Soon after, the family doctor Alexis arrived—but Estella sent him away immediately. Katrin, wearing a face that looked as though she bore the worries of the entire world, urged her again and again to let him examine her, but it was no use.

Katrin stared fixedly at Estella, who was unusually stubborn this morning, then nodded with a hurt expression. She looked so pitiful, it almost made one want to confess to a crime they hadn’t committed.

But Estella didn’t find her pitiful. And she had no intention of feeling guilty for something she hadn’t done.

“It’s nothing serious. I just need some rest.”

Estella smiled as she said it, and Katrin’s face visibly brightened. Her lips moved first, and her eyes followed with a curved smile.

“Really? I’m so relieved you’re not seriously ill, but I still worry. Make sure you eat a hearty breakfast and get plenty of rest today. I’ll make you another cup of milk tea. I’ll add more honey than usual to help you recover. Just wait a moment.”

Katrin was endlessly kind. Kind to a degree that, in hindsight, should’ve been suspicious.

Back then, Estella had simply believed Katrin was a sweet little sister who pitied her deeply. She’d been too stupid, too kind, to see through the saccharine smile and the syrupy malice beneath it.

Even when she realized Katrin had been deceiving her, Estella had foolishly chosen to keep pretending—for Katrin’s sake. That was how deeply pathetic the old Estella had been.

Maybe that’s why, when given this second chance, Estella had chosen Yoon Seo-yi—not out of confidence, but from a faint hope… or a last-ditch desperation.

Whatever the reason, Estella had no intention of falling for that revolting performance ever again.

“No. There’s no need, Katrin. Starting today, I won’t be drinking milk tea anymore.”

At Estella’s firm declaration, Katrin’s eyes widened in disbelief. She looked almost hurt—but Estella saw the flicker in her pupils. Katrin was genuinely thrown off.

“Wh-what? Why? Did I do something wrong? If I made a mistake, please forgive me. Preparing your morning milk tea is my greatest joy… If there’s anything I’ve done to disappoint you, please tell me. I’ll fix it.”

Katrin's performance, her suffocatingly sweet tone, made Estella feel like she was drowning. Her drooping eyes gave her the look of a cartoon kitten who’d just been scolded. The face was so harmless, it made one question if she really was evil.

Estella couldn’t imagine how completely the old her must have been swayed.

“It’s nothing like that. My tastes just changed a bit—I don’t feel like eating sweet things anymore. I’m always grateful to you.”

“...Really? I’m glad to hear that. Ah! Then I’ll serve you a non-sweet tea from now on!”

Faced with an unexpected wall, Katrin looked briefly overwhelmed—until an idea struck her and a fresh smile bloomed across her face. This time, her eyes curved first.

“No. Don’t bother. From now on, Ria will prepare my tea. Isn’t that right, Ria?”

Ria, who had quietly entered and was clearing the shattered teacup, blinked at the sudden instruction. Then, she stood up and bowed her head.

Her brown hair, braided in twin plaits, hung neatly below her shoulders.

“Yes, My Lady. From tomorrow, I’ll prepare your tea.”

“Thank you. I’d like jasmine tea, please.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

Ria, calm and composed as always, answered clearly, then resumed her cleaning. She had been the only one willing to serve as Estella’s maid when no one else wanted the role.

Because of her quiet, reserved nature, Estella had never spoken deeply with her in her previous life. But one thing was certain—Ria had visited her in prison the day she was to be executed. She had cried from afar as Estella mounted the scaffold. She was the only one who had.

Estella had never had the chance to ask why.

She had spent every day drowning in despair, barely holding on until the day of her execution. There was no time to talk.

Now, all at once, a wave of gratitude and guilt welled up in her.

Why am I feeling like this?

Yoon Seo-yi wasn’t someone who let emotions sway her. She was the type to analyze every situation thoroughly, calculate the risks, and only act once everything was perfectly in place. That’s why Estella’s soft, sentimental emotions felt foreign and burdensome.

This kind of feeling won’t help right now.

Estella steadied herself and silently watched Ria as she cleaned. Sensing Estella’s gaze, Ria faltered briefly, then calmly finished her task and left the room.

