CHAPTER 4 [R-18]

Reyna was humming a song while watering the roses in the Garden of Light. Natasha was sitting quietly next to her, reading a book.

"It's nice to have some leisure time after a long time."

"That's right. Ariel unnie seemed to be working in the workshop earlier."

Reyna glanced through the glass dome and spoke, looking at the workshop next to the garden. Even when everyone else took advantage of the busy moment to play around and frolic, Ariel was doing something productive. It made Reyna think that Ariel indeed had a somewhat naive side.

Ariel was sitting in the workshop, just as Reyna had imagined. She had always enjoyed sewing, but after trying her hand at making clothes once, she discovered that creating something with her own hands was quite an enjoyable task.

Ariel straightened her back for a moment and looked at the embroidery that was nearing completion. The sight of red and pink roses blooming was tempting, and even she found it quite satisfying.

If a dress adorned with such embroidery were to be made, it would be beautiful... Ariel looked at the finished blue dress on the mannequin. Adding anything more would only make the dress cluttered.Above all, she now wanted to create her own clothes, not someone else's. For example, a pure white wedding dress to give to Cecilia...

She knew the thought of actually marrying Cecilia was absurd. But if it was just a hobby, something she could create and cherish on her own...

At that moment, a noisy sound could be heard from somewhere. Shrill screams and loud noises filled the air. The maidservants, who suddenly obtained some free time, were roaming around the vast mansion, exploring places they couldn't normally visit.

Ariel quietly locked the door of the workshop with a key. It wouldn't be good if other maids found out that Meryl had given her this space exclusively.

Then, she pressed her ear against the door and listened until the noisy crowd passed by. There was a high probability that they had come to admire Cecilia's famous glass greenhouse, known for its beauty.

"Are you hiding here too?"

Someone spoke from behind Ariel, leaning against the door. Ariel was startled and let out a small scream as she turned around. It was another maid dressed in the same attire.

With black hair that had a tinge of red and eyes as red as roses, she was a tall and glamorous woman. What surprised Ariel even more was the mischievous smile on her face, as if she found amusement in sneaking in.

"Uh, how did you get in?"

Overwhelmed by the confident demeanor of the woman, Ariel spoke politely. The woman chuckled and pointed to an open window with her hand. "Through there."

"No, how did you jump over that window and get in? Moreover, I didn't hear any sound or notice anything...?"

"I haven't been here for long, and the kids keep bothering me whenever Meryl is not around. Did you hear the noisy commotion earlier?"

"Oh, you're a newcomer..."

Ariel sighed with relief for some reason and brushed her chest. Seeing that they were dressed in the same maid uniform, she didn't seem suspicious.

By the way, those kids, even after being scolded severely by Reyna, haven't learned their lesson. I thought they would behave, but did they simply change their target from Reyna to another maid? Ariel felt a twinge of pity as she looked at the woman.

"They must be giving you a hard time, don't they? This industry is a bit like that. Anyway, everyone moves around from place to place, so why bother harassing others..."

"Oh my, it seems you've moved around quite a bit, haven't you?"

Ariel realized with a start at the woman's words. It was foolish of her to bring up the past. She just thought it seemed that way when she looked at everyone. Awkwardly, Ariel smiled and tried to divert the conversation by carefully observing the woman's attire.

It hasn't been long since she arrived, dressed in a clean maid uniform with distinct under-eye dots. Though partially obscured by her clothes, there seemed to be a black necklace, and unlike typical maids, she had multiple piercings on her ears, which caught the eye.

Why haven't Ariel ever seen such a dazzling girl until now? Even if she's new, she should have stood out immediately.

Ariel somehow felt like she knew why the other kids were bothering this new maid. Just by standing still, she had the type of appearance that would draw attention no matter what she did. Of course, that didn't justify the harassment at all.

"If the other maids bother you too much, it might be a good idea to talk to Meryl. She may seem strict on the surface, but she's actually quite caring if you get to know her."

Assuming she's good at her job, of course. Ariel omitted the last part and spoke kindly to the new maid.

"...I just wanted to come here occasionally. Can only you enter this place?"

That... Ariel hesitated, not knowing what to say. If she said only Ariel could come in, the new maid would wonder why she had that privilege, and if she said it was because of making Cecilia's dresses...

That's right, the dress! Ariel suddenly turned her head in a panic, realizing that she hadn't covered the dress with a cloth. The dazzling and sparkling dress was fully dressed on the mannequin.

She needed to quickly cover it before the girl noticed, but the new maid kept her eyes fixed on Ariel, smiling as if urging her to answer.

Seeing Ariel's worried expression, the new maid discovered the dress over Ariel's shoulder and approached with an interested look on her face.Before Ariel could say anything, the new maid walked over and examined the dress up and down. She also discovered sewing and embroidery materials on the desk.

"You made this dress, didn't you?"

"Oh, no, it was originally here."

"Is that so? Why do I feel like you're lying?"

Ariel couldn't say anything more. While she thought the new maid seemed like a stickler, she had been bothered by the way she kept referring to herself as "you" and "that side" since earlier. She should have asked for her name earlier.

"It's a dress that has nothing to do with me."

"Is that so?"

Upon hearing those words, the new maid pushed a blue strand of thread that had been left unattended on the desk, causing it to fall to the floor, unraveling and rolling away.

"Well, then it doesn't matter what happens to the things here, right?"

"..."

"And it doesn't matter if I come in her either."

The new maid brushed Ariel's dress shoulder with her hand, and her long nails seemed like they could easily snag on the dress.

"I... I made it, so please don't handle it carelessly."

...So that's how it it."

The new maid chuckled and let go of the fabric she had been clutching. Ariel, with an angry expression, examined the dress, checking if there were any tears or damage.

At first, she felt sympathy for the maid being harassed, but now it seemed like her personality was completely different.

"It doesn't seem like you made it to wear it yourself... Isn't that right, Miss?"

"...Why are you asking when you already know?"

"I never knew that I would have to make such exquisite dresses to become a maid."

"I just ended up making it. Meryl asked me to."

"Still, it must have been quite difficult to make this large and beautiful dress alone... Are you different from other ladies?"

Though Ariel didn't say it out loud, she thought, 'Of course I am! it's obvious!' The words almost slipped out of her mouth. Ariel sighed, trying to suppress her desire to boast about her deep love for the lady, and looked at the maid with a distant gaze.

"That's not true. I'm just working an extra shift for overtime pay."

"I see."

The new maid said so, and her unpleasant smile seemed to imply that she understood Ariel's inner thoughts.

Oh, really. As if it wasn't enough that I'm dying to see Lady Cecilia, now I have to deal with this girl too. Lately, Ariel felt like things just weren't going smoothly. All she wanted was to go flower viewing with the lady...

"Well, I'll be going now. Lady Cecilia will be back soon, I suppose."

"I hope you won't disturb me next time I'm working."

"...Alright. Please make sure to lock the door when you go leave."

The new maid turned the doorknob with a mocking smile, opened the door with a click, and said those words. Wait, I'm sure I locked it earlier...?

