Chapter 5. I-seo's Hidden Ability
I-seo's Hidden Ability
The next day at noon, in the maids' lounge.
The maids gathered around a table set with sweet cookies and tea, but the atmosphere was oddly both lively and sticky.
The center of attention was undoubtedly Ari.
"Ah... my back..."
Every time Ari sat down, she let out a pained groan. Unable to settle fully into the chair, she perched awkwardly on one side—a clear sign of someone who had been thoroughly ravaged the night before.
"My, Ari. What's with your walk? You're waddling like a duck."
The sharp-eyed Nancy teased mercilessly. Ari's face turned beet red as she ducked her head.
"N-no, unnie... I'm just a little tired..."
"Tired, my foot. I can see you can't even close your legs properly. And the way you're being extra careful with your backside..."
Nancy flicked the back of Ari's skirt.
"Eek!"
Ari jumped in shock, and Nancy burst into laughter.
"See? I knew it! Did the Count take you from behind?"
At those words, Head Maid Maria, who had been sipping tea, nearly choked.
"B-behind? You mean... there?"
"Y-yes... Ugh... Last night, His Lordship... used his fingers..."
Ari sniffled as she confessed.
The maids of House Eckhart, who served the Count's nightly needs, had long grown accustomed to such matters.
So during breaks, they often exchanged bedroom stories without reservation.
But Maria looked genuinely shocked as she set down her teacup.
She had served the Count for years, yet he had never taken her from behind. He had always preferred the front—and always with brutal force.
'Has His Lordship's taste... changed? Or is Ari special?'
Even as she worried for her younger sister's first time, a strange mix of envy and relief twisted inside her.
"Oh my! This is huge! The Count has finally awakened to the pleasures of the backdoor!"
Nancy clapped excitedly, shaking Ari's shoulders.
"Did it hurt? How did it feel? Like taking a dump?"
"Ugh, stop! You're so gross! Hnngh... It still stings..."
I-seo stayed silent through their conversation, quietly nibbling on a cookie.
The depraved, wretched scene she had witnessed through the door crack last night—the sight of thick fingers plunging into Ari's backside—flashed in her mind.
As snack time neared its end, Maria called out to her.
"I-seo. I need you to run an errand."
"Yes, Head Maid. What is it?"
"Go to the 'Gold Moon' jeweler in the market district outside the castle and retrieve an item His Lordship ordered. It's extremely valuable, so be careful."
"Understood. I'll change and go."
As I-seo began untying her apron, Maria shook her head.
"No. Go as you are."
"Huh? In my maid uniform?"
"You don't understand. The Eckhart family's maid uniform is both proof of status and a shield."
Maria adjusted I-seo's attire with practiced hands.
"The townsfolk will recognize you as a servant of House Eckhart the moment they see this dress. No one would dare treat you poorly—if anything, you'll be treated like nobility."
Following Maria's words, I-seo left the castle gates still in her maid's dress.
The market district was bustling.
As I-seo walked through the streets, eyes followed her.
"Look at that dress—she's from House Eckhart!"
"A new maid? She's stunning. Prettier than most noble ladies."
Merchants stepped aside, and men stared slack-jawed.
This was no ordinary maid's uniform. The elegant cut and luxurious fabric accentuated I-seo's Eastern beauty, giving her an air of nobility.
I-seo straightened her back and walked with confidence. For a moment, she felt like the young lady of House Eckhart herself.
When she arrived at 'Gold Moon,' the portly owner rushed out barefoot to greet her.
"Ah! You're from the Count's estate! I've been expecting you."
The owner ushered her inside with reverence and handed her a heavy velvet pouch.
"His Lordship's specially ordered 'Red Ruby Necklace.' My finest craftsman spent all night cutting it."
His eyes lingered on I-seo's slender neck as he smirked.
"By the way, miss, you're absolutely breathtaking. This ruby would look exquisite against your fair skin. The Count is a lucky man."
"It's not mine. Save your flattery."
I-seo cut him off and left. Still, she didn't mind the attention.
Humming to herself, she felt pleased—the errand was done, and the weather was lovely.
"Move! Out of the way!"
Then, a child darted out from an alley and crashed into her.
"Ah!"
I-seo staggered, and the boy tumbled to the ground.
"Oww..."
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Startled, I-seo helped the boy up, brushing dust off his ragged clothes.
"S-sorry, miss! I was in a hurry..."
The boy clung to her for a moment before bowing and vanishing into the crowd.
"Be careful."
Smiling, I-seo smoothed her dress and continued on her way.
But when she reached the castle gates and checked her belongings, the color drained from her face.
"Huh...?"
It was gone.
The velvet pouch containing the red ruby necklace—hidden deep in her dress—had vanished without a trace.
"That boy...!"
Too late, she realized. The collision hadn't been an accident. The boy had faked the fall to pick her pocket.
Lost in her good mood, she had let her guard down.
The Head Maid's Office.
Maria's expression darkened as I-seo reported her failure empty-handed.
"I-seo... Do you know what that was? A betrothal gift for Lady Rachel, His Lordship's fiancée. It's priceless!"
