Chapter 18
Chapter 18
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Friend
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“So, did you end up buying that dollhouse for her?”
“I blew my entire paycheck on it.”
Daphne burst into laughter at Fabian’s words. She and Fabian would chat like this from time to time.
Watching the pitiful Fabian, who had emptied his wallet for his little sister Merveille, she gave him a warm smile.
“You’re a good big brother.”
“I’m just the foolish type who falls for his little sister’s whims.”
Fabian let out a sigh-like murmur.
“How’s your mother?”
“My mother? She’s been going on and on about the latest fashion in clothes.”
Fabian lived with his mother and little sister, without his father. According to him, his mother was a bit immature, but her cooking was out of this world.
His little sister was the same. Just like her mother, she begged for dolls every single day, to the point where it made his back ache, he’d sigh.
Even so, the smile never left Fabian’s face as he talked about his family.
Fabian loved his family dearly. Friends were friends, but it was because of his family that he knew how to give love.
“Oh, right. A gift.”
“A gift?”
When Fabian held out his hand as if to say give me your palm, she cautiously extended her hand.
It was a small brooch.
“I bought it because it reminded me of your eyes.”
The brilliant blue gem was truly striking. Daphne held it up to the light. The deep blue sparkled beautifully.
Daphne gripped it ever so carefully. Could she really accept this? Was it okay for her to take it?
She looked up at Fabian with flushed cheeks, and he cleared his throat awkwardly.
“This is my first time doing something like this.”
He’d been about to drop a smooth line, but instead asked with a puzzled expression.
“You’ve never gotten a gift like this before?”
Daphne nodded. Other than when her mother was alive, she’d never received a real gift. Unless you counted harassment disguised as presents.
“Not even from His Highness the Crown Prince?”
“It’s not like giving gifts is a given.”
Fabian seemed at a loss for words at Daphne’s reply.
“You mean you didn’t get any gifts at your coming-of-age ceremony either?”
They gave gifts at coming-of-age ceremonies? Daphne looked puzzled. Fabian sighed.
“Daphne.”
“Yeah?”
“I’ll do better.”
“No, I’ll do better.”
Daphne beamed at the brooch. She tilted it to catch the light from different angles. Fabian, really—did her eyes look that pretty?
“Thank you.”
She pinned the brooch to her chest. If only there were a mirror. She was so delighted she didn’t know what to do with herself when suddenly Fabian covered his mouth and let out a muffled groan.
“Fabian?”
“Sorry. You’re just so adorable, give me a second.”
Daphne tilted her head in confusion. Why was he acting like that?
“Thank you so much, Fabian. Really.”
“…….”
“I’ll pay you back for this kindness.”
“Then when you get your next paycheck, buy me something delicious?”
Fabian’s face lit up. Paycheck? Daphne looked flustered. If anything, Fabian was the one who felt something was off.
“You... do get paid?”
Daphne shook her head. Weren’t paychecks for maids? Hearing that, Fabian’s expression darkened.
“No matter that you’re a criminal’s daughter, this is straight-up slavery.”
“…….”
“Isn’t this some barbaric country’s custom? Ha. I really don’t know what to do with you.”
Fabian let out a deep sigh. Daphne always felt uneasy whenever he got like this.
Why was this strange? She talked with Fabian, got gifts from him, and was getting by just fine.
She was a criminal’s daughter—didn’t she have no right to ask for more luxuries? A paycheck, of all things.
Fabian always treated her like a normal person. He pitied her for not being treated properly. He always pointed out her discomforts. Sometimes, that made Fabian feel uncomfortable to her.
He seemed like someone from a different world than hers.
* * *
Spring arrived, and with the Emperor’s remarriage, the Imperial Palace buzzed with grand events.
Was that why? Or for some other reason—Asherad once again kept his distance from Daphne, leaving her neglected.
There was no interference from Olga, Asherad’s maid.
If anything had changed, it was that she crossed paths with the Emperor more often. Once Callista became Empress, Daphne—who’d had no duties—suddenly found herself assigned to the Emperor Palace.
Her tasks were always simple. Picking flowers to decorate the vases. That was it. But every time, she ran into the Emperor.
