CH 6

[Baroness Appleton’s POV]

Baroness Appleton, who received the invitation to the tea party, agonized.

To go, or not to go.

Of course, she also wanted to go to a tea party hosted by the imperial family.

It was an opportunity you never knew when it would come again.

But I was scared.

She had a crooked back, was not beautiful, was born into a ruined aristocratic family, and never learned proper etiquette.

So I couldn’t go out of the house properly for a few days after I got married.

‘It’s obvious what kind of stories I’ll hear if I go to the imperial palace. How could Baroness Appleton be so ugly?’

It is also in front of the farmers in the orchard I’ll face for the first time.

Just thinking about it was terrifying.

Then one day, another letter arrived from the imperial palace.

The content asked me to hide my identity if I attended the tea party.

It was very suspicious. An ordinary aristocrat might be offended, asking why they had to do that.

But to Baroness Appleton, it was as sweet as the temptation of a ripe apple.

‘If I can hide who I am, wouldn’t it be okay to go?’

Because no one will care about me anyway.

It was a tea party that went like that.

[Siana’s POV]

“After that, the lady-in-waiting knows the story. The lady-in-waiting took care of me when I was so scared. Thanks to you, I enjoyed the tea party.”

Siana blinked at the unexpected truth.

“Then who was mistaken for Baroness Appleton that day?”

“I don’t know either. I’m sure she’s not working on the farm… Isn’t she a high-ranking member of the royal family, seeing how she entered without being restrained?”

It was a plausible statement.

The atmosphere and gestures of the woman were not those of an ordinary aristocrat.

‘Come to think of it, she also had silver hair and purple eyes. Just like the Crown Prince.’

Perhaps one of the many princesses was playing a practical joke.

If that’s the case, it’s really outrageous.

‘It must have been quite boring to come to where the maids work and do such a thing. You don’t have any friends to play with.’

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Baroness Appleton said to Siana, who was lost in thought.

“Anyway, that day, I was very impressed by the lady-in-waiting that day.”

It was the first time she knew that even if one was wearing a shabby gray uniform, even a bare face without a single makeup could be beautiful.

“I thought I wanted to learn elegant gestures like the lady-in-waiting. So I started studying etiquette the day after the tea party.”

“I see.”

Baroness Appleton looked at Siana and asked cautiously.

“With that in mind, would you accept my greeting again? I want to greet you properly in a formal manner.”

Siana was embarrassed.

Which baroness in the world would greet a mere apprentice maid?

But the baroness’s eyes were serious.

So, Siana could only nod her head awkwardly.

Baroness Appleton smiled relievedly and grabbed the hem of her skirt. Then she lowered her head slightly.

“Thank you very much for that day, lady-in-waiting.”

To be honest, her greeting was a mess.

The angle of the arms, the position of the hands, everything was clumsy and the ideal shape did not come out because the back, which was crucial, was bent.

Even so, Siana did not dare to evaluate her.

Because I could feel her warm personality.

Siana, who didn’t know much about Appleton, could tell.

That she will be loved by farmers of the orchard in the future.

So, with respect, Siana grabbed the hem of her skirt and bowed her head.

“You’re too generous.”

As expected, it was an elegant movement.

Baroness Appleton’s cheeks flushed slightly.

After that, the two talked for a short time.

Baroness Appleton gave Siana a special gift before she left.

“I brought plenty of it, so eat with other ladies-in-waiting.”

The huge picnic basket was filled with brightly colored apples.

***

A dining room for apprentice maids.

The table, which always had a piece of hard bread, was dazzling today.

Smooth-skinned apples, round apple pies, yellow apple jam in glass bottles, and bright yellow apple juice.

It was an apple party!

The apprentice maids shed tears and mumbled with their mouths.

“Heuk heuk, how can an apple be so sweet? Isn’t the apple covered with honey?”

“I know. Now I understand why Snow White died while eating an apple. I would eat this apple even if it contains poison.”

“I can eat two too.”

“Three for me.”

“Shut up, everyone. It’s all mine.”

