“You’re late. What took you so long?”
“I’m sorry. I warmed it properly this time, so it shouldn’t be cold.”
Roxana bowed her head in apology and placed the silver basin back on the table. She carefully reached for Frey’s hand to help her wash, but Frey yanked her hand away irritably, groped for the basin, and dipped her hand into it. The next moment, the basin tipped over again. The hot water soaked Roxana’s skirt. Eyes wide, Roxana looked at Frey.
“My lady?”
“This time it’s too hot! You’re doing this on purpose to torment me!”
Frey furrowed her brows, stood up abruptly, and pointed a finger at her.
“You think I’m a joke because I’m blind, don’t you? I didn’t like the other maids either.”
“…Alice.”
At Frey’s words, Roxana unconsciously muttered the name of the maid she had just met. Though she’d whispered it, Frey caught it and interrogated her sharply.
“How do you know that name? You were gossiping about me, weren’t you? You were just talking about me!”
“No, I just happened to see her in the kitchen. That’s when I learned her name.”
Frey snorted at Roxana’s answer and sneered.
“Liar. You think I don’t know you’re all whispering behind my back?”
“My lady.”
“Go fetch more water. If it’s cold or hot again, I’ll report you to Robert.”
“…Understood. I’ll bring it right away.”
Roxana picked up the empty basin and stood. Just as she was about to leave the room, there was a knock on the door from the opposite side. When she opened it, a maid stood there holding a tray.
“My lady, I’ve brought your meal.”
As the maid passed by, her stiff profile seemed oddly tense. Sensing something was off, Roxana stepped out of the room—and barely a few steps away, a sharp scream pierced the air.
“Kyaaah!”
Startled, Roxana dropped the basin and hurriedly opened the door.
“My lady!”
Worried that Frey might be injured, she rushed in, but it wasn’t Frey who was hurt—it was the maid. Steaming scrambled eggs had spilled on the girl’s leg, along with hot coffee. At the sound of someone entering, Frey turned her head toward Roxana.
“Who…?”
“Are you okay?”
Roxana cut her off and quickly knelt beside the maid to check her condition. The girl looked around sixteen or seventeen, still very young. Eyes glistening with tears, she shook her head.
“It hurts…”
“Let me see.”
With the maid’s permission, Roxana lifted her skirt. The white thigh beneath the underpants was bright red.
“Fortunately, the skin didn’t peel. I’ll tell the butler. Just wait here for a moment, alright?”
Two voices answered her nearly in unison.
“No, please don’t!”
“What are you doing? Where’s my water?”
Ignoring Frey, Roxana met the maid’s eyes.
“Why not?”
“My sister is sick today… so I came in her place just for today. If they find out, my sister will be fired.”
The maid clung to Roxana’s skirt with tearful desperation.
“Then Father will hit her. Please. I’m begging you.”
“I understand. In that case—”
After quickly assessing the situation, Roxana stood up and rushed out of the room, leaving the startled two behind. Practically running to the kitchen, she found Alice washing dishes. Just as Alice turned with a knowing expression, Roxana spoke first.
“Alice. Do we have any potatoes?”
“Potatoes? Why so suddenly?”
“I need them right away. Mashed, if possible.”
There was no time to explain.
“Y-Yes, we have some.”
“Then mash one and bring it to Miss Frey’s room. Secretly, please.”
“Alright.”
“Thank you. I’ll borrow a towel too.”
Gripping Alice’s shoulders, Roxana made her request and hurriedly left. She soaked a towel in well water cold enough to sting her hands and quickly returned to Frey’s room.
“Let me see your leg again.”
“O-Okay…”
The maid winced as the cold towel touched her red, inflamed leg.
“It’s cold, I know. But this is first aid. Please bear with it.”
“…Okay.”
Meanwhile, Frey sat dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what was happening. Finally turning to her, Roxana checked on her as well.
“My lady, you’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”
Frey scoffed in disbelief and snapped.
“What are you doing? Why are you ignoring me? Where’s my water?”
“I didn’t ignore you, my lady. I just prioritized something more urgent. I’ll fetch fresh water shortly.”
