. Of course, since she wasn’t a main character, there weren’t many details.

When I visited the military camp, I thought she was angry because I had shown up unexpectedly, but it seems there’s more to it. Always wary of me, disliking me, and now suddenly showing up in a dress—she must have someone she likes.

At the very least, I’m a woman with good intuition.

My gaze naturally drifted to my husband.

Tsk, he knows he’s handsome.

‘You being handsome is a crime.’

As I studied the face of the ever-impressive Duke Xavier Auguste, he seemed utterly indifferent.

Out of nowhere, he said,

“This happened because I forced my wife to eat vegetables she didn’t want. I apologize.”

He said something unnecessary.

“Pardon?”

Naturally, Jude was flustered, her face turning red. Her neck flushed as she stammered.

Wow, she’s strong.

Xavier, I understand you’re trying to defend me, but please don’t.

You’re just making me more disliked.

Jude’s face stiffened again.

Though she wasn’t glaring at me because of the Duke, she was probably fuming inside.

Jude pressed her lips together and stood still for a while.

Xavier, who had been watching her closely, finally spoke.

“But, Jude.”

“……Yes.”

“That’s that, but what exactly are you doing right now?”

“What do you mean, Your Grace?”

“Where did you learn not to show proper respect to the Duchess, let alone me?”

“Pardon?”

In an instant, a cold air settled in Xavier’s eyes.

“She is not Lady Yuria, but the Duchess. Do you think someone can call themselves a member of the Auguste household without properly greeting the Duchess? And do you think it makes sense for a servant who came to introduce themselves to stand there with their head held so high? Being the General’s friend doesn’t grant you any special privileges.”

The Duke’s sharp gaze turned to the maid.

“I-I apologize. My name is Margaret, Your Grace.”

The maid, Margaret, seemed to have some sense, as she immediately prostrated herself on the floor.

Ah, right. He’s the Duke.

Xavier Auguste was undeniably one of the few great nobles of the Empire.

The maid trembled, unable to look at Xavier as she lay flat on the ground.

“My lord, I apologize. I lost my composure for a moment.”

Jude, too, seemed to come to her senses and bowed deeply.

“They say you reap what you sow. This is unbearable to watch.”

“Xavier, it’s fine.”

At that, Xavier looked at me and smiled gently as he spoke.

“Yuria, it’s not fine. You’re the only person in the Auguste household who should be treated as my equal. I want my wife to receive the respect she deserves. And don’t forget, as the Saintess, you hold a status equivalent to that of a princess.”

“Understood.”

It seemed Xavier had no intention of letting this slide.

Today was my first official day as the Duchess, and with many servants watching, he appeared intent on setting the tone.

“I apologize, Your Grace, Your Ladyship. Margaret begs for your forgiveness.”

“…I apologize, my lord, my lady. I, Jude, offer my respects.”

“Good. Don’t forget this attitude moving forward. Yuria is your lord as well.”

Xavier, casting a disapproving glance at the two, elegantly dabbed at his mouth with a napkin before turning to me with a tender voice.

“Yuria, are you finished eating?”

“Ah, I’m full.”

“In that case, may I excuse myself? I need to head to the Imperial Palace right away to meet His Majesty for the reparations meeting.”

“Yes, I was about to leave as well.”

I stood up alongside Xavier and responded.

“I might be a bit late. But I’ll be back by dinner.”

“Alright.”

At my reply, Xavier gave me a warm smile and left the dining room first. Jude followed behind him.

The maid, Margaret, rose from the floor, bowed deeply until her head nearly touched her feet, and chased after the General.

I watched their retreating figures for a moment before heading to my room.

＊

“General Jude!”

The maid Margaret, lifting her skirt, hurried after Jude as they left the dining room.

Jude walked so quickly that Margaret was left gasping for breath.

“General Jude!”

“What is it?”

Jude turned around with an annoyed expression. Xavier had already disappeared down the hallway.

“Get a hold of yourself. About the Crown Prince—mmph.”

Jude, spinning around at lightning speed, covered Margaret’s mouth and dragged her into an unlocked guest room in the hallway.

“Mmph! Pah!”

“What do you think you’re doing, bringing up the Crown Prince?”

“Ugh, are you trying to kill me?”

Unlike her polite demeanor in the dining room, Margaret now raised her chin defiantly and argued.

“What’s the meaning of this? Isn’t bringing you here enough?”

