He was afraid that if he approached her quickly, she would get scared and flap her wings and fly away. So it also created a downside that wasn’t there. He became a man who was tickled without even being tickled. Lawrence looked slightly disappointed. What was she disappointed in? Was it disappointing that he got tickled? Did she like being tickled? Or was it because his shortcomings were not as big as he thought? Everything was perfectly equipped for him. He excelled in both literary and military affairs, and was supported by power and military force, and while working with Lawrence, his financial resources were naturally resolved. In addition, he was able to get rid of the evil rumors that were piled up by regaining the feelings he had missed for a long time one by one. These were the most perfect moments ever. But what about weaknesses? What could they be?
Ian smiled. He went over to the bed and sat down, lincking his lips. He felt like he could feel her soft touch again. In my mind, he wanted to covet her mouth twice or three times. No, he wanted to feel the squishy swimming in it. That was called greed and he demanded more than that. In front of her, his senses were always keen and sharp. He didn’t miss a single detail. The strange raising that started with the change in Lawrence’s expression came back and pierced his nerves. And everything became paralyzed and she ran away as if she could not speak anymore. So he naturally found out even if he didn’t want to know. The fact that he also had weaknesses
“… haha.”
It was a clumsy laugh. His forced smile did not cause his eyes to bend. Literally, the mask made with forced laughter was reflected in the mirror, and soon it was paired.
“Weaknesses, Lawrence.”
His hand brushed his dry face. Hands brushed his nose, passed his mouth, and gathered around his chin, supporting his tired face. Ian quietly admitted his weakness through his tired eyes.
“You.”
She was a weakness and the only one who made him weak. It was the moment he realized again that it was Lawrence.
* * *
When I opened my eyes, I was momentarily taken aback when I saw a pattern different from the ceiling in my room. Oh, this wasn’t my room. It was a temporary shelter that happened to be tied up for a while. I raised my upper body, leaned my back against the bed wall, and straightened my body with a languid yawn. I usually didn’t sleep well at other people’s houses, but yesterday I slept particularly well. Was I tired? I thought for a moment, but then shook my head. Tired was right, but that wasn’t the reason. An awkward laugh flowed. Ian’s face came into my mind again. I closed my eyes thinking about that human face and fell asleep. scratched his cheek Ha, I thought dating would have nothing to do with me in this life, but within a year, my mind became confused. I was taught that I shouldn’t like people by looking at their faces, but it would be surprising if my grandfather found out that I was suddenly smitten with their faces.
I closed my mouth. My throat was dry, perhaps because the weather was dry, and my lips were dry. I got up to call to see if there was anyone outside her, put my foot in her slipper, and as if I had been waiting, I opened her door and her maid came in. She was a little red-haired girl whom I saw briefly yesterday. How old was she? I remembered how a little maid named Woolley had offered to protect her when there was an assassination attempt not long ago. A bloody laugh flowed. Would this lady-in-waiting be like that? Was she about fifteen years old? She looked young on the outside, but she was quite mature in what she did. It must mean that she was well educated. As soon as she entered, she looked at me and smiled softer than I expected. It glistens in the morning sunlight like a flower full of vitality.
“Have you had any troubles over the night, Miss Laurencia?”
“Huh? There was nothing like that.”
She lifted the water bottle opposite her and poured a little into her cup and handed it to me. How did she know? I was thirsty, but instead of saying thank you, I took a sip and showed a satisfied expression. I could see the dimples on her face. Ugh, baby.
“What’s your name?”
“My name is Patricia.”
“Patricia? And your age?”
“Fifteen.”
The maids working in the nobles’ castles were quite young. Most of the ladies-in-waiting were from aristocratic families, and most of them were of a certain age, but the age gap between the maids was narrow and low because they had lived and received education in the castle since they were children.
“Since when have you been working at the castle?”
“Since I was five years old.”
“Really?”
I looked at her, wondering if she was also an orphan. I wanted to ask straight away, but I turned my head away from asking as if I was opening a sore wound.
‘My parents are both dead. It was an infectious disease!’
I didn’t even ask, and it was embarrassing to listen to the answer, but the words that came out of her mouth were heavy. Patricia grinned as she looked up as she wiped the water near her mouth with her bewildered face. Ooh, she was smiling.
“Then, how can you be working here?”
