It was an expression he had seen before—the same look she had during their first encounter, when she knelt with her hands and feet bound. The moment she tried to negotiate the safety of Yeongmin and the people inside the castle in exchange for the seal—she wore that very expression.
“I was relieved,” she said. “Truly relieved. I don’t care if you see me as a liar or a hypocrite.”
Roxana pushed Curtis in the chest during his moment of hesitation and sat up.
“There are definitely evil people in this world. People who betray, deceive, rob, and steal.”
Her voice was clear. Roxana had no doubt in her beliefs. Her mother had always said that no one was born evil, but Roxana was sure that truly wicked people did exist.
Starting with her own father, the Marquess of Dalton, and the villagers who had once benefited from the convent’s help but quickly turned hostile and threatening when something felt off.
“But no one is entirely evil or entirely good. It’s the environment we’re given and the lives we live that shape us.”
“Any proof?”
“Harold tried to strangle me to death. But when I was little, he used to give me piggyback rides and help me find my dolls. As time passed, we grew distant, but he helped make my childhood warm. The piggyback rides and the dolls may have turned to ashes, but those memories remain untouched and undiminished.”
“…”
“So I was sad when he died. I was in shock at the time, but I genuinely wished him peace.”
She expected a rebuttal, but the gray eyes that met hers remained calm. As if waiting for her to continue, Roxana went on.
“And Mary. She betrayed me and opened the castle gates. But it was also Mary who warned me to run away right before you invaded.”
We help others, and we are helped in return. Today, we receive help from someone, and tomorrow we help someone who has fallen. That’s how the world should work. Her mother and the head nun had taught her that. Their teachings, from the people she respected and loved the most, were deeply rooted in her.
Silence settled over the cozy room. Roxana waited for Curtis to respond—whether with argument or anger.
But nothing came. He only stared at her with eyes she couldn’t read. He wore his emotions openly, but his thoughts remained hidden.
“Nice sermon, idealist.”
But the silence didn’t last. As if to prove her fleeting thoughts wrong, Curtis curled one corner of his mouth and retorted coldly.
“For someone who’s never had a drop of blood on her hands, that was quite the speech.”
He leaned in and whispered, pressing down on her wavering violet eyes with his stare.
“I don’t care about beliefs held by the weak, the powerless, or those who can’t defend themselves. Spout nonsense like that in front of me again, and I’ll take your tongue.”
His voice, laced with hostility, made Roxana avert her gaze. Curtis scoffed and stood up.
“You probably heard from Robert already, but starting tomorrow, you’ll serve Frey. Day and night.”
“…”
“If you cause her even a scratch, you’ll lose a lot more than you already have.”
His voice was chilling. But Roxana, for some reason, thought of a wounded beast, baring its teeth. The kind that would bite off your fingers if you reached out too easily.
As she sat, dazed and staring at his retreating back, a cold demand came.
“Answer.”
“…I’ll serve the young lady with sincerity and care.”
Before she could finish, the door slammed shut.
—
The next day, Roxana’s role as Frey’s personal maid hit a wall right from the start. Her first task was to open the curtains and ventilate the room. But Frey shot up in her nightgown and shrieked irritably.
“It’s cold! Are you trying to freeze me to death?!”
“You’re awake, miss.”
Startled, Roxana turned and answered. Frey tilted her head at the unfamiliar voice.
“That’s a voice I haven’t heard before. Who are you?”
“My name is…”
The answer caught in her throat. She shouldn’t even be in the Russell estate. She was supposed to have died under Curtis’s sword two years ago. Hesitating, Roxana nearly used a false name but instead left out her family name.
“…Roxana. We’ve met before.”
“Before?”
“Yes. Don’t you remember?”
Thankfully, Frey didn’t seem to know she was the Marquess of Dalton’s daughter. Roxana smiled gently, relieved.
“You came to my room late at night and hid in my wardrobe.”
“Did I? I don’t remember.”
Frey shook her head and groped around to get out of bed. She might fall since she couldn’t see. Alarmed, Roxana quickly grabbed her arm.
“I’ll help you.”
“No need.”
Frey yanked her arm away like a bristling cat and swung her legs off the bed. The thick carpet calmed her slightly when it met her bare feet.
“What’s the weather like today?”
“The sky is high and the breeze is cool. Winter must be on its way.”
Roxana handed her the cane lying by the bed.
“If you’re cold, I can bring a shawl.”
“No need.”
Frey again rejected her and tapped the floor with her cane as she made her way to the couch. Roxana followed quietly to assist.
“I brought washing water. It’s in front of you.”
Without replying, Frey reached for the table and dipped her hands into the basin. Within seconds, she scowled and overturned it.
“It’s cold! Get warm water.”
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
It had been warm, but it must’ve cooled. Panicked, Roxana knelt to wipe the spilled water from Frey’s pajamas. Frey shoved her hand away hard.
“Just clean this up and bring more water. I’ll change clothes afterward.”
Nodding, Roxana left the room.
The lady she now served, Frey Russell, was very different from the impression she gave. Last night, she was like a trembling kitten full of fear. But this morning, she was like a fierce cat sharpening its claws.
Maybe she’s just in a bad mood? Roxana refilled the basin and placed it on the kitchen stove to warm. As she watched the fire, someone approached from behind.
“Hey, are you the maid named Roxana?”
“…Yes, that’s me.”
“I knew it! No wonder!”
The speaker was another maid, wearing the same uniform and about the same age. She smiled brightly and extended her hand.
“My name’s Alice. Nice to meet you. You’re Roxana, right?”
“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you too.”
Roxana shook her hand awkwardly. Noticing her confusion, Alice continued cheerfully.
“I used to serve Lady Frey until yesterday. They suddenly changed my post, which really surprised me.”
“Oh, I see.”
Roxana relaxed a little.
“I’m sorry if it’s because of me…”
Alice shook her head, as if dismissing a ridiculous notion.
“Not at all! I’m actually grateful. I like kitchen work better. Honestly, I was close to quitting before they reassigned me.”
“…Huh?”
Roxana blinked at the unexpected reply. Alice grinned sheepishly and glossed over her slip.
“You’ll understand soon enough. If you ever need help, come find me. I’m your senior, so I’ll listen.”
Besides the butler Robert, this was the first kindness she had experienced in the manor. Warmth spread in Roxana’s heart at her friendly words.
“Thank you so much.”
“Oh, and feel free to drop the formal speech. We seem to be around the same age. No need to be stiff.”
“Is… that okay?”
“Of course.”
Alice gave her a nod, then studied her for a moment. Word had already spread around the manor that the new maid had put the notorious senior maid Lizzy in her place. Alice herself had once been bullied by Lizzy, so she had secretly enjoyed the news. She had expected someone tall and strong—but Roxana looked so delicate, like she’d blow away in a strong wind.
She worried if this fragile-looking girl could endure the role of Frey’s exclusive maid, which was known to be the toughest in the estate. But somehow, she seemed strong-willed. Maybe, just maybe, she would adjust well.
“You’re busy, right? That water’s probably warm enough. You should take it up.”
Alice patted her back with a smile, then silently mourned for her.
It’s going to be hard for a while, no matter what.
And Alice’s prediction turned out to be right. When Roxana finally brought the warm water back, all she got in return… was more frustration.