At this point, Ariel was feeling a strange sense of dread. The new maid looked at the bewildered Ariel and smiled, saying, "Oh, and my name is Monica," before disappearing without a trace.

Ariel stared blankly at the closed door for a while, unable to move her body. Her legs felt weak. She thought to herself that from now on, she should make sure to tightly close the windows and doors before leaving.

"Unnie, Meryl and Lady Cecilia have returned!"

A moment later, Reyna rushed out from the greenhouse, opened the door, and spoke. Huh? Oh, really? Ariel, still dazed, was grabbed by the wrist by Reyna, who had a look of confusion as if wondering why her sister was acting like this. Hurry, let's go!

Already, the other maids were preparing to welcome the owners of the mansion. Reyna and Ariel quickly took their places next to Natasha, all bowing and greeting together with lowered waists.

They had heard that the lady was riding in that sleek and incredibly noisy black car. Not only Ariel, but everyone was buzzing with excitement at the sight of a car. It was the first time they had seen one since they were born. Ariel raised her heels, eagerly waiting for the lady to get out of the car.

The young lady returned with an enormous amount of luggage. She had mentioned meeting an important person for business, and it seemed she had bought a lot of gifts from the noble and local specialty products. The young lady, who had left in a carriage, returned with a state-of-the-art car and six carriages filled with luggage. The maids, led by Meryl, gathered in front of the mansion to welcome the returning lady.

The lady, who had been conducting a preliminary survey for the launch party preparations for several days, appeared slightly tired. However, she quickly scanned the maids with her eyes, looking for Ariel. Ariel was usually at the forefront, but today she was hard to spot.

"Welcome back, My lady." Franken greeted politely and reported on the empty mansion.

"Yes, the contract was resolved successfully. I have too much luggage, don't I? Even though I said I'm fine, they kept giving me new fragrances, so it turned out like this."

"I'll have the maids quickly organize everything."

Meryl made a gesture, and the maids hurriedly went behind the carriages to receive the luggage. They were filled with precious plants and fragrances unique to the northern region, as well as fur clothing and exquisite decorations.

As they walked towards the mansion, searching for Ariel for a while, Cecilia finally found her and smiled brightly.

"Ariel!"

Cecilia called out to Ariel. When Ariel saw Cecilia's face, she quickly regained her composure, no longer feeling anxious because of Monica. The two of them exchanged playful smiles and ran towards each other.

"My lady! Welcome back! Did you have a good trip?"

Ariel asked with a mix of anxiety and concern. Cecilia nodded and gently stroked Ariel's cheek. Of course, I was waiting for you, her eyes seemed to say.

"Ahem, let's do the maid appearance inspection later, Young Lady."

Meryl, who was walking behind them, spoke up. It turned out they were in front of everyone. Ariel realized this and blushed, taking a step back.

"Meryl is good, but she can be a bit stern."

"It's not good to show favoritism towards only one maid."

Cecilia said, sending Ariel away as if there was no other choice. Although there was a lot of work piled up after their return, Cecilia, who had just come back from a long journey and was tired, wanted to take a bath right away and went back to her room. About thirty minutes later, Meryl, who had finished preparing for the bath, told Ariel to bring a basket of towels for the young lady. The basket, made of wood, was filled with fluffy, high-quality towels. When Ariel placed the towel on her cheek, it was incredibly soft, just like the texture of the lady's skin.

"Do you mean to say that there's no need to wear this?"

"My lady!"

"Did you want to see me?"

Cecilia had finished showering and was wearing a yellow fluffy monkey bathrobe. A pleasant vanilla scent filled the air along with the steam. Cecilia walked up to Ariel, placed Ariel's forehead against her own chest, and hugged her tightly.

"Just stay like this for a moment. Let me recharge."

"...How was your trip?"

Ariel asked as she nestled between Cecilia's chest. The warm vanilla scent mixed with the young lady's natural fragrance. It was always a delightful aroma no matter when she smelled it.

"I had fun because there were many interesting things being created in the northern region. Well, it was a trip to negotiate contracts with the nobles and cater to their tastes, so to speak."

"Considering that, you had an enormous amount of luggage."

"There are many things I want to bring, you know. For example... things like this."

Cecilia opened the large, square plastic box placed next to her bed and spoke. A white vapor was emanating from the box.

"Have you heard of a refrigerator?"

A hazy mist rose from inside the box. Cecilia took out a pair of tongs and placed a few pieces of ice into a round glass bowl. There were pure white ice cubes visible, as well as frozen pieces of cherries or other sweet fruits. Ariel looked at it with fascination. While she had seen ice being cut before, she had never seen ice formed into perfect squares like this.

"What is this for?"

"It was a gift from a friend. It keeps things cold without melting. Even in the middle of summer, the ice won't melt."

"Is that possible with human power?"

"Let's find out if it's possible or not."

"Cecilia picked up an ice cube and placed it in Ariel's mouth. It was cold. The ice was hard and freezing. Even though it wasn't winter, being able to eat ice felt like crossing the boundary into an unknown world for Ariel. She rolled the ice around in her mouth, exploring its texture. Cecilia watched her with an adorable expression.

"Did the box make the ice too?"

"No, the box can't make ice yet. That's why I brought a lot from the northern region."

Cecilia held an ice cube to Ariel's neck. Startled, Ariel recoiled and shrank her body. Due to the surprise, she bit down on the ice in her mouth, shattering it.

"...This is what I wanted to do."

Cecilia used her finger to wipe away the melted water traces that had dripped down Ariel's neck. She held Ariel's hand and led her to the bed. In an instant, she laid Ariel down and looked down at her. Her finger traced from Ariel's nose to her chin. It was cold due to the moisture from the ice. As a result, Cecilia's touch felt even more pronounced than usual.

"Do you like cold things?"

"...I'm not sure."

"You'll come to like them."

Cecilia put ice in her mouth and began to glide it along Ariel's body. It sent shivers down her spine while also providing a smooth sensation. Moisture remained in the places where the ice passed along Ariel's neck and collarbone. At the same time, Cecilia reached down with her hand into her skirt.

After a few movements of her hand, Cecilia's finger found the slightly swollen spot as it penetrated the gap between Ariel's plump flesh. Her finger was cold. Cecilia pressed firmly with her entire finger, not just the tip, exerting pressure on Ariel. It was round yet firm. The slight protrusion of Cecilia's finger bone stimulated that area, creating a thrilling sensation. Ariel tightened her grip on the pillow, exerting force on her thigh.

"Miss, a little slower..."

Whenever Ariel seemed to focus on the sensation given by the lady's finger, she immediately felt the cold touch of ice from above. Cecilia unbuttoned her maid's clothing and spread it out on both sides, then looked at Ariel's small and firm body. It was cute, chubby, with perky breasts. It was so adorable that she wanted to bite into it.

However, instead, she gently and coldly placed ice on Ariel's n*pple. At the sharp, cold, unfamiliar sensation, Ariel let out a gasp. As the ice rotated around her n*pple, the white flesh quickly turned red. When Cecilia lightly nibbled on the reddened breast, the numbing effect of the ice prevented any pain from the chilled and dulled skin. 

