Vivian, who woke up early in the morning, finished her preparations early. Sophie, who came to open the curtains in the morning, showed slight disappointment to Vivian who had already perfectly finished her preparations.

After finishing her meal and returning to her room, Vivian engraved in her mind what she had to do today.

First, giving a gift to Charlotte and asking Abernethy about future tasks. This included getting used to the work so that she could perform perfectly when he returned.

After organizing her thoughts like that, she left the room with Sophie, carrying the gift box. Despite being told she could go alone, Sophie insisted on accompanying her to the end, perhaps because of that recent incident.

The reason for buying a gift at the dress shop despite being hurt by Charlotte’s harsh words was because she wanted to understand young Charlotte. For some, a sudden new addition to the household could be an uncomfortable presence.

Upon arriving at Charlotte’s room, Marian’s expression was not very pleasant when she confirmed Vivian’s visit. Marian, who was reluctant even with Charlotte’s permission, snorted arrogantly and opened the door.

Vivian was relieved just by the door opening.

As she entered, her eyes met with Charlotte who was reading a book. Charlotte immediately withdrew her gaze and seemed to focus on her book. Vivian sat down opposite her with an embarrassed face.

“…You’ve lost a lot of weight.”

Although she managed to speak up with difficulty, Charlotte didn’t give Vivian a single glance.

“I didn’t tell Baron Zimmerman about… the person you love. I thought that such information might unnecessarily complicate your relationship. From what I saw, Baron Zimmerman seemed like a good person. He’s not lacking as husband material either. I could understand why the Duke chose Baron Zimmerman as a potential husband for Miss Windler.”

A sharp gaze flew and pierced like an arrow.

Charlotte’s face turned red as her breathing quickened. The face that looked like it would cry at any moment pained Vivian’s heart.

The first love of this small and delicate young lady was being trampled like this. Vivian’s heart ached painfully as she fully received those feelings.

“Such meddling is unnecessary. If you came to say such things, please leave now.”

Reluctantly, Vivian placed the box she had on her lap onto the table and handed it to Charlotte, but she still didn’t show any interest.

“The other day, when I left the mansion, I bought a gift for Miss Windler. It’s okay to accept it since I bought it by selling the embroidery I’ve done. When I first saw Miss Windler, the feather decoration on your hat suited you so well that I wanted to give you a gift.”

Vivian exhaled faintly. Unable to keep Charlotte, who was refusing conversation, any longer, she finally stood up.

“And Miss Windler.”

The persistent and arrogant Eveline.

That’s how Charlotte evaluated the current Vivian who had stopped in her tracks.

“The words you said to me the other day… I will forget them.”

Charlotte’s eyes, which had been stung, finally turned towards her. There was also a hint of confusion, some regret, and a little justification in those eyes.

“I know that words of hatred towards someone are not meant to attack them.”

“……”

“Rather, it’s Miss Windler who must have been hurt. You’ll want to constantly prove that you were right, and the more you do so, the more you’ll see your own bottom and feel distressed. You’ll also feel self-loathing, thinking you shouldn’t have said that much.”

Charlotte’s lips trembled without any reaction, as if all her thoughts had been read.

“Because words uttered to hurt others end up hurting my own heart more. If Miss Windler is feeling concerned about it, I wanted to tell you that you don’t have to. I hope Miss Windler won’t get hurt.”

At this moment of receiving comfort from Vivian, contempt arose. Charlotte’s hand, which tightly grasped her skirt under the table, trembled slightly.

“Oh, and I’ve decided to… work. Miss Windler was right. I’ve decided to… work as a maid in the mansion.”

From suddenly living together without notice to now the news of a noble young lady becoming a maid. Vivian always brought surprising events.

“I’m sure everyone will say that. The only daughter of a marquis family becoming a maid. It’s quite funny. Everyone will probably whisper behind my back. They’ll laugh at me like this and think of me as a spectacle. But even so, I intend to live doing my best until I die. Even someone like me eats meals and lives on. So, Miss Windler. Don’t be too heartbroken because of the one you love.”

“Miss Eveline, have you ever been in love?”

It was then that Charlotte’s eyes became hot and filled with tears. The unexpected question greatly perplexed Vivian.

“Are you comforting me not to be heartbroken after experiencing love yourself? Are you giving such comfort without having experienced it?”

“I just……”

“That’s enough now. I want to be alone.”

She wiped away the tears that had fallen and avoided Vivian’s gaze. Vivian tried to say something more but stopped. She couldn’t scratch Charlotte’s heart any further and had to turn away decisively.

Left alone, Charlotte firmly suppressed the tears that felt like they would burst. She tried covering her face with both hands, but couldn’t hide her emotions.

