26

Elena smiled.

"On the honor of the Grand Duke, I give you my word, madam."

"Can you really promise me that?"

"As much as you want. If you want, I can leave it in writing for you. I don't want to recommend it because it would leave obvious evidence, but I can write it down for you if you want."

Madame de Flanrose was so troubled that she had all her brains in operation. As a woman who acted like a lady among ladies in society, but was willing to commit indecent adultery behind her back, she was quick to choose.

"No, I believe in your promise."

"That's a wise judgment."

Elena, who closed the deal, leisurely lifted the teacup and took it to her mouth.

"You can tell Leabrick that you sent me that child in return for the handkerchief."

"Yes, Your Highness the Princess."

"Let's stay close in the future, Madame."

"…"

When Elena left room for continued relationship, Madame de Flanrose made a face that could not laugh or cry, and the lady only drank the tea. Soon after, Leabrick returned to the drawing room wearing a neat empire dress.

"I'm sorry I've been away for so long."

Leabrick sat down again, asking for her understanding.

"Did you talk while I was away?"

"We spoke about the manners of ladies. I'll never forget this conversation today because every word Madame said here was such a gem."

Elena had returned to being a pure noblewoman, as if the secret talks had never even existed in the first place. Madame de Flanrose thought it was ridiculous but she couldn't show any sign of it because she was in a position where she couldn't even resist Elena in such a duplicitous way.

"Your Highness, the reason I'm here is to return the handkerchief."

"I wasn't hoping for a return."

Elena even tried to dissuade her, but Madame de Flanrose remained faithful to her role.

"She's only been taking care of me for about two years. She is a well-mannered and well-spoken child. She is a child of excellent character and talent. I believe she is worthy of the dignity and regalness of Your Highness."

"M-Ma-Madame, you're giving me Madame's maid of honor? Really?"

Elena covered her mouth with her hands with emotion.

"Yes, it's only a little, but it's a thank you from Her Highness. Will you accept it?"

"Of course…"

Elena, who was willing to answer, blurted out the end of her words and looked at Leabrick's face. If it was a private meeting, she had to move according to her judgment as long as Leabrick was present. Elena, however, was sure that Leabrick would never turn down the offer.

'You can't miss this opportunity.'

It was a gift from none other than Madame de Flanrose. In aristocratic society, the correspondence with a maid was a symbol and proof of a relationship and bond that could not be translated into money.

However, Leabrick did not readily answer. It was feared that Elena was known as a substitute. The maid she had been given as a gift had been placed as her direct maid of honor, and she wondered if the secret would leak out from that part of her mind. As the hesitation grew longer, Madame de Flanrose asked again what was on her mind.

"Excuse me, Your Highness?"

"That's…"

The struggling Leabrick had made her decision and naturally interjected.

"I'm afraid this is the first time she's given something in return, so it's not an easy decision for Her Highness to make. Please, Your Highness. Madame is embarrassed."

"Yes? Yes! Madame, I will gladly accept. I'll probably never forget the feeling I had today."

Elena was delighted with a bright smile. It was not a pretentious smile, but a sincere smile. It didn't matter if she showed her true feelings at this moment.

"I feel much better now that I see Your Highness's favor. I'll visit you from time to time. Let's get along."

"I'd be honored if you did. I'll be waiting, Madame."

Elena and Madame de Flanrose held hands affectionately.

***

Count Rondo. On behalf of the crippled Count Rondo, Madame de Flanrose dealt with the count's big events. Her work was as fair as her social reputation, so no one from the lower ones to the nobles found fault with it.

"You called me, ma'am."

Madame de Flanrose called May, the maid, into the office, scared to return after just going out.

"Come close."

"Yes, ma'am."

Madame de Flanrose looked at May, who was polite and undisturbed. Her skin was clean without a freckle, not always doing chores in the sun. Her hair was near, gently covering her ears, and her level shoulders were calm and steady.

"How long have you been here?"

"This is my second year."

"Time flies so fast. Come to think of it, you've been a well-behaved kid since you first came here."

"I'm flattered, ma'am."

Despite the praise of Madame de Flanrose, who was rumored to be stingy with praise, May showed no signs of excitement or joy. Although she was only a maid, the calmness she often showed was sometimes surprising to Madame de Flanrose.

