The Tyrant’s Leash Is Held by a Maid

First 12 chapters here

Ch. 13:

‘Why is he coming this way…?’

It was so quiet that the air felt thick with tension. Liana kept her head down, the thought of raising it not even crossing her mind.

“Should I pour the water?” Illyd said, a teasing smile on his face, and she suddenly came back to her senses, remembering that she had a job to do.

“Forgive me, your highness.” She quickly filled the basin on the table with water for hand washing before retreating. She was embarrassed, having been so busy trying to remember how to take care of her lady that she had forgotten how to treat her lady’s lover.

‘No, but… usually he would leave before the lady’s personal maid comes in.’

Recalling Deborah’s instructions, Liana held out a towel to Illyd, her hands steady. He took it and washed his hands before glancing at the maid.

“And the room?”

“Pardon?”

“Did you find your way to Natasha’s room without getting lost again?”

He was referring to her visit to the palace. “Oh, yes. Thankfully, a lady-in-waiting kindly gave me directions.”

Illyd’s piercing eyes seemed to look right through Liana. It felt suffocating, but she withstood his gaze.

He was the one in a state of undress, but Liana somehow felt self-conscious, as though it was her whose clothes looked sloppy. Was it because of his confidence?

After what felt like an eternity, Illyd buttoned up his shirt. It seemed he had finally regained his sense of modesty.

“Take care of Natasha,” he said, turning and walking towards the door.

“Oh, by the way.”

Liana had finally relaxed and taken a moment to breathe when he turned his back, but she stiffened when he spoke again.

“Did you forget something this morning?”

“…Excuse me?” Liana raised her head uneasily and saw Illyd look down at the bottom of her skirt. Following his gaze, she noticed a small stain on her hem.

Liana blushed, mortified that he had noticed her mistake before she did. She had been pressed for time and had only changed her apron, not thinking anyone would notice a mark on her black uniform.

“My apologies, your highness.” Liana bowed her head again, hoping to hide the redness on her cheeks. Illyd just shrugged and left the room.

—

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Etaila, the royal family of Kadogan was holding a banquet.

Because the four princes of Etaila would be attending as envoys, the attire for the ball was to be more formal than usual. Therefore, the outfit recommended to Natasha Baldwin by her personal maid was a navy décolleté dress with a beautiful lace design covering her cleavage.

The dress had sleeves of white frills and delicate lace on the skirt meant to be attached to her elbows so that a train would flow behind her.

Natasha, who was looking at her reflection in the mirror with satisfaction, suddenly frowned. She had remembered the words of the man who was escorting her today.

Biting her red-painted lip, she thought of the last day she saw him.

“This is wrinkled, too…” Natasha’s words had come out as a complaint as she looked at the train of her dress.

Illyd had looked up with an elegant smile that did not fit his words. “Wouldn’t it be weird if you messed up your clothes, but that part was fine? Well, there’s no accounting for taste, so perhaps nobody would question it.”

She couldn’t believe that was what he was saying with that angelic face of his. She almost felt embarrassed on his behalf.

“At least that attitude is better than rushing to make up evidence.”

Natasha sighed, looking at the sapphire jewels adorning her ears. Following his orders like this was humiliating- it would have felt so much less insulting if it had been her idea.

She continued gazing at herself in the mirror, a slight frown marring her face.

“My lady…” Liana, who had just finished arranging Natasha’s necklace, spoke carefully.

“Yes?”

“Do you dislike these earrings?”

“No, no. I was just thinking about something else,” Natasha said absentmindedly, turning back to face herself again. But the maid, who was about to decorate her lady’s hair with a flower-shaped hairpin encrusted with diamonds and pearls, hesitated.

Natasha looked at her maid procrastinating with a tinge of irritation and suddenly got the urge to say her name.

“You’re Liana, right?”

“My lady-“

Their words overlapped, as the maid, who had been hesitating before, looked Natasha in the eyes and said, “I have something I need to tell you.”

Natasha’s perfectly arched eyebrows rose in surprise at the sudden change in her maid’s demeanor. It seemed this was a side of her she had not revealed until now.

When Natasha gave a slight nod, silently giving permission to speak, Liana began to tell her story.