***

The mansion was turned upside down once again. This time too, Vivian Eveline was the protagonist. The most surprised of all was Sophie.

These days, Vivian didn’t want Sophie’s help. She dressed herself and did her own hair. Although it was strange that she had suddenly become full of questions, Sophie never imagined that the day would come when Vivian would learn and practice the kind of work maids do, following the butler, Abernethy.

Vivian wore a uniform just like the other servants. It was ironic that this appearance was much neater and tidier than when she wore the beige dress covered in stains.

The servants of the mansion followed behind Abernethy and Vivian, observing the current situation.

The sight of a noble young lady becoming a maid must be unprecedented in the history of New Way. While fallen noble ladies would try to get married as quickly as possible by any means, they would never think of getting their hands wet with work.

But to Vivian, what was water?

The tasks that Abernethy showed Vivian with other servants were disposing of kitchen food waste and mansion garbage, cleaning the barn, chicken coop, and stable.

In front of these dirty and smelly tasks, Vivian sometimes showed a pale face. Sometimes it seemed like she was about to retch.

Another strange thing was that whenever this happened, Abernethy would politely say that if it’s too hard, she doesn’t have to do it. Seeing this, the servants fell into even greater confusion.

Was the noble young lady trying to experience being a maid?

So they couldn’t discern whether to treat her as a noble or as a colleague.

In the darkened mansion, the maids gathered around the fire, viciously gossiping about recent Vivian, having meetings and discussions.

As Marian had been babbling, Vivian had seduced the Duke to enjoy a luxurious life. But now that his interest had waned, she had fallen to the status of a maid. Saying that the Duke would never do such a thing, they said that although Vivian had seduced him, he always refused, and finally got angry and made her a maid.

They vented their complaints and added non-existent stories to gain attention, making the story bloom. In the conversation that went on without realizing the passing of time, Vivian was reborn as a completely different person.

***

The carriage in the rain was filled with the quiet sound of raindrops. They passed through the entrance gate of the mansion. At the end of the road following the path, servants were lined up to welcome the returning master. Edwin, who had not been looking outside, waited for the door to open.

Eventually, the door opened and Edwin got out of the carriage. Abernethy was the first to welcome his return.

Charlotte, who was always present, was not seen, but what caught Edwin’s eye first was the blonde woman standing modestly behind Abernethy. Her hair, which had quite a shine, was neatly arranged.

The meaning given by the uniform was firm. The sight of her wearing a uniform was awkward, yet it gave a feeling as if she was subordinate to him.

As if you are my servant. It was quite amusing that such a uniform gave the feeling that she could never escape from him.

He had told Abernethy to assign Vivian the most difficult and challenging tasks that everyone else avoided, and to let her quit if she wanted to. He had also instructed not to force her, but today, Vivian Eveline kept her place.

He almost burst out laughing at the dark shadows under her eyes. You must have had a hard time for the past 3 weeks. It’s understandable. It was enjoyable to imagine how Vivian must have struggled.

On a rainy day like today, sitting in the carriage, how to describe the feeling of watching the fall of Vivian, who used to toss her rich and glossy blonde hair?

When their eyes met, Vivian lowered her gaze. Her neatly folded hands bore the responsibility of obedience.

Swallowing his laughter, Edwin entered the mansion. Today, the air in the mansion felt unusually sweet.

After going up to his room, Edwin received a report from Abernethy about the past 3 weeks. He respected the butler’s intention to consciously omit stories about Vivian.

There were no particular incidents during the time he was away from the mansion. He reported that Charlotte was still protesting but eating well and taking walks well. Abernethy placed a bundle of arrived letters on the table.

But what caught Edwin’s interest was something completely different. However, he didn’t act hastily.

Vivian Eveline is here somewhere. By wearing the clothes of the servants, she proved her usefulness, her reason for existence.

Edwin, with his eyes closed, listened to all of Abernethy’s remaining report, then took a moment.

“Call Miss Eveline.”

Under this brief and simple instruction, Abernethy left the room. Without changing clothes, he sat in his seat, waiting only for Vivian to come. His fingertips made tapping sounds as he put them down next to the bundle of letters.

Soon, when a knock was heard, the noise of tapping on the table also stopped. Edwin’s eyes turned to the slowly opening door.

Through that gap, Vivian Eveline revealed herself. Vivian, to whom the uniform suited quite well.

Compared to her appearance long ago, she was quite elegant. Vivian was enjoying the privilege of being able to roll in the mud while dressed neatly.

Edwin chose the greeting that could convey the maximum welcome he could give to such a Vivian.

“Hello, Vivian.”