“No. My father was a soldier in the military. My family was supposed to live together in that case, so we lived on the northern border together, but at that time, my father and mother died in a surprise attack. I survived by the sacrifice of the two of them.”
“Oh…”
I wondered if this was the right conversation to hear as soon as I woke up. Wasn’t it too heavy? I felt like I had to sit down and listen to a confession of my heart while opening a bottle of alcohol, but I was at a loss. What should I do? Should I comfort her? In the middle of my thoughts, Patricia laughed again.
“At that time, the person who brought orphaned children like me and helped them work while raising them in the castle was the former Grand Duke of Berdian. I am grateful.”
“I see. It must have been hard.”
Instead of answering, she smiled at me. When she smiled like that, she looked like my age. I turned my head and took another sip of water. This one, you shouldn’t ask the maids how old they are. I turned my gaze to the papers on the table. I brought it to take a look last night and I have never opened it.
“Hmm…”
As I stared at her, wanting to read a bit, Patricia spoke to her.
“Shall I prepare some water?”
Shall I wash first? I nodded and got up from my seat.
* * *
After refreshingly washing, I left my wet hair in Patricia’s hands and listened to her talk about this and that.
“The current head of the family, Grand Duke Berdian, is quite caring. He extends his hand to play with people like us first and treats us without discrimination. Compared to other places, the pay is much better to work here. Besides, when I got married, I changed my last name. When one leaves, you’re given a dowry.”
The provision of dowries to the maids was also a provision stipulated in the law. It was proof that times were changing. However, compliance with that provision was rare. Therefore, even the act of giving a dowry was enough to receive praise.
“I can save a lot because I have a lot of money, and I have a dowry, so all my older sisters who were maids went out and are living well. There are also older sisters who became nobles because they met the nobles.”
“Do you dream of that too?”
“No.”
No? I raised my head and looked up at her, and saw that Petrisha had a bitter, ungirlish smile on her face.
“I don’t want to leave. This castle. It’s like home to me.”
“…Ah.”
Well, since she’s been around for 10 years since she was five years old, it’s natural, but I adjusted the height so that she could dry her head comfortably with her head down again. It felt good to dry her hair more skillfully than I thought. I closed my eyes, focused on the sensation in her hands, and listened to her voice.
“The butler who is blunt but always takes care of us and the head maid are very kind. She always tells me to tell her if I need anything.”
I would reach out my hand if a five-year-old was wandering around after losing his parents. I understood their feelings.
“When I’m here, I’m less likely to be ignored by other nobles. The maids jokingly say that it’s a noble job.”
“So you can’t get married?”
“Marriage…”
She hesitated and couldn’t quickly forget her words, as if there was a story behind them. Was marriage good? I slightly rolled my eyes and looked at Patricia’s face in the mirror. Her face was bent down, and her lips were pressed down tightly. Seeing that, I also sighed inwardly. Every word is an ambush.
“It’s never your fault that your parents died protecting you. They both want you to be happy. So don’t beat yourself up too much.”
I didn’t know exactly, but I thought it might not be like this. It was a pity that the word marriage could never come to me warmly when I remembered the two people who sacrificed for themselves, or that I sadly thought that I shouldn’t be happy. Patricia stopped her hand. I got up from her seat and looked down at her. Her slightly reddened eyes broke her heart.
‘Ha…’
Why should these children bear the pain? I have been sick to my stomach. I brushed her hair, determined to pay more attention to welfare work when I returned. It’s soft. Patricia bowed her head, blushing in embarrassment. As I smiled at her cuteness, she heard a knock on her door.
“Come on in.”
In line with my answer, the door opened.
“The butler.”
It was a no-butler. He glanced at me and Patricia, then bowed down on her, then spoke with a clear demeanor.
“Did you have a good night last night?”
“Thanks.”
“Please speak comfortably.”
Instead of answering, he smiled. The butler looked at me blankly and brought up a business.
“Could I ask you one favor?”
“Please?”
Patricia withdrew her hand that had been stroking her hair. What please? As I tilted my head, the butler hesitated for a moment before carefully opening his mouth.
“What happened to the Grand Duke…”
“Huh?”
Why was Ian here? Facing the butler’s puzzled face, he narrowed his brows.
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
Hello there! This is RJR. I hope you liked it <3
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