Chapter 44

“On one, clear your head! On two, pull yourself together! Begin!”

“Yes, sir!”

“One!”

“Clear your head!”

“Two!”

“Pull yourself together!”

“One!”

“Clear your head!”

“Two!”

“Pull yourself together!”

Good heavens. Was she seriously getting punished in front of me right now?

‘Seriously? And I’m supposed to believe she’s a maid?!’

Daisy’s face turned pale.

“At ease.”

Only when Maxim gave his permission did Mary rise and straighten her posture.

After her punishment, Mary’s eyes took on an even fiercer, more resolute glint. Like that of a warrior ready to face battle.

“From now on, you’re not a ‘handmaiden,’ you’re a maid. Understood?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Then reintroduce yourself properly.”

“Yes, sir!”

Mary replied in a spirited tone.

“Good day, Your Highness. I am Mary Gold of House Waldeck, appointed to serve as Your Highness’ maid. I am prepared to give my life for you, should the need arise!”

At this point, Daisy didn’t even need to ask where she came from. It was obvious.

The way she announced herself like a soldier reciting her name and rank? Mary was definitely former military.

And not just any soldier, but the kind who thrived on absolute obedience. No flexibility, no compromise, just blind loyalty.

Good God. In an odd sense, she was exactly Maxim von Waldeck’s type.

The man couldn’t stand it when anyone—except his wife Daisy—questioned his orders. Obedience wasn’t just preferred, it was expected.

As if dealing with Rose weren’t exhausting enough already… she had to worry about this new maid who’d been assigned to her for a somewhat suspicious reason.

It was clear she would only complicate Daisy’s carefully laid plans for divorce.

Yeah… she was probably better off refusing altogether.

“Max, I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but I already have a personal maid.”

Now it was Daisy’s turn to introduce Rose.

“This is Rose, who’s been looking after me since my time in Therese. My father personally sent her along, worried I might grow lonely here in Waldeck.”

She turned to Rose, gesturing toward her husband.

“Rose, this is Max– or rather, His Highness, the Grand Duke of Waldeck. You should introduce yourself properly as well.”

“…”

There was no response. When Daisy looked over, she saw Rose staring at Maxim’s face, practically dazed.

Oh, for heaven’s sake. Another one obsessed with a pretty face. No doubt it was love at first sight.

Pull yourself together. Please.

Daisy nudged Rose’s arm with her elbow. Only then did Rose bow politely.

“Hello, Your Highness. I am Rose. I’ll be attending to Her Highness starting today.”

Her manners were impeccable, but Maxim’s expression remained cool and unreadable.

To break the awkward silence, Daisy figured it was better to toss out a compliment. Who cares if it’s insincere? She’d do anything to lighten this mood.

Now, there wasn’t a single thing about this girl Daisy would personally call pretty, but sometimes survival meant doing what you had to do.

“Rose is an exceptionally capable maid. She knows everything about me, down to the tiniest detail. And she has such a sweet temperament.”

Offering Rose fake praise made Daisy feel like she was breaking out into hives.

She clenched her toes to stop the twitch in her smile, holding her expression steady with sheer will.

“And let’s see… oh! She’s sharp and quick-witted, especially with her hands!”

Like how she managed to swipe that expensive hairpin without anyone noticing, not even Karen. Truly, hands faster than thunder.

Rose looked thoroughly pleased as she listened to these compliments.

“Once you live with her, you’ll see. There’s nowhere her hands don’t reach. She takes care of everything before I even realize it. Just now, she even tidied up my jewelry box. Isn’t that right, Rose?”

“Yes, Your Highness. It was so messy. That’s exactly why I have to stay by your side.”

“Exactly. What would I do without you?”

“Oh, Your Highness, you flatter me. I’m so thrilled to be here at Waldeck.”

Daisy wrapped her arm around Rose, pretending like she was her most treasured maid. Under normal circumstances, she would’ve rather eaten dirt, but given the situation, Rose played along with just enough enthusiasm.

Maxim silently walked over to the vanity. Without a word, he opened Daisy’s jewelry box.

“It’s empty.”

“…”

“This is what you call ‘tidied up’?”

Shit. That bitch still hasn’t broken her damn habits.

Apparently, the emerald hairpin hadn’t been the only thing she helped herself to. Gritting her teeth, Daisy pinched Rose’s shoulder, hard, and she flinched.