“You will get about 150 Gold as your monthly wage if you become my lady-in-waiting. It will also be increased once a year depending on how long you work. Your living expenses will be covered by the family just like now, so don’t worry.”

Elise had a brother who was studying at the Royal Knights’ Academy. Although they had some of their mother’s dowry left, it wasn’t big. Moreover, that brother had been refusing to receive money from her, saying he didn’t want to ruin his sister’s future. Elise’s heart had ached so much each time she saw him train with his rusty sword and old gloves.

It wasn’t the time to run just because she was afraid, worried, wasn’t confident, and couldn’t believe it.

“I’ll, I’ll do it.”

Elise barely managed to find the courage to say that. Her palms were sweaty, and she still wasn’t sure. Rubica might be disappointed with her in a month and kick her out. It was a good opportunity, but she was so afraid as if she was standing at the end of a cliff.

“Thank you!”

Then, Rubica jumped to her feet and hugged her tightly. That hug was warm enough to melt any frozen heart. Tears started filling her eyes.

She didn’t know why, but she got this feeling that Rubica would never easily kick her out no matter what mistakes she would make. She had never believed in anyone that way.

“Please don’t thank me. I’m the one who should be grateful.”

Elise had to try very hard to say that out aloud between the tears and sobbing.

***

Elise’s things were immediately moved to the main building. As it had been Edgar’s idea to bring her as the lady-in-waiting, there was no need to tell him about him. Rubica assigned her a room adjacent to Ann’s room. She wanted to have her stay right next to her own room, but the third floor was only for the duke and the duchess.

And now, Elise was in the middle of Rubica’s chamber. She couldn’t immediately start serving Rubica. She had to be trained by Ann for about a week before she started to work.

Rubica and her maids stood around the girl as if she were the important one. Elise didn’t know what to do with so many people watching her as she had never received that much attention before.

“Jennie.”

Rubica finally spoke after staring at her for a long time. Then, a clever-looking maid responded, “Her skin will soon get better if she uses herb water to wash her face. I think it would be better than applying this and that.”

“And her hair?”

“I think it would look better untied.”

Another maid agreed with Jennie and nodded, “And it would be better to cut her fringe short.”

Rubica crossed her arms and carefully nodded with her eyes still fixed on Elise. The girl looked around confusedly. It was as if they were talking in riddles.

‘Are they talking about Her Grace?’

She managed to make that guess. They were coming up with opinions about hair and skin, so they were probably discussing about the duchess’ dress and style. Well, what else could so many people be thinking hard about? But there was one thing she couldn’t easily understand.

‘She already has good skin…’

Could she not be satisfied with it as she was a noble lady? Then, Rubica clapped her hands.

“She has that kind of chicly style, right?”

The maids all nodded to that. Elise was now even more confused as Rubica didn’t appear to be chic. It looked like it would fit more to keep her hair combed back and decorated with a pin. What if nobody dared to say the truth? Should I just stay quiet? But what if she regrets her decision after she cuts her hair?

She nervously shifted her feet in her dress and finally made up her mind to talk.

But then…

“Elise, you trust me, right?”

“Excuse me?”

“Can you trust me and let me handle this?”

Rubica took Elise’s hands and persuaded her with a convincing voice. Her hands warmed up the girl’s.

She nodded at that warmth.

‘Of course, I should trust her. Who else can I trust?’

Rubica brightened up immediately and hugged Elise tightly again in joy. Although the girl was surprised, she liked it.

“Great! Then let me take care of it!”

That was the signal. Jennie quickly brought a small chair from the corner and made Elise sit down on it.

“I’ll pick and bring some dresses from my dressing room.”

Then Ann and a few maids followed Rubica to a small room. Should I follow them? I’m her lady-in-waiting. Elise tried to stand up, but Jennie pressed her shoulder to stop her. A maid and a lady-in-waiting. A commoner and a noblewoman. There was a huge gap in rank between them, but Jennie looked so determined that Elise had no choice but to stay seated.

Soon a white cloth was spread on her lap and Jennie took out silver scissors from her pocket. Elise got the goosebumps. She had never seen scissors like those. Then, the maid came closer with those scissors in her hand.

Is, is she about to do something to me? Was that offer of hiring me as the lady-in-waiting only a bait? They are even paying me a wage to tease me, what is about to happen now? Elise couldn’t keep her eyes open and shut them in fear.

Snap.

Soon she heard a chilling sound right in front of her eyes. She instinctively cringed and wished she could run out.

“Stay still!”

However, Jennie even yelled at her, and Elise didn’t have the guts to tell her not to be so rude to a noblewoman. She just ordered herself to get used to this new misfortune as soon as possible. Yes, no matter what they do to me, at least they are paying me. Just endure it, and it will all be fine.

“Well, it’s all done.”

Jennie spoke kindly after the cutting sound was over. Elise couldn’t believe it. No one hit her head with a book or beaten her arm with a ruler. Still, she kept her eyes shut tightly. She wouldn’t dare to open them.

“Child… no, Ms. Solana, you should open your eyes now.”

She was afraid, but she feared disobeying would bring an even bigger punishment. Her eyes snapped open. Then, Jennie, who had just been making a stern face, offered her a mirror with a smile. The mirror was as big as a book and showed Elise her face.

‘Huh?’

She found her own face so unfamiliar. It felt different from usual. Soon, she realized her fringe had been cut until it reached her eyebrows. It was the first time she ever had her fringe cut, although there had never been much of it. She thought it wouldn’t fit her but, to her surprise, it didn’t look bad.

“How about this one and this one?”

Rubica came out of the dressing room while carrying two dresses. They were both more splendid and more luxurious than the dress she was wearing now.

“Oh, I think this would be perfect.”

Jennie quickly took a pink dress and put it in front of Elise.

“Yes, right? I also thought it would fit her.”

That was another signal. Rubica didn’t give any further order, but the maids surrounded the girl again.

“Please lift your arms high.”

“Let’s take off her shoes first.”

“The strings of your corset are too old. Where did I put the strong strings?”

“But her slip is clean.”

Huh? Before Elise could even say that, she was undressed in an instant. By the time she realized what was happening, she was already wearing the dress Rubica had brought. She felt so dizzy at looking at all those embroidered roses and rubies on the chest part. She had never seen such an expensive dress before.

“And Linda, you’re the best at doing the hair.”

“Yes!”

Rubica called a maid with red hair who confidently came to the front. She undid Elise’s hair that had been tied so tightly. Then, she applied a scented oil on it and started to comb with great skill.

‘But Mrs. Shaynie said I should always keep my hair tied or I’ll look dirty…’

Elise was worried, but she couldn’t let down all those people excitedly looking at her. So, she stayed still. In the meantime, Ann found and brought a hairpin that could be worn simply. It had a ruby carved to look like a red rose that matched the embroidery of the dress. It was clearly expensive, but Linda didn’t hesitate to put it on the side hair that she had just braided and twisted.

‘… that pin must cost more than everything I have.’

Elise was so scared that she couldn’t even look at the pin, but the others were all smiling and laughing.

“Her hair looks just like a rose when braided and rolled like that.”

“Yes, it matches the rose-shaped hairpin.”

“Jennie was right, she looks better with her hair untied.”

Elise didn’t know what was going on, but it didn’t look like they hated her.