Josephine

"I am glad that you consider me capable enough to suggest this, but I have to refuse. My mother would be greatly displeased," Odette turned him almost immediately.

Those words contained lies. Her mother would not be displeased if she trained with him, and many times she even encouraged her on that, mentioning on how she should create trouble for Richard or learn his methods.

However, training with him would make Odette feel restrained and bored. It was totally useless in her opinion, and she had no desire whatsoever to waste her time on this.

"That's too bad," he answered, "I won't be forcing you. But hopefully, we can exchange pointers at times. Does that sound feasible?"

Picking up a biscuit from the plate, she said, "Sure, but I doubt you will gain anything useful."

Shaking his head, he replied, "No, I believe I have a lot to learn from you."

The corner of her lips curved upwards. As expected, Richard Albinius was sharp.

°°°

Odette's eyes trained on the shiny blade of the silver dagger. Her finger trailed on the smooth surface as her face was reflected on the clean blade.

Impatience to meet Adrian ran through her.

She was also faintly amused by how she thought deep about the impression she wanted to leave on Adrian. It was odd, just as her interest in the boy.

She wanted to make it so that the day is etched into his memories for the years to come.

Because of the severity of injuries, along with him having to cope up mentally, the day has been delayed to tomorrow.

Odette couldn't recall what happened in her last life on the same day, most likely due to how dull the event had been.

The footsteps resounded, and not knowing whom they belonged to, Odette didn't bother with raising her head.

One of the senior maids stepped inside her room after bowing, and a stoic expression sat upon her features. A glass containing milk was placed on the tray carried by the maid.

Because of the impact left, Josephine Maevius was one of those maids she remembered well.

Born to a noble household, she was married to a baron. However, after a couple of years of her marriage, her husband had passed away, and she began to start working at the Albinius household.

Unlike the other maids, Josephine did not fear her. In fact, she was one of those very few maids who dared to go against her words at times.

This was solely because Josephine took orders only from Valentina, Odette's mother. Josephine was stationed here to monitor Odette and report back on her actions to Valentina.

Her status made it easy for her to get promoted to become Odette's personal maid, and therefore, matters in her quarters easily reached into her ears.

Josephine placed the glass of milk on the table and said, "Lady Odette, here's your milk."

Odette killed off Josephine in her last life, and as her eyes directed towards that frail neck, Odette desperately wanted to strangle it, finishing her off again in the process.

Odette despised the ones who tried to have control over her.

During the previous life, the woman disrupted her plans and disobeyed her despite the warnings she had given, which was a generous move on her part, countless times. Therefore, unable to bear with her any longer, Odette took her life for good.

Watching how the maid walked away after bowing, Odette did want to kill her. That would save her a great deal of trouble. However, that would result in her mother sending someone else to replace Josephine.

Valentina did so in her last life, and Odette was against that even more. The thought of this caused her to clench her hand into a tight fist.

No matter what, Josephine can't go.

Her calm facade was long gone due to the turmoil of emotions inside her whilst she picked up the glass from the table and drank down the contents.