Cecilia continued to hold the ice and slid it down to Ariel's belly button. The sensation of something cold touching her belly made all the hairs on her body stand on end. But at the same time, the lady's touch felt so good that it felt like something was moving between her legs every time her body stiffened. She couldn't bear to hold back that movement anymore, so she frowned and made a sound of frustration. Cecilia enjoyed seeing Ariel's expression like that.

Upon seeing Ariel's expression, Cecilia started moving her hand even faster. The round tip had become swollen and blunt, and sticky liquid was oozing out from below. Ariel's breath became increasingly ragged. Every time Cecilia pushed her hand in, Ariel unconsciously lifted her hips upward, longing for the lady to do more to her, but she couldn't bring herself to say it out loud.

With a flushed face and eyes that couldn't fully open, Ariel struggled to endure the overwhelming pleasure that was crashing over her. That face, desperately trying to resist while feeling the pleasurable sensation on her finger, demanding more and more, and biting her own body—it couldn't be more lovely.

Cecilia took a new ice cube with a cherry inside and pressed it against Ariel's lips. Ariel hugged the lady's neck, feeling her scent, and closed her eyes. Her chest was so cold and her legs were trembling, but the kiss with the lady was incredibly sweet.

Ariel opened her mouth, and her tongue mingled with the lady's, while she focused on the sensation between her legs. The tongue and the ice mixed together, and the ice made a crisp sound as it touched her teeth. Cecilia's tousled hair was sticking to Ariel's face as she looked down at her. Saliva dripped from Ariel's open mouth.

When the ice was almost melted, the lady withdrew her mouth. At that moment, Ariel pulled Cecilia's neck closer and kissed her again. Cecilia was slightly surprised, but soon swallowed the cherry juice that Ariel had bitten off. It had a sweet taste.

"I also... want to do something for you, My lady."

"Stay still."

Cecilia grabbed Ariel's wrist and pressed it firmly on the bed, preventing her from moving. It felt like she was savoring the captured prey slowly. Cecilia lightly licked Ariel's n*pple with her tongue. The sensation had dulled due to the prolonged contact with the cold ice.

Cecilia knew that and lightly nibbled on the tip of the n*pple. Ariel twisted her body, but Cecilia held her tightly, preventing her from moving too much.

"My friend said that even though the northern region is cold, it's always warm. I wonder why?"

"I don't...know."

Cecilia smiled and kissed Ariel's forehead, who was gasping for breath and unable to properly breathe. Their breathing was heavy, and sweat was dripping down their spine. Cecilia released Ariel's wrist and got up from the bed, but Ariel was still unable to regain her senses as a hot sensation surged inside her body.

Cecilia retrieved something from a bag she had brought from the northern region and walked back to Ariel. It was something Ariel had never seen before. It was a round, pink, soft-looking stone-like object.

Cecilia smiled playfully as she looked at Ariel, who was lying with her legs spread wide open. Eventually, Cecilia pressed a button, and with a buzzing sound, the stone-like object started vibrating uncontrollably.

"Shall we find out why?"

Ariel felt a sense of fear, but now she couldn't escape. The buzzing sound echoed in the room. Cecilia brought the vibrator to Ariel's cl*toris, and her body immediately responded. It was even more sensitive because of the previous light touch. Cecilia alternated between the ice and the vibrator, teasing Ariel. 

Whenever she felt like she was about to reach the climax from the vibrator's stimulation, the cold ice would dull her senses.

The repeating cycle of almost reaching the edge but not being able to go over it was driving Ariel crazy. Cecilia could tell that as well. Moans of frustration escaped Ariel's throat. However, unless Ariel explicitly spoke up, Cecilia had no intention of letting her go.

"Do you want to come?"

Cecilia whispered in Ariel's ear, causing her already red face to blush even more. If Ariel didn't answer here, this pleasurable yet tormenting vibrator would continue without an end. No, she didn't want it to end, rather, she wanted to reach the end. She wanted to come. She wanted to come as much as she pleased with Cecilia's gentle and elegant hands.

"I... I want to come... "

"Really?"

"Please let me... Yes? To this extent... Ah..."

Ariel winced as the vibrator suddenly intensified. Finally, the climax built up gradually and soared to its peak. Gasping, Ariel looked at Cecilia. Sweat was glistening on Cecilia's forehead. They looked at each other and embraced once again.

* * *

Under the scorching sun, Ariel rolled up her sleeves and busily carried folding chairs and tables. In just two days, Cecilia would host a grand launching party near the mansion, on the beach. It was going to be magnificent. Ariel was excited about it.

Lady Cecilia had been busy all day, bustling around, preparing for the launching party. When Cecilia was busy, it meant that the maids below her were three times busier. Everyone moved around hurriedly, without a moment of leisure.

"There, walk straight and keep it level!"

The manager shouted at the maids hanging placards on the stage. It was hastily set up for the launching party that would take place the next day. Cecilia planned to express her gratitude to the people who would be enjoying the party while drinking wine on the beach.

They could have held the launching party in the mansion's banquet hall, but the problem was the lack of parking space to accommodate the numerous carriages of the nobles. Since most of the front of the mansion was occupied by gardens and flower beds, Cecilia chose the vast sandy beach.

As a result, the maids had to prepare for the party on the beach. After loading the truck with items from the mansion, the maids were taking them out one by one and setting them up.

They arranged the round metal tables and chairs with enough space between them, neatly placing white tablecloths on top. In the center of each table, they placed vases filled with flowers and set up napkins, forks, and knives.

They laid out red mats that crossed the area where the guests were seated and the stage, and on either side of the mats, they placed tall flower vases at regular intervals. It looked like a wedding venue.

Ariel held a massive bouquet in her arms and hurriedly ran around. Due to the rush, the maid cap she was wearing was slightly crooked on her head. Walking on the sandy beach made it difficult to carry the heavy load.

Ariel inserted hydrangeas with a delicate mix of purple and blue into the flower vases and wiped away some sweat. The placard read 'Salon de Lis,' and on both sides were sentences symbolizing lilies. Ariel couldn't read the words, especially since they were written in French), so she didn't know what they meant. However, knowing that it was a dream Cecilia had cherished for a long time, Ariel pushed through the difficulty and continued to move her body.

"Ariel unnie, come here!"

Reyna called Ariel secretly from the manager's side. Natasha and Reyna were standing in the shade far away on the cliff near the beach. It seemed like they were avoiding the sunlight, which was blocked by the cliff created by the eroding waves.

Ariel glanced at the manager and saw that she was busy managing the maids who were moving the dishes. She then ran towards Reyna. The rough stones appeared sporadically on the surface of the water, leading up to a cave in the cliff.

"Who works so diligently like this? You should take it easy and rest when you have the chance."

"You look so exhausted today, Miss Ariel."

"Ahaha, do I?"

Actually, it wasn't solely because of work that she felt tired. However, if she had gone back halfway, it wouldn't have been this difficult... Ariel suddenly remembered the time she held the lady's hand and clung to her. No way, did I really pester the lady like that... I must be crazy, I'm going crazy.

