The Grand Duke’s Little Lady - Chapter 8

Chapter 8

There was a proverb that said, “If you look at a maid wrongly, you won’t even get any soup.” A head maid of a high status family would receive good treatment. From what Ariel saw, all the maidservants were afraid of a Head Maid’s words.

“Ah, h.e.l.lo Madam Susan.”

If Ariel was a normal daughter of the Marquis, right away she would’ve informally given orders to the Head Maid in a comfortable manner.

However, at home Ariel was treated even lesser than a maid. To her, the Head Maid was to be regarded with absolute respect.

Sensing the little girl in front of her was being respectful, Susan was a little impressed by her.

For Susan, who had no idea about Ariel’s background, thought that this young lady from a prestigious household was very humble.

Laughing gently, Susan spoke.

“Miss is allowed to treat me comfortably.”

“No. I still have many things I don’t know. Later, I’ll be learning from Madam Susan… I can’t treat your comfortably.”

There was some truth to Ariel’s words. It was clear that Ariel would have a lot to learn when she got married in the near future. Ariel’s answer gave Susan’s heart a warm feeling. The little girl who spoke in childlike voice about wanting to learn was praiseworthy and adorable.

“Alright then, Miss. But excluding me, you have to speak informally to the other maids. Understand?”

“Yes, I will do that.”

“And don’t call me Madam Susan, just call me Susan.”

Ariel looked at her with wide eyes.

“Can I really?”

“I don’t see why not. It’s because I want Miss to be friendly with me that’s why I’m requesting.”

At her kind words, Ariel’s cheeks flushed.

“Then…I’ll call you Susan.”

Susan smiled and offered breakfast to Ariel.

“If you don’t mind, it’ll be good to have a full meal. Today will be a long day for Miss.”

Ariel nodded her head and was rewarded. A bed table was set up so she could eat while sitting up, and Susan placed her food on top of it. With one bite, Ariel was surprised by the mild, milk-fragrant pea soup.

“It’s delicious!”

At Ariel’s childlike reaction, Susan gave a pleased laugh.

“The Grand Duke’s Chef is an excellent cook. Even so, I’m glad it suits your taste.”

Ariel had never had anything like this before. In particular, she only thought that soup was supposed to be watery and had poor ingredients. But this pea soup was thick, and the chef generously added the cream which made it sweet.

Her cheeks glowed with delight. Savory half-boiled eggs partnered with white wheat bread which were baked until they were golden brown. It seemed like it was just a simple dish that required no skill, but for this taste, the effort was two or three times of such a simple dish.

At the end of Ariel’s meal, Susan began to speak softly.

“In a little bit, you will be going to your parents with the Grand Duke’s son to ask your father’s permission for marriage.”

Ariel nodded her head. For Marriage regarding n.o.ble children under the age of 18, parental consent was the primary obstacle.

The Grand Duke’s son and Ariel had already promised to marry each other, but if the Grand Duke or the Marquis would forbid the marriage, it cannot happen.

It was only natural to get permission from both parents before discussing the contract marriage with the Grand Duke’s son.

Will the Grand Duke really allow his only son to marry?

At Ariel’s worried expression, Susan smiled.

“Don’t worry. The Grand Duke has already agreed to your marriage with Sir Lucian. Now it’s time for the Grand Duke to have a hard time taking away another’s precious daughter.”

Precious daughter…

Ariel hid her troubled look on her face.

‘Susan treats me like a young princess who grew up to be treated dearly by her father. In reality, it’s not true at all’

Susan, who cleared the bowl away neatly, clapped energetically.

“If you’ve eaten your fill, why don’t we get started already?”

Susan brought Ariel to the bathroom, informing her she was the only one who would be helping her get ready.

“Young maidens who haven’t been married yet should not let other servants simply touch them.”

As she said so, she poured the steaming bath water in the stone bathtub where Ariel would be placed, and scented foam rose from the water.

“Now, into the bath you go, Miss.”

Ariel faltered and clenched her clothes.

“Could I wash alone?”

Taking it that the little girl was shy, Susan smiled playfully.

“Grown up girls shouldn’t be shy about taking baths. You’ll need to get used to this.”

“But…”

“Quickly! Now, hooray!”

In a whirl her clothes were lifted over her head. Susan lifted Ariel up and plopped her into the bath.

“There you go, soak your body in the warm water…”

Ariel tried to cover her naked body with her small hands and arms, but it was not enough.

Not knowing what to do, she turned her back to Sujan.

