Episode 16

Since that day, Russelin had been plagued by an inexplicable sense of pressure for days.

Aydin’s sudden obsession with keeping her bound to the Bert family, and even Celia, who subtly warned her without Aydin’s knowledge.

Here, everyone seemed eager to devour her for their own reasons, a realization that struck her as odd for only now noticing.

‘I have to escape. If I delay any longer, it’ll be dangerous.’

Sitting at a small table in her bedroom, Russelin wore a hardened expression.

Thanks to Lilly delivering paper and pen the previous night, she’d managed to prepare something, yet…

She let out a heavy hum, her expression uncharacteristically unsure, as she gazed meaningfully at the envelope clutched in her hand.

Sensing her unease, Lilly, who stood beside her, approached with a puzzled look.

“You don’t look well, miss. Is something troubling you?”

“Hmm… I just don’t feel certain…”

Would such a scheme work on a man as sharp and vigilant as him?

She hated her own hesitance, especially after what she’d endured from Aydin and Celia.

Though Lilly couldn’t fully grasp her inner turmoil, she joined her with a contemplative hum.

“In times like these…”

“Yes?”

“You just have to go for it, right?”

The lighthearted, straightforward response was so unexpected that Russelin paused her deep musings and let out a low chuckle.

“I didn’t realize you had such a bold side, Lilly.”

“I learned that when you’re torn, it’s better to go for it. That way, at least something comes of it!”

“Oddly persuasive, isn’t it?”

Though she spoke casually and without much excitement, Russelin’s expression softened, as though something in her mind had loosened.

Whatever thoughts had crossed her mind, whether they would succeed or not, she realized she needed to act.

Doing nothing would mean nothing had changed from her life, spent merely enduring in the shadows of Bert.

Besides…

‘Wasn’t it you who called me? Longing for me, weren’t you?’

There’s a chance, after all.

If her actions had stirred his interest so far, this time would surely be no different.

“…Hah.”

“Miss?”

Russelin, who had been wearing a tense expression, suddenly laughed, causing Lilly, who was by her side, to tilt her head slightly in curiosity.

Rarely did she see the young lady smile in the Bert residence, and lately, she seemed… different.

Lilly found that she didn’t dislike this change, so she joined Russelin with a gentle smile.

“When you smile, it makes me happy too, miss.”

“…Ah. Did I smile?”

“Yes! It’s been so long since I saw you laugh out loud; I was mesmerized for a moment.”

“…Ah.”

“I don’t know what you’re planning, but I truly hope everything turns out just as you wish, and that you can keep smiling like this.”

“Like now?”

“Yes! It’s a good thing, isn’t it? I can tell just by looking at your expression.”

“Well… I’m not sure about that.”

I’ve never felt like this before.

The thought of wanting to see a man again, even though it’s only been a few days.

Missing the easy, relaxed feeling I had when I was with him.

Until now, there hadn’t been anything in my life worth looking toward or running after, but the mere fact that I could long for something was pleasing.

Russelin sealed the envelope with surprising ease, despite the long hours she had agonized over it.

“Lilly, don’t the mansion’s maids occasionally visit the capital?”

“Yes, we take turns going out to buy things needed for the mansion.”

“In that case, could I ask you for a favor?”

“Of course! Just say the word!”

Lilly rolled up her sleeves, ready to take on any task.

So this is what it feels like to be grateful with just words.

Smiling softly, Russelin handed her what she was holding.

“I’d like you to deliver this for me.”

“A letter? Are you sending it to a noble family?”

“Yes. And for the ribbon color… Let’s go with purple.”

Just like the depth of his unreadable purple eyes.

As Russelin unknowingly wore a faint smile, Lilly, as if to hide her lady’s subtle expression, dipped her head slightly.

“The sooner, the better, right? I’ll go today. If I go alone, the other maids will be glad to skip out on work.”

“Thank you. I know this adds to your tasks, Lilly.”

“Oh, not at all! Ah, while I’m out, perhaps I could bring back a little treat! Is there anything you’d like, miss?”

“Oh…”

At Lilly’s sudden question, Russelin froze momentarily, as usual.

Ordinarily, nothing would come to mind.

“…Chocolate?”

Somehow, the thought of chocolate came to mind first this time.
Was it the feeling of sweetness filling her mouth that she liked?
Or maybe…

“Chocolate? Wow, miss, it’s been so long since you’ve craved something sweet.”

“…Has it?”

“Leave it to me! Just trust and wait, miss!”

“Thank you, Lilly.”

Just as she was touched by Lilly’s kindness again, Russelin’s expression stiffened with a sudden curiosity.

“But, Lilly, don’t you wonder why I’m moving so desperately?”