Ariel held onto her skirt and carefully crossed over to where Natasha and Reyna were. Natasha held Ariel's hand to prevent her from falling.

"Ah, my back hurts."

"Unnie, you need to find a more graceful way to work. You're not someone who does maid work once or twice."

"But since I received money, I should work hard."

Ariel straightened her back and stretched while speaking. She couldn't bring herself to say that she was receiving five times more money than others. However, she thought that even if it wasn't for the money, she would still be working like this for the lady's sake.

"From a young age, she was someone who didn't understand the concept of resting because she had been working to support her family. Reyna knew this, so whenever she had the chance, she secretly called Ariel to take a break.

It felt better once they were away from the sunlight. The sound of waves crashing against the cliff echoed into the cave, spreading a refreshing feeling to their hearts.

Come to think of it, there was a place like this. Ariel looked at the stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling and suddenly gazed into the deep darkness beyond the cave. It seemed to be connected to a very deep place.

"How did you find a place like this?"

"It was the lady, not me, who found it."

Reyna pointed to Natasha and said. Natasha smiled in response to Reyna's gesture.

"I kept seeing something sparkling in the darkness. So I came closer and found the cave."

"Really...? That's fascinating..."

"It was probably just the stalactites reflecting the light."

"...By any chance, do you know how to read French, Natasha?"

Upon Ariel's words, Natasha made a facial expression as if she understood what it meant. She seemed curious about what kind of business Cecilia was starting.

"Um, are you talking about what's written on the placard?"

"Yes! Actually, I don't know how to read French, so..."

Ariel said, feeling embarrassed. Natasha, as if there was no need for Ariel to feel embarrassed, translated each letter written on the placard.

"The last letter is '리스' (Lis). So, it means '백합' (baekhap) [baekhap means 'lily']. It's Baekhap Salon."

The patterns on both sides of the placard also represent lily flowers in France. Natasha kindly added an explanation.

"Oh, Baekhap Salon... Um, but do you know what a salon is?"

Ariel asked again, trying to overcome her embarrassment. Well, isn't it a place where ladies eat macarons? Reyna muttered from behind. A salon, Reyna had heard of it vaguely at least once.

"It's a place where people mainly drink coffee or tea, enjoy pastries like Reyna said, and freely discuss and share stories. ...Although Cecilia seems to be opening something slightly different from a regular salon. We'll be able to find out more details at tomorrow's party, right?"

"Ah... Thank you, Natasha."

"What's the big deal?"

Natasha chuckled and spoke. Ariel thought that if she could study a little more, she would be very diligent, but she could only think about it since everyone had their own circumstances.

"We should start heading back soon. We need to install signs to guide people to the party venue."

Reyna, who had been observing the caretaker's movements, said. Somehow, it felt a bit regretful to go back just like this. Reyna and Natasha quickly ran off before the caretaker could spot them. Ariel tried to follow them, but the decoration on her hat flew off in the cave breeze.

The flying hat decoration was caught on a stalactite that rose from the ground. Ariel jumped into the depths of the cave, following the hat. The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the cave. Ariel found the hat decoration and fixed it back on her head. It was fortunate that it got caught on the stalactite, otherwise, it would have fallen into the dirty water inside the cave and gotten even dirtier.

That's when Ariel saw someone sitting on a broad stalactite in the middle of a puddle. Judging by her appearance, she seemed to be a maid from the same mansion. Did she accidentally climb up there and get stranded?

"Um, are you okay over there?"

Ariel shouted towards the woman, but she didn't respond. With the thought that she had to help her, Ariel walked towards the woman.

"Stay right there! I'll help you."

Ariel cautiously stepped forward, splashing through the increasing water and growing dampness. The woman, sensitive to Ariel's presence, looked in this direction for a moment before suddenly falling into the water.

"A tail?"

As the woman entered the water, a slender, plump tail rose up towards the sky before gracefully disappearing into the water. A tail... Does that mean she's a mermaid? Ariel was taken aback and stared blankly at the spot where the woman had vanished.

As if confirming that what Ariel had just seen was not a lie, there was no one on the stalactite as if nothing had happened. Only the ripples spreading from the puddle seemed to insist that what Ariel had seen was not a dream.

"A mermaid..."

Feeling as if she had just had a dream, Ariel absentmindedly left the cave. However, near the stone bridge that led from the cave entrance to the beach, she stumbled and fell into a place where seawater had pooled. Fortunately, it wasn't deep, but her shoes and skirt were soaked.

When the sound of someone falling into the water was heard, the manager turned to look and started scolding.

"What are you doing over there when everyone is so busy, Ariel!"

"I'm sorry. I'll join back immediately."

Reyna and Natasha, who had just come in and pretended to be working, looked at Ariel apologetically. Her clothes were wet, and she couldn't change and had to continue working. "I'm sorry, Unnie." Reyna said, offering to take the chair that Ariel was holding. Ariel shook her head, saying she was fine.

"It's so hot anyway, it'll dry quickly."

"But still..."

"I'm okay."

Ariel smiled at Reyna, though it wasn't a genuine smile but a social smile. Reyna fell for it, thinking it was fortunate, and let it go. However, the words "I'm okay" had some sincerity to them. When Ariel had stumbled, she felt a momentary sensation as if a smooth hand had grabbed her ankle.

Just thinking about it sent shivers down her spine. She would rather hurry and go to a place with more people and do some work. Ariel diligently worked without slacking off for the rest of the day, enduring a day of hard labor.

That night, the maids' dormitory was filled with the sound of everyone groaning. They were all suffering from shoulder pain and muscle aches. Fortunately, Meryl took care of them by recording their names in the register and allowing them to freely use medicine.

Natasha and Reyna, who had been working leisurely, were completely exhausted today. Without even saying goodnight to Ariel, they went to their respective beds and fell asleep immediately.

The maid's dormitory was filled with the smell of medicine. Ariel, too, applied the medicine while groaning and lay down on her bed. No matter how she thought about it, the only thing that came to mind was the idea of a mermaid. Should she tell the lady about it? She wasn't sure. But somehow, she was certain that she might catch a real cold.

"What are you thinking about so deeply?"

Reyna suddenly approached from behind and spoke, causing Ariel, who had been lost in thought, to finally turn her head. It was an absent-minded expression, unlike Ariel's usual self, as if she was possessed by something.

"Are you feeling unwell? You look unusually pale today."

"I'm just a little dizzy. It's nothing serious."

Reyna made an impression with a displeased expression at Ariel's words. As a person who works, one should know how to handle things appropriately. Ariel knew all the tricks and techniques, but she always worked strictly by the book.

Even yesterday, while preparing for the beach party, while others were casually moving things around, she was the one tirelessly carrying chairs under the scorching sun without taking a break.

"Unnie, you seem to be addicted to work no matter how I look at it."

"Me?"

Ariel looked at Reyna with a bewildered expression. The reason she always worked so hard was that she couldn't do the work as quickly as others and was slower than them.

In the meantime, she was receiving five times the salary, but she still had a long way to go to repay that.

"Come here. Let me check if you have a fever."

