27. The Great Flood
“This is outrageous! A palace maid as the chief handmaid?!”
The handmaids were furious—and rightfully so.
Not once had they ever considered themselves in the same category as the palace servants. To them, the servants were closer to disposable items like candles or curtains.
A candle suddenly announcing it would take the position of the chief handmaid was like the world being overturned by a great flood.
“Oh, you remember I was once a palace servant? How surprising. I thought you didn’t even know what a servant’s face looked like.”
Even in the midst of the enraged handmaids, Yvette showed not the slightest sign of intimidation.
To be honest, it was uncomfortable. But she had expected resistance.
And it wasn’t just any low-ranking position—they were naming her chief handmaid. It would be understandable even if the marchioness hired a sorcerer to curse her.
Still, oddly enough, she wasn’t scared.
Maybe it was because she’d experienced such strange things all day yesterday. If the Queen of Birds and the Empress, whom that queen protected, were on her side, then what was there to fear?
And Yvette believed in the Empress. The most frightening existence in the empire was the Emperor—not just because he was emperor, but because he bore the blood of demons. And yet, even he couldn’t overpower the Empress.
So in truth, the most terrifying person in the empire was the Empress. And that thought filled Yvette with pride.
“What nonsense are you speaking?!”
As Yvette calmly said her piece, the Marchioness shouted furiously.
Lacilia looked at the Marchioness.
“How rude. To speak down to a duke’s daughter. Her status has changed, so mind your manners from now on.”
With even the Empress speaking up, the Marchioness looked ready to clutch her neck and faint.
“Y-Your Majesty! How can this be?! A palace maid becoming a duke’s daughter?!”
“The Duke of Shurayden adopted her. It was a formal adoption, approved by His Majesty.”
“But who in the empire is this Duke Shurayden? Such a name doesn’t even exist!”
“You keep doubting my words. I will forgive this rudeness just once in light of the years you’ve spent at my side. If you’re curious about the Duke of Shurayden, I suggest reading up on imperial history. I grant you leave—stay at your estate and devote yourself to study. While we’re at it, you may leave the palace now.”
Marchioness Pashard trembled all over.
“Your Majesty… you can’t do this to me… You can’t just throw me away like I’m nothing…”
“I’m not throwing you away. I’m allowing you to rest. Why do you keep twisting my words? Are you doing it on purpose?”
“Your Majes—”
The Marchioness looked as if she might faint at any moment. The other handmaids stood frozen, unsure what to do, glancing between Lacilia and the Marchioness.
“You may go now. As I said, don’t return to the palace until you’ve read the history texts.”
“…”
Turning her back to the speechless Marchioness, Lacilia addressed the other handmaids.
“From today, the Duke Shurayden’s daughter will attend to me as chief handmaid. She may be inexperienced in the role, so I expect you to assist her earnestly. Make sure all the palace maids of the Empress’s residence know my decision.”
“…”
The handmaids glanced around nervously, unable to say anything.
“Did no one hear me?”
Lacilia pressed again, and only then came a faint reply, like a mosquito buzzing.
“Y-Yes… Understood, Your Majesty…”
Lacilia gave a small nod.
“Then I will bathe now. Only the Duke’s daughter may stay—the rest of you may leave.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
And so, the great flood that began in the morning came to a close—at least for now.
Thankfully, the underdress Lacilia wore today had buttons in the front, which made it easy to take off by herself.
After undressing and stepping into the bathtub, Yvette entered.
“Biiiii!”
Pipi had come along as well. It sprang from Yvette’s hand and landed on Lacilia’s towel-covered shoulder.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay there? It’s slippery when wet.”
Lacilia looked at Pipi and asked. Pipi shook its head vigorously.
“Bii.”
It rubbed its featherless head against her skin, as if to say it had missed her all night.
Lacilia smiled and stroked Pipi’s head.
“Just one more day. The Blue Moon ends tomorrow.”
“Biiii…”
Pipi was quite the spoiled one—just like someone else.
“But why the bath in the morning, Your Majesty? Wouldn’t it be better at night since it takes longer?”
Yvette paused from gently fanning the fire to ask.
“It wasn’t my idea.”
“Oh? Then whose?”
“It seems the Marchioness was hoping for something.”
“Hmm… I wonder what.”
Perhaps she meant to embarrass Lacilia by making her undress in front of the other handmaids. But thanks to Yvette, the plan was easily thwarted.
Still, it wasn’t something she could explain to Yvette.
It could cause trouble later.
Yvette knew about the mark and was helping hide it. If word got out, Yvette would be punished too. It might even reach Duke Shurayden.
That must never happen.
“Well… in any case, since she doesn’t like me, I plan to limit direct assistance for now. I should stick to undergarments with buttons in front. Nightwear too.”
“Oh, please don’t worry about service. I’ll do my best to make sure Your Majesty lacks nothing.”
That was exactly what Lacilia hoped to avoid.
“Leave my undergarments to me. It’s more comfortable that way.”
“Ah… Yes, Your Majesty.”
