A Daughter's Formal Return
Opening the door and stepping out, a middle-aged man suddenly appeared, receiving the tray. He was impeccably dressed and held himself with perfect respect—Richard, the butler of the Larson estate.
“Good morning.”
“Yes. Good morning, Lady Vivienne.”
The honorific “Lady Vivienne” felt strangely heavy on her own ears. It had been far too formal for the young maid in her borrowed uniform.
She had greeted the staff alongside Matilda on her first day. Back then, the bows had been simple and unadorned. Yet today the attitude had shifted overnight. It was strange.
“I’ll carry it. I’m fine.”
Vivienne instinctively reached for the empty tray, only to wave her hands in flustered protest.
“It’s no trouble. There is a matter I must convey to you. May I accompany you for a short while?”
“...Yes.”
If the butler had something to say to her, it had to be from Kian. Vivienne followed him obediently.
“There is a special assignment scheduled for today.”
“A special assignment? What kind?”
“I’m afraid I don’t know the details myself.”
Richard walked with his usual precision, gaze fixed straight ahead. Vivienne struggled to keep pace, dragging her slippers behind her. He slowed slightly when he noticed, but never glanced her way again.
She could stare until her eyes burned, yet all she saw was the neat line of his profile. It was maddening. Where were they going? What exactly was this “special assignment”? Her mind spun with nothing but questions.
“I have been instructed to wait in the maids’ quarters until further orders.”
“So my other duties...?”
Waiting in Matilda’s room meant more cleaning and errands, yet suddenly being sidelined would create a gap in the schedule.
“As you know, Lady Vivienne has not yet been formally hired as a maid. You are only assisting with light duties. The Larson estate cannot afford to suffer a vacancy in the workforce.”
“...I see.”
The logic was sound, yet the words felt like a rejection of her very presence in the household.
“I have already informed the other maids. They will manage without issue. Please do not concern yourself with anything else. Rest comfortably here.”
Waiting was one thing, but the aftermath was already brewing. Whispers and sidelong glances were inevitable. She knew it was unavoidable, yet her head throbbed with tension.
“Ah, you have something valuable to store. I was told you may sleep here tonight. Matilda will not arrive until tomorrow morning.”
Richard’s gaze flicked once toward the shoebox. He was checking that the precious gift was secure.
After all, he had entrusted her with something precious. Given the recent theft, caution was only natural.
Whether he was bringing her to Matilda’s quarters or not, Richard continued in silence toward the same direction.
“Excuse me, the tray is heavy. I’ll walk on from here.”
“There is another matter I must address in the room, so forgive me.”
“...”
Since every detail had its purpose, she had no choice but to stay silent. Vivienne pressed her lips tightly shut.
They passed a long corridor lined with countless maids. Their eyes burned with pure contempt—the butler’s deference, the tray he had carried, the luxurious gift box tucked against his chest, and the soft drag of slippers behind her. All of it must have stirred their jealousy.
Even in the Mermaid Kingdom, loneliness had been her constant companion. Yet because she was a princess, she had never once experienced such raw, unfiltered disdain.
Would she be able to endure this forever? Would she ever grow used to these stares?
Her mind felt as though it might crack when they finally reached Matilda’s room. Richard stopped abruptly in front of the door.
“My master has requested that you return the slippers you are wearing.”
“These?”
“Yes. They are the ones you always wore in the bedroom.”
They were not hers, so returning them was the right thing to do. But without them, she would be barefoot again. Though the situation was gloomy, no better solution presented itself.
“They’re probably covered in dust. Shall I wipe them clean first?”
“No need. Please take them off now.”
The tone was kind yet absolute. He wanted no unnecessary complications. Vivienne quietly slipped off the slippers.
Richard accepted them with a silent nod and left the room.
***
Sleep had been restless the night before. Vivienne ate the simple meal the butler had brought, then napped briefly. Though she was supposed to be waiting for some special assignment, her mind was anything but at ease.
What exactly was this “special assignment”?
From what she could tell, the only tasks available here were laundry and serving tea. Or perhaps they intended to give her a new job. Not knowing the purpose only made her more anxious.
The lack of work only added to her restlessness. She sat blankly on the bed and began tidying the room.
She had been away for a week. Dust lay thick in every corner. Vivienne swept the floor with a duster, imagining how pleased Matilda would be when she returned to a spotless space. The thought lifted her spirits.
Once the cleaning was finished, her eyes kept drifting to the luxurious gift box on the bed. She opened it and carefully took out the shoes.
“...They’re beautiful.”
Her very first gift from Kian. If she stole a glance, she would surely be punished. Though the eyes around her made her uneasy, her honest heart refused to return them.
The high-heeled shoes fit her feet as though made for them. They made her appear taller, almost like she was standing on tiptoe. Walking felt awkward, but the extra inch or two in height was worth it.
With these on, she could look straight at him without having to tilt her head quite so much. The thought made her feel strangely content. Vivienne stepped around the room in the new shoes, testing their feel.
If she returned the shoes, collected her pay, and left the Larson estate, what would happen?
The idea was still vague. She could always ask Matilda or Theodore for help finding suitable work nearby. The real problem lay ahead.
When would she have the chance to speak with him? How could she clear up the misunderstanding and mend what had been broken? And what about the contract with the witch—how was she supposed to fulfill it?
Even inside the same estate, they could only meet during duty hours. What about outside? Would she still be able to see him?
“...”
The answer was already clear in her mind.
Tomorrow morning she would simply put these shoes on and walk to his room. That was the only path.
On the surface it looked like she had been given a choice. In reality, she had none.
Just then—
A knock sounded at the door.
When she opened it, Richard stood at attention before her.
“Lady Vivienne. My master has ordered that you serve him tea personally.”
“Right now?”
“Yes.”
Lunch had long since passed. Still, being given a task she knew how to do brought a measure of relief.
“Please put on the shoes and come along.”
The special assignment had begun.
***
In the enormous glass greenhouse, vibrant flowers bloomed everywhere. Vivienne walked beside Richard through the fragrant space.
On her first day, Matilda had told her they grew something called “roses” here. The open blooms were as dazzling as coral, the buds as adorable as foxgloves. The scent was so thick it made one dizzy.
The outdoor garden had many pretty flowers too, but this place felt special—walled in on all sides, the air thick with perfume.
Colorful, intensely fragrant, bathed in sunlight, and warm. The space she liked most in the entire Larson estate.
She had hoped she would return here someday. But for her, permission to step inside this greenhouse had never been granted.
Vivienne hurried after Richard’s retreating figure, yet she could not stop stealing glances. Her heart raced.
In the center of the greenhouse stood a table and chairs. When the mood struck, one could drink tea and enjoy a meal there, she had been told.
Kian must have needed a change of scenery. The thought felt faintly sad.
In the Mermaid Palace, when she felt down, she would sit with Anabel in the seaweed garden and eat.
They reached the center of the greenhouse. From a distance, Kian could be seen seated at the table. He had no choice but to wear the shoes since he could not come barefoot. What would he think when he saw her in them?
“My master. Tea has been served.”
Richard announced the arrival to Kian. Vivienne carefully took her place and lifted her gaze.
“It’s been a while, Richard.”
The voice was unfamiliar. Another person stood there besides Kian.