âCome to think of it, Lili. Your previously rough hands have become much better now.â
âItâs all thanks to you. Iâve been applying that precious lotion, which Madame had given me.â
âReally? Iâm really glad that my gift was somehow helpful.â
Liliâs expression then took a strange turn when Molitia had drawn a smile.
âAnd soâ¦â¦â
Molitia turned her eyes at Liliâs words. After stuttering a little, she eventually opened her mouthâas careful as possible.
âWell, Iâve been bragging about it a little. It is a gift from Madameâ¦â
âLili.â
Even before Lili had finished her sentence, Pillenâs voice bellowedâlike a calm typhoon.
âDidnât I tell you not to talk about that?â
âHa, but I merely told my best friends. Still, I never imagined that itâd spread this far.â
As soon as she heard Liliâs defense, Molitia vaguely understood what she was actually trying to say. As their gazes entwined with each other, Lili immediately bowed her head as low as the bathroom floor.
âSo?â
âMaâMadame, thatâs⦠thatâ¦â
Molitia grinned when she saw how embarrassed Lili was. Nevertheless, Lili was the one who had especially praised her lotion. She must have declared how proud she was to be favored by her own Madame.
âIf I happen to have any extras left after making it, Iâll give it to you.â
âReally?â
âHowever, you should never ask for the sake of others next time and do behave yourself. It could always cause trouble to some others.â
Yet, a line was still necessary. If a relationship between the master and the servant were to turn slightly blurry, the masterâs position then could be shaken at any time.
âOkay! Thank you very much, Madame!â
âIâd like to greet them too, but sadly, it canât happen anytime soon.â
Furthermore, she had wanted to thank the Marchioness of Nibeia individually as well. Then, Molitia slowly moved her body, which was already feeling so much better after the bath.
Molitia, who always kept her hair long, proceeded to tie it up with the help of her maids.
Her white neck was instantly revealed once her hair had been neatly rolled up. Her hair, which was dangling on her cheek, was tucked back that eventually unveiled her fine lines.
âLetâs make it a little lighter this time. There might be some cases where I need to reapply before working again, so this way, it can seep into my skin rather quickly.â
âIt can seep even faster than this?â
Molitia gave a slight smile towards Liliâs astonishment.
âOf course. Itâs definitely possible only if you adjust the ratio well.â
Molitia then put on the shawl which was handed to her by Pillen.
âThereâs something else that I need to prepare, but at the same time, I also need you to prepareâ¦â
âMadame, Madame!â
She immediately stopped talking when a maid was quickly approaching. In contrast to Pillen and Lili, she was a maid who had been in charge of the hallânot an attendant that was supposed to be beside her.
âWhatâs going on?â
âWe have a visitor.â
âA visitor. Who?â
No one was supposed to visit according to todayâs schedule. Therefore, a sudden visit. Is it that urgent? When Molitia tilted her head, the maid immediately opened her mouth.
âItâs the Lady of Clemence.â
âAh.â
Her round mouth instantly ceased to function.
Youâre here already. It was merely a passing remark from before, but of course Arjan, who bore a very close resemblance to her father, did not miss taking the opportunity at all.
âOkay. Tell her Iâll be right there.â
âYes, Madame.â
When the maid who delivered the unpleasant news had finally disappeared, Molitia tried her best to wear a smile.
âThereâs no other choice, but to postpone it for a while.â
âMadame, are you all right?â
Liliâs concerned voice had rendered Molitia speechless.
Truth be told, she was quite a little nervous. Not to the extent of her father, but certainly enough, her sister was also able to disturb her plenty.
âIt should be all right.â
Molitia eventually muttered under her breath.
âââââââââ-
âSister!â
Molitiaâs mouth became somewhat stiff, seeing how Arjan was smiling broadly upon noticing her. At this rate, Molitia could already imagine, albeit vaguely, how she wouldnât think so well of this drawing-room.
Nevertheless, Molitia quickly erased her thoughts as she pursed her lips slightly. Perhaps she was just overthinking such things. Molitia then looked towards Arjan, who appeared to be smiling in a rather good way before pushing all of her anxious thoughts to the back of her mind.
âArjan, come on in.â