Chapter 48: Margaret and Rosetta

“What are you doing here?”

Margaret could only gape wordlessly before breaking into a smile.

“I was trying to bring a cushion to the Master and Madam’s bedroom, but got confused about where it was.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s my first day here, after all.”

“Then why are you wandering around voluntarily?”

A glint of cunning flashed in the woman’s black eyes.

‘The Duchess’s maid… Rosetta was it? She’s been following me since the dining room.’

Margaret answered cheerfully with the most relaxed expression she could manage, like a young girl.

“I’m grateful for being hired, so I wanted to repay the kindness by doing something.”

“Kindness?”

“Yes, kindness should be repaid.”

Rosetta’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Margaret.

“Follow me.”

Rosetta flicked a finger and turned around sharply.

‘Thank goodness. She didn’t seem to notice me trying to pick the lock.’

In the end, Margaret, who had set foot in the Duke’s residence for the first time today, was dragged to Rosetta’s room.

This was not the time for this — it was extremely bothersome.

Rosetta’s room wasn’t in the servants’ quarters at the top, but on the second floor near the Madam’s room.

“You’re from a commoner background, right?”

“Huh? Yes.”

Though she was actually a commoner under Count Willem’s patronage, her current setting was that she was a childhood friend of Jude.

“Hmm, how old are you?”

‘Geez, just because I’m a maid, you can speak informally to someone you just met?’

While grumbling internally, Margaret answered with a respectful expression.

“I’m 16 this year.”

“Oh, really? Then you don’t know me?”

“…Pardon?”

“I’m also from the commoner’s alley. I was quite famous there.”

Margaret’s brown eyes wavered for a moment.

She had heard that a commoner named Rosetta had become the Duchess’s maid, but she hadn’t heard this information. She’d only heard that she was a 17-year-old pretty face who had bounced between bars and restaurants before almost being sold into slavery.

“Oh, you, sister?”

The word ‘sister’ slipped out immediately.

“Oh, you know how to navigate social situations?”

Tap tap, Rosetta patted Margaret’s shoulder.

“I was the crazy one in that district. If you don’t know me, you must be a spy.”

“What? Hic.”

“Oh, why are you surprised? Must be true? I was just joking? Ahahahaha.”

“Huh? Ah, hahaha. I’m not surprised.”

This one’s just a crazy person with a pretty face, isn’t she?

Margaret, awkwardly laughing along with Rosetta, was about to lose her mind.

“Ah, I know. Sister was smart among the commoners and earned good money to feed us all, right? Haha.”

“Right? So you do remember? Take good care of our Madam. I’ve got all the servants in this house figured out. I’ll be watching you.”

Rosetta pointed alternately at her own sparkling eyes and Margaret’s brown eyes with her index finger, then gestured toward the door with her chin. It meant ‘get out.’

“Yes, then.”

“Margaret.”

Margaret, who was about to leave, stopped abruptly and turned around.

“Just kidding.”

“What?”

“I’m not really from the slums.”

“Pardon?”

“You’re not from the slums either, are you?”

“……”

Margaret froze on the spot.

“But everyone has things they want to hide. I’ll let it slide this time. But if it happens a second time.”

Rosetta smiled with an angelic face.

“You’re dead.”

Margaret ran out of the room without looking back, terrified by Rosetta’s creepiness.

‘Oh my, she’s a complete psycho!’

Her spine tingled with fear.

*

When we left Central Park, there was a black horse with a long mane tied at the entrance. Its mane, long and curly like a woman’s hair, fluttered beautifully in the wind. Even to my untrained eye when it came to horses, it looked quite handsome.

“This is my prized horse, Friedrich.”

“The horse is very handsome.”

“You think so?”

Xavier grinned while stroking the black mane with his fingers. The horse’s black, clear round eyes sparkled beneath long eyelids.

“The name is cool too. Hello, Friedrich.”

Friedrich snorted and rubbed his face against my palm.

“Seems he likes you.”

“Hehe. Seems so.”

I followed Xavier in stroking the mane. The soft feeling was really nice.

“Do you know what’s special about this fellow?”

As I stared at him questioningly while stroking the mane, Xavier said with a serious expression.

“He knows he’s handsome.”

“What?”

Friedrich whinnied and nodded downward, as if agreeing.

Xavier scratched the bridge of the horse’s nose with his finger and whispered lowly.

“But unfortunately, that’s also his flaw.”

The fellow lifted his head sharply and seemed to glare at Xavier. He snorted irritably as if angry.

“He only lets beautiful people ride him.”

“Haha, no way.”

Xavier smiled and lifted me onto the saddle. Despite my unfamiliarity, Friedrich stood still with me on his back.

Xavier raised an eyebrow as if to say ‘see?’

“This means you’re beautiful, Yuria.”

“Oh my.”