Yvette closed her mouth and resumed fanning the fire diligently. She accidentally breathed in some smoke and coughed. Though she was now the chief handmaid, Lacilia still saw her more as a palace servant.
Even though she was already in the bath and didn’t want to waste the effort, Lacilia was starting to think she hadn’t really needed it today.
“I’ll finish up now.”
“Huh? Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Go ahead and prepare my clothes for the day. I’ll dry off and dress myself.”
“But won’t it be difficult alone? I can help—”
“No. That would only take longer—for me and for the Emperor’s meal.”
“Ah, you’re right. Then I will obey, Your Majesty.”
Yvette jumped up and left the bath chamber.
As Lacilia rose from the tub, Pipi covered its eyes with its wings and turned around.
“Bii!”
“Oh, did I splash you?”
“Biii!”
“Oh, you were startled because I got up suddenly? Sorry. I’ll warn you next time.”
For a bird born just yesterday, its behavior was both ridiculous and a little adorable.
“You’ll grow up fast, won’t you?”
As Lacilia toweled off, Pipi kept its wings over its eyes.
“I wonder what you’ll look like when you’re grown.”
“Bii!”
Pipi, claiming it would become a dazzling bird, wiggled its little bottom while still turned away.
“Yes. A red bird must be quite a sight.”
“Biiiii!”
But Lacilia wouldn’t get to see that. Pipi would have to return to its rightful place before it reached maturity.
With that wistful thought, Lacilia patted its head. Pipi flapped its wings, urging her to hurry and get dressed.
Breakfast was held in the Empress’s dining room.
Usually, she ate alone in her study or bedroom while attending to early duties. But ever since the Emperor began visiting the Empress’s quarters, skipping breakfast had become impossible.
Silver-lidded dishes filled the table, half adorned with flowers and half with food. Even the silver candlesticks burned too brightly for morning.
But most overwhelming of all was the man seated beside her—the Emperor.
In the Empress’s quarters, the seat of honor belonged to her. The Emperor sat to her right.
It was close enough that turning her head slightly brought his face into view.
The Emperor, who had flustered her with his “good morning” earlier, now sat gleaming even more brilliantly than the silverware.
Just glancing at him made the cutlery seem to lose its shine.
“The handmaid from the Empress’s quarters is late.”
Serven murmured softly.
Normally, the shadow knight wouldn’t speak at a meal.
But the chief handmaid, who should have been wiping the Empress’s hands and guiding the dishes, was nowhere to be seen.
With his expression already stiffening, the Emperor’s chief attendant, Persson, stepped forward.
“I shall summon another maid, Your Majesty.”
Again, on an ordinary day, Persson would not have spoken either.
But he was growing annoyed at how the delay from the Empress’s handmaid was interfering with the Emperor’s meal.
Lacilia picked up on that too.
“It seems the new handmaid is struggling on her first day. But we can’t keep His Majesty waiting any longer. Shall we begin without her, Your Majesty?”
“I don’t mind waiting.”
Rescal answered quickly, as if waiting for this very chance.
He then extended his hand across the table.
“If you don’t want another handmaid, I’m happy to delay the meal.”
“Thank you, but that’s not necessary. The food will get cold. …By the way, why are you reaching out your hand?”
“So it’s easier for you to hold it.”
“…Excuse me?”
Lacilia tilted her head. Rescal let out a breath.
She could now recognize that expression—it was the Emperor’s way of being nervous.
“You said before, if I grant a request, I get to hold your hand.”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…”
Everyone in the room, except for Rescal, had the same stunned expression.
Serven, in particular, looked especially pitiful.
“No, there’s no need to wait. I can eat like this.”
“Even without help?”
“Just because I lost my memory doesn’t mean I forgot how to eat.”
“Then…”
Rescal glanced away, raising one eyebrow. He looked slightly disappointed.
“…Then allow me to pour your water.”
Either way, the meal had to continue. Persson, gloved in white, poured water from a silver jug into Rescal’s bowl.
Rescal dipped his fingers and flicked them lightly. Persson lifted a thick white napkin and dried his hands.
“Pour water for the Empress as well.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Persson circled the table and poured water into Lacilia’s bowl from her left.
As she dipped her fingers to wash them, Rescal suddenly stood and snatched the napkin from Persson’s arm.
“You don’t have anyone to dry your hands.”
“…Excuse me, Your Majesty?”
It was clear what Rescal intended. Anyone could see it—even Lacilia.
“I have to do it.”
“…Then please do.”
Rejecting even these small gestures was exhausting. And refusing them only meant he’d come up with something else next time. Better to accept this small favor and reject the next one.
Rescal wrapped the napkin around her wet hands and carefully dried each finger—more like fondling them than actually drying.
“This makes two requests I’ve granted.”
Feels more like I granted one…
“So next time, I get to hold your hand again.”
“…”
Lacilia was wondering how to respond when—
“Sorry I’m late, Your Majesty!”
Yvette burst into the dining room, breathing heavily.