Reyna grabbed Ariel and placed her hand on her forehead. Even from up close, it was already hot enough to feel the heat.

"It's really hot. See, I knew you were sick. Take a sick leave from Meryl and rest today, Unnie."

Take a sick leave from Meryl...? Ariel vividly remembered Meryl's strict face saying, "Then let's deduct a certain amount from your salary this month. It's fair, isn't it, Ariel?"

Moreover, Reyna probably had no idea, but Meryl knew that Ariel was receiving five times the salary and even knew that she secretly played with the lady every night to some extent.

"No, it's not that serious. Just need a rest a bit, and I'll feel better in the afternoon."

"Why are you doing something when it's so hot..."

"It's because of money. If I take a sick leave, my pay will be deducted."

Upon hearing Ariel's words, Reyna couldn't say anything and looked at Ariel with a pitiful expression. Then she asked again.

"Are you really okay?"

"Yeah, I won't push myself too hard today."

Ariel smiled at Reyna's worried expression and said. Though she was feeling feverish and dizzy, she thought she could endure it if she took it easy and did only light tasks.

That's what she thought until she heard Meryl telling her to clean the warehouse in the afternoon.

Meryl's intention was to clean the warehouse thoroughly while taking out the items for the party preparations. That was fine, but the problem was that there were only three people to do the cleaning.

Seeing Ariel looking at the spacious warehouse with an expression of incomprehension, Meryl spoke up.

"Most of the other maids have been assigned to prepare the food and decorations for the party tomorrow, so there are only you three left. However, since we've chosen the three of you as the best workers among the maids, you should be able to handle it, right?"

One of the maids who had been hesitant to respond to those words spoke up confidently, saying, "Yes!" She seemed to feel a sense of pride at being recognized as the best worker among the maids.

For the maids who never knew when they might be dismissed, receiving praise for being good at their work was the most reassuring thing to hear. Immediately, another maid nodded in agreement.

When Meryl finally looked at Ariel, Ariel reluctantly replied, "Yes." The warehouse had been used to store items for a long time without being cleaned, so it was covered in dust.

They had to throw away discarded items, dust off the surfaces, and thoroughly mop the floors. Ariel began wiping the dusty shelves with a cloth.

The other maids busily carried buckets of water and mops, moving heavy objects. I knew I should help, but I simply didn't have the strength to lift heavy objects.

While Ariel was cleaning, she felt dizzy and her back started to hurt, so she briefly, just for a moment, straightened her back and felt a wobbly sensation before she lost her consciousness for a short while afterward.

* * *

When she opened her eyes, she found herself on the bed. The mattress was soft and comfortable, providing gentle support to her back, and the pillow filled with goose feathers was so fluffy that her face could sink into it.

The sensation of the white duvet against the tips of her toes was also incredibly soft.

"It feels so good..."

Ariel hugged the blanket tightly, like a young child, snuggled up to it while blowing warm air. The cozy and fluffy texture, along with the pleasant scent, made her feel good. Then, she suddenly realized something. The bedding in the maids' quarters wasn't this nice, it was more like rough blankets.

"Are you awake?"

Cecilia walked over to Ariel and spoke. "My lady...!" Ariel tried to jump out of bed when she saw Cecilia. However, Cecilia raised her index finger and covered Ariel's mouth. Under Cecilia's kind yet firm expression, Ariel remained pressed down by her finger and obediently lay back onto the bed.

"You're in pain, and you pushed yourself without taking a sick leave, right?"

That... Ariel avoided answering and buried herself deeper into the blanket. Cecilia found Ariel's childlike behavior amusing and silently chuckled to herself.

"Managing one's condition is a basic virtue for a maid. With things like this, I won't be able to assign you proper tasks."

"Ah..."

"That's why you can continue to stay by my side, okay Ariel?"

"I'm sorry, My lady! I won't get sick again. So please... don't drive me away."

Ariel abruptly stood up, grabbing Cecilia's hand and speaking. Surprised by the intense reaction, Cecilia looked at Ariel in confusion. Ariel had a pleading expression that seemed like tears were about to fall as she earnestly spoke.

"I'll work harder than before, whether it's cleaning or dishwashing. I'll take my medicine regularly so I won't get sick. So please..."

Eventually, a single tear streamed down Ariel's eyes. Feeling flustered, Cecilia quickly fetched a tissue, wiping Ariel's tears and patting her back.

"It's okay, Ariel. It's okay, don't cry. How could I... why would I drive you away?"

Ariel didn't say a word, but being driven away by the mistress was a common occurrence among maids. Running away from the previous mistress, like Ariel did, wasn't even that rare of an event when you really thought about it.

However, it was rare to have a mistress who was obsessively attached to a maid like Ariel's previous mistress. Most young ladies treated maids as replaceable parts that could be swapped out at any time.

On some days, even if they praised her for doing a good job and treated her well, they would easily cast her aside if a more pleasing or prettier maid appeared. Before she herself became accustomed to the life of a maid, Ariel had experienced such situations many times and realized that she needed to become a useful person rather than someone who receives compliments for her beauty.

"...You must have been very anxious."

Cecilia quietly observed Ariel and spoke. Unable to give a positive or negative response to Cecilia's piercing words, Ariel bowed her head deeply. She still had a fever and felt dizzy.

"For now, let's take the medicine."

Cecilia had filled a glass pitcher, the kind used to pour lemonade, with water. She filled a cup with plenty of water and handed it to Ariel along with the medicine.

"I'll just take this and go back to my quarters. Thank you, My lady."

Ariel weakly smiled and took the medicine. Cecilia, confirming that Ariel had finished taking the medicine, sat down next to the bed and began gently rubbing Ariel's shoulder.

"My lady, you don't have to do this..."

"Today, I'll take care of you. That way, I'll be just like a maid, right?"

"If we get caught doing such things, it'll be a big problem!"

"But don't you want to be with me?"

"That's..."

Due to the fever, Ariel's face turned slightly red as her face came close to Cecilia's. Cecilia gently kissed Ariel on the forehead. She wanted to kiss her on the lips, but she knew Ariel would be disgusted, citing the risk of catching her cold.

"You have a high fever, My lady."

Cecilia smiled and propped up a pillow to make Ariel more comfortable on the bed. Ariel felt burdened by Cecilia's actions, yet she couldn't suppress her desire to be with her, so she remained quiet, refraining from speaking.

"Let me massage your feet at least."

Cecilia moved a chair to the end of the bed and massaged Ariel's swollen feet. It would have been unimaginable in the past for a young lady to touch a maid's feet, but...

The gentle touch of the young lady's hands was so comforting. The young lady was always in a position to receive, so how could she be so good at this?

"Oh dear, your feet are so swollen."

"Uh... I've been busy lately with work."

"I specifically told Meryl to give you plenty of breaks... Is it because of a lack of money, My lady?"

"No, it's not that! I'm grateful for just this much. It's just..."

Ariel hesitated in her response, her gaze lowered, but she met Cecilia's eyes as Cecilia continued to touch her feet from below.

"Just... I wanted to become someone you needed, My lady."