In any case, the bottom line is that long live Baroness Appleton!

“I love you, Baroness Appleton. In my next life, I want to be born as an apple tree that you tend to.”

“What a nuisance for the lady. Be born as fertilizer for apple trees.”

“I should.”

TL/N: The maids are so funny hahahah

PR (rose): IKR 

Siana was also sitting in the seat where her love for Baroness Appleton exploded.

Siana, who had received a lot of food and became today’s hero, was holding one of the prettiest and largest apples.

It was a courtesy to the recipient of the gift.

Siana bit into one of the apples with a thrilled face.

At that moment, the scent of fresh apples spread through my mouth.

“Wow, it’s really delicious.’

It was a moment when the ripe apple was not envious of the diamond.

Even Chuchu, who never eats these kinds of things except meat , was eating an apple while shedding tears of emotion.

Lip, the official maid standing on the other side, muttered with a sad face.

“Anyway. Even if the world collapses tomorrow, these kids will rip out and eat even the last apple tree.”

Lip said.

“Listen while eating.”

Munch munch.

Nom nom nom.

Big bites.

The maids faithfully obeyed Lip’s orders and opened their ears.

“As of today, Siana has been promoted from apprentice maid to official maid.”

“… … !”

The apprentice maids’ eyes widened at the shocking news. It was the same with Siana.

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Siana froze with the apple in her mouth.

‘I became an official maid? Why?’

Siana was not the only one questioning the sudden news.

“I don’t understand, ma’am.”

It was Jeanne, who was quietly crushed after the tea party.

Jeanne said with a distorted face.

“How can a child of humble birth and status become an official maid of the palace? Furthermore beating all the other apprentice maids who came in first!”

In order for a trainee maid to become a full-time maid, there were several conditions that had to be met.

The probation period exceeding a certain amount, and the evaluations of other official maids.

So Jeanne was confident that she would be the first to become an official maid.

It was because she worked hard to bring handkerchiefs and hairpins to the official maids.

Didn’t Lip, who is looking at herself in front of her, also receive a gift from her?

‘But how could you do this? How can such a lowly girl, not anyone else, be promoted before me?’

Jeanne simply could not accept this fact.

“I don’t easily understand this decision. The same goes for the other apprentice maids. Please give me a proper explanation.”

Why should I?

—Lip wanted to say, but she held it in.

Because the apprentice ladies-in-waiting needed to know the truth.

“The tea party a few days ago was actually not an ordinary banquet. It was a place to check the capabilities of the apprentice maids.”

“… … !”

“You all know who stood out the most at the tea party that day, right?”

“… … .”

There was silence instead of an answer.

Lip said to Siana regardless.

“So Siana, go to Ruby Palace when the sun rises tomorrow. You will be serving the princess there.”

A beat later, Siana answered.

“……Yes.”

“Then, the notice is over.”

So Lip left the dining area.

Passing by Jeanne, who was trembling with anger.

“… … .”

Siana couldn’t eat the apple as comfortably as before.

It was because of the apprentice maids’ gazes toward her.

For apprentice maids, becoming an official maid is the first step toward a dream.

It’s unpleasant that Siana, who came in last, was the first to do it.

It would feel annoying and resentful.

‘Just because I’m used to being hated doesn’t mean I’m okay.’

Siana didn’t want to face their hostility with her whole body.

So it was a moment when I was in a hurry to avoid my seat.

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A huge body attacked Siana.

“Congratulations, Siana!”

“Huk!”

Chuchu continued with Siana in her arms.

“I thought you would be the first official maid. Because you worked harder than anyone else.”

Siana lifted her head, feeling the tremendous muscle pressure.

Chuchu’s face looked really happy. As if she had become an official maid.

Chuchu wasn’t the only one.

“Congratulations.”

“Good for you, Siana.”

Other maids also greeted Siana with a smile.

There was a deep regret in their eyes. However, there was no resentment or hatred toward Siana.

Siana asked, lowering her eyebrows.

“… … It’s fine?”

Realizing the meaning, an apprentice maid scratched her nose and said.

