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Chapter 37: An Unexpected Encounter

As promised, Aracilla took leave from the Mage Tower and attended to the Grand Madam, who treated her no differently than a common maid.

Ordering her to fetch this and that was just the beginning.

She had to clean the room under the Grand Madam’s watchful eye, polish her shoes until they gleamed, and personally fetch her washing water.

At one point, the Grand Madam even tossed her a dress with a slightly torn lace and ordered her to mend it herself.

Although noble ladies were generally expected to possess at least average embroidery skills, Aracilla had never been particularly skilled at needlework.

Naturally, when she returned with the best repair she could manage, the Grand Madam erupted in fury.

“Are you defying me right now?”

“No, Grand Madam. I simply did as you asked. Why are you angry?”

“You turned my dress into a rag!”

Thanks to Aracilla’s fantastic sewing skills, the dress’s sleeves had ended up awkwardly folded in half. Seething, the Grand Madam hurled the garment aside, convinced that Aracilla had done it on purpose.

But Aracilla, who had pricked her fingers repeatedly while struggling to mend the dress, was deeply wronged. She had genuinely given it her best effort, and this was the result.

“Go fetch one of your own dresses! I’ll make it look just the same!”

“Understood, Grand Madam.”

With little attachment to her clothes, Aracilla quickly retrieved one of her own dresses.

Seeing her return with such a bright, unbothered expression, the Grand Madam’s blood pressure skyrocketed.

What she wanted was a look of sorrow and humiliation—not that cheerful face.

Frustrated, she ordered her maid to shred Aracilla’s dress into pieces with a pair of scissors. Then she snapped,

“I can’t stand the sight of you! Get out immediately!”

“Understood. Call me if you need anything else.”

After offering a polite bow, Aracilla stepped out of the room.

The moment she exited, the maids in the hallway stirred, their eyes filled with concern as they looked at her.

The Grand Madam’s voice had been so loud that her outbursts had echoed beyond the door. The maids were certain that Aracilla had suffered a terrible humiliation, and their gazes were filled with pity.

“…Madam, are you alright?”

A maid cautiously approached her.

It was the young maid who had previously been caned by the Grand Madam.

Recognizing her immediately, Aracilla smiled warmly.

“I’m fine. But Cindy, shouldn’t you still be resting? Your hands haven’t fully healed yet.”

“O-oh… It’s not that bad…”

“What are you saying with both your hands wrapped in bandages? Rest until you’re fully recovered. Don’t overdo it.”

“But Madam, how can I rest when you’re suffering so much because of me…?”

Tears welled up in Cindy’s eyes, and Aracilla gently patted her shoulder.

“This isn’t your fault, Cindy. You’re my maid now, so of course, I’ll protect you.”

“Madam…”

“Don’t worry about anything else. Just focus on healing, alright?”

With a light wave, Aracilla walked away.

Having been summoned at dawn and made to run errands all day, she was utterly exhausted.

How was waiting on the Grand Madam more exhausting than working at the Mage Tower?

‘No wonder they say dealing with people is the hardest job.’

She had just gained a newfound understanding of that truth.

Once she was gone, the remaining maids exchanged excited whispers, their eyes sparkling.

“How can Madam be so kind and considerate?”

“Now that I think about it, she’s always been generous about small mistakes.”

“Why did we never realize how amazing our Madam was before? Ugh, I regret not doing anything during the Rosalyn incident.”

Most of them were maids who had originally served the estate. After the incident with Rosalyn, they had withdrawn and kept their distance from Aracilla.

Unlike the maids from the Hugo Marquisate, who got along well with her, they had always felt awkward and distant.

But that day, when Aracilla had stepped in like a hero to shield Cindy, their closed-off hearts had begun to open.

And just now, seeing how she never once blamed Cindy, their admiration didn’t just grow—it completely overflowed.

Madam just called us her maids.

That means… she’s our Madam too!

