The maid released Sugar's hand, stood up, placed her hands on her hips, and breathed a relieved sigh.
"All right, it's time to give you a bath. Ah, I probably shouldn't have told you so much already, but since you belong to the Young Master, maybe in the future I'll have to rely on you to help me too, hahaha!"
She laughed as she turned and continued walking down the corridor. Monet quickly tugged Sugar along behind her, but she still had questions.
"Sister, aren't you one of Lloyd… the Young Master's people? We are still just slaves, right?"
The maid walked ahead without turning back, answering as she went.
"It's different. You still know too little about the Young Master's affairs. He is not like the Celestial Dragons you know."
Monet nodded silently, feeling that this was absolutely true.
To ordinary people, Celestial Dragons were the epitome of arrogance, killing without hesitation and valuing no life but their own.
But Lloyd was different. The fact that he became an Admiral proved that much. After all, in the eyes of most people, the Marines represented justice, and they protected far more people than pirates ever harmed.
Monet had seen Lloyd's arrogance before, but it was always directed at Celestial Dragons — not ordinary people.
Just as she was lost in those thoughts, the maid turned back and asked, "Oh right, I still don't know your names. Introduce yourselves."
Monet blinked and quickly responded, "My name is Monet! And this is my younger sister, Sugar!"
"Mmm, I'm Jona. From now on, let's take care of each other!"
A friendly smile spread across Jona's face.
Jona, who knew the way like the back of her hand, led the Monet sisters through winding corridors and peaceful courtyards until they stood in front of a quiet, elegant small building.
Pushing open the door, Jona smiled and said to them, "This is where we all live. Everyone goes out for work during the day, so I'll introduce everyone to you tonight."
Monet nodded softly, tugged Sugar's hand, and followed Jona into the warm interior.
Once inside, they were greeted by an atmosphere of warmth and comfort.
Though the room was not large, it was immaculate and tastefully arranged. Each bed was covered with clean white linens, framed photos adorned the walls, and a large group portrait hung in the center, evoking a feeling of a peaceful, loving family.
As expected of the residence of a great family at the peak of the world, even the servants' quarters were this refined. Compared to this place, Monet felt her old home was fit only for slaves.
Jona introduced the basics of the room to the Monet sisters, then led them to a corner where two beds sat side by side — one large and one small — a perfect fit for the sisters.
Monet assumed those beds were meant for them.
However, Jona pointed at the large bed and said, smiling, "There's only this one empty bed left. You two can share this for now. It's spacious enough, so there's no problem rolling around."
Monet blinked in surprise and unconsciously glanced at the small bed beside it.
Noticing her hesitation, Jona laughed and said, "Don't worry about that bed. It wasn't prepared for you. And I have to warn you, it's best not to lie on it. If someone finds out and rumors spread, there could be trouble."
Monet looked puzzled as Jona's gaze drifted upward, settling on the photograph hanging above a small window.
The image was of a girl with a cool, composed face. She looked slightly younger than Monet but was exquisitely beautiful, with pale skin and long black hair cascading over her shoulders.
Jona sighed softly as she looked at the photo.
"That bed was used by Lucia‑sama before. She told us to keep it and told us we were only to clean it when needed."
Intrigued, Monet asked, "Then what is Lucia‑sama's status in the Family?"
Jona chuckled, "Lucia‑sama is the Captain of the Third Guard Squad and currently the Young Master's personal aide in the Marines."
What Jona didn't say outright was known to everyone living here — Lucia had become Lloyd's woman. To these servants, that connection mattered far more than her official titles.
Jona looked sincerely at Monet and said, "Lucia‑sama, like you, is a slave of the Young Master. I told you, the Young Master is different from other Celestial Dragons. His only slave is Lucia‑sama. Now, do you still think being a slave is a lowly status?"
Regardless of Lloyd's personal feelings, in the eyes of these servants, being chosen as his slave guaranteed a future far above ordinary.
Monet was taken aback by Jona's words. She had never expected that the role of a slave could hold such meaning within the Figarland Family.
Jona didn't elaborate further. Some truths were best hinted at, and the rest were up to Monet to discover.
Jona left to prepare the bathroom while filling the tub with steaming hot water. Then she called the Monet sisters in.
However, when Monet saw the heat rising from the water, a look of anxiety flashed across her face.
Sugar, on the other hand, had already stripped naked and gleefully leapt into the hot water, splashing and giggling.
Seeing Monet hesitate for a long time, Jona asked with a puzzled expression, "Monet, why aren't you taking off your clothes yet? Are you shy?"
Monet's cheeks turned red and she spoke shyly, "Sister Jona, the water looks too hot. I think I'll just rinse off with the showerhead. I don't think I'm that dirty."
Jona looked slightly startled, glanced at Sugar enjoying the bath, reached out, and tested the water temperature.
"It's not too hot. It's just right. I think you're just shy, hahaha. You're really cute! Come on, we'll be bathing together often, so you'll have to get used to it!"
Before Monet could protest, Jona stepped forward and without hesitation began removing Monet's clothes. Monet didn't resist — she felt too awkward to object.
Jona lifted Monet and gently placed her into the bathtub.
But the instant Monet's tender, fair feet touched the water, a delicate moan escaped her lips and her body began to tremble.
Jona watched, amused, as Monet instinctively struggled to keep from sinking deeper.
Though the water wasn't overly hot by normal standards, for Monet it felt unbearably warm.
Monet's strength was no match for Jona's. As more of her body sank into the water, her discomfort intensified.
Then, a strange chill began to radiate from Monet's body.
White cold air swirled around her skin, instantly turning her complexion to pristine snowy white. In a blink, her form dissolved into a flurry of pure white snowflakes drifting gently out of Jona's grasp.
The snowflakes drifted to a spot farther from the bathtub and gradually gathered, forming a small snow figure.
Jona stared with wide eyes as the tiny snow form began to coalesce into a familiar shape — Monet herself.
Monet stood there pale and trembling, a delicate snow maiden born of cold and fear, her limbs icy and unmoving.
Jona blinked, then reached out to touch the frozen form gently.
"Monet? Are you okay?"
There was no movement, only the faintest hint of a gasp as Monet's eyes fluttered open.
Slowly she reformed, her body solidifying back from snow into flesh and bone.
Her breathing was shallow and weak, her skin still chillingly cold.
Jona immediately realized what happened.
"It's because you're not used to warm water," Jona said reassuringly, helping Monet back to her feet. "Your body instinctively responded that way because it's so different from what you're used to."
Monet stared blankly for a moment, still processing the strange transformation her body had just undergone.
Sugar, who had been splashing happily, paused and peered at her sister with concern.
"Big sister, are you okay?"
Monet managed a faint nod. Her voice came out soft and fragile as she whispered, "I… I'm fine…"
Jona smiled gently, guiding Monet toward a warm towel.
"There's no need to be afraid. Your body will adjust. And if you ever feel cold again, I'll be right here with you."
Monet's heart beat slowly, the warmth of Jona's voice easing her tension.
Though the experience had been frightening, it also marked something unexpected — the first time she felt comforted beyond fear of her own powers.
And even though Monet's cold nature could chill both water and soul, in this moment the warmth of human care reached her heart like a faint but unmistakable ember of hope.