Both Aydin and Celia had been suspicious and wary of Russelin’s sudden change.

It would be impossible for Lilly, who served so closely by her side, not to notice.

Yet, Lilly hadn’t shown the slightest curiosity, so Russelin couldn’t help but ask.

As expected, Lilly hesitated, seemingly realizing Russelin’s intent.

“It’s alright, Lilly. Go on, answer me.”

“…I did notice you’d changed, miss. But…”

Fiddling nervously with her skirt, Lilly finally gathered her resolve and lifted her head.

Her gaze held no hesitation.

“If anything, I’m glad.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Since coming to Bert, you always seemed sad, miss. But ever since that day, you’ve started to have a purpose and even smile like today.”

“That day?”

“After you returned from the imperial banquet. You were struggling because you weren’t feeling well.”

…Of course, Lilly had figured me out already.

The day she mentioned was none other than the one connected to Leonard Estere.

Since that day, Russelin had indeed begun to reveal her intentions and act accordingly.

If even Lilly had noticed, Aydin surely would have as well.
Just as fresh worries began to creep in, Lilly spoke again.

“And no matter what you do, miss, I’ll always be on your side.”

“…Lilly.”

“Even here in Bert, my loyalty remains unchanged. I hope you know that.”

Really, lately, there have been so many people stirring up my heart.
In the past, it would have been uncomfortable and unfamiliar.
But now, understanding even a small part of their sincerity feels oddly comforting.

Russelin felt a warm ache in her heart and gave Lilly a broad smile.

“Thank you, Lilly. You’ve helped me in many ways.”

“It’s my joy to be of any help to you, miss.”

Lilly looked at Russelin with a pure, beautiful smile.

“Then, miss, shall we go have a meal? I’ll personally escort you!”

“Yes, let’s head out together.”

Russelin, feeling in good spirits, moved to leave the bedroom for the first time in a while.

But she couldn’t step out as planned.

“Oh, just in time, miss.”

A woman in a white dress blocked Russelin’s path once again.

“I was just on my way to find Lady Lavrenti. Could you spare a moment?”

“…Celia?”

Celia’s distinctive high, thin voice immediately captured Russelin.
Coming unannounced and speaking as if rejecting her wasn’t an option, her tone was infuriatingly rude.

Russelin, momentarily frozen, became aware of Lilly’s presence beside her.

Lilly, too, was standing behind Russelin, wary of Celia.

‘…No.’

Russelin remembered how Celia had once threatened her.

There was no guarantee that Celia wouldn’t target her maid.

Russelin couldn’t even protect herself.

But this time…

“Lilly, it might be better to have the meal in my room today. Could you bring it here?”

“But, miss…!”

“It won’t take long. Please, Lilly.”

“…Understood.”

Even as Lilly retreated, Russelin kept her gaze firmly on Celia.

Celia took a step closer, an enigmatic smile on her face.

“Oh my, you’re still inexperienced at hiding your guard, I see.”

“…What did you say?”

“Revealing what’s precious to you so openly is not wise.”

Feigning indifference, Celia cast a glance at Lilly’s departing figure, then shrugged slightly.

The words, the dangerous look in her eyes—everything about her felt unsettling.

“I have no intention of involving mere maids yet. Ah, of course, that is…”

“…”

“That is, if you keep holding my interest.”

Celia’s red lips curved into a chilling smile.

The blue divine power glowed faintly around her, as if warning that it could turn on Russelin at any moment.

“What do you want?”

“We didn’t get to properly talk because of him, did we?”

“What do you mean by…”

“That day, you held up better than I expected.”

“…!”

Her words were brief and abrupt.

But Russelin quickly grasped Celia’s meaning.

The ominous energy subtly emanating from Celia now was something she had felt before.

“So, you did it on purpose…”

“Yes. I heard about you from him, but I hadn’t seen the half-baked priestess’s powers for myself. But…”

“…”

“Seeing how limited your divine power is, I suppose you truly are half-baked, Lady Lavrenti.”

Celia’s mocking words caused Russelin to frown slightly.

No matter her resolve, it was impossible not to react when her lifelong shame was touched upon.

“It’s remarkable, really. Holding onto that position while failing even to perform as a priestess.”

“…”

“Well, I only have one thing to say. Whatever you’re thinking now, I have no intention of giving up what’s mine.”

After her short statement, Celia leaned in close, whispering chillingly into Russelin’s ear.

“Each night, when he misses your touch, there’s only one he’ll seek out—and that’s me.”

When she finished, Celia stepped back, wearing an exceedingly smug expression.

The way she shrugged, purposely pressing on Russelin’s shame, was utterly infuriating.

She was clearly waiting for Russelin to waver.

Maybe in the past, that would’ve worked, but now things were different.