“Isn’t there anything we can do for Madam?”

“She acts like it’s nothing, but I heard she cries silently at night…”

“Really? Oh no, that’s heartbreaking.”

They imagined Aracilla secretly sobbing alone at night and felt an overwhelming surge of sympathy.

It was entirely a rumor started by Audrey, who had spread it on Aracilla’s orders. But the maids had no way of knowing that.

“We’ve only ever served our masters before, so we don’t know what to do in a situation like this. Should we ask maids from other households for advice?”

“That’s a great idea! And we should also spread the truth about how kind Madam really is!”

“Yes! A lot of people still don’t know the real reason why the previous maids were dismissed because of Rosalyn and the old head maid.”

There had been lingering rumors about how Aracilla had driven out the previous maids shortly after getting married.

Had she brought in maids from her own family from the start, it wouldn’t have seemed so odd. But the sudden replacement had made it look suspicious from the outside.

Aracilla herself never paid much attention to such gossip, but the maids who knew the truth felt uncomfortable about it.

It wasn’t that Madam was capricious—Rosalyn and the old head maid were in the wrong.

“From now on, let’s be good to Madam and defend her if anyone speaks ill of her!”

“Agreed! It’s always the maids who shape the Madam’s reputation!”

Clenching their fists in determination, the maids resolved to protect Aracilla’s name.

Ironically, they were now actively aiding Aracilla’s hidden agenda.

Her goals were twofold.

First, to lull the Grand Madam into underestimating her. Second, to make sure her atrocities became widely known.

That way, when the time came, it would be easier to drive her out.

The problem was that the maids from the Hugo household knew Aracilla well enough to doubt the rumors. So they hadn’t spread them as she had hoped.

Instead, it was the original estate maids—who still didn’t fully understand her—that were enchanted by the fabricated stories and unknowingly played right into her plan.

Asking for advice from outsiders, they inadvertently leaked details about Aracilla’s supposed suffering at the Grand Madam’s hands.

And so, the rumors began to spread.

“Lately, I’m so worried about our Madam. The Grand Madam is being unbelievably cruel to her. She treats her like a maid, barely feeds her, and won’t even let her sleep properly.”

Each retelling exaggerated the story further.

“Did you hear? The Grand Madam is tormenting the Madam terribly. She forces her to do harsh servant work, only gives her one meal a day, and won’t even let her sleep!”

“Oh my god, what?! Madam Vandermeer is being abused like a slave? They say if she disobeys, they withhold her food! And if she dozes off, they beat her!”

“I heard terrifying things about the Vandermeer estate. Supposedly, the Madam is locked up during mealtimes and starved. At night, she’s tortured! The Grand Madam has completely turned her into a slave!”

Passing from maid to maid, these words eventually reached their masters.

And from there, they slowly trickled into high society.

The Countess of Hounds and the Grand Madam of Vandermeer had a long-standing acquaintance.

Their connection had begun when the Countess’s father borrowed money from the Grand Madam’s father, establishing a clear hierarchy between them. Nevertheless, whenever she visited the capital, they always met.

Sensing that Aracilla’s spirit had weakened somewhat, the Grand Madam arranged a gathering with her. Several other well-known noblewomen from the capital also attended.

“Young people these days are so brazen and disrespectful. If we elders do not instill proper discipline, I worry how they will manage in life,” the Grand Madam remarked.

The first to agree was the Countess of Hounds.

“My thoughts exactly. That’s why my husband and I have yet to pass down our title. The moment we step aside, it’s obvious how they’ll start treating us.”

“They have absolutely no regard for their elders. Especially the young women! Once married, they should serve their mother-in-law even more devotedly than their own mother.”

“The lower-born ones are at least a little better. But those from higher-ranking families? They are insufferably arrogant—oh, don’t even get me started!”

The noblewomen waved their hands dismissively, taking turns gossiping. Some of them had daughters of their own, but in such discussions, it was an unspoken rule that their daughters were automatically exempt.

