#5. Water Drenched
2023.12.06.
‘Even seeing that face doesn’t stir my heart anymore. I don’t even want to talk to him.’
Entering the room, Eshika stretched once before lying on the bed.
Through the small window in the cramped room, she could see the sky.
As she watched the drifting clouds, she closed her eyes.
The moment she first met Kalian Klaus and fell for him passed through her mind.
So did the days in her past life when she met the Emperor as a spirit—memories layered on top of each other.
‘The result was a disaster. How foolish I was to chase after something so hollow.’
Eshika opened her eyes again.
‘But now, this life is mine to live.’
In her blue eyes gleamed a cold clarity.
Though she hadn’t regained her former strength, she had the knowledge and experience to assess the situation before her.
Things would change slowly—but surely.
Clack—
Suddenly, the door opened without a knock.
Eshika slowly sat up in bed. Four women stood before her.
The three in front were handmaids directly under the Grand Madam’s command.
Women who, empowered by the Grand Madam’s authority, held sway over the Duke’s household.
‘I expected this, but their response is faster than I thought.’
And behind them stood Yuri, who had just been newly appointed as Head Maid.
Her lips curled into a crooked smirk.
The three maids carried buckets full of cold water—and dumped them straight onto Eshika.
Splash—Splash—
Icy water soaked her completely.
Her neatly brushed hair was drenched, as were her clothes.
Even after they emptied the buckets, water continued to drip from her chin and sleeves for some time.
Yuri walked forward, heels clicking, and stood in front of Eshika.
Lifting her chin, she said:
“The Grand Madam ordered us to bring you some refreshing cold water.”
A cold smile hung on Yuri’s lips.
“She said cold water works better than tea when it comes to correcting insolent behavior.”
There was clear enjoyment in her mocking voice.
“And now… don’t you just look like a drowned rat?”
The maids behind her giggled loudly at that.
Water dripped from Eshika’s hair, wet strands clinging to her face.
Yuri felt an immense sense of satisfaction at the sight.
A woman with nothing to show for herself, sipping tea with Kalian? How absurd.
And then to walk away without even bowing, even though Kalian hadn’t dismissed her?
She’d reported the incident to the Grand Madam, gently fueling her anger.
Fetching icy water and dumping it on Eshika was bound to leave her half-crazed.
Eshika slowly brushed aside the wet hair from her face.
“……”
Her blue eyes met Yuri’s gaze directly, causing Yuri’s brow to twitch.
She had expected her to be frightened, maybe even crying—but there was no reaction.
Yuri didn’t know.
That Eshika, in her former life as Cheon Yeong-ryeong, had endured harsh training in frozen valleys for days on end.
Though her body was still weak, her mental strength was unwavering. Something like this wouldn’t faze her.
“……Hah.”
Without a care, Eshika stepped off the bed and calmly swept her hair back.
The maids behind Yuri flinched slightly at Eshika’s unexpected calm.
Bullying only works when the victim reacts. But Eshika…
“……Is that all?”
With a composed, almost mocking expression, she leaned close to Yuri’s face.
Yuri’s smug smile twitched.
“……You…”
“Tell the Grand Madam I enjoyed the cold water.”
Eshika’s lips moved, her voice unwavering.
“How gracious of the future daughter-in-law to deliver it herself. You must be getting close?”
Her gaze shifted to the maids behind Yuri.
At the word “future daughter-in-law,” Yuri’s hand twitched.
“What the hell are you saying…!”
“Embarrassed in front of the maids? But you said it yourself—you’re going to be Klaus’s daughter-in-law.”
“……!”
That couldn’t reach the Grand Madam’s ears—not yet.
That overbearing maternal love had been the reason Eshika suffered so much.
If Yuri, who just secured her position by offering up jewels, got on the Grand Madam’s nerves…
Her life could be in danger.
“I—I never said that!”
As Yuri turned to look behind her, the maids exchanged odd glances.