"When I saw you, I felt sorry that you weren't born into a noble family."

"Nobility. It doesn't matter, ma'am."

May bowed her head as if she had heard too much praise for herself. Madame de Flanrose, who was staring at May, said.

"I'll say nothing more than that. The heavens decide the nobility. Raise your head and look at me."

May carefully raised her head. She stared at Madame de Flanrose's chin without making eye contact so as not to offend. It was a perfect gaze treatment that she really wanted to use as an example of a maid. It was regrettable that she was sending such a child to the Grand Duke, but she gave up because she thought that her life was first.

"You are capable of becoming the head maid of any family. I'd like to recommend a family that would suit you."

"Madame?"

Madame de Flanrose spoke calmly.

"I want you to go to the Great House"

"…!"

May's eyes shook seriously. It was the first time that Madame de Flanrose had seen such a sympathetic May.

"Princess Veronica was very pleased to hear about you. Why don't you go to the Great House, considering your living conditions and future?"

"I-it's too sudden…"

"An important choice in life is always sudden. Would you like to go to the great house?"

May's eyes deepened. What was clear was that she was not wondering if she should hesitate. Rather, her eyes were filled with a small joy that she had never seen before. It was as if she had been waiting for this moment.

"Yes, I will follow your wishes, Madame."

May answered clearly in a small but powerful voice.

"That's a good idea. It will be a decision without regret."

Madame de Flanrose also nodded with a satisfactory smile. On the surface, it was a perfect deal to get what each other wanted. And it was none other than Elena who moved the perfect deal.

***

The carriage sent by Madame de Flanrose entered the Grand House. In spite of sending a maid, Madame de Flanrose did not hesitate to send her in a carriage with all her heart and effort. It was to show off her strong relationship with Princess Veronica.

May, who got out of the carriage, looked up at the mansion. The mansion of the great house, which was more splendid than the palace, was magnificent enough to exclaim itself.

"Are you May?"

Anne, who was standing in front of the mansion waiting for her, pretended to know her with a twisted posture. May looked at Anne without saying a word. She looked three or four years younger than her eyes, but how could she be so rude to her at their first meeting? She could sense that she was unhappy from the start, or that she was trying to take advantage of the situation to gain the upper hand in the maid pecking order.

"Yes."

When May responded, Anne crossed her arms and scattered May up and down with an unpleasant expression. She didn't seem to like May, who was fairer-skinned and prettier than her freckled self.

"You brought all the papers, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"Follow me."

It was in Leabrick's office that Anne took the new girl, thinking about how to mess with her.

"Give me what you brought."

May was handing out her ID card, personal details, and recommendation letters written by Madame de Flanrose to Leabrick. Without missing a single word, Leabrick checked again and again for any suspicious points.

'… ..I don't like it, but I can't help it considering the reputation of the Princess which fell to the ground.'

Although she still disapproved of having a maid from outside for Elena, she decided to endure it to raise the social status of Princess Veronica. When there was nothing strange about her identity, Leabrick presented the contract, and May signed it without a hitch.

"From this moment on, you are the direct maid of honor for Her Highness. If you don't understand something, ask Anne here and learn."

"Yes, I will serve Her Highness with all my heart."

"Go and say hello to Her Highness."

May bowed and then left the office. Anne described the mansion in quick succession, but she was in the air. May didn't mind too much, as she had expected some restraint and addition. It was her priority to understand what was going on inside the mansion.

Anne stopped in front of the main building's most ornate and large marble gate. There was still a hint of respectability, but when she saw the knight of splendid appearance guarding the door, she knew that this was Princess Veronica's room.

"Your Highness, I've brought your new maid of honor."

"Let her in."

A clear voice was heard beyond the door. Anne, who was impatient, urged.

"What are you standing there for? Her Highness is waiting for you."

May entered the room, pushing the handle slowly. Even at a glance, the room was much larger than the one Madame de Flanrose had stayed in. Elena was sitting by the window, soaking up the warm sunshine.

"Come here."

At Elena's call, May approached. A steady stride and an unbroken line of shoulders. She stood in front of Elena with surprisingly perfect steps to be considered a maid's gesture.