“What are you talking about? When I nudged you earlier, you should’ve taken the hint. Introducing me to His Grace and the Duchess should’ve been your first priority. How do you plan to act as an informant if you’re this clueless? I almost got marked as suspicious before even starting!”

“An informant? Don’t make me laugh. I never agreed to be one.”

“What? Ahaha.”

Margaret tucked her short brown hair behind her ear and laughed, holding her stomach.

“Your head really is in the clouds.”

Her cheerful laughter darkened into an eerie tone.

“Listen carefully, General. If you’re not going to help, at least don’t ruin things. I have to succeed in this.”

“What?”

“Unless I ask for it, just act as you normally would. What’s with that dress? The bright red is so tacky.”

“You!”

“I should ask Count Willem for more compensation.”

“Hey!”

Unable to contain her anger, Jude shouted.

“Quiet. Now, go fetch this.”

Margaret handed her a note.

“What’s this?”

“You’ll get ‘it’ if you follow the instructions on this note.”

“What is it? It’s not something that could harm my lord, is it?”

“Of course not. If you can’t even manage this, you know what will happen, right? Forget about winning over the Duke.”

“……”

At the mention of the Duke, Jude reluctantly nodded.

＊

When I returned to my room, Maya greeted me.

“My lady, did you enjoy your meal?”

Maya and Rosetta had cleaned the room prepared for me by Duke Xavier once more. It was the best room in the estate, traditionally used by the Duchesses of the Auguste family.

“Yes, what’s all this?”

On the bed was a transparent heart-shaped box filled with my favorite macarons.

“I pre-ordered this box from the Macaron Café. Isn’t it pretty?”

“Yes, I love it. Wow, they’re my favorite fatcarons.”

“Rosetta made the macarons herself.”

“Maya helped too.”

The two maids exchanged compliments before pulling something out of their pockets. Suddenly, flower petals rained down on me. Red and pink petals floated gently through the air.

“Congratulations on becoming a married woman, Duchess!”

“Congratulations on your marriage!”

“Maya, Rosetta.”

I was moved as Maya handed me something.

“I don’t have much, so I made a bracelet. One for Rosetta, me, and you, my lady.”

“Wow, it’s beautiful.”

The bracelet was embroidered with miniature charms like teapots, rocking horses, chocolates, and macarons. The clasp even had a tiny silver bell attached.

“Ta-da, I have one too.”

Rosetta held out her wrist, showing a bracelet in a different color.

“You don’t mind, do you?”

“Maya, why would I mind? We’re practically family.”

“…Yes, my lady.”

“Me too!”

“Of course, Rosetta.”

Tears welled up in Maya’s brown eyes before a drop fell.

“Maya, are you crying?”

“No, it’s just… I’m so happy.”

Maya quickly turned away to wipe her tears.

“Maya.”

“I just… seeing you become such a dignified Duchess overwhelms me. Why am I crying on such a happy day…”

“Maya…”

I opened my arms wide to the two girls.

“Come here.”

“My lady!”

“My lady.”

Rosetta hugged me first, and Maya hesitated before joining in.

After our small celebration, Maya lit an aromatic candle while Rosetta massaged my shoulders.

“My lady, we could hear the Duke’s voice all the way to the third floor. Did something happen?”

“Oh, General Jude brought a new maid, but she didn’t greet us properly, so he got upset.”

“A new maid?”

Maya, returning after lighting the candle, asked.

“Yes, her name’s Margaret. She’s apparently an old friend of General Jude’s.”

“Oh, then she must be of commoner origin.”

Rosetta’s eyes sparkled as she spoke, her hands pressing a bit harder into my shoulders.

“Probably, right?”

“She’s probably looking down on you because she’s the General’s friend. I should have a word with her.”

“Don’t worry about it. She’s still young. The Duke already made it clear, and I’ll have the head maid or Albert teach her properly. We’ll be formally introducing ourselves to all the staff soon anyway, so we can address it then.”

“But.”

Rosetta started to say something more but then closed her mouth. In the vanity mirror, Maya was making a ‘tsk’ expression at Rosetta.

That’s mine.

At Maya’s pointed look, Rosetta bit her lips and quickly focused on the massage again. Watching the two of them, I chuckled softly before closing my eyes and falling into deep thought.

‘In the meantime, feel free to enjoy yourself as much as you’d like.’

I now had a legitimate reason to go out and have some fun.

Alright, how should I make sure everyone hears about how well I enjoyed myself?