It took four days for Cedeloi, Maiana, and Ariante to prepare for their departure to El Lautika.
In the meantime, Prince Harman, the second prince, had already left the mansion early, holding onto the complaining Clop tightly. Ash, during the empty four days at home with Swan, was busy gossiping about what interesting and worthwhile activities they should engage in.
“Maiana! Where’s my comb? I can’t find my comb!”
Maiana, seeing Ariante messing up the neatly arranged belongings, rushed over in shock.
“Your Grace! The comb is in a small bag separately.”
“Why did you put it there? I want it here!”
Ariante stretched out her legs and pouted, throwing a tantrum.
Due to the excitement and anxiety of leaving the house, the child was overly sensitive from the morning. She spilled the entire breakfast juice without either drinking or eating, and Veinti was already melting from the tantrums when she suddenly decided that she didn’t like the clothes she had put on.
Maiana tried to console her.
“Your Grace, combs made of silver are easily breakable. Since Your Grace will always carry this bag, if the comb is jostled inside, and if the comb teeth break, what will you do? So, I’ll take care of the comb separately.”
“But there are ones made of silver, right? Those won’t break! Give me that!”
“Why do you insist on carrying the comb with you?”
“Anyway, just give it to me!”
Oh well. Maiana let out a light sigh. It seemed that if Ariante went on a trip—though she doubted whether this could be called a trip—she might collapse before even starting the journey.
But even a seven-year-old has their own rules. Bringing one more comb wouldn’t be a big problem.
“Alright, I understand. Then I’ll find the comb made of silver for you. In the meantime, Your Grace, are you finishing putting on your stockings? You only have one pair on right now.”
“I hate this. Can’t I wear something else?”
“That will be the softest and warmest. It matches your dress too.”
“I want to take off this ribbon.”
While Ariante pulled at the small ribbon attached to the edge of her stocking, Maiana rummaged through a small drawer and found a comb made of silver. She neatly placed the comb inside a small bag that Ariante would carry.
“Now, Your Grace. Whether to take off the ribbon or not, let’s think about it a bit more on the carriage.”
“Fine, I won’t take off the ribbon. And I have something else to take with me.”
“Again? Your Grace, if the luggage is too heavy…”
Just then, Bridget called Maiana with a loud voice from outside.
“I’m coming!”
Maiana, raising her voice to respond, carefully looked over Ariante’s appearance. From head to toe, there was not a single thing out of place or wrong.
She had dressed up like a pretty little lady, but the clothes were made comfortable enough for her to wander outside, and the shoes were also made of soft leather.
Even for the standards of this place where even small children have to wear heeled shoes, it might be considered an unconventional outfit…
“Now, Your Grace. It looks very nice. Please gather the remaining items. I…”
At that moment, Bridget shouted again, “Maiana! Quickly!” Ariante said, “Go quickly to Bridget. I’ll take care of my things.”
“Anything too heavy is not allowed, you know? Also, things that break. And…”
Ariante, rolling her feet like a small rabbit, puffed up her cheeks.
“Okay! Okay, I got it! Go quickly!”
Pushed out by the small hands, Maiana hurriedly ran to Bridget.
As the sound of the door closing behind her raised anxiety—she couldn’t guess what Ariante was trying to take with her—Maiana herself was equally distracted.
“What should I do with these accessories? If they get disarranged inside the box, it’ll be a big problem.”
Bridget said anxiously. The accessories she referred to were Maiana’s. Since there was not enough time to make new ones tailored to the dress, Maiana had quickly refurbished the ones that the Alt Baroness had but rarely used.
“It’s not a problem if they get disarranged a bit, but it’ll be difficult if they break and I have to return them to the Baroness later. Here, take this. I should tie the box again.”
Bridget tilted her head in confusion.
“Return them to the Baroness? Weren’t they given to you?”
“They were given. Still, it’s uncomfortable to just accept them like this.”
“Oh, you’re really something! Always worrying even when it’s a gift. The Baroness probably has more exquisite jewelry than this. What’s the big deal with these? Anyway, they’re things she doesn’t use.”
As usual, Bridget spoke cheerfully. Maiana smiled at her and firmly secured the box, completing the final preparations.
Bridget said, “By the way, Maiana. Why do you think the Duke is taking you to the capital? Huh? Your dress looks very splendid! Could it be that he’s taking you to a ball?”
“Nonsense. I’m going to the capital as the Lady’s servant. But I can’t walk around in an apron, especially in the capital. That’s why.”
“Still! You never know. During this opportunity, you might charm the Duke…!”
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