Ariel said, revealing for the first time the deep, underlying anxiety that had been her biggest concern. Perhaps if she hadn't been in so much pain, she would have never uttered those words.

Cecilia found Ariel's anxious state both adorable and pitiful.

"If only it wasn't a cold, I would have kissed you."

Cecilia gently caressed Ariel's cheek. Ariel's entire face was still flushed like a ripe potato, indicating that the effects of the medicine hadn't fully kicked in. Despite being in such pain, she had pushed herself too hard, fearing abandonment, and ended up collapsing in the end.

Cecilia gazed into Ariel's trembling eyes for a while and then immediately kissed her. Startled, Ariel tried to hold onto Cecilia's shoulders, but when Cecilia took Ariel's hand, she could no longer push her away. After the intense kiss, they momentarily separated to catch their breath.

"My lady! What if you catch a cold from this?"

"...I don't mind."

"What?"

"Even if you don't help me at all, I still like you, Ariel."

Cecilia smiled and spoke to Ariel. Ariel barely held back her tears and lowered her head. The anxiety of her previous owner possibly coming back had always lingered in her mind, and she hadn't been able to consider leaving this place, even for a brief moment.

But she couldn't do that anymore. Because Cecilia was here.

Me too, me too, My lady.

Ariel nodded and embraced Cecilia tightly.

* * *

The sunlight was pleasantly streaming through the curtains. Ariel hugged the white bedsheet tightly and blinked, humming to herself. She always woke up early in the morning, but waking up naturally to the sunlight like this made her feel light and refreshed. With a smile on her face, Ariel buried her face in the pillow, but suddenly realized that she had to go to work and immediately jumped up.

The sunlight pouring in through the window beyond was telling her that it was well past noon.

"Oh no...!"

Only then did Ariel look at herself. Not only was she not wearing proper clothes, but she had slept with just her underwear under the blanket, barely protected against the cold of the previous night. Moreover, her hair was sticking up in an unruly manner, impossible to fix.

She quickly checked the clock. 12:45. Perfectly late.

"I must be going crazy!"

Ariel hurriedly searched for the pile of clothes she had thrown near the bed and moved around in a flurry. In the process, she tripped over the blanket and fell. Oh dear... Ariel gently rubbed her bumped head and got up from the floor. In her drowsy state, she saw something white fluttering and falling.

Ariel's maid outfit was neatly laid out on the bedside table, and there was a note left by Cecilia that had fallen off. Ariel picked up the palm-sized paper and read it.

"Ariel, you seemed to be sleeping deeply, so I didn't wake you and left first. I told Meryl to excuse you from morning duties since you must have been tired yesterday. See you at the party."

- Love, Cecilia."

Oh, My lady... Ariel held the note to her chest and felt a deep sense of gratitude more than ever. After kissing the note, Ariel began to change into the maid outfit on the bedside table. Tonight was finally the launch party.

* * *

Ariel turned her head to check if Meryl was at the corner, but after confirming that she wasn't there, Ariel quietly joined the group of maids walking down the hallway.

As it was the day of the party, everyone was moving busily, so it seemed that no one had noticed Ariel's absence. She let out a deep sigh. Lowering her head in her own misery, Ariel went upstairs.

Normally, she would have gone to the kitchen where Reyna and Natasha usually were, but Maria and Coco also frequented the kitchen, so there was a high chance of running into them there. Especially Maria, who was good at making cute pastries and jellies, often worked in the kitchen. Coco, even when assigned to other tasks, seemed to secretly switch places with other maids and always followed Maria.

If Maria openly met with the young lady in the place where there were the most maids, it would be a big problem. She really had to be careful now. Ariel comforted her startled heart and made another resolution.

After that, Ariel went to the storage room and spent the afternoon helping to move items that would be taken to the beach. Later in the evening, she had voluntarily decided to go to the beach to assist with the party preparations. Above all, she wanted to see the young lady hosting the launch party with her own eyes.

"...Ariel."

A solemn, serious, and again solemn voice. Even without turning around, Ariel could tell who it was. She reluctantly turned around, putting on a forced smile, and greeted.

"Oh, hello, Meryl! Good morning."

"Morning... It seems like you just woke up, I suppose."

"Oh, no. This is just a formality..."

"Let's talk about last night later. Actually, there's no need to ask... Yeah. So, what about the dress?"

"What?"

"The dress that the young lady is supposed to wear for the party, the one you were supposed to mend."

"Oh! I'll bring it quickly! Where is the lady?"

"...It seems like she has already gone to the beach."

Ariel hurriedly bowed to Meryl and rushed to the workshop. Meryl watched Ariel running anxiously with a worried expression. To entrust our young lady to a child like her... No, never mind. As long as the young lady is happy... Meryl thought, shaking her head with a nervous heart.

She's already at the beach. What if she has already changed into a different dress? Ariel, with a busy mind, rushed out to the garden and ran towards the workshop.

Then suddenly, Monica's words came to mind. 'Then it doesn't matter what happens to the things here, right?' As Ariel recalled those words, she became even more desperate. Somehow, she couldn't shake off the ominous feeling.

Fortunately, it seemed like the workshop door was securely closed. Ariel inserted the key given by Meryl and turned the handle with a click, opening the door. Inside, Monica was sitting at the work desk, with Ariel's dress placed on her lap, touching and fiddling with it.

"I thought I could meet you again if I waited here."

Monica smiled and spoke, seeing Ariel's expression of chilling horror. Ariel turned her head and checked the window. She was certain that she had closed it securely when she last left... However, Ariel hadn't considered the possibility that even with the window firmly closed, Monica could still enter. That fact made it even more terrifying.

"Why are you touching someone else's clothes?"

Ariel spoke as she took the dress from Monica's hands. Surprisingly, Monica didn't even hold onto the dress and simply handed it over.

"I was just admiring Ariel's sewing skills."

How can I believe those words? Ariel glared at Monica. However, as she unfolded the dress and checked for any flaws or scratches, no matter how much she looked, the dress remained as Monica had described.

"I wouldn't do the same thing twice, even if I were you."

"..."

"And that dress, if we look closely, it's not even a dress made by Ariel, is it?"

"...How do you not know my name?"

Ariel asked Monica. She had never told Monica her name. Ariel didn't like the idea of Monica knowing things that she herself didn't know.

"Would there be someone in this mansion who I don't know?"

Monica laughed mockingly at Ariel's question. Ariel couldn't help but feel extremely tense, as she couldn't know how much Monica actually knew. Did she know everything about her and the young lady? Just who did she hear it from? Has the rumor already spread among the maids? Or... could it be someone sent by the previous owner, Cruella?

Thinking of Cruella, Ariel felt a shiver down her spine. Just the thought of that repulsive face made her body tremble uncontrollably.

"Who sent you?"

"...Wasn't there something urgent you had to attend to? The lady must be waiting."

Monica glanced casually at the clock next to the workshop door. There was barely enough time for the young lady to change into the dress and fix her hair. At the very least, Ariel had to leave now.

Somehow, it felt like Monica had calculated everything and had been waiting in the workshop. Ariel hesitated for a moment but eventually closed the door irritably and ran towards the truck that was heading to the beach. It was extremely unpleasant to feel trapped in the grip of that girl, but there was no choice.