"I'm sorry... I've committed a grave sin."
I-seo couldn't lift her head.
Maria sighed, rubbing her temples.
"I'll... report this to His Lordship. Let me handle it. If a new maid like you speaks up, he might—"
Though grateful for Maria's protection, I-seo shook her head.
"No, Head Maid."
"It's my mistake. I'll face His Lordship myself and accept my punishment."
"I-seo! His Lordship is in a foul mood lately. If he lashes out, you won't survive!"
"I know. But... I can't drag others into my failure."
In truth, it wasn't just responsibility driving her.
The memory of Lucian's tormented face in the carriage—and the beastly way he had taken Ari—sent a shiver down her spine.
Yet, despite her fear, she felt an instinctive pull toward that dangerous man.
And she had something she needed to do.
She went to his office, but Count Lucian was away on territory inspections.
After a sleepless night, she returned the next day.
Hearing the office lights were on, she knocked without hesitation.
"Enter."
A low, commanding voice.
With trembling hands, I-seo opened the door and stepped inside. Lucian sat behind his desk reviewing documents. When his crimson eyes locked onto her, she dropped to her knees.
"My Lord... I've committed a grave sin."
"What is it?"
"The red ruby necklace you ordered... I lost it. A pickpocket took it on my way back..."
She pressed her forehead to the floor, awaiting judgment.
Silence. Then—thud, thud—Lucian's footsteps approached.
I-seo squeezed her eyes shut. Any moment now, he'd grab her hair, tear her clothes—
Clink.
But the sound that reached her was the clear chime of metal.
She looked up.
Dangling before her eyes was the very necklace she had lost, its crimson gem shimmering brilliantly.
"You mean this?"
"Ah—!"
"Lucky for you. That stupid brat tried selling it back to the jeweler and got caught. It found its way back to me."
Lucian tossed the necklace onto the desk.
His expression was cold, but his voice held a strange calm.
"Though the item is recovered, the fact remains—my maid was careless with my property. You've lost my trust. There must be consequences."
"..."
I-seo swallowed dryly. This was it.
She slowly prepared to untie her apron. If he wanted her body as payment, she was ready.
But Lucian's next words caught her off guard.
"Keep your clothes on. Today, I'm testing something else."
He pulled an ancient, thick tome from the bookshelf.
"A few days ago, I saw you. While cleaning the study, you opened this book—covered in dust, unread by anyone—and read it aloud."
"!"
I-seo's heart lurched. She hadn't realized she'd been noticed.
That book was a magic primer written in the Ancient Empire's tongue—a language no ordinary maid in her twenties should know, let alone pronounce flawlessly.
"You're an Eastern slave. How do you know this land's ancient tongue? And with such perfect pronunciation?"
Lucian shoved the open book in her face. His crimson eyes gleamed, digging for her secrets.
I-seo's mind raced.
"In my hometown... there was an old scholar who had traveled the Western lands. I served him as a child and picked up letters by watching. He told such fascinating stories..."
A lie, but a plausible one—the kind a curious girl might learn.
Lucian studied her for a long moment before smirking.
"Oh? A scholar's apprentice. You might be useful."
He closed the book.
"Fine. Instead of punishment, I'll make use of your talent. Starting tomorrow, clear part of your schedule and come to my study. You'll translate ancient texts I can't decipher and assist my research."
"R-research?"
"You'll see. It's... a very secretive, very dangerous kind."
His smile twisted.
This woman wasn't just another body for release—she might be a partner in his life's work.
Relief washed over I-seo, but so did a strange thrill. She had taken one step closer to the depths of Lucian's soul.
"I obey, my Lord."
The Next Morning, Maid's Lounge.
The maids sighed in relief when I-seo returned unharmed. But soon, gossip shifted to fresh news.
"Did you hear? Another new maid's arriving today."
"Word is she's special. The Head Maid went to fetch her personally."
The door opened, and Maria entered—followed by a woman who made everyone's eyes widen.
"This is our new maid starting today. Everyone, greet her."
Ella wore a maid's dress, but her demeanor was anything but servile.
Her lustrous golden hair cascaded in elegant waves, and her blue eyes held an unmistakable arrogance.
Her skin bore the milky fairness of nobility, and her hands looked like they'd never touched water.
Most striking was her posture—spine straight, chin lifted—as if this were a debutante ball, not a maid's lounge.
"Pleasure. I'm Ella."
She gave a slight nod instead of a bow.
"Whoa... what's her deal?"
"Did she just talk down to us?"
Nancy and Ari whispered, but Ella ignored them.
She was Victoria, the fallen daughter of a baron's family. Caught in a treason scandal, her house had been erased, and she now hid here in disguise.
Though forced into servitude, the noble pride in her bones remained unbroken.
"I-seo, you'll train Ella. You'll work in pairs for now."
At Maria's order, I-seo nodded.
I-seo, the maid with an intellectual secret.
Ella, the haughty fallen noble.
The meeting of these two women would send ripples through House Eckhart's maids.
(Images omitted in text translation.)