Still, the maids of the Kiellini mansion were difficult subjects for Julietta. Her att.i.tude toward them was part of the reason that she was nagged by Simone and Vera, so she tried to keep a lofty air.

Vera noticed the situation of Julietta, who became awkward because of a strange maid, and stepped in to soften the atmosphere. "Jane, it's your first day, so go get some rest."

The maid, apparently fully educated, stepped out without changing her expression or a word despite the cold-hearted att.i.tude of the princess. When the maid left and the door closed, Julietta breathed a sigh of relief without realizing it.

"You have a big problem! You are so bold and courageous in other things, but why are you so weak with the maids?" Vera was worried as she put the tea down in front of Julietta.

"I guess it's because I used to be a maid. I don't feel they are subordinates." Even in her own opinion, this answer was pathetic and she replied without strength.

Vera said, "It's a big problem, since she is the maid who's going to serve you the closest."

Julietta sighed again, looking at Phoebe sitting opposite her with a look more nervous than her own. Phoebe was wearing a light pink dress, her white hair played finely and decorated with colorful ornaments. She was the perfect aristocratic lady, as if she had jumped out of a famous painting in the old days. But her tight lips and her restless eyes showed a totally different inner side.

"It's going to take a long time for both of us to get used to it."

"I don't think I can do that. Can't I just work as a maid?" Phoebe was taut and turning pale, and Julietta couldn't say it would be okay. She thought Phoebe was quite used to it, but it seemed that she felt scared again by the appearance of a stranger.

"Phoebe, of course, as my maid, you can spend the rest of your life working hard without any new challenges until I enter the Imperial Castle."

Julietta stared at Phoebe's eyes, which were shaken by the mention of the Imperial Castle. "You don't have to follow me. I can ask my aunt for a job for you. You can live as a maid of the Kiellini family for the rest of your life. No, you can go back to the dressing shop and spend the rest of your life sewing. If you want that, I'll do it for you."

Phoebe looked as if she really wanted that, but Julietta continued, "You should catch the opportunity when it comes. Of course, no one can guarantee that the opportunity is a better choice. Phoebe, you choose it. I can't. I took it when I got the chance, and I can't say that it was a good choice, but I don't regret it."

The two had been looking at each other's faces for a long time. A strange h.o.m.ogeneity enveloped the two.

It was always awkward and uncomfortable when dealing with the maids of the Kiellini mansion, as if she was wearing clothes that didn't fit her. It was a relief if it was awkward. Sometimes she was troubled by the guilt of taking up something that wasn't her place. Whenever she realized that she was doing such a good job, she felt stuffy, as if she had a headache, and was sick.

The Duke of Kiellini first said he would kill her, but she couldn't take for granted taking someone else's place under the pretext of not wanting to die. She should not justify what she was doing just because she wanted to be happy.

However, she did not intend to stand at the head of the boat that had already departed and cry. She would carry her worries and take her guilt with her, but she would confront what she had already started, without going back.

"I will make the same choices even if the past repeats. I don't think the desire to live a better life is bad, because I only have one life."

"Julietta is right." Suddenly, Simone's voice was heard from the door, whether she had already come in. "I'm in the same position as Julietta. I don't want to live a life that is in other people's hands anymore. That's why I've grasped the opportunity. But I feel much heavier because he's family."

Simone continued to speak, leaning on the top of the sofa where Julietta and Phoebe were sitting facing each other across the parlor. "I was born as a n.o.ble, but my life has been so hard and steep just because I'm a woman. Then, what about the common people, who have no guaranteed status? I heard about you from troupe leader Maribel. Do you want to go through a life of root-shaking by others again?"

Phoebe's shoulders flinched at Simone's question.

"Do you want to die on behalf of someone else, or be kidnapped and abused for no reason again?"

When Phoebe shook her head, Simone looked back at Julietta. "At first, I did not understand why you wanted to have this girl as a companion. Since I was anxious about our work, it was hard for me to accept it, even though you made her a companion might mean she would be recognized by someone. But Maribel said that you knew she had almost died for you, so your interest in this girl won't die easily."