Butterfly Estate

When I arrived at the Butterly Estate, Lady Marika greeted me with a mischievous smirk. At first glance, you will already know that she is a brat. She has that kind of aura.

"I am Marika, it's a pleasure to live with the deposed empress!" She said and bowed down.

See? I was right. I don't want to fight with her, she's childish and impulsive.

"Lady Marika, thank you for the sentiment. But I would appreciate it if you address me Lady Lucia than what you just called me." I said and smiled. "It's also a pleasure to live with you," I greeted back and bowed.

She gritted through her teeth before turning her back against me. "Hmph!"

"My lady, Lady Marika shows no respect for you! She doesn't deserve your kindness!" Yeanne complained and made a face. "Noble ladies like her really irritate me. They act so high and mighty. They have superiority complex as if they deserve every ounce of kindness and respect just because of their positions. Tsk." She pouted after saying those words with her hands crossed.

But this is rather unexpected, I thought Yeanne was a silent type.

"Before you preach about other's personality, be mindful of your character, too." Mayka chastised.

They only met but they are already open to each other that they are already quarrelling. I gazes at Cay beside them; she's quiet and I never heard her talk after I spoke to her.

"You both, please stop. I am tired, please prepare my bath." I sighed.

"Will do, my lady." They all said in unison.

"Cay," I called.

"My lady?"

"We're not that close yet for you to open up with me. However, be reminded that I am always here to lend an ear." I said before turning my back against her.

I sat on the wooden chair and leaned my back on it while waiting for them to finish preparing my bath. Suddenly, Lady Marika popped on my head. Looking back, she really is pretty. What would I expect? She's part of the emperor's harem, of course she's beautiful. Now I wonder how the other ladies look. They must be really astonishing

...and those gorgeous ladies will probably become my enemies.

Given my situation, they'd probably take advantage of this to oppress me. I do not want to fight them, however if they cross the line, I won't just sit down still.

"My lady, the bath is already prepared. Let us help you."

While they were assisting me, Yeanne kept on blabbering things and saying some secrets of the other noble ladies. "... and did you also know that Lady N--"

"You should probably get rid of that habit of yours to talk behind the other noble ladies' back. If you get caught, you'll probably lose your tongue." Mayka cut her off.

"Hmpk, do you think I would be so cheap to blabber hearsays? Of course not, I have a great source. All I am spouting is true!"

"It's not the matter of whether what you say is true or not. Not only you are going to be affected with your actions, but the our lady as well. Becareful not to run your mouth carelessly like that," Mayka preached.

Yeanne just pouted in response, "My lady is different from them," she stated.

I stopped for a moment, "How can you be so sure?"

"My lady, I have a great source, just like what I have said. I am a friend of your former maid Sarah, and she's sharing things to me about how kind you are."

"Some people always have the wrong idea about the empress. Sure, the empress could be really clumsy and naive at times, but the empress is very kind. She helped a lot of people on her own, and she does not advertise it. She's very humble, understanding and modest. It's sad that not everyone can't see that. She's very forgiving and her smile is always genuine. It never fails to warm our heart."

Yeanne recited the exact words Sarah said, and it was a fact. When I was reading the novel, the Empress Lucia was really someone worth the adoration if many, but her kindness was also her weak point.

I sighed, "I'm not the kind of person you think anymore," I said before getting up, "Please prepare my clothes--"

"I already did, my lady." Cay said and bowed her head down.

"Formalities are suffocating, please feel to act free whenever we're alone." I stated.

"And remember not to cross the line," Mayka said while looking sharply at Yeanne.

"Why are you staring at me like that? You are so mean!" She hid at Cay's back, "Cay, Mayka is being mean to me."

I heard them quarrel once again. I yawned after I finished changing. I am tired and very sleepy.

"My lady, it's time for dinner."

I awoke upon hearing Yeanne's voice. "I didn't even know that I fell asleep," I whispered.

"You looked tired that's why we did not wake you up earlier when Master Sun came here, my lady." Mayka said.

My eyes grew wide upon hearing what she said, "He did?"

"Yes, my lady. Was our decision of not waking you up wrong?" Mayka asked worriedly.

"No, it's not. I am grateful that you are thinking about me. However, if he visits again please tell me." I flashed a small smile.

After eating my dinner, I groaned after realizing that I won't be able to sleep back now. I do not feel sleepy after sleeping for almost 4 hours, I feel so energized!

Then... Shall I just do our deal?

"I can assure you that I am much more capable than his men. I am a so called great detective too, you know. I can solve that case faster than them, believe me." He said and smirked.

"And what would you benefit from it?" I asked.

He smirked, "In return, help me write a novel about mystery. Writing one would be a piece of cake, however, I want romance involved. And I am not really good in words and at literature." He whispered his wish which made my eyes wide. "Easy, isn't it? It's quite embarrassing so I whispered it just in case someone is eavesdropping." He said and laughed.

Is he serious?

"Then why do you think that I am good with writing or words--"

"When I heard your speech with the emperor."

Is he really serious? Or is he plotting something? I can't believe that this is what he only wants!

"Don't stare at me like that, pure distrust is evident in your face, my lady." He acted as if he's hurt, "Then, is it a deal?"

"Deal."

With plume and paper, I started writing. I hope the plot of the story is to his liking.