Either that, or they had already raised them under the same strict expectations.

“That’s precisely why I am staying at my grandson’s estate—to educate his wife.”

The Grand Madam set down her teacup after taking a graceful sip. Immediately, a flurry of flattery followed.

“Oh my! Receiving the Grand Madam’s guidance is a once-in-a-lifetime honor. How enviable!”

“I wish I had learned from you when I was younger—I would have managed my household so much better. The Lady Vandermeer is truly blessed.”

“Indeed, having such a respectable elder in the family is a tremendous fortune. I’m tempted to send my daughter to receive some of your teachings as well.”

“I’d like to send my second daughter-in-law. She could use a lesson or two.”

At this, laughter rippled through the group. The Grand Madam, clearly pleased, allowed herself a small smile.

Just then, the final attendee arrived—late.

“My apologies for being late. An urgent matter arose at home, and I had to take care of it before coming.”

“Come in, Marchioness White. Hurry and greet the Grand Madam.”

The Countess of Hounds, as the hostess, gently took her hand and guided her toward the Grand Madam.

The Grand Madam narrowed her eyes at the unfamiliar guest. The White March was the rival household of House Hugo, was it not?

“Greetings, Grand Madam. This is our first meeting. I am Nicole White.”

With a polite smile, the Marchioness introduced herself, then pulled her daughter forward.

“This is my daughter, Nora White.”

“It is an honor to meet you, Grand Madam.”

Following her mother’s lead, Nora bowed demurely.

Having dealt only with the insufferably defiant Aracilla lately, the Grand Madam found herself pleased by the girl’s obedient demeanor.

Yes, this is how a noble young lady should behave.

“The Marchioness and I have grown quite close since last year. Her daughter, though still young, is one of the rare girls these days with a clear and upright mind. I wanted to introduce her to you, Grand Madam.”

The Countess of Hounds sat close beside the Grand Madam, making her approval clear. Fortunately, the Grand Madam showed no hostility toward these new attendees.

The noblewomen resumed their conversation, while the White mother and daughter quietly observed, taking in the dynamics of the group.

So, they’re gossiping about their daughters-in-law.

Soon, the topic shifted to Aracilla, the Grand Madam’s own granddaughter-in-law.

Eager to win the Grand Madam’s favor, each noblewoman took turns criticizing her.

“The Lady Vandermeer must learn to be grateful for the Grand Madam’s grace and correct her ways.”

“I simply cannot understand why she continues working at the Mage Tower even after marriage.”

“Well, they didn’t call her an eccentric for nothing before she got married. The Grand Madam must be suffering so much, having to educate someone like her.”

At that moment, someone turned to Nora White.

“Come to think of it, isn’t she around your age? Lady White, how is the Lady Vandermeer perceived among her peers?”

That was when Nora, who had been sitting quietly with a modest expression, finally spoke.

“Since our academy days, the Lady Vandermeer has been known for her outspoken and confident nature. When faced with opposition, she asserts her opinions firmly and never fears making enemies.”

It was a polite way of saying that Aracilla was stubborn, headstrong, and lacked social influence.

With a soft smile, Nora added,

“For someone like her, repetitive gentle instruction may not be effective. A single, impactful lesson would work much better.”

“An impactful lesson?”

“Yes, something like… the Passing of the Purple Violets.”

A murmur spread through the group.

The Passing of the Purple Violets was, in essence, a public social execution.

It was a ritual used to openly expose someone’s faults or disgrace.

In this practice, members of high society would take turns presenting the accused with a violet while delivering pointed remarks about their transgressions.

During this time, the recipient was required to remain completely silent, unable to defend themselves until they had received every last violet.

This meant standing still and watching as their reputation crumbled in real-time.

If they broke the rule and spoke out, they would suffer an even greater consequence—permanent exile from high society.