The Search for the Duchess’s Husband

Unfortunately, Artia was barely awake and could only remember the maid’s large, clumsy hands.

 

But now she knows for sure.

 

Her name, her face, everything.

 

Artia looked up into Vivi’s deep black eyes.

 “Of the dozens of people in the manor, you are the only one who has stood up for me, and I want to keep you by my side.” 

Despite the confession, Vivi’s face remained expressionless. Artia relaxed a little.

 “Do you hate being my maid that much?” 

Vivi’s eyes widened slightly and she shook her head.

 “No, it’s not that, it’s just that, as I told you before, I’m not good enough to serve you.” “What is so lacking?” 

Vivi said seriously.

“I come from a mountain village.” “You must have grown up in a place with good air and clean water, and you must be very healthy.” “I’m a duke’s maid, but I’ve only ever done menial work, and I’ve never served a noblewoman.” “I’m sure your hard work has strengthened your body, so you’ll learn quickly.” 

Vivi looked puzzled by the overwhelmingly positive response, then said.

“It’s very kind of you to say so, madam. But no matter how good I get, you’d be ashamed to take me with you.” “Why?”

Artia asked, genuinely unsure. 

 

Vivi hesitated, then answered.

“Because of my appearance.” “As you can see, I am a big girl. And I have a rough face.”

Vivi said, touching the long scar on her cheek.

 “I was lucky enough to be a maid of honor because of my strength, but I had to be careful not to get stabbed. I’ve been warned. I’m told to stay out of sight as much as possible, lest I offend those I serve.” 

Artia’s clear voice rang in Vivi’s darkened ears.

“Really? I really like your appearance. You look so strong and beautiful compared to my threadbare, glazed body. I want to be like you.” 

Artia asked Vivi, whose eyes widened as if she’d been hit by an unexpected blow.

“Is that why you can’t be my maid?” “Yes.” “You don’t hate me, do you?” “No.” 

Gaining confidence from the firm answer, Artia spoke again.

“I want you to be my handmaiden, Vivi.” 

It would not be a glamorous position, of course.

 

As the Duchess of Edenberg, Artia would be looked down upon even by a commoner’s maid.

 

Still, she could promise one thing with confidence.

 “I will take care of you.” 

The words were short, but the effect was powerful.

 

The tips of Vivi’s ears, which had remained expressionless the entire time, flushed red.

 

After a moment, Vivi shook her head.

 “Thank you for choosing me as your handmaiden. I, Vivi Blank, will follow you with all my heart and soul.” 

Artia smiled broadly.

 

At last she has someone on her side!

 

***

 

The next day, the maids at Edenberg Manor were in a frenzy.

 “Is it true that Lyrica was locked in her room?” “Yes, Elma told me never to let Lyrica out of her room until she is released.” 

The maids’ faces darkened.

 

Lloyd’s affection for Lyrica was no joke, and he would be furious if he returned and found out.

 “Maybe I’ll thresh all the maids involved in this…” 

A booming voice echoed in the ears of the frightened maids.

 “You’re talking nonsense.” 

At Elma’s entrance, the maids immediately stopped and stood at attention.

 

Elma glared at the maids with her snake-like eyes.

 “Lady Lyrica slapped her mistress on the cheek. For a commoner to lay a hand on a noble’s body is a sin great enough to warrant summary judgment without trial. Even if she is her master’s favorite mistress, she deserves to be punished. No more loud talk, get to work!” 

The maids chattered excitedly after Elma left.

 “It wasn’t so long ago that you treated Lyrica like a duchess and Madame like an old lady in the back room. Why are you suddenly on her side?” “Because she’s changed, like everyone else.” 

It wasn’t just that Lyrica was locked in a room that shocked the maids.

 

What shocked them most was that Artia had ordered her locked up after she had talked to her eye-to-eye and slapped her.

 “I still don’t believe it. How can she suddenly do that to someone who she can’t even look in the eye?” “She must have drowned in the lake and her head went crazy.” 

Try as they might, the maids couldn’t figure out exactly what had changed in Artia, but they were sure of one thing.

 “Like Lyrica, she’s also afraid of being scolded by her mistress.” 

The maids giggled as their eyes met.

 

They were almost ready to sue Elma, who was so mean to the maids on a daily basis, for putting them in this situation.

 

The maids were right.

 

Back in her room, Elma was biting her nails and looking terrified.

 

She dreaded Lloyd’s return in a few days.

 

But she was even more afraid of the weakness in Artia’s hand.

 

After a while, Elma muttered.

 “It’s only because she doesn’t have a master that she can act like such a crazy filly. When Lloyd returns, she’ll be her old self again.” 

This was her chance.

 “I’ll comfort her gently, get her to lean on me, and then I’ll take advantage of her weakness and turn the tables.” 

Elma had risen to this position by nothing more than flattery and cunning. She was more than capable.

 

A wicked grin crossed Elma’s face as she remembered Artia grabbing the hem of her skirt and scolding her for her mistake.

 

***

 

Artia sat at a table in the garden in the warm sunshine.

 

Next to her, Vivi held a teapot, looking more serious than a knight on the battlefield.

 

Her face was relatively relaxed – not that it was expressionless – but it was so different from when she’d been cleaning.

 

Artia asked.

“Are you not going to pour tea?” “No.”

The answer was blunt but lightning fast.

 

Vivi paused for a moment, then spoke.

“It’s been a long dream of mine to serve a lady, and serving tea is one of the things I’ve longed to do.” 

Young Vivi pored over her hard-earned textbooks until they were tattered, and practiced serving tea every night with a wooden cup she carved herself.

 “But now that I’m about to pour the tea, I’m afraid I won’t be able to do it well.” 

Artia laughs at her honesty.

 “I’m sure you’ll be fine, you’ve practiced so hard.” 

Vivi looks at Artia and swallows hard.

 “I’ll pour then.” “Warm the teapot and cups first. Using a teaspoon, scoop out a spoonful of tea leaves and place them in the mesh of the teapot.” 

Vivi moved her hands carefully, her face determined, as if a mistake would cost her her life.

 

It was enough to make Artia nervous to watch.

 

Unfortunately, will and result were not always proportional.

 

Vivi squeaked like an ungreased iron doll, and the tea splashed catastrophically out of her cup.

 

Vivi’s jet-black eyes fluttered.

 “I’m sorry, my lady.” 

Instead of blaming Vivi, Artia asked worriedly.

“The tea splashed on your hand, does it hurt?” “No, I’m fine.” “Good.” 

Artia breathed a sigh of relief and held out her hand.

 “Can you pass me the teapot?” 

She spoke softly to Vivi, who looked at her with eyes as serious as if the world had ended.

 “I’m not trying to stop you from making tea. I’m trying to teach you, because it’s more helpful to see it than to read about it.” 

‘What kind of noblewoman would teach her maid in person?’

 

Unlike Vivi, who was stunned, Artia’s pink-eyed face was innocent, as if nothing had happened.

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