SWMD 24

Chapter 24

Two weeks earlier.

Right after Diana returned to the Grand Duke’s estate, the Marquis of Pereshte gave Icel the best room in his mansion.

Lisa led Icel to a door decorated with jewels. Icel’s eyes widened—just one door like that must be worth a pile of gold coins.

The attention to detail showed how careful and particular the Marquis was.

“Go on in!”

Lisa opened the door brightly, but Icel hesitated awkwardly.

She slowly stepped inside.

The room was even bigger than Catherine’s. The furniture and decorations were clearly expensive, even to someone like Icel who didn’t know much.

She had heard the Pereshte family was rich, but this was beyond her imagination.

She looked around with wide eyes.

She had spent her childhood locked in a tiny bookshelf room, so such a large space felt unfamiliar.

She gently touched the decorations, her eyes full of wonder.

“It’s late, so instead of a full meal, I’ll bring you some snacks.”

Lisa had started calling her “Your Highness.”

Icel nodded awkwardly. Lisa smiled and left the room.

Icel blinked in disbelief. She had always been the one serving others. Being treated kindly and with respect felt strange.

Soon, Lisa returned pushing a cart full of desserts—strawberry shortcake, macarons, éclairs—things kids would love.

Even though Icel hadn’t been hungry, the pretty sweets made her mouth water.

“You shouldn’t eat sweets this late, but…”

Lisa smiled as she placed the desserts on the table.

“The Marquis said to give you something—he said you’re too thin.”

“The Marquis said that?”

“Yes.”

Icel had been scared of him at first. But there was kindness in his eyes, hidden behind his stern face. She was deeply thankful as she looked at the desserts.

She had only eaten hard, dry bread as a maid. These foods were a first for her.

She had often watched Catherine eat and wondered what it tasted like, even licking her lips in longing.

Most maids at least got leftovers, but Icel had been denied even that. Catherine had eaten every crumb just so Icel couldn’t have any.

Icel stared at the desserts, unsure where to start, just swallowing her saliva.

Seeing her hesitate, Lisa placed a small fork in her hand.

“Try some. The Marquis said to make sure you eat everything.”

“…Okay.”

Icel timidly picked up a macaron. As soon as she tasted it, her cheeks turned red.

The chewy shell and soft vanilla cream melted in her mouth. She’d never tasted anything so sweet.

She didn’t know bread could be this soft. She opened her mouth in amazement.

Lisa smiled, watching her enjoy the food. Icel’s red cheeks looked like ripe peaches.

But she also felt sad. The Marquis said Icel was fifteen, but she looked no older than thirteen—far too skinny.

She must have barely been fed, even as a maid.

“Try the cake too. Our patissier is excellent.”

As the sweetness relaxed her body, Icel tried a strawberry from the cake. It was fresh and creamy.

She took another bite. The moist sponge soaked in syrup was heavenly.

“I also brought you warm cocoa—tea might be too bitter for you.”

Cocoa! Icel’s eyes widened.

If she had to choose one thing she had always wanted, it was cocoa.

Every snowy winter, Catherine drank it while Icel could only imagine the smell as it drifted into her bookshelf.

Lisa had made it thick, with melted chocolate and milk.

Icel wrapped her cold hands around the warm mug. The heat spread through her.

She lifted it carefully and took a sip of the sweet brown drink.

She almost cried.

The macaron and cake were delicious, but the cocoa was the best of all. It felt like all the warmth from Lisa and the Marquis had been poured into the cup.

“How is it?”

Lisa asked gently. Icel shyly smiled as she finished the mug.

“…It’s really good.”

“I’ll give you one cup after lunch every day. You need to gain weight.”

“…Thank you.”

“You must be tired. Eat and rest. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be busy!”

Lisa clapped her hands and took the cart.

Icel whispered, “Thank you, Lisa.”

“Of course,” she smiled and left.

Icel popped a few more macarons in her mouth, then wiped her lips with her sleeve and sat on the bed.

It was so soft she bounced in surprise. She’d always slept on hard floors that hurt her back.

Carefully, she lay down and pulled the blanket to her shoulders. Warm and cozy, with a full belly, she quickly got sleepy.

It had been a perfect day.

She met her mother—the person she missed and wanted to protect. She was afraid her story wouldn’t be believed, but her mother had also come back in time.

She met her grandfather too—he looked scary but was actually kind.

And she got to eat desserts and cocoa for the first time in her life.

Was this all a dream? She pinched her cheek. It hurt—so it was real.

For the first time ever, she felt truly happy.

With a small smile, she slowly blinked and fell asleep.

The next morning.

“Your Highness, it’s time to wake up.”

“Mm…”

She heard the curtains open. Sunshine streamed in, and Icel squinted and opened her eyes.

This wasn’t her old bookshelf room or the crowded orphanage.

This was her own, spacious room in the Marquis’ mansion.

She rubbed her eyes and sat up. Lisa brought out a dress—a white chemise dress.

“The Marquis had this made just for you.”

It looked like it would fit Icel’s small frame perfectly. She admired the beautiful dress but asked:

“How did he prepare this so fast…?”

She had only arrived last night. How did he have a perfect dress ready?

Lisa laughed, remembering last night.

“It was chaos.”

“Chaos?”

“He offered extra money and ordered a dress immediately.”

“…What?”

Lisa opened the closet—inside were all kinds of dresses in different colors.

Icel’s eyes widened. She stood and gently touched the soft fabric.

“These are…”

“All yours. They’re off-the-rack, which is a shame, but still lovely.”

To Icel, who had never worn anything fancy, they were more than enough.

Staring at the shiny dresses, she whispered,

“They’re all so pretty…”

“We’ll dress you in one after your bath.”

Lisa led her to the mansion’s bath. Inside, maids were already waiting.

“I can bathe myself…”

“No way, Your Highness.”

The maids gently removed her ragged clothes.

Underneath, her skinny, scarred body was revealed. Icel tried to cover herself, embarrassed, but there was no way to hide her malnourished frame.

Lisa was speechless. No matter her status, the girl’s condition was heartbreaking.

She hid her emotions and smiled.

“Please enter the bath, Your Highness.”

“…Okay.”

The water was just right. The luxurious oils relaxed her, and she forgot her shame.

She noticed a bottle of oil nearby—it was from a famous brand owned by the Duke of Iberk, the same one Catherine always talked about wanting.

“That’s really expensive, isn’t it?”

“Pardon?”

“That oil.”

“Your Highness.”

“Yes?”

“The Marquis said that during your stay here, you would get only the best.”

Hearing Lisa’s serious voice, Icel paused as she played with the pink bubbles.

“You deserve to enjoy everything you missed. Okay?”

She was right. Icel was no longer a maid hidden in a bookshelf.

She had to become a perfect lady here. More elegant and smart than Catherine.

Her emerald eyes—just like Diana’s—sparkled with firm determination.