“I was curious about the history of our holiday, so I went to the library to find a book, and while I was inside, I overheard a conversation between the young master and eldest lady. I know it was terribly rude, but I had to keep listening because they were talking about my mistress.”

Natasha’s dark green eyes sharpened at the unexpected words. She turned away from the mirror, looking directly at Liana. “Keep talking. What did you hear?”

“They said that Count Baldwin is planning to marry Lady Natasha to the Marquis of Owen.”

“The Marquis Arnold Owen, marry me?”

Natasha’s lip curled in disgust. Liana continued calmly, her facial expression staying blank.

“Yes. They said it was to make a deal with the Marquis so he would loosen his grip on the jewelry trade. They said the wedding would happen soon.”

Natasha chewed the inside of her cheek, remembering Illyd saying that it was strange for Marquis Owen to choose Baldwin to trade with instead of a better option. It seemed the prince had been right. She had been surprised at her father’s business skills, but it was just the result of selling her off.

It was a shock, but not at all surprising when she thought of her father. Had he welcomed the prince’s visit because it meant she would be worth a higher price?

Natasha tapped the edge of the table, lost in thought about what she should do, before suddenly looking at her maid and clasping her hands together. “Well done, Liana.”

“I’ve done only my duty, my lady. “

The maid’s face remained impassive, her head lowered respectfully. Impulsively, Natasha opened her mouth and said, “What would you do?”

Natasha had asked out of frustration, but she didn’t expect much of an answer- a maid’s response to such a question was predictable. Her head was beginning to hurt, and she rubbed at her temples as she clarified the question. “If you were in my situation, what do you think you would do?”

“If I were you, my lady?” Liana pursed her lips, a serious look on her face. Instead of the meaningless condolences Natasha was expecting, she said, “I think I would try to make contact with the second son of Marquis Owen.”

Natasha’s eyes sharpened at the unexpected name. “Owen’s second son, you say?”

Liana noticed this change in expression, but she didn’t stop talking. “Yes. From what I remember, his name is… Benjamin Owen, right?”

“Right. Where did you hear about him?”

“When the young master told Lady Angelica you would be marrying Lord Owen, she asked if he meant Benjamin Owen. That’s when I heard his name.”

“No, not that. How did you know that Benjamin sent me a letter? It was delivered secretly by a close aide of his.”

The maid blinked confusedly at the remark.

There was no way. “You really didn’t know? You just happened to recommend I make a deal with Benjamin Owen?” Natasha asked skeptically.

“I really didn’t know, my lady.”

“Truly?

“Yes, I just thought he might be interested.”

“Why?”

“When Lady Angelica heard Lord Percival mention the House of Owen, she seemed very confident in her assumption that he was referring to Benjamin, so she has probably noticed him show interest in you at some point.” Liana continued to speak softly and calmly. “If Lord Benjamin has a crush on you, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to start a relationship with him and declare it to society. Even a man like Marquis Owen wouldn’t get away with stealing his son’s lover to make her his second wife.”

The maid had clearly put a lot of thought into her answer. After a moment of silence, she followed up her words anxiously. “But this is just my opinion, of course my lady will choose what’s best. Please just think of this as a passing comment and forget about it.”

Having no more to say, Liana stepped back into her standard position by the wall. Natasha watched her for another moment before looking away.

Benjamin Owen… He’d be a good choice as a back-up plan. She had a contract with Illyd, but that didn’t mean she trusted him, and it was always better to be prepared.

Natasha looked closely at her reflection. The woman she saw in the mirror was perfect. Taking in the effect of the sapphire earrings and necklace on the outfit, she once more turned to look at the maid who was standing beside her, hands clasped behind her back.

This was a maid who could choose the perfect accessories to match a dress. An uncommonly clever girl, who had brought Natasha extremely valuable information.

Where else could her talents be used?

Natasha rose from her seat, thinking to herself that it would be a waste to let go of this servant when House Baldwin fell, and grinned at the maid. It was a genuine smile, one she didn’t often show.

“Let’s go, Liana. Look forward to payday- you’ll be getting a bonus this month.”

As Natasha had expected, a faint blush appeared on the girl’s face.

 

TL/N: Hiiii! I’m Wal and this is my first time translating a novel, I hope you guys like it <3 Updates will be 3 times a week (MWF).