Chapter 10

"Well, from now on, you must learn about fairies and the rules as my beloved child."

His Highness escorted me to the study just as he had when he first came to the basement, and he continued to teach me about fairies.

Fairies can appear and disappear as they please in front of their beloved child. Generally, the queen does not allow them to interfere with the lives of ordinary humans. The exceptions are when they lend their power to their beloved child, protect them from harm, or when their guardian, His Highness Clovis, gives an order.

He also told me that fairies are sensitive to malice and will not linger where they dislike people. Even if the beloved child were to harm a fairy or misuse their power, they could be branded and lose their power, whether intentionally or unintentionally. This is left to the judgment of the Fairy Queen.

"Nadia, no one must know that you are the beloved child, except for me and the dedicated knights like Sir Aslan. Of course, do not tell Count Maskar. I trust you, but I do not trust the count."

"I understand, Your Highness."

"Also, regarding your future, until a decision is made about your treatment, I would like you to come to the Green Mansion as my maid."

"I will do my best, Your Highness!"

"That's a good answer. I'm pleased."

Since His Highness Clovis acknowledged me, he has been smiling more often. Although his eyes still give him a wild look, he no longer seems frightening. And while the smiles of the fairies and Sir Aslan are also kind, I still feel a bit shy when they smile at me without malice.

That day, I spent the day talking with the fairies, feeling a ticklish sensation. When I got home, the first thing I did was call for Pearl.

"I'm home, Pearl!"

"Nadia."

Then, as usual, a cute fairy girl with pink hair and green eyes flew into my chest. When I gently wrapped my hands around her, I felt a sense of her presence and heard her voice.

"Finally, I can talk to you, Pearl. The guardian, His Highness, performed the baptism for me."

"Nadia, I've Awakened. I'm happy."

"Me too. Thank you for always helping me."

"I like Nadia. It's only natural."

I hugged her with love, being careful not to crush her. She is my only friend and the support of my heart.

As I was lost in my emotions, the door to the research building was knocked on strongly. The voice calling my name was a familiar woman's voice. The warmth I had felt was rapidly cooling. I gently opened the door and looked at the person.

"What brings you here, Mother-in-law?"

"There's no 'what' about it. The beauty cream for me and Giselle hasn't arrived this month, and I'm not joking!"

My mother-in-law's cheeks, which were pale with makeup, showed signs of skin irritation. Giselle, who probably has the same sensitive skin, must be in a similar state.

For the past few days, letters had been slipped under the door by the servants, but I had politely declined them. I had hoped she would give up, but I never expected my prideful mother-in-law to come herself. Looking at the house, I could see a woman's silhouette at the window. Giselle must be watching the situation.

"I have been handling the maintenance of the skin through the servants. The contract clearly states that I will no longer be involved in this matter, and I have the signature of the count. I no longer have any inventory, and I believe you can find beauty creams elsewhere in the capital. Please look for them."

"Do you expect me to stay with this skin until I find a new cream that suits me?"

"There's nothing I can do about it."

"I know. But you see, it's no trouble for me to ask my husband to change the contract. How about I tell the Second Prince that you are unwell and need to resign, and then have you confined?"

I feel disgusted with my own ignorance. I realize now that a contract is only as good as the person who fulfills it, and it means nothing if they are not trustworthy. My mother-in-law's eyes must reflect my expression of anger and frustration. She smiled with superiority.

"Well, I don't want to trouble my husband, and I don't want to displease the prince. If you give me all of your creams, I will forgive this mistake. Your skin is beautiful... you have them, right?"

"..."

I dramatically opened the door wide and started putting all the bottles from the shelf into a basket. The shelf was now empty, and my mother-in-law could see this clearly.

"These are all the creams, ointments, and tonics I have. I am busy with my new job, and I don't know when I can make more, so please don't rely on me again."

I handed her the basket. She snatched it and raised her empty hand.

"Rely on you? You're being cheeky for using them. Fine... I won't come here anymore. If the new ones are poisoned, you won't stand a chance."

She laughed mockingly and returned to the house.

"Nadia, I helped with the creams."

"It's not because of Pearl. My mother-in-law would find something to complain about even if there were no issues with the creams."

"But, but, Nadia's cheek is bleeding...!"

"What?"

When Pearl said this while crying, I looked in the mirror and saw a scratch on my cheek from her long nails. It wasn't bleeding profusely, but it was enough to stain my finger red when I touched it.

I thought about applying an ointment, but the shelf was already empty, and I had run out of materials other than herbs at a bad time.

"Nadia, Nadia!"

"It's okay. Don't cry so much. Even without the ointment, a scratch like this will stop bleeding if I press it with a cloth."

Seeing Pearl sobbing was painful to watch. But I was also touched that she was crying for me, and I ended up shedding tears as well.