18. Friends
“So, did you buy that dollhouse?”
“I gave you all my paycheck.”
Daphne burst out laughing at Fabian's words. Fabian and Daphne chatted like this every now and then.
She smiled warmly as she looked at poor Fabian, who had given his salary to his younger sister Mervel.
“You’re a good brother, too.”
“I'm a bad older brother who just tolerates my younger sister’s tantrums.”
Fabian said with a sigh.
“How is your mother?”
“Mother? She was talking so loudly about the new clothes that came out this time.”
Fabian lived with his mother and younger sister without a father. According to Fabian, his mother was a bit immature, but she was an amazing cook.
His younger sister was the same. She took after her mother and would ask for a doll every day, which made his mother's back ache, and she sighed.
Still, the smile never disappeared from Fabian's face as he talked about his family.
Fabian loved his family very much. He loved his friends, too, but he knew how to give love because he had a family.
“Oh. A gift.”
"Gift?"
When Fabian motioned for her to hold out her hand, she cautiously held out her palm.
It was a small brooch.
“I bought it because it resembles your eyes.”
The blue gem was truly impressive. Daphne looked at it in the sky. The blue color was truly beautiful.
Daphne held it very carefully. Can I do this? Can I really do this?
As she looked at Fabian with the aforementioned face, Fabian coughed in vain.
“This is my first time seeing something like this.”
Fabian, who was about to send a work comment, asked with a puzzled expression.
“Surely you’ve never received a gift like this?”
Daphne nodded. She had never received a gift before, except when her mother was alive. If it were bullying under the guise of a gift, that would be different.
“His Highness the Crown Prince, too?”
“It’s not natural to give gifts.”
Fabian seemed speechless for a moment at Daphne's words.
“Are you saying you didn’t receive any gifts at your coming-of-age ceremony?”
Do you give gifts at coming-of-age ceremonies? Daphne looked puzzled. Fabian sighed.
"Daphne."
"Yes?"
“I will do well.”
“No, I’ll do well too.”
Daphne smiled brightly as she looked at the brooch. She looked at the brooch from a different angle. Fabian, are my eyes really that pretty?
"Thank you."
She pinned the brooch to her chest. It would be nice if there were a mirror. Fabian, who was so happy that he didn’t know what to do, suddenly covered his mouth and made a groan.
“Fabian?”
“I’m sorry. I love you so much, just wait a minute.”
Daphne looked puzzled. Why, you say that?
“Thank you so much, Fabian. Really.”
“...”
“I will repay this favor.”
“Then, when you get your paycheck later, will you buy me something delicious?”
Fabian's face lit up. Salary? Daphne looked puzzled. Rather, it was Fabian who felt strange.
“Do you get paid?”
Daphne shook her head. Isn't the concept of salary something that only maids have? Fabian's face changed when he heard that.
“Even if you are the daughter of a sinner, this is complete slavery.”
“...”
“Isn’t that the system of an uncivilized country? Ha. Seriously, I don’t know what to do with you.”
Fabian let out a deep sigh. Daphne grew anxious whenever Fabian did this.
Why is this strange? Anyway, she is somehow living her life by talking to Fabian and receiving gifts.
She is the daughter of a sinner. What greater luxury do shr deserve? A salary.
Fabian always talks to her as if she were a normal person. He feels sorry for her because she is not being treated properly. Fabian always points out her discomfort. Sometimes, she makes Fabian uncomfortable because of that.
Because he seemed like a different person from her world.
As spring came and the Emperor remarried, the palace was busy with a grand event.
Perhaps that was why, or perhaps for some other reason, Asherad once again distanced himself from Daphne, and she was left neglected.
There was no restraint from Olga, Asherad's attendant.
If anything had changed, it was that she had encountered the Emperor more often. When Kalista became Empress, Daphne, who had no work to do, suddenly found herself in charge of a job at the Emperor's palace.
The work was always easy. Picking flowers to decorate the vase. That was all. But every time, Daphne would run into the Emperor.
The Emperor barely spoke to Daphne. He simply glanced at her with an indecipherable, dirty gaze. His gaze fell on the worn, tattered hem of her maid's uniform.
