After safely seeing Master off, a few days slipped by.
I returned to the rhythm of daily life as a servant.
The Duke's house never lacked for work—it was abundant, demanding, sometimes grueling. And yet, humans are adaptable creatures. After a few months, the endless chores became almost second nature, the rhythm of it settling into my bones.
"Good work today."
"Yes, Lady Alice, you've worked hard as well."
Etiquette, dance, rhetoric, politics, swordsmanship… her schedule was far more punishing than mine. While I busied myself with the behind-the-scenes tasks, Alice endured lesson after lesson, each one designed to refine her into the perfect noblewoman.
"Miss, that's not right. Lift the hem of the dress only enough to be held at the fingertips—about three inches. Just enough to show the tip of the shoe."