If only I had woken up a little earlier, none of this would have happened. No, it was wrong from the beginning to be chattering with the lady on such an important night.

* * *

"Me too! I'm coming too!"

Ariel waved her hand in front of the truck that was about to depart and stopped it. It was a truck that usually transported pruned trees and grass to the farms near the village.

Some trucks were loaded with cargo, while some had maids sitting closely together in the cargo area. One truck, which was transferring the maids, stopped when they saw Ariel.

"Why are you so late, Unnie!"

Maria, who had been sitting at the very end with Coco, reached out her hand to Ariel. Ariel took Maria's hand and climbed onto the truck. Now, they were really departing! With the driver's words, the truck started to jerk forward.

"Wow! It's really pretty. Is this your dress, Unnie?"

Maria said as she examined the dress Ariel was holding. The dress was covered with a cloth, hiding its exterior, but because it was so sparkling, some jewels were visible through the gaps.

"...Is this the dress the lady will be wearing?"

Coco, who was sitting next to Maria, asked sharply. Coco, with her purple braided hair and round glasses, always had a sharp point about her.

"Oh, that... I received instructions to deliver this dress to the lady."

"As expected! I think it will look really beautiful on Cecilia. Right, Coco?"

"Yeah. Even though we don't know who it is... It feels like someone who knows the lady well made this dress."

Ariel felt like Coco looked at her for a moment while saying that. Looking at Maria, who was admiring the hem of the dress, Ariel resisted the urge to proudly say that she had made the part she was currently looking at, thinking about the young lady as she worked tirelessly on every stitch.

Shortly after, the truck arrived at the beach. Some distinguished guests who had already arrived could be seen, one or two of them. Everyone started to hurriedly transfer luggage from the adjacent truck, saying they needed to hurry.

Ariel wandered through the crowd, searching for Cecilia. If it was her, she would surely stand out even here... But it was difficult to find her because Ariel didn't know what she was wearing. The fact that it was getting dark made it even more challenging.

"Are you looking for me?"

A familiar hand covered Ariel's eyes. Ariel, who had been looking around anxiously, stopped and smiled. When she turned around, she saw a lady wearing a red dress. Seeing the lady's face, Ariel smiled brightly for the first time today. The two of them moved away from the crowd, avoiding people's eyes, and found a spot in the backstage corner.

"My Lady!"

"You! Why couldn't I see you? I specifically asked Meryl to give you some time off today."

"...You don't have to do that next time. I can't be the only one left behind."

"What's this dress, by the way?"

Cecilia examined the clothes hanger that Ariel was holding and spoke. Ariel smiled broadly. How surprised would the lady be when she sees this dress?

"Like what my lady gave me yesterday... It's also a small gift from me."

Ariel removed the cover, revealing a blue navy dress. The dress sparkled as it reflected the light from the street lamps set up for the party. It was undeniably a beautiful sight at first glance.

Cecilia was momentarily captivated by its beauty, then quickly remembered that this dress was the one she had once intended to wear.

"I'm not sure if I ruined it. It was already such a beautiful dress..."

Ariel scratched her head as she spoke.

"No, not at all. I like this one much better."

"Really?"

In truth, those were the words Ariel most wanted to hear while making the dress, so she responded with a delighted expression. Cecilia nodded her head.

"Yes, it's a dress you made. It's truly a special dress for me."

"...I'm grateful as long as the lady wears it."

"I'll change and come out right away. Wait for me here."

Cecilia planted a gentle kiss on Ariel's forehead and headed towards the makeshift dressing room located behind. Ariel stood there, her heart pounding, wondering how the lady would look like.

Meanwhile, Monica was watching from a distance. Even though they were far apart, they were both thinking the same thoughts—anticipating what would unfold in the future.

* * *

When Cecilia emerged from the dressing room, wearing silver shoes and making a clacking sound, everyone could feel the attention drawn to her. The densely embroidered star-shaped patterns, made with silver thread on a deep navy fabric, resembled stars reflected on a deep lake. The full lace skirts peeked out from under the skirt, gently swaying in the wind and creating a pleasant rustling sound as they brushed against each other.

The dress clung to Cecilia's body, accentuating her waistline and making the jewels shimmer with each step she took. The deep-cut dress had intricate gold embroidery in the shape of starlight cascading down the chest.

Cecilia looked down at herself, seemingly pleased with her appearance. There was no mirror inside the dressing room, so she hadn't been able to see herself properly. Moreover, she couldn't put on the dress alone, which led her to eventually call Ariel. However, in the dark and cramped space, they had to be careful not to cross any boundaries, so she couldn't thoroughly examine the dress.

"You did all this by yourself?"

"I just gave it a little touch."

"I remember what it looked like originally, but this... It has become much more exquisite than back then!"

Cecilia turned around once and spoke. The wind entered the skirt, causing the layers to puff up and then settle down. She could sense the passing maids whispering among themselves. When the distinguished guests arrived, it would surely catch their attention.

"Thank you, Ariel. Thanks to you, I think I can do well."

Cecilia glanced around, then subtly held Ariel's hand. The young lady's hand was still soft and warm. However, there were many eyes watching in this place. Ariel withdrew her hand from the lady's grip and spoke.

"I'll go back to work now. There's a lot to do for the party soon."

Ariel lowered her head and was about to return to her workplace when Cecilia grabbed her shoulder.

"Just a moment."

"Do you need me to do something else...?"

"Today... Can't you stay by my side?"

"To be honest, I'm too nervous." Cecilia spoke hesitantly, not like her usual self. Seeing her like that, Ariel felt a strange sensation. The young lady, who was always confident and dignified, showing this side was unfamiliar, but on the other hand, it wasn't so bad that she relied on Ariel...

"Just stay by my side until I go on stage."

"Would it... be helpful for me to be by your side?"

"Huh? Of course."

Cecilia had an expression that seemed to ask why Ariel would even question the obvious. Ariel felt a sense of pride welling up. Okay, then! Without thinking about the consequences, she nodded her head. If Meryl found out, she would probably give her a cold gaze, but there was nothing she could do about it.

"Will it be very difficult?"

"When my lady looks at me with such pleading eyes... How can I possibly refuse?"

Ariel raised her head and looked at Cecilia as she spoke. If Cecilia didn't have to maintain appearances, she would have leaned in and kissed Ariel's lips right away, but she hesitated and withdrew her hand as if regretting it.

Looking around, Cecilia noticed that not only Abigail but also several nobles had already arrived one after another. Noble young ladies were already coming to greet Cecilia. Meryl discreetly conveyed some information to Cecilia while skillfully cutting off unwanted individuals.

"The Count of Korn will also be attending this party."

Meryl asked if Cecilia knew about it. Cecilia nodded decisively, as if she had already expected it.

"I sent the invitation. We couldn't make the deal last time due to the carriage accident, but this time we must make him our guest."

"He is one of the most influential nobles in the capital... But you need to be careful, young lady. If he thinks the deal isn't profitable, he won't hesitate to betray even his own kin."