“Your clothes are very worn out.”
The Emperor's muttering voice was heard as he passed by. Daphne shut her eyes tightly and let the sound pass her by. He kept saying one or two words these days, and it was annoying to hear.
“Why is work difficult?”
Why are you asking that if you're worried about the person who made you like this?
Daphne still could not forget the madness of the Emperor, who slaughtered all the servants in the house where she lived. The image of that magnanimous man stepping on blood-soaked corpses and cursing would remain in her eternal nightmare.
“It’s not hard.”
“If it’s hard, tell me. I’ll give you another rest.”
It was a very kind word. But Daphne shook her head. Working here meant she could see Asherad.
Although she sometimes had the misfortune of seeing the Emperor, she often had the good fortune of seeing Asherad. Every time she encountered Asherad, her heart would flutter at his unique appearance.
Asherad usually walked around with his subjects, including knights, and talked about something. When he talked to the nobles, he always had a smile on his face, but when he was with his closest associates, he would show a frighteningly cold expression.
"Daphne."
He was sometimes alone, and whenever he was, he would call her affectionately. She would always smile brightly.
"Your Highness!"
“You look like you’re in a good mood today.”
Daphne felt like whining like a puppy that hasn't seen its owner in a long time. Not knowing how to express her joy, Daphne didn't know what to do.
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
Daphne wanted to say that, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.
Is it because it's spring? Asherad started wearing bright-colored clothes rather than heavy-colored ones.
Today, he was wearing a light blue outfit that was perfect for spring. It matched him so well that her heart raced again. Asherad looked good in any season.
The warm spring breeze, the springtime of life, tickled her forehead. Daphne had expected Asherad to come to her at night and ask her to sing a lullaby or read a book to him.
However...
“Take care.”
Asherad turned around and said something meaningful that sounded like a farewell. Daphne looked at him blankly.
He said he thought of her as a younger sister. He asked her to stay by his side. Why doesn't Asherad call her? Does he not need her?
Is he sick of her now?
If not, was it really the fact that she was the daughter of that witch that made him feel disgusted? There were many words stuck in her throat, but she couldn't say anything.
Asherad's words were too short. He didn't even notice the fray in the sleeve that even the Emperor had seen. I am happy with you, but don't you know that?
Her heart was gradually ripening, and her heart towards Asherad seemed to be crumbling little by little.
Daphne looked at Asherad's back.
The man was too big for her, the daughter of a vassal, to hold. She closed her eyes in pain.
“Wow, Daphne. You’re so pretty.”
At Sarah's words, Daphne stared blankly at the clothes that had been handed down to her. The clothes that had arrived were obviously expensive dresses.
Who sent it?
Daphne looked at the clothes. Could it be that it was sent by Asherad? Could it be that it was meant to wish her well?
She couldn't figure it out. After seeing only dull colors, she felt ecstatic when she saw beautiful colors.
It was incomparable to the black maid's dress she always wore. It was so extravagant that she thought it was a banquet dress for a moment, but it was everyday wear when she came to her senses.
It was too much for a maid to receive. It felt good to receive pretty clothes. However, Daphne felt uneasy because she didn't know who sent it.
And there were too many. A total of seven. Daphne, who had to wear only a maid's uniform, didn't need them.
Sarah smiled brightly and admired the forsythia-colored dress. Daphne looked at it and said impulsively.
“Do you want one?”
Sarah smiled brightly at Daphne's words. Her gentle eyes showed a greed that could not be hidden.
"Thank you!"
Sarah was really happy. At that sight, Daphne also gave a faint smile. The expressions of those who came to see Daphne's room became strange. There was a familiar hostility, but something was different.
A look of envy and hesitation passed between their eyes. She had simply given Sarah one of the clothes she had received as a gift. Nevertheless, the gaze directed at her had changed. Daphne remembered the identity of that gaze after a very long time.
It was a gaze directed at his mother, Beatrice. They despise that person. However, if they look good to that person, they might gain something.
Daphne's heart pounded at the expression that didn't hide it.
“Daphne, thank you so much.”
There was sincerity in Sarah's eyes. Daphne decided that was enough.
In this way, Sarah became Daphne's blatant 'friend'.
