MWC Chapter 50

50. The Precious Lady

 

“You have a lot of scars too.”

Rakalt noticed that Adelen’s hands were covered in scars. He had held her hands a few times before and thought they were rough, but he hadn’t realized they were scarred as well.

“Oh… These are just from working. It’s nothing.”

What a ridiculous thing to say.

“If you got them from work, does that mean they’re not injuries?”

“But every maid has scars like these.”

“So, if everyone has them, does that mean they don’t hurt? Even though they’re deep enough to leave scars?”

“Well… that’s not true, but…”

She suddenly felt like she was being scolded. It was true that she had been indifferent to her own injuries.

She had always been too busy working, so unless a wound was serious, she would just wrap it quickly with a cloth and move on.

None of them had worsened badly enough to leave unsightly scars, but still…

“You make such a fuss over my bruises, yet you just leave your own wounds alone.”

Rakalt took the medicine bottle from her hands and started applying it to her old scars.

“These are old wounds. They’ve already healed.”

“You put medicine on my bruises too, didn’t you? Who even puts medicine on bruises?”

“Well, that’s…”

She was at a loss for words again. Rakalt silently continued rubbing the ointment onto her rough hands, his warmth soaking into her skin along with the medicine.

Adelen stared blankly at the warmth settling on the back of her hand.

Now that she thought about it, this was the first time someone had ever cared for her wounds and applied medicine for her.

She had never had anyone to take care of her. And only now, as a fully grown adult, did she realize it.

She was missing more than she thought.

She had no parents, no family, no birthday, and no one who had ever put medicine on her wounds.

It was only after receiving care that she realized how much she had lacked.

Maybe that’s why.

Even though she hadn’t cried when she scraped her palms badly after a fall, tears now threatened to well up.

 

***

 

“Oh my, what happened in just a few days? Why do you look so much prettier?”

The seamstress, who had come to help her dress, gasped dramatically upon seeing Adelen after a short time apart.

It sounded like a polite compliment, but it made Adelen glance at the mirror a second time.

After that day, perhaps because of something her master had said, the head butler had given her a scar-fading ointment.

She hadn’t thought she needed it, but since it was a gift from her master, she diligently applied it.

While doing so, she noticed small blemishes and tiny acne scars on her face. Thinking that they were scars too, she applied the ointment there as well—and unexpectedly, it had an amazing cosmetic effect.

“Now that you’ve gotten prettier, the dress will suit you even more! Oh, I’m so happy!”

The seamstress excitedly clapped her hands and rushed to fit Adelen into the dress.

Having gone through this process before, Adelen was now comfortable entrusting herself to their hands.

Today, a new team of attendants had also arrived—ones Maltina had personally sought out.

After she put on the dress, hairstylists and makeup artists immediately took over, smoothly switching places.

“Oh, please add this hairpiece as well.”

Adelen handed them the hair ornament Rakalt had given her for her birthday.

She had been keeping it safely stored away, but now, it was finally time to wear it.

When she took it out for the first time in a while, its overwhelming opulence still made her nervous.

“Did you buy this recently? Wow, this looks incredibly expensive.”

Even a professional, who was used to handling luxury goods, couldn’t help but admire it.

“I… happened to receive it.”

“Receive it? Someone gave it to you?”

“Um… yeah.”

“Wow… They must really cherish you. This is the kind of thing that gets passed down through generations. The craftsmanship, the quality of the gemstones—it’s incredible. Who gave it to you?”

“Uh… haha.”

If she said it was her master, rumors would surely spread beyond this house and into high society.

So, Adelen just laughed and dodged the question.

Fortunately, the experienced stylist didn’t press her any further, but their hands became noticeably more respectful as they continued styling her.

“I think you should take this off.”

After finishing her hair, the stylist gave her a final once-over from head to toe and pointed at something.

“Not the gemstone necklace, but the string necklace underneath. You wear that every day, right?”

“Oh.”

Adelen touched her chest and looked down.

Peeking out from her dress was a simple string necklace, tied in a small knot.

“If you absolutely must wear it, then there’s no helping it… but it doesn’t really match the outfit. It also overlaps with your necklace.”

“I… I’ll take care of it later.”

The stylist, realizing that Adelen hadn’t simply forgotten to remove it but had intentionally hidden it, smiled awkwardly and stepped back.

“Alright then, we’re finished. Take a look in the mirror to check everything, and you’re good to go.”

She had been sitting still like a doll, yet somehow, she already felt half her energy drained.

Once she was done, Adelen stepped out of the dressing room as if escaping.

 

***

 

“Are you done?”

Rakalt was already ready and seated on the living room sofa, flipping through some documents. Upon sensing movement, he turned his head.

Adelen, still adjusting to the unfamiliar weight of her long, flowing dress, walked carefully. When she noticed Rakalt’s gaze, she gave an awkward smile.

“Do I… look okay?”

“…Mm.”

Rakalt gave a small nod and stood up. Even as he stood, he continued looking at her—longer than necessary.

‘Is he checking to see if my outfit is appropriate?’

To reassure him, Adelen did a small turn in place.

“It doesn’t seem like there’s any problem.”

“I see.”

Even after saying that, Rakalt didn’t avert his gaze. Or rather, he couldn’t.

It had been the same when she wore his mother’s dress, and again during her fittings.

The contrast between Adelen in her maid uniform and Adelen in a dress was too stark. Every time he saw it, he was taken aback.

Dressed like this, she wasn’t a maid…she was unmistakably a noble lady of some distinguished family.

Because of that, he found himself unconsciously adjusting his demeanor around her.

If she had still been in her maid’s attire, he would have easily made a remark—something blunt, a simple assessment.

But now, he hesitated.

Then, he noticed the ornament in her hair, his gift.

“…Oh, this. I decided to wear it. I thought it matched the dress well… Thank you again, Master.”

Rakalt hadn’t known that Adelen had been constantly fiddling with the ornament. He had assumed it would just be stashed away somewhere.

But now, seeing it adorning her hair, he felt strangely pleased.

“…I see.”

However, one thing bothered him.

“You should start addressing me differently now.”

“Ah. From now?”

She was supposed to call him “Sir Rakalt” in the presence of other nobles.

There was no real need to start using it immediately.

But hearing her, dressed like a noblewoman, still calling him “Master” felt… off.

“Yes. You should get used to it in advance.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Adelen nodded without much thought. If this was part of the practice, then so be it.

“Sir Rakalt.”

She tested his name on her tongue.

When she had been teaching the baby to address him properly, the name had come out so easily.

But now, it felt slippery—like it kept trying to escape her mouth.

“Sir Rakalt.”

This is why practice is important.

“Good.”

Rakalt responded calmly.

Then, he did his own practice.

“Adelen.”

Just like her, he found the name rolling strangely on his tongue.

There had never been a need to say a maid’s name. Orders were given, and that was that.

Even though he had known her name, he had never spoken it aloud.

Now, hearing himself say it, he found that her name was just like her, soft and warm.

“…Yes?”

Adelen answered as she always did—demure and composed.

But for some reason, it didn’t feel the same as before.

“Let’s go.”

Rakalt extended his hand toward her.

After a moment’s hesitation, Adelen reached out and took it.

They weren’t at the party yet, but this was part of the rehearsal, too.

As they walked down the corridor, Adelen’s mind was consumed with thoughts of her hand.

Am I sweating? What if my hand slips? My fingers feel tingly…

She was so preoccupied with her hand that she barely noticed the weight of the baby in her other arm.

It wasn’t until she climbed into the carriage that she finally realized her arm was aching from holding the child.