"I'll be careful. But since I broke the promise first last time, I need to regain his trust this time."

"I believe you'll do well. By the way, you look truly beautiful today."

Meryl scanned Cecilia from head to toe. Even on ordinary days, Cecilia was truly beautiful and elegant, but today she shone even more. Cecilia smiled sweetly at those words and placed her hand on Ariel's shoulder.

"Isn't that right? Ariel made it for me."

When the young lady's touch reached Ariel's shoulder in a public place, Meryl's expression stiffened as she turned her gaze towards Ariel. It only lasted a brief moment before she relaxed her expression and commented on Ariel's impressive sewing skills. But Ariel, having accumulated keen perception during her years as a servant, could read that fleeting expression.

"Thank you. I just made some minor alterations to the dress I already had."

"Isn't it impressive? You're truly the best among my maids."

"Since maids often change jobs, it's not good to show too much affection."

Meryl bluntly spoke such words in front of Ariel. Ariel felt uneasy and lowered her head.

"I will never give Ariel away to another household. Ariel is mine."

"...There are five minutes left until the start of the party."

It was already 8 o'clock on the dot. Cecilia swallowed her saliva and ascended the stairs leading to the backstage. A rumbling noise could be heard behind the thick velvet curtains. Seeing Cecilia in a state of intense nervousness, Ariel cautiously took Cecilia's hand.

"You'll do well. It's something you've prepared for a long time."

"Yeah. I have to do well. Thank you, Ariel."

Cecilia tightly held Ariel's hand and walked towards the stage in front of the curtain, synchronized with the cue sign. Intense spotlights illuminated Cecilia, and the embroidery and jewels along the neckline glistened as they reflected the light. It felt like everyone was watching Cecilia.

With a bright expression, Cecilia approached the microphone. Ariel sat on a chair behind the stage, watching the young lady's back. The words the lady had said earlier came to mind.

"Ariel is mine." Of course, Ariel was Cecilia's maid, and Cecilia had every right to possess her. After all, a maid was the young lady's property and her attendant.

However, when Ariel heard those words, she felt something peculiar. And as she watched the young lady's back, wearing the clothes she had made and styling her hair that she had brushed, Ariel thought to herself, 'My lady, whom I have dressed and groomed with my own hands.'

Ariel earnestly hoped that Cecilia would lead the party with elegance and grace more than anyone else. After all, she was the one who fed her, brushed her hair, and dressed her up. Do the young ladies know that even the maids consider themselves their lady's precious ones.

Just like behind the dazzling lead actors on stage, there were staff members working hard behind the scenes to make them shine. It was as if they were running tirelessly so that those actors could shine. Ariel looked at Cecilia, who was shining more than anyone else today, with a proud heart.

"First of all, I would like to thank all the distinguished guests who have joined us here today. Even though the world has changed, I know that it is not easy for you to trust and come to me like this."

Cecilia looked around the VIP seats as she spoke. In the darkness, the sea seemed to emit light, and it felt as if an elaborately decorated party venue, like an outdoor wedding hall, was right in front of them.

Most of the people wearing suits and sitting at the tables were middle-aged men of their fathers' generation. They were the customers Cecilia had to win over or compete with in the market going forward. They were opponents she had to defeat no matter what. Of course, they would think of Cecilia as a young woman who knew nothing, just like they had done before, and they would try to take advantage of her cheaply.

"I, Cecilia, hereby announce that according to the will, I will officially inherit all of our father William's business rights from today. Going forward, I will engage in a more diverse range of businesses in accordance with the changing times, without being intoxicated by past glory."

Applause could be heard from the VIP seats.

"Not only that, but I also plan to expand the business I have been personally involved in. The brand I am going to introduce to you today is called 'Salon de Lis.'"

As Cecilia pressed the remote control she had prepared below the microphone, a white screen descended with a sound of something rotating. Ariel, who was sitting behind the stage, looked at the descending white curtain-like object with fascination.

As Cecilia pressed a button, the words 'Salon de Lis' appeared on the curtain. Then, pictures of a place filled with antique-looking furniture started to appear. It seemed like photos taken of a room decorated in a mansion, following a certain concept. As the name suggested, it was a luxurious room with white lilies adorning it at intervals.

"The salon I am presenting is quite different from the salons we know. It is somewhat like a café, and at the same time, it can be an atelier where artists can freely showcase their talents. You will be able to experience a salon where you can directly meet artists."

With the tension easing, Cecilia skillfully began explaining her business plan and brand. The salons that have been popular so far have been disappearing due to the rise of new cafes, but Cecilia seemed to want to create a new space that combines a café where you can enjoy coffee or tea with a salon where you can engage in discussions about art and philosophy.

As Cecilia spoke about her determination to once again lead the revival of the Salon, the customers who had liked, invested in, or traded with Cecilia's tea brand all listened with an interested expression on their faces.

In the midst of the successful atmosphere, Cecilia finished explaining the brand and investment plans, and raised the screen again. This must have been the part that Abigail had helped with. As Cecilia greeted the guests, applause erupted. Finally, Cecilia's heart raced at the thought of being able to create her own brand.

Afterward, dinner and wine were planned for the party. Cecilia turned off the microphone, telling everyone to enjoy the party to the fullest. The nobles, gathered together after a long time, busily exchanged greetings and began to buzz.

Cecilia was also about to join the crowd soon. However, as Cecilia walked behind the stage, the strings holding the lights above the stage started to lengthen. The gradually thinning strings couldn't bear the weight of the lights and snapped.

"Young lady! Be careful!"

Meryl, who had been watching Cecilia on the stage, shouted. Upon hearing those words, Cecilia turned around, and a large lighting machine narrowly missed her head, hitting her shoulder instead. The jewels that were attached around her shoulder and neck scraped against her skin, leaving red marks as they fell away.

Ariel, Meryl, and the esteemed guests all looked up at the loud crashing sound. The fallen lights sparked and shattered into pieces, and some of the broken glass fragments were lodged in Cecilia's shoulder, drawing blood. The end of the dress Ariel had made was stained red.

"Young lady! Are you okay?"

"..."

Cecilia grimaced in pain as she stared at the fallen lighting machine. There were signs that someone had intentionally cut the strings. She didn't expect things to be easy from the beginning, but she didn't anticipate someone meddling with it right from the first day. Cecilia knew that this accident was definitely not a coincidence.

Cecilia held onto her shoulder, stood up, and walked back to the front of the stage, turning on the microphone. Everyone awaited anxiously, their tension rising as the machine made humming noises.

"...It seems like someone is already jealous."

Cecilia looked around the noble seats. Meryl, with a flushed expression, had already identified who the servant was that managed the lights, saying that they should attend to Cecilia's treatment.

"But it seems like the heavens are on my side, don't you think?"

Cecilia smiled towards the esteemed guests as she spoke. She had a strong conviction that the culprit was watching her.

And Ariel, who was watching such a sight from behind, trembled and had a strong conviction as she saw her dress, which she had made, getting stained with the lady's blood. Monica, without a doubt, was responsible for this.

[11,492 words]

BACK | TABLE OF CONTENTS | NEXT