Chapter: 09
“Miss, Princess Siren is at the residence of Duke Valter.”
May said, stroking her hair.
“Really?”
Although the princess was a hostage, outwardly she was the representative of the kingdom’s delegation, sent to maintain friendly relations. She was supposed to stay in the imperial palace while learning more about the empire’s culture—a flimsy excuse—but why was she at Duke Valter’s residence?
“All ready—You look beautiful today as well!”
Serena lifted her eyes, which had been lowered in thought, and looked into the mirror at May’s words.
May had added a butterfly-shaped ornament to her hair, neatly tied in halves to give her simple hairstyle a focal point.
Serena looked at herself in the deep purple dress with the lavender butterfly hairpin, then lowered her eyes again. For some reason, she felt estranged from the reflection—it didn’t feel like her.
It was a sentiment that often came after recalling memories, so she quickly turned her gaze away and stood up.
“I have some things to buy, so make sure to take your pockets with you.”
“Yes!”
Serena stepped outside and descended the stairs. Without the duke and Klaus around, the house was more than quiet—it was silent. Yet Serena liked that silence.
“Quieter is better than noisy.”
“What did you say?”
May tilted her head in response to Serena’s mumbling, but Serena dismissed it, saying it was nothing.
“Miss, where are you going?”
Seeing Serena descend, Hind, the head butler, greeted her and asked. Always loyal to his duties, he served only the master he recognized.
In other words, he regarded Serena as little more than a bothersome burden.
“Just outside for a moment.”
“The Duke ordered that you are not to go out without permission.”
As expected, the loyal dog was annoying. Hind stood firmly in her way, ready to lick her shoes if asked, and Serena stared at him quietly, thinking about how to handle him.
“You have been invited by Countess Delphium. To block a formally invited guest… think carefully, Butler. This is connected to the dignity of the Duke’s household.”
May spoke before Serena could, stepping forward. Unlike a few days ago when she had to sneak out at dawn, this time there was a clear reason, so May acted confidently.
The loyal but utterly foolish Hind did not understand the boundaries of the Duke’s orders. The master was unpredictable, and permission depended on his mood that day.
“Hind, step aside.”
Hind’s expression darkened as if he were contemplating. He had blocked her earlier because the Duke commanded it, but refusing Countess Delphium’s invitation would also harm the family’s dignity.
Even if the masters would ignore it, they were family, above her, and he was just a lower-ranking noble.
He could have been punished for blocking a noble, even though it was the master’s order.
“Hind.”
“I apologize. I will prepare the carriage immediately.”
When Serena called his name again, Hind finally stepped aside and bowed, a glance that said “better survive today.” Understanding the situation, he disappeared like a fleeing shadow.
“Well done, May.”
Though he outranked May as the butler, Serena smiled slightly, pleased with her loyalty in speaking up for her lady.
“Thank you.”
May bowed, and Serena’s mind wandered to Countess Delphium.
The countess was the third wife of the current Count Delphium.
“Hmm, I suppose I should lend a bit of help.”
The count was old; he didn’t have long to live. But he wouldn’t die immediately. Not from illness, but likely from an accident on his way home after indulging in a secret affair with his new mistress, unsatisfied even after obtaining a young wife.
Within the flow of that story, Serena would certainly gain something from the countess. Today’s meeting was a stepping stone toward that.
“Miss, the carriage is ready.”
At Hayden’s voice, Serena stopped her thoughts.
Lightly, she took a few steps, accepted Hind’s escort, and climbed into the carriage. Soon, it departed.
“Luke, the items I asked for?”
Before going to the countess, there was a stop to make. Serena had gotten off in the street and entered a flower shop.
“Here.”
The shop looked ordinary, but it was actually owned by Lucas. It was currently closed for renovation, meaning it was private—a place where the two of them could speak freely.
The crystal bottle he handed her held a deep purple liquid that sloshed inside.
“What are you planning to do with that?”
“Redemption.”
“For whom?”