“Sister? Did you hear me?”

“Hm? What did you say?”

“What were you thinking so deeply about that you didn’t hear me calling right in front of you?”

Katrin asked with a dazzling smile that made Seo-yi want to look away.

“I wasn’t thinking about anything. What did you say?”

“Tonight’s the family dinner. Everyone’s gathering. You can’t skip it again like last time, okay? Everyone’s looking forward to seeing you.”

“Alright. I’ll join tonight.”

“Really? I’m so happy! Father will be thrilled when I tell him! I’ll go let him know right away. Is that alright?”

“Sure. Go ahead.”

Like someone truly overjoyed, Katrin threw her arms around Estella—despite her being several times thicker—and kissed her cheek with a loud smooch before fluttering out like a butterfly.

“Ugh…”

Estella rubbed the spot where those damp lips had landed. Looking in the mirror, she saw a smudge of lipstick, glaringly red. Her face twisted in revulsion.

As she scrubbed at her cheek, Ria returned quietly and spoke in a cautious voice.

“Shall I prepare some water for you, My Lady?”

“Would you?”

“Yes!”

Though it was a simple task, Ria answered as if she’d just received high praise.

“Ria.”

“Yes, My Lady?”

“Thank you.”

“…Pardon?”

At the unexpected words, a ripple passed over Ria’s normally still face.

Estella had never once snapped or raised her voice at her—but she’d also never called her name or asked her for anything. All instructions had come through Katrin. Estella would just nod, rarely saying anything at all.

“I mean it. Thank you.”

“Th-thank you… for what, My Lady?”

“For everything you’ve done for me.”

Ria didn’t fully understand what Estella meant, but somehow she felt that someday she would. She thought back to the time long ago when she’d been starving in the streets, and Estella had extended a hand. The look in Estella’s eyes now reminded her of the young noblewoman from that day—sharp, intelligent, and kind.

“I… thank you too.”

Freckles bloomed red across her cheeks. Her face, once so drained of color, now held the glow of youth.

“For what?”

Estella had clearly forgotten that the starving little girl she’d once saved was Ria.

After entering the marquess’s household, Ria had spent her early years doing laundry and cleaning. It wasn’t until seven years later that she was assigned to serve Estella directly. The girl who had once been skin and bones was now nineteen. And when given the chance, she hadn’t hesitated. She wanted to serve the woman who had saved her life.

Even if it meant enduring subtle scorn and condescension from the other maids. It didn’t matter. To her, washing Estella’s handkerchiefs, straightening her rumpled sheets—that alone was enough to repay the debt she owed.

“For everything you’ve done for me.”

Looking at Estella, who raised an eyebrow in confusion, Ria gave her first honest, heartfelt smile since becoming her personal maid.

That morning, Estella was walking around the training ground, having eaten boiled eggs and salad instead of her usual greasy breakfast. Ria trailed after her in a daze.

Starting today, remove anything with flour, butter, or excessive fat from my meals. No greasy sausages or bacon. I don’t need overly sweet desserts either.

Then… what should I prepare, My Lady?

Tomorrow morning, make grilled mushrooms, a slice of smoked salmon, and lemon water.

Ria had thought she misheard.

Will that really be enough?

It has to be.

Ria kept recalling their conversation.

All the food Estella had once preferred—gone. Now she was asking for the foods she used to push aside. It felt like a dream.

But part of her was glad. Every morning, watching Estella stuff her cheeks with food, Ria had felt helpless. It looked as if eating was the only joy she had in life.

Today was different.

Her once-clouded eyes gleamed with clarity. Her occasional smiles brimmed with confidence. Her voice carried a newfound firmness. Her every movement radiated assurance.

She’s changed. I can tell.

Whatever the reason, Ria hoped from the bottom of her heart that Estella would find herself again.

And she needs to see who Katrin really is.

Ria was the only one in the marquess’s household who had caught even a glimpse of Katrin’s true nature.

Now, watching Estella walk the training grounds—breath ragged, but never giving up—Ria silently cheered her on.

Chapter 3

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