“So, did you buy that dollhouse?”
“I gave you all my paycheck.”
Daphne burst out laughing at Fabian's words. Fabian and Daphne chatted like this every now and then.
She smiled warmly as she looked at poor Fabian, who had given his salary to his younger sister Mervel.
“You’re a good brother, too.”
“I'm a bad older brother who just tolerates my younger sister’s tantrums.”
Fabian said with a sigh.
“How is your mother?”
“Mother? She was talking so loudly about the new clothes that came out this time.”
Fabian lived with his mother and younger sister without a father. According to Fabian, his mother was a bit immature, but she was an amazing cook.
His younger sister was the same. She took after her mother and would ask for a doll every day, which made his mother's back ache, and she sighed.
Still, the smile never disappeared from Fabian's face as he talked about his family.
Fabian loved his family very much. He loved his friends, too, but he knew how to give love because he had a family.
“Oh. A gift.”
"Gift?"
When Fabian motioned for her to hold out her hand, she cautiously held out her palm.
It was a small brooch.
“I bought it because it resembles your eyes.”
The blue gem was truly impressive. Daphne looked at it in the sky. The blue color was truly beautiful.
Daphne held it very carefully. Can I do this? Can I really do this?
As she looked at Fabian with the aforementioned face, Fabian coughed in vain.
“This is my first time seeing something like this.”
Fabian, who was about to send a work comment, asked with a puzzled expression.
“Surely you’ve never received a gift like this?”
Daphne nodded. She had never received a gift before, except when her mother was alive. If it were bullying under the guise of a gift, that would be different.
“His Highness the Crown Prince, too?”
“It’s not natural to give gifts.”
Fabian seemed speechless for a moment at Daphne's words.
“Are you saying you didn’t receive any gifts at your coming-of-age ceremony?”
Do you give gifts at coming-of-age ceremonies? Daphne looked puzzled. Fabian sighed.
"Daphne."
"Yes?"
“I will do well.”
“No, I’ll do well too.”
Daphne smiled brightly as she looked at the brooch. She looked at the brooch from a different angle. Fabian, are my eyes really that pretty?
"Thank you."
She pinned the brooch to her chest. It would be nice if there were a mirror. Fabian, who was so happy that he didn’t know what to do, suddenly covered his mouth and made a groan.
“Fabian?”
“I’m sorry. I love you so much, just wait a minute.”
Daphne looked puzzled. Why, you say that?
“Thank you so much, Fabian. Really.”
“...”
“I will repay this favor.”
“Then, when you get your paycheck later, will you buy me something delicious?”
Fabian's face lit up. Salary? Daphne looked puzzled. Rather, it was Fabian who felt strange.
“Do you get paid?”
Daphne shook her head. Isn't the concept of salary something that only maids have? Fabian's face changed when he heard that.
“Even if you are the daughter of a sinner, this is complete slavery.”
“...”
“Isn’t that the system of an uncivilized country? Ha. Seriously, I don’t know what to do with you.”
Fabian let out a deep sigh. Daphne grew anxious whenever Fabian did this.
Why is this strange? Anyway, she is somehow living her life by talking to Fabian and receiving gifts.
She is the daughter of a sinner. What greater luxury do shr deserve? A salary.
Fabian always talks to her as if she were a normal person. He feels sorry for her because she is not being treated properly. Fabian always points out her discomfort. Sometimes, she makes Fabian uncomfortable because of that.
Because he seemed like a different person from her world.
***
As spring came and the Emperor remarried, the palace was busy with a grand event.
Perhaps that was why, or perhaps for some other reason, Asherad once again distanced himself from Daphne, and she was left neglected.
There was no restraint from Olga, Asherad's attendant.
If anything had changed, it was that she had encountered the Emperor more often. When Kalista became Empress, Daphne, who had no work to do, suddenly found herself in charge of a job at the Emperor's palace.
The work was always easy. Picking flowers to decorate the vase. That was all. But every time, Daphne would run into the Emperor.
The Emperor barely spoke to Daphne. He simply glanced at her with an indecipherable, dirty gaze. His gaze fell on the worn, tattered hem of her maid's uniform.
“Your clothes are very worn out.”