“There’s someone, a lamb floundering in hell.”
“Someone like me?”
“Yes.”
Her words were cryptic, but Lucas just nodded. He preferred to pretend he didn’t know, as it was easier to trust when the moment came than to question it.
“I’m jealous. I wished you wouldn’t pay attention to anyone else but me.”
“Don’t worry. You’re the only one on the leash.”
Lucas glanced at her expressionless face, then smiled softly, eyes narrowing.
“Yes, my leash is always with my master.”
He gently lifted her hand holding the bottle and pressed his lips to the back of it. Serena’s blank gaze met Lucas’s heated one for a moment, suspended in the air.
“Take this.”
As they left the flower shop, Serena quietly observed the bouquet he handed her.
“What is this?”
“A gift.”
She tried to refuse, but his gaze was too intense. Serena quietly sighed, then smiled faintly.
“Thank you, Luke.”
“Thank you for inviting me, Countess Delphium.”
With a bouquet of red roses in her arms, lifting her dress with one hand to bow, Serena appeared noble and composed.
Serena Ashik, still new to society, had already become a hot topic. She rarely attended invitations unless it was a grand party, so it still felt unreal that the countess had accepted her invitation.
Countess Delphium, Salome, observed Serena carefully, feeling tense.
‘At such a young age, she seems more skilled in etiquette than I am.’
As expected of the duke’s daughter. Salome secretly admired Serena’s manners, then spoke.
“Thank you for accepting my invitation. However… what is this…?”
Salome pointed to the bouquet in her arms, and Serena offered it.
“It’s a gift, madam.”
Though roses were normally for lovers, Serena thought it better for someone who could care for them than to return them to the Duke’s household.
She was not unaware of Lucas’s feelings; she merely chose to ignore the intense gaze he had given her.
“Roses are usually for lovers, aren’t they?”
“Indeed. But thinking of you, madam, roses came to mind.”
Salome’s hair was naturally a vivid pinkish-red, admired by many noblewomen.
Though lying pricked her conscience, she thought that if a gift went to someone better, it was still a good gift.
“Oh.”
Blushing slightly at such a comment, Salome realized she had overestimated her guest and led Serena inside.
“You arrived earlier than expected?”
“I had something I wished to say.”
Once in the parlor, they took seats. Salome handed the bouquet to a maid to arrange and instructed her to bring tea.
Once the maid left, the two were alone. Silence fell, but only briefly.
“Madam, does the Count treat you well?”
No one knew her private life—how her first wife had died at his hands was unknown. Only Serena knew.
Current Countess Delphium, Salome, was his third wife. The first had died from abuse, the second under mysterious circumstances.
Serena watched Salome as she drank tea, noting the subtle twitch of her fingers and lowering her gaze to her own cup.
“He… treats me well.”
The floor-length dress, outdated according to May, suggested she was hiding something inside.
“A bruise…”
At Serena’s murmur, Salome flinched and covered her arm. She must have chosen flowing sleeves to hide it, but it had still been visible. Panic washed over her face.
Serena glanced at Salome, then set her teacup down.
“You must be careful. Others could see as well.”
“Don’t… tell anyone…”
If made public, her husband would not spare her; perhaps even a knife would reach her neck.
Watching Salome tense, Serena lowered her gaze briefly to her reflection in the teacup.
Calming her expression, Serena took the crystal bottle Lucas had prepared from her bosom.
“Shall I save you from hell, madam?”
It is easy to claim someone as one’s own, especially a lamb struggling in darkness, lost and frightened.
She set the bottle of dangerous-looking purple liquid on the table and lifted the corners of her mouth in a slight smile at Salome.
“Madam, salvation must come from yourself—not family, not others. Judge the demon that torments you.”
Slowly standing, she moved behind her, placing her hand gently on Salome’s stiffened shoulders, whispering into her ear.
“The Delphium family will belong to you and your young son. I am merely offering you that opportunity.”
It was as if a demon resembling Serena herself whispered these words.