And Eshika, with a smirk at the corner of her lips, stared at her with amused eyes.
‘Did she say that on purpose?’
Yuri’s eyes trembled. No way that foolish girl could plan this out so thoroughly in such a situation…
She ground her teeth.
“And one more thing.”
Eshika turned her eyes to the maids behind Yuri.
“Emilia, Annie, Rusa. I’ll remember what you three did today. Your manners in serving your superior were… truly admirable.”
Her calm yet chilling voice made the maids stiffen.
“One day, I’ll be sure… to reward you for it.”
The maids were shocked that the Duchess even knew their names.
The Duchess of Klaus was known for her pale face and her obsession with jewels and vanity.
The Grand Madam, displeased by her appearance, had threatened to throw her out, and Eshika had begged to stay—agreeing to move to this dingy room to reflect.
But people don’t change that easily… right?
Yet now, the Duchess—soaked head to toe—had a terrifying gleam in her eyes.
‘She’s giving me chills.’
There was a sharp, twisted smile on her lips, and a cold aura in her gaze. She looked more like a witch.
The maids’ faces hardened further.
“L-let’s go.”
Yuri clenched her fists, trembling as she turned and stormed out.
The three maids followed, but their proud, confident steps had turned nervous and unsure.
Meanwhile…
“Ma’am, I brought you dry clothes, but… about the clothes…”
Sella bowed deeply, almost to the floor, begging for forgiveness.
“I’m sorry, but these were the only ones I could get… they’re maid uniforms.”
Eshika changed in silence while Sella nervously watched.
Running her fingers through her wet hair, Eshika thought about the luxurious dresses she’d brought when she got married.
Her assigned room had once been spacious and sunlit—fitting for a duchess.
But the Grand Madam had found fault with everything and began tormenting her. With Kalian doing nothing to protect her, Eshika’s position weakened.
Eventually, the Grand Madam gave an ultimatum: if she continued dishonoring the family with her extravagance, she should divorce.
So Eshika had moved herself to this windowless, secluded room.
She entrusted all her jewelry and dresses to the Grand Madam, keeping only two formal sets.
Of those, Yuri had ruined one under the guise of an accident—making Eshika essentially a one-dress woman.
‘And I’m sure this maid outfit is her idea too.’
For a noblewoman to wear a maid’s uniform was a humiliation.
Eshika was forced to choose: stay in wet clothes and shiver until they dried, or accept this insult and wear what a servant would.
“How is it, Sella?”
Eshika asked, dressed now in the maid uniform, straightening her clothes.
Sella looked up and blinked in surprise.
“Ma’am…”
Even in a plain maid’s outfit, Eshika’s uniqueness couldn’t be hidden.
The elegance in her posture and the glow about her—things she hadn’t noticed before—made her truly beautiful now.
‘Why doesn’t His Grace cherish her?’
The thought crossed her mind suddenly.
“The outfit fits well, ma’am, but… still, for someone of your standing…”
“No, I’m asking—do I look like a real maid?”
“Of course not! You’re a noble duchess—!”
Eshika frowned slightly.
“I mean, how can I look more convincingly like one?”
Startled, Sella replied,
“…M-maids usually tie their hair up. Perhaps you should do that too.”
“Good. That’s the kind of answer I wanted. I prefer practicality. I’m sick of pretty but useless things. I wore those plenty in my last life…”
With a wicked gleam in her eyes, Eshika smiled and said softly,
“In that sense, the outfit you brought and your advice to tie my hair—both are perfect.”
“Th-thank you…”
Eshika looked at her reflection in the mirror.
Life was like a seesaw. She now had the perfect outfit for moving about—it made her feel happy.
Sella, who had expected an angry and despondent duchess, stared in shock at Eshika, speechless.
Tying her hair into a single neat braid, Eshika smiled genuinely, as if she were enjoying herself.
And at that moment, a man was making his way toward House Klaus…