“I’m a little upset, but what can I do? Honestly, you did a good job at the tea party.”

“That’s right. Thanks to you, I got a lot of delicious food today.”

“I’m not the kind of petty person who’s jealous of a colleague who got promoted first.”

“That’s funny. You cursed as soon as the maid said Siana’s name.”

“It just popped out instinctively without me even realizing it. I’m also a human being, so I’m just happy.”

Siana burst into laughter as she looked at the bickering apprentice maids.

‘I forgot for a second. These people are nothing like the people I saw when I was a princess.’

The girls, who had not yet been tainted by the darkness of the imperial palace, were honest.

Siana shouted in a clear voice.

“Thank you all. I’ll treat you to something delicious when I become an official maid and get my first paycheck.”

At those words, the apprentice maids cheered, ‘Ooohhhhh’.

“You’re good looking, Siana!”

“Spend well, Siana!”

In the tumultuous atmosphere, only one person had a vicious expression on his face.

It was Jeanne.

“What, this atmosphere. Aren’t they all money?”

But no one responded to Jeanne’s words.

Because Jeanne was no longer the leader of the apprentice maids.

Not understanding this, Jeanne screamed loudly.

“You’ll see, you guys. I’m going to tell my dad!”

Chuchu replied with a face filled with contempt.

“What kind of shit is that?”

***

That night, Siana packed her things.

This is because after becoming an official court lady, she has to stay in the assigned palace quarters.

‘It’s not much to call it a burden.’

When I left the kingdom, I wasn’t in a situation to pack this and that.

A pair of casual clothes to wear when going out, a few pairs of underwear, and a small jewelry box were all.

Siana looked at the room with new eyes.

A sunless little room

There was musty mold, and bugs with many legs often came and went between the cracked walls.

On rainy days, rain always leaked from the ceiling, making the floor damp.

‘……But it was much better than the room I used to live in when I was a princess.’

At least here, I didn’t bury my face in a pillow and cry.

There was no such thing as putting up with the pain in her swollen legs from being whipped.

I wasn’t afraid when I would hear a knock calling my name.

I just laid down my tired body and slept.

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‘It was exhausting, but it was fun.’

Then there was a Tok Tok knocking sound.

Siana’s eyes widened when she opened the door.

It was because ChuChu stood there with sweat on her forehead.

Chuchu said to Siana.

“Hand.”

Chuchu handed something over Siana’s hand, which she reached out casually.

“It’s a commemorative gift for becoming an official maid. I begged the maid and went out of the castle to buy it.”

The object placed on Siana’s hand was an emerald hairpin, the same color as her eyes.

Chuchu said, scratching her cheek.

“Unlike apprentice maids, formal maids dress up a little. Wear a hairpin going forward. So I bought one. Don’t lose to others.“

“…….”

Siana was speechless for a moment.

While working as an apprentice maid, there is no salary.

They were provided with only a small bed and just enough food to fill my stomach.

So most probationary maids used to live by saving the emergency money they brought from home.

It was the same with Chuchu.

‘But a hairpin like this?’

Even at a glance, it was not an expensive product like those used by aristocrats.

It was a crude object with a fake jewel embedded in it.

But to buy this one hairpin, Chuchu would have had to spend all her emergency money.

TL/N: Chuchu best girl T-T

How can I explain this feeling?

‘I think someone is pinching my heart.’

Siana bit her lips.

Otherwise, tears would leak out like an idiot.

Seeing Siana’s face, Chuchu was taken aback.

“Wh, Why are you okay? You don’t like this hairpin? I asked the boss to pick the prettiest one.”

“…….”

“Oops. I guess I should have chosen the pin next to me.”

Siana’s slender arms were wrapped around Chuchu’s firm abdomen.

Siana closed her eyes and said,

“Thank you, Chuchu. It’s really pretty.”

Chuchu, who felt the emotion-filled trembling voice, finally put on a relieved face.

Chuchu grinned and stroked Siana’s small head, who was much smaller than herself.

“What are friends for?”

Those words resonated warmly in Siana’s heart.