“You—!”
Frey sprang to her feet in anger just as a knock came and Alice entered with the mashed potato.
“Excuse me.”
Alice looked between the three people and her eyes widened.
“Heavens. What happened here?”
“Thank you, Alice.”
Instead of replying, Roxana took the potato, removed the cold towel from the maid’s leg, and applied the mash. Then she tore a piece of her underskirt.
“Roxana!”
Alice tried to stop her, shocked by her boldness, but Roxana didn’t hesitate. She used the torn fabric to secure the potato mash to the wound.
“This is the best I can do for now. I’ll explain everything to the butler. You should leave early today. He’ll understand.”
“But really…”
The maid hesitated, glancing nervously at Frey. Seeing her worried expression, Alice stepped in.
“I’ll talk to the butler too. Go now. And make sure to see a doctor.”
“Th-Thank you.”
Tears in her eyes, the maid stood and limped toward the door. Just as she was about to leave, she stopped and turned around.
Roxana met her gaze, sensing she had something to say.
“What’s your name, miss?”
“Roxana. What’s yours?”
The maid’s face brightened.
“I’m Olivia. My sister’s name is Cassie. Thank you so much for today.”
Roxana responded with a gentle smile. Once the maid and Alice had left, the room finally grew quiet. As the situation settled, Roxana spoke calmly.
“I’ll bring fresh water and your breakfast shortly.”
“…What exactly are you?”
“Pardon?”
“Who’s backing you? Is it Robert? Or Greg?”
Frey, who had been silent since Alice arrived, now pressed her sharply.
“No, wait. I’ll ask directly. Who dared assign someone like you to me? My brother must be busy… Where’s Robert? Call him immediately.”
“The butler is away today on council matters.”
“Liar.”
“It’s true. You can ask another maid.”
“Why would I believe any of you? You’re all conspiring against me!”
Frey shrieked, tugging at her hair. Worried, Roxana stepped closer, but Frey lashed out like a cat with its claws bared.
“Don’t touch me!”
“Understood.”
Roxana backed off, meeting Frey’s complete rejection with composure. Frey’s ragged breaths gradually slowed, and she spoke with a cold, threatening tone.
“You dare defy me? I won’t let this go. Either kiss my feet or pack your things. When my brother returns, you’ll be thrown out in your underclothes.”
Her face was flushed, her lips trembling with rage. Roxana bowed her head obediently.
“I apologize for disregarding your words, my lady.”
“So now you apologize, only because I said I’d have you thrown out.”
Frey scoffed and flopped onto the couch, stretching out her leg as if ordering Roxana to kiss it.
“But I won’t kiss your foot.”
“…What?”
Frey blinked, thinking she misheard.
“What did you say?”
“I’m sorry I upset you, but what I did wasn’t wrong. A young maid was injured by the hot food you spilled.”
Roxana spoke gently, as if explaining something difficult to a child.
“If I hadn’t given her some basic first aid, she would have been scarred.”
Frey was taken aback by Roxana’s unexpected firmness. But she quickly retorted coldly.
“Don’t exaggerate. You think I’m easy because I’m blind? It wasn’t that hot, and that girl wasn’t even a real maid. She was pretending. She was insolent. You think I’ll just let this go?”
Roxana quietly reflected on Frey’s words. They weren’t entirely wrong.
The food wasn’t hot enough to cause serious burns, and the young girl had indeed impersonated her sister. And Frey was the precious daughter of Count Russell. Most nobles didn’t care if servants were injured or had personal struggles. Roxana knew well what true nobility looked like—her father, Marquis Dalton.
After collecting her thoughts, Roxana knelt slowly before Frey and asked,
“My lady. Could you show a little mercy?”
“Mercy?”
“Yes. Like sharing your water with a dying creature by the road… Couldn’t you offer a little kindness to that poor girl?”
“Why should I do that for someone else?”
“It’s not for others. It’s for your own happiness.”
“You’re getting bolder by the minute. Who do you think you are?”
“My lady…”
Frey looked stunned, just about to explode with anger.