The Emperor hardly spoke to Daphne. He merely scanned her with an inscrutable, filthy gaze. His eyes lingered on the frayed hem of her worn-out maid uniform.
“Your clothes are quite worn.”
She heard the Emperor mutter offhandedly. Daphne squeezed her eyes shut and let the words slide past. Lately, he’d toss out a word or two, and it grated on her ears.
“Is the work too hard for you?”
Why would the man responsible for her misery ask such a thing out of false concern?
Daphne still couldn’t forget the Emperor’s madness when he slaughtered all the servants in her home. The image of that once-kind man trampling blood-soaked corpses and screaming in rage would remain an eternal nightmare.
“It’s not hard.”
“If it gets tough, just say so. I’ll let you rest again.”
How kind of him. But Daphne shook her head. She took the work because it meant she could see Asherad.
She suffered the misfortune of encountering the Emperor at times, but she also had the luck of seeing Asherad now and then. Each glimpse of him in a new light made her heart tremble.
Asherad usually walked with knights and retainers, discussing matters. With nobles, he’d smile as always; with his closest aides, he’d show a terrifyingly cold expression.
“Daphne.”
Sometimes he was alone, and he’d call her name gently. She’d smile brightly every time.
“Your Highness!”
“You look happy today.”
Daphne felt like a puppy reuniting with its owner after so long—she wanted to yip with joy. With no way to express it, she was at a loss.
Because I’ve seen you.
I’m happy because I’ve seen you.
Daphne wanted to say it, but she couldn’t bring herself to.
Was it the spring? Asherad started wearing brighter clothes instead of heavy tones.
Today, it was a sky-blue outfit perfect for spring. It suited him so well that her heart pounded again. Asherad looked good in every season.
The warm spring breeze, stirring with new life, tickled his forehead. Daphne half-expected him to ask her to come to his room at night, sing him a lullaby, or read him a book.
But...
“Take care of yourself.”
Asherad turned away with those meaningful words, like a farewell. Daphne stared after him, dazed.
He’d said he saw her like a little sister. He’d asked her to stay by his side. So why wasn’t Asherad calling for her? Did he not need her anymore?
Had he grown tired of her now?
Or had he suddenly come to loathe her as the seductress’s daughter? Words clogged her throat, but she couldn’t voice any.
Asherad’s words were too brief. He hadn’t even noticed the frayed sleeve the Emperor had seen. I’m happy because of you—don’t you know that?
Her feelings were ripening, but her heart for Asherad felt like it was crumbling bit by bit.
Daphne gazed at Asherad’s retreating back.
He was too grand a man for the likes of her, a seductress’s daughter, to hold. She closed her eyes in agony.
* * *
“Wow, Daphne. It’s so pretty.”
At Sara’s words, Daphne stared blankly at the clothes delivered to her. Even at a glance, they were expensive dresses.
Who sent them?
Daphne eyed the garments. Could it be from Asherad? Was “take care” his way of saying this?
She couldn’t tell. After seeing only drab colors, the vibrant hues made her dizzy with delight.
They were incomparable to the black maid dresses she always wore. So flashy she mistook them for evening gowns at first, but no—they were daywear.
Far too extravagant for a mere maid. Receiving pretty clothes felt good. But not knowing the sender left a bitter taste.
And there were too many. Seven in total. Daphne, who was supposed to wear only maid uniforms, had no need for them.
Sara beamed in admiration at the forsythia-yellow dress. On impulse, Daphne spoke up.
“Want one?”
Sara’s face lit up at Daphne’s offer. Greed she couldn’t hide gleamed in the docile girl’s eyes.
“Thank you!”
Sara was genuinely thrilled. Seeing that, Daphne gave a faint smile. The expressions of the others who’d come to gawk in her room turned strange. There was the familiar hostility, but something else too.
Envy. Hesitation. Their gazes brushed past one another. She’d merely given away one of her gifted dresses. Yet the looks directed at her had changed. For the first time in ages, Daphne recalled what those looks meant.
They were the gazes once turned toward her mother, Beatrice. They despised that woman. But currying favor might yield something.
Her heart pounded at their undisguised expressions.
“Daphne, thank you so much.”
Sara’s eyes held sincerity. Daphne decided that was enough.
And so, Sara became Daphne’s blatant “friend.”