“How are you this thin…”

Looking at Ariel’s small, skinny frame, Susan’s muttering died down. The little girl, who looked like she was only seven, was covered with scars all over her body from being beaten.

“Miss, what is this…”

Ariel shut her eyes, as if hoping the time would disappear.

Susan was very angry that someone would even have the audacity to beat such a beautiful young girl. Where do they think they’re hitting! Her eyes glared at the scars, thoroughly examining them. There was only one who could habitually a.s.sault such a young aristocratic daughter.

The father.

Susan realized Ariel did not live a favourable life in a normal respectable family. Her eyes softened and she turned Ariel around with a gentle hand.

Ariel lowered her head. She was afraid that Susan would hear how it happened. The marquis and everyone always explained to her that she was being hit because she was in the wrong.

Because you did wrong, you need to be hit.

You deserve to be hit.

Ariel was afraid Susan, who she met for the first time, would see her that way, and would ask in detail about the Marquis. Then she heard Susan speak in a friendly voice

“Miss, are your wounds still painful?”

Ariel shook her head and gestured at her arm which was relatively fresh from being hit.

“Besides here… it doesn’t hurt anywhere anymore.”

Susan looked at Ariel with pitiful eyes and kindly wrapped her in a hug.

“Okay, I’ll wash the foam off. If it hurts, tell me.”

The bath was gentle as it can be. Susan didn’t hurt her at all, and skillfully cleaned Ariel with speed.

Ariel, who had been cowering because of the possibility that she was going to be asked about the cause of her wounds would arise, gradually had her worries fade away as Susan didn’t say anything and gently washed her.

After finishing, Susan dried Ariel with a large towel. Ariel was so small she was enveloped in the towel. Susan, who finished wiping her body, started drying her red hair.

“When you get married, I’ll have to trim your long hair. For now, you’re still another household’s daughter.” Sujan said ruefully.

Susan braided her striking scarlet red, which came down until Ariel’s behind, and arranged it into a child’s bonnet, leaving a curly charming crown on top. Then she brought out a pretty dress that was fitted to Ariel’s body.

The light beige baby-doll dress was a set with the bonnet. The interior of the bonnet was layered with white lace and on the side was an ivory ribbon. Her dress was also made of white lace overlaying thick, light beige cloth, giving a dainty and elegant feel. At the center of the dress’s chest was a cream colored ribbon made of silk broadcloth. The center of the ribbon was decorated with a cameo brooch. The dress had a soft lining so it was snug.

It was completely different from Ariels baggy, tattered clothes. To be wearing a dress and a bonnet, even a pair of non-heeled boots made of soft leather,

‘Wow, I look like a lady.’

Looking at herself, Ariel really looked like she transformed into a n.o.ble’s daughter.

“Though you’re young, I was about to put a red color on your lips, but I see you don’t need it! The color of your lips is very beautiful.”

Susan, who spoke brightly, praised Ariel for being blessed with pink lips.

“Like a lady, you’ll enter with such a beautiful ambiance. Everyone will definitely fall in love with you.”

At those words, Ariel was doubtful. Beautiful? That was impossible.

‘I’ve obviously become more neat, but…’

Ariel, who believed she looked ugly, did not really think she was pretty, although Susan’s compliment only strengthened her impression that Susan was a good person.

“If we don’t hurry up, we’ll be late. Now, shall we go?”

Susan led Ariel out by the shoulders and as they exited the mansion, dazzling sunlight poured from the skies. Beyond the sunlight was a handsome tall boy.

“The Grand Duke’s son is already here.”

The boy was slim, tall, and beautiful. Those that didn’t know could see the black suit he wore was extremely costly. Only his necktie was noticeably loose and he looked slightly defiant.

“You’re here.”

“Yes…uwahh?!”

He abruptly s.n.a.t.c.hed her from Susan, catching her by her side like a toy.

“It’s not a good hobby to keep me waiting.”

Ariel had knit her eyebrows in the glare of the sun, but now she gazed upon him.

The Grand duke’s son’s face who she didn’t see yesterday was full of delight under the sunlight.

But..

Ah?

Ariel stiffened at the sight of the Grand Duke’s son Lucian.

‘This person is….?’

It was a face she knew. Short jet black hair and dark blue eyes.

‘Killing all of La Carte’s knights. What are you?’

‘I’ll help you so grab my hand.’

A daunting and beautiful young man she met on the streets of La Carte in the past.

The Grand Duke’s successor, Lucian Desmond La Carte, had that guy’s face.

END OF CHAPTER 8.