David, snorting as if bored, soon shot a sly smile at Lizzy.
“Come to think of it, sister. This is the first time we’ve had a proper conversation, right? Oh, I mean, not when you were a maid, but as sister to brother.”
“…That’s true, David.”
“It’s not David, it’s Demira. You did well earlier, but have you already forgotten?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m still not used to it.”
“Well, it’s understandable since you’ve called me ‘young master’ for years. So, how does it feel to be the young master’s sister?”
“Of course, I’m happy. I’ve always wanted to have family.”
“Really? I’m quite disappointed.”
David’s gaze drifted from Lizzy’s face, gradually moving downward.
As his view fell upon her ample bosom wrapped in lace, he whistled and grinned with interest.
“It’s such a shame that such a beautiful woman is my real sister.”
“Oh my, you joke well.”
Lizzy, having already noticed where his gaze was directed, didn’t back down and laughed lightly. It was no surprise, as he had always been like this since she was Ariella’s maid.
In a situation where she might be his real sister, and knowing that she was dating the crown prince, it was distasteful for him to flirt, but still, she had to present herself well to David. After all, there’s a saying that the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Having made her judgment, she smiled, and David burst into hearty laughter. He clearly preferred the woman in front of him over the boring and stiff Ariella.
“By the way, David. I have a dilemma. Can you help me?”
“What is it? Tell me.”
Lizzy lowered her voice so that the other servants wouldn’t hear.
“Well… it seems that the servants don’t like me because of what Arrie has said. Is there any way to change that?”
“Really? How dare those servants… Just name the ones who have been rude to you. I’ll fire them immediately.”
“No! It’s not that serious. I just wish you could say a few good words for me…”
David’s face turned indifferent. It was a more boring request than he expected, which piqued his interest.
“That much is nothing. I’ll do it.”
“Really? Thank you, David! You’re such a kind person!”
But as Lizzy stood up and bent down to take his hand, all boredom vanished.
A deep valley was barely visible through the white lace. There was no more entertaining sight than this.
David inhaled sharply through his nostrils and raised his voice.
“Of course! Kindness is my middle name. If you need anything in the future, just let me know!”
“Ah, you’re so amazing!”
What a foolish and simple-minded brat.
“Men are all the same, aren’t they?”
Lizzy swallowed the curse that rose to her throat and burst into laughter.
The excited voices of the man and woman continued to echo through the dining room, spilling out through the crack of the door.
And standing in front of the closed door, there was a woman listening to it all.
“Why is it that I find myself eavesdropping through the door so often?”
With a smirk, Ariella curled one side of her mouth in self-deprecation.
Still, this time, the results were quite satisfactory.
“I might be able to use that someday.”
It was astonishing to think that her younger brother, whom she had deemed useless, could actually be of some use. It was more surprising than using dog poop as medicine.
From today onward, Lizzy and David seemed to be teaming up to attack her. It might become a nuisance for a while, but it didn’t seem difficult to turn the tide.
Historically, the best way to survive conflicts between nations was to pit enemy countries against each other. Ariella resolved to make the most of her ancestors’ wisdom.
It might not be immediate, but within a few months, they would likely turn their swords against each other. Even if it was just a small knife for cutting steak, if it were plunged with all their might toward a vital point, the opponent would not survive.
If those two vulgar ones were to join forces, who would emerge victorious?
Hoping that both would do their best to bring about their own destruction, Ariella left the tiresome doorway.
***
After Friday’s breakfast, Lizzy diligently engaged in her studies.
Her claim that she learned quickly was a truth without a single lie, and as evidence, all three of her teachers praised her excellence and diligence.
Lizzy’s two maids, Gianna and Aurora, also gushed, praising their young lady.
“Miss, you must be a genius! You learn everything so quickly. It’s such an honor to have someone so smart with us!”
“At this rate, the debutante ball will be a piece of cake! It won’t be long before you put Arrie in her place, haha!”
Though the flattery was clearly insincere, Lizzy didn’t feel burdened by it; instead, she was quite pleased.
She liked this kind of attention.