The Emperor's muttering voice was heard as he passed by. Daphne shut her eyes tightly and let the sound pass her by. He kept saying one or two words these days, and it was annoying to hear.
“Why is work difficult?”
Why are you asking that if you're worried about the person who made you like this?
Daphne still could not forget the madness of the Emperor, who slaughtered all the servants in the house where she lived. The image of that magnanimous man stepping on blood-soaked corpses and cursing would remain in her eternal nightmare.
“It’s not hard.”
“If it’s hard, tell me. I’ll give you another rest.”
It was a very kind word. But Daphne shook her head. Working here meant she could see Asherad.
Although she sometimes had the misfortune of seeing the Emperor, she often had the good fortune of seeing Asherad. Every time she encountered Asherad, her heart would flutter at his unique appearance.
Asherad usually walked around with his subjects, including knights, and talked about something. When he talked to the nobles, he always had a smile on his face, but when he was with his closest associates, he would show a frighteningly cold expression.
"Daphne."
He was sometimes alone, and whenever he was, he would call her affectionately. She would always smile brightly.
"Your Highness!"
“You look like you’re in a good mood today.”
Daphne felt like whining like a puppy that hasn't seen its owner in a long time. Not knowing how to express her joy, Daphne didn't know what to do.
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
Daphne wanted to say that, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.
Is it because it's spring? Asherad started wearing bright-colored clothes rather than heavy-colored ones.
Today, he was wearing a light blue outfit that was perfect for spring. It matched him so well that her heart raced again. Asherad looked good in any season.
The warm spring breeze, the springtime of life, tickled her forehead. Daphne had expected Asherad to come to her at night and ask her to sing a lullaby or read a book to him.
However...
“Take care.”
Asherad turned around and said something meaningful that sounded like a farewell. Daphne looked at him blankly.
He said he thought of her as a younger sister. He asked her to stay by his side. Why doesn't Asherad call her? Does he not need her?
Is he sick of her now?
If not, was it really the fact that she was the daughter of that witch that made him feel disgusted? There were many words stuck in her throat, but she couldn't say anything.
Asherad's words were too short. He didn't even notice the fray in the sleeve that even the Emperor had seen. I am happy with you, but don't you know that?
Her heart was gradually ripening, and her heart towards Asherad seemed to be crumbling little by little.
Daphne looked at Asherad's back.
The man was too big for her, the daughter of a vassal, to hold. She closed her eyes in pain.
***
“Wow, Daphne. You’re so pretty.”
At Sarah's words, Daphne stared blankly at the clothes that had been handed down to her. The clothes that had arrived were obviously expensive dresses.
Who sent it?
Daphne looked at the clothes. Could it be that it was sent by Asherad? Could it be that it was meant to wish her well?
She couldn't figure it out. After seeing only dull colors, she felt ecstatic when she saw beautiful colors.
It was incomparable to the black maid's dress she always wore. It was so extravagant that she thought it was a banquet dress for a moment, but it was everyday wear when she came to her senses.
It was too much for a maid to receive. It felt good to receive pretty clothes. However, Daphne felt uneasy because she didn't know who sent it.
And there were too many. A total of seven. Daphne, who had to wear only a maid's uniform, didn't need them.
Sarah smiled brightly and admired the forsythia-colored dress. Daphne looked at it and said impulsively.
“Do you want one?”
Sarah smiled brightly at Daphne's words. Her gentle eyes showed a greed that could not be hidden.
"Thank you!"
Sarah was really happy. At that sight, Daphne also gave a faint smile. The expressions of those who came to see Daphne's room became strange. There was a familiar hostility, but something was different.
A look of envy and hesitation passed between their eyes. She had simply given Sarah one of the clothes she had received as a gift. Nevertheless, the gaze directed at her had changed. Daphne remembered the identity of that gaze after a very long time.
It was a gaze directed at his mother, Beatrice. They despise that person. However, if they look good to that person, they might gain something.
Daphne's heart pounded at the expression that didn't hide it.
“Daphne, thank you so much.”
There was sincerity in Sarah's eyes. Daphne decided that was enough.
In this way, Sarah became Daphne's blatant 'friend'.
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