‘Surely Her Grace will find more emotional stability because of this maid.’
Just like his own relationship with Queen Meriel, having a maid who had grown up with her would be a strong emotional support. Imagining Idel’s joyous face, a faint smile spread across Marlin’s lips.
Ever since attending the recent royal banquet, Marlin had been worried about the Duchess’s increasingly dark complexion. Especially when Idel mentioned refusing the alliance, his heart sank.
It might have been due to poor health, but… Seeing the Duchess looking like she had spent a sleepless night and hearing about the Duke suddenly going fly fishing left him restless. If there was even a slight rift between the Duke and Duchess, it would be a serious matter.
‘It’s a relief. The relationship between Their Graces seems to have improved.’
Marlin sighed in relief. He had sensed a softer atmosphere between the Duke and Duchess lately.
Moreover, the busy Duke seemed to be making an effort to spend private time with the Duchess.
As they went on a horseback riding date, Marlin glanced at the wall clock on the receiving room console, looking forward to the Duchess having a good time and returning.
‘It looks like it’s about time for them to return from horseback riding…’
No sooner had Marlin thought this than news of the Duke and Duchess’s arrival was delivered by a footman.
“The Duke and Duchess have just arrived at the front entrance. Shall we go meet them?”
“Yes! That would be wonderful.”
At Marlin’s thoughtful suggestion, Bien’s eyes twinkled as she answered in a loud voice. With an excited expression, Bien quickly rose from her seat and followed Marlin to the front entrance.
‘Lady Idel…’
Thinking of seeing Idel again after so long made Bien’s heart swell.
In fact, ever since Idel left, Bien had been treated like a scapegoat in the Count’s house.
‘[Dash] You were always by her side as her close maid, how could you not know? As if deceiving us and becoming the Duchess wasn’t enough, she even got admitted to the Imperial University!’
After Idel became the Duchess and left, all arrows were aimed at Bien. Roselin tormented her maliciously every chance she got, just because Bien was unaware of Idel’s plans, including the meeting with the Duke and her preparations for entering the Imperial University.
Considering she was the second daughter of the Ingrid Viscount family, one of the vassal houses of the Fleur Counts, Bien had not been driven away; however, that in itself became her shackles. She had a reason to stay attached to the Fleur Count family.
The southern territories owned by the Fleur family had a mild climate and fertile land. On this basis, they cultivated and sold rare floral species and also produced abundant lumber for export; these were their main sources of income.
Her own family, the Ingrid Viscounts, were engaged in exporting the lumber produced in the Fleur territories. To secure ongoing trade privileges, it was essential to maintain a symbiotic relationship with the Fleur Count family.
So, a young Bien had come to the Fleur family according to her family’s command. There, she served as a maid to Idel and grew up with her.
[Dash] Miss, you must be happy. [Dash] Thank you, Bien.As Bien recalled the last farewell she had shared with Idel before she left the Fleur family, her chest tightened.
“Bien, I’m sorry for suddenly leaving you. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you in advance…”
Idel’s eyes, filled with sorrow, had said as much. Having grown up beside her for so long, Bien didn’t need to hear it; she knew Idel’s feelings.
Perhaps Miss Idel thought she would face less scrutiny if Bien remained ignorant. It was probably the best course of action she could choose, considering Bien couldn’t leave the Fleur family due to business interests.
She understood, but… she couldn’t help but miss Miss Idel, especially on days when Roselin’s hysterics were rampant.
[Dash] Ah, it’s cold! The water’s too chilly! Can’t you get the temperature right? [Dash] I apologize, Miss. I’ll bring warmer water right away. [Dash] So you want me to stand here, shivering, while you fetch it? [Dash] I’m really sorry, truly.Roselin’s shrill, tense voice echoed through the bathroom. Bien quickly fetched warmer water, bowing her head repeatedly. Usually, filling the tub was a job for the regular maids, but Roselin insisted that Bien handle it.
Carrying heavy buckets of water was already tough on her wrists. She braced herself for the renewed pain as she brought the hot water, but Miss Roselin was never satisfied.
[Dash] Now the water’s too hot! [Dash] I apologize. I’ll add more cold water. [Dash] I’m tired of hearing you apologize! I didn’t expect you to have proper maid training from your sister’s side, but this is too much.Roselin scornfully clicked her tongue, disparaging both herself and Miss Idel. The issue of the bathwater temperature was merely an excuse. She just wanted to find a reason to criticize Miss Idel through her.
Remembering the times she’d been mistreated by Roselin made a corner of Bien’s heart heavy.
“It’s alright now. I’m back at Miss Idel’s side.”
Wiping away the tear at the corner of her eye, Bien looked at the carriage that had arrived at the entrance.
The door of the sixhorse carriage, bearing the crest of the Duke’s family, opened, and a man dressed in riding attire alighted first. His mere appearance overwhelmed all gazes around him.
As he extended his hand into the carriage, a softly glowing woman’s hand gently landed on his. Descending from the carriage, holding onto the Duke’s hand, the woman was also dressed in riding attire.
The woman in pantsstyle riding attire exuded an effortlessly stylish vibe yet had an indescribably delicate atmosphere due to her delicate features.
“Miss Idel…!”
Vien couldn’t contain his joy upon seeing the woman’s face and choked up in emotion. The moment he heard his name in that familiar voice, Idel’s eyes turned towards Vien.
“Vien……?”
As if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing, Idel’s eyes widened.
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
