Chapter 45

“You walked in just as she was right in the middle of re-organizing. Isn’t that right, Rose?”

“Pardon…? Ah, yes! I was going to take them to a professional jeweler. To get them dusted off, polished, and shined before returning them back to their box.”

From her apron, Rose began pulling out her stash.

Aside from the emerald hairpin, the rest were simple unimpressive trinkets. Nothing a duchess would be caught dead wearing. She probably just wanted to make a passable show of it.

As Maxim stared down at the items with a blank, unreadable expression, Daisy scrambled to think of a cover.

“See? That’s my Rose for you. Thank you so much.”

“Anything for you, Your Highness.”

“You’re the best, my dear Rosie. I adore you!”

Daisy called her by a ridiculous nickname and peppered several noisy kisses on Rose’s cheek. She suppressed a gag as chills skittered across her entire body.

Maxim’s expression darkened even further as he watched the scene unfold.

“Rosie, how have you been?”

“Oh, not well at all, Your Highness. Ever since you left for Waldeck, I’ve done nothing but worry about you.”

“Oh my. I had no idea you cared about me so much. I’m genuinely touched, Rose.”

“Of course I do. You’re so frivolous, Your Highness. It’s a wonder you haven’t caught a cold from how often you kick off your blankets at night or go about with your hair all in a mess. It was like sending off a helpless child to wander near the riverbank alone.”

This damn girl is subtly taking jabs at me, isn’t she?

But Daisy couldn’t ruin the warm harmonious mood by snapping back. Though her insides were boiling, she forced a bright smile.

“See that? I absolutely love Rose. We’re practically sisters. With how much she worries over me, how could I possibly part ways with her? Wouldn’t you agree, Max?”

She glanced over at him, nervously.

“Understood. I can see that Rose is clearly a devoted maid and indispensable to you, Daisy… So, here’s what we’ll do.”

After a brief pause, as though mulling it over, Maxim delivered his verdict with crisp clarity.

“You’ll keep them both.”

“I’m sorry? Both of them?”

“Yes. Mary Gold is just as reliable and competent as Rose.”

…She certainly didn’t look it.

Frankly, the girl seemed far too clumsy and hardly trustworthy as a maid.

“Mary Gold.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“State your specialty. Begin.”

“Yes, sir!”

Mary straightened like a soldier at attention, staring squarely at Daisy.

Good grief. This is unbearable. Daisy felt completely cornered.

“I’m a trained sharpshooter and skilled in hand-to-hand combat. And… well, I also possess far greater strength than most men.”

“Acknowledged.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

These were the credentials of a human weapon, not someone trying to become a personal maid. But having received Maxim’s endorsement, Mary’s face lit up with pride.

“I also survived being stranded in the desert with zero supplies. I will remain at Your Highness’ side like a shadow, and in case of any danger, I shall carry you upon my back to safety.”

“Well then, what do you think?”

Maxim asked with the eagerness of a child begging for praise, his eyes wide with anticipation.

From a soldier’s perspective, Mary Gold was a perfect recruit.

But to Daisy, her overwhelming strength was only a burden.

“Max, honestly, she seems more like a bodyguard than a maid. And I don’t really…”

“She will always remain at your side, therefore she is a ‘maid.’ Incidentally, she can also serve as a ‘guard’ when necessary. She’s versatile. You may use her as you see fit.”

Oh, for heaven’s sake.

Daisy, once an elite assassin herself, was perfectly capable of defending herself.

“I’m sorry, Max, but it feels like too much. I hardly go outside, and I’m shy around strangers. Having Rose, whom I’m already close with, is enough for me…”

“Ah, I see. How unfortunate indeed.”

Daisy’s troubled tone dimmed the look in his eyes. He lowered his gaze in disappointment.

“Then what should become of this girl? If you won’t take her, she’ll be left unemployed.”

“Unemployed?”

“Yes. I had her discharged from the army to bring her here. As of yesterday, Mary Gold is a ‘normal civilian.’”

“…”

So she really had been a soldier.

“No, no, pay it no mind. That was foolish of me to say. This isn’t your fault, Izzy. Don’t trouble yourself.”

It wasn’t technically her fault, but how could she not feel guilty when he put it that way?