Who wouldn’t like being called pretty?

I glared at Xavier playfully, but honestly, I felt good. Xavier hopped up behind me after making that comment.

“And the same goes for me, right?”

Friedrich just snorted repeatedly but didn’t reject his master Xavier.

“…Well, when you put the truth that way, I can’t deny it.”

“I know well. That I’m handsome.”

“Now that I look at it, the horse resembles its master.”

Xavier laughed heartily.

Was he always able to joke like this?

I found myself laughing along without realizing it.

As Xavier pulled the reins tight, his arms touched both of mine. Friedrich was tall and muscular, giving a high vantage point. He was a horse worth riding.

“Can I try riding him?”

When I turned to ask Xavier, he nodded readily.

“I don’t know the way, so you’ll have to guide me, Xavier.”

“Friedrich knows the way home. He’s a clever one.”

“Is that so? That’s amazing, Friedrich!”

When I praised him while hugging his mane, Friedrich whinnied loudly in pleasure.

Hahaha, laughter burst out.

At that moment, Xavier’s strong arms enclosed my body more firmly. I could feel his body heat directly and shrunk slightly. Then Xavier gently placed the reins in my hands and said,

“Then, I leave it to you, Rider Yuria.”

“Yes, shall we head back to the Duke’s residence now?”

“Good.”

When I gently pushed the horse’s side with my heel, Friedrich began to move. The clicking sounds gradually changed to powerful beats as he galloped.

The humid air changed to cool air as it caressed my cheeks. My hair fluttered in the wind, and it felt like my body would shoot forward.

As soon as we left the park’s forest path, a wide field spread out before us.

Friedrich ran through it without hesitation.

The scenery rushed past with a swoosh, making my heart tingle. I screamed at the thrilling speed.

“Ahhh! This is the best!”

“Woahhh!”

Loud cheers echoed across the field. When I peeked back in surprise, Xavier had one hand raised as he shouted.

Like a young warrior who had become the chief of a tribe.

I’ve never seen that kind of expression before. He looks like a boy.

“Kyaaah!”

“Woohoo!”

We shouted like we were competing with each other, burst into laughter, caught each other’s eyes, and leaned on each other affectionately.

We rode through the evening fields like that, feeling each other’s warmth.

Friedrich was indeed a fine horse. We arrived at the ducal  residence in less than thirty minutes. The ducal residence, where the master had not yet returned, was brightly lit for the evening.

“Whoa, whoa.”

Xavier, who pulled the reins to stop Friedrich, jumped down from the horse first and helped me down. The stable boy approached, gave his greetings, and took Friedrich away. Friedrich and the stable boy disappeared into the darkness toward the stables.

Xavier, who had been watching them for a moment, turned his gaze to me and said,

“You must be tired.”

“Though it might not be right for someone who just played to say this, but a little bit, yes.”

“I played too, didn’t I?”

“Ah, is that so?”

This might be a bit embarrassing to say, but I should…

“By the way, thank you. For coming to the boat ride.”

“I’m sorry I was late, Yuria.”

His teal eyes sparkled as they caught the light from the entrance lantern.

“What do you mean? I’m grateful you came at all. And thanks to that, I got to ride Friedrich too.”

“I’m glad you think that way.”

Feeling a bit awkward, I quickly climbed the entrance stairs and asked.

“Did your audience with His Majesty the Emperor go well?”

“Yes, it did.”

Xavier answered softly while looking straight ahead.

As we passed through the mansion’s huge entrance doors, servants rushed out from somewhere. The servants lined up on both sides and bowed in greeting.

“Welcome back, Your Grace, Madam.”

Albert came running hurriedly, his monocle chain swaying.

“Welcome back, Your Grace, Madam. I’m glad you both met well.”

“Yes. Was everything alright?”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

“Albert, please arrange for dinner after our baths.”

I was so hungry. I needed to wash up and eat something quickly. Albert, wearing a kind smile, looked at me and answered.

“Yes, Madam. I will arrange for dinner to be ready after your bath. Would Your Grace like the same?”

“Yes.”

“I will inform the head butler and head maid to prepare the bath water.”

Xavier patted Albert’s shoulder and turned around. It was a signal for him to withdraw.

When you climb the central entrance stairs, the corridor splits into two at the center. My bedroom is on the left, and Xavier’s is on the right.

I turned to the left and looked back at Xavier.

“Xavier, thank you for today. Good night.”

As Xavier turned around a beat later, I noticed his shirt was completely soaked.

Was he hot? He seemed fine just moments ago — it was strange.

Though his posture hadn’t collapsed, his face was pale as he turned around slowly and laboriously.

Looking down at the hall below the stairs, the servants were busy with their assigned tasks.

When I turned my attention back to Xavier, his lips, which had been pressed in a straight line, parted.

“Could we bathe together today?”