Thinking you can escape just like that.
She was a child who didn’t realize that the scolding of a teacher who flies to her home is scarier.
“Lady Rose, at first I was angry with you. Lady Egrette here is asking for your forgiveness, and I also think that you, still young and having the opportunity to reflect, might not need to be punished.”
Rose’s eyes shone with hope, as if to say, ‘Really?’
“But you must apologize.”
Her expression turned to despair in the next moment.
“Thank you so much, Lady Anette. Lady Rose, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and offer your apologies and gratitude for Lady Anette’s mercy.”
“A lady must not speak unpleasantly. Apologize for your disrespectful words, for speaking that way to me, the wife of the Duke. If you show deep remorse, I can consider canceling both the ban from the castle and the copying of the etiquette book.”
”
“There’s no need to be so nervous. Are you alone? Where are the others?”
“The other maids are busy preparing the bridal chamber for you and the Duke, so I came alone.”
“How long have you been working here?”
“Not long. I was fortunate to get this position because a maid suddenly quit her job at the castle!”
‘Not long, huh.’
Given the hostile environment of the North towards me, I thought any servant willing to help me would be a spy.
‘But they sent a newcomer who dislikes me.’
It’s hard to believe that in a supposedly poor ducal household, there’s only one maid serving the Duchess.
The seniors must have sent her because they’re avoiding me, and she’s here, blissfully unaware. She’s clueless but seems kind-hearted.
“So, what’s your name?”
“You’re asking for my name…! Oh, I mean, it’s Apple Green, my lady.”
“Apple? Like the fruit?”
“Yes! I think it’s easy to remember.”
She sounded a bit nervous but was a spirited child.
Still, it would be rude to comment on someone else’s parents’ naming sense on our first meeting, wouldn’t it?
“…Anyway, Apple, I don’t have any maids brought from the South.”
“Yes, that’s true!”
“Not ‘that’s true’, but think about it. Who will help me when I wash and dry my hair? Who will assist me with my morning preparations? Or when I entertain guests?”
“I, along with the other maids, will do our best to ensure you feel no lack of assistance!”
“Right, right, others can help with most things, but I’m worried about choosing someone for my most personal tasks. For instance, who will manage my jewelry box? I can’t just entrust that to anyone, can I?”
To all the maids in the castle: The position of the Duchess’s chief maid is currently vacant. We also have many other maid positions available.
We look forward to prompt applications from capable servants of the Ducal House.
The announcement will end once the positions are filled.
“Please make sure to tell the other maids about this, okay?”
I smiled warmly and patted Apple’s shoulder.
As a romance novel protagonist, or rather a Duchess, I should have at least one loyal chief maid who moves like my own limbs.
But looking at Apple, it seems there might be no need to look further for a protagonist’s assistant.
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
