Chapter 5

※Second Story of the Day

The morning after my first meeting with Prince Clovis, I woke up at my usual time.

I watered and tended to the herbs in the greenhouse with Pearl, then had breakfast. It still felt strange to see the food gradually disappear in the light.

I applied minimal makeup and tied my hair back so it wouldn’t get in the way while cleaning. Instead of a new day dress, I put on a simple, well-worn dress.

“Today is the real test. Pearl, I’m counting on you to keep an eye on things. I’m off.”

Pearl responded with a lively flicker of light, cheering me on.

With a bright heart, I left the research building and waited for the carriage at the back gate. Yesterday, I had gone in the carriage of the Marquess Maskar family, but from now on, I would be using a carriage arranged by Prince Clovis.

“Miss Maskar, I apologize for keeping you waiting. I have come to escort you.”

“Good morning. Lord Aslan, I’m counting on you from today.”

“Oh, that outfit...”

“Is it inappropriate?”

I had chosen practical clothing, but I was worried that it might not be suitable for a lady-in-waiting to Prince Clovis.

However, Lord Aslan shook his head with a smile.

“Very impressive. Let’s go.”

I followed Lord Aslan, who was not used to escorting, and headed to the Green House.

Upon arriving at the Green House, I immediately went to the storage room to get the cleaning supplies. The large number of rags and new mops I had requested the previous day were already there, and I was grateful for Lord Aslan’s efficiency.

“Let’s get to work!”

I rolled up my sleeves and put on an apron. I slung my bag over my shoulder, filled it with rags and a broom, and finally carried the stepladder firmly.

The rule for cleaning dusty areas is to start from the top and work down. To avoid disturbing Prince Clovis, I quietly went upstairs and started with the hallway. I had been instructed not to enter any of the rooms on the second floor.

“Truly, this is a royal residence. Even in the middle of the forest, there’s electricity, and the glasswork is beautiful.”

I climbed the stepladder and used a broom to knock the dust off the lighting fixtures. After finishing with a rag to polish the bulbs, they reflected the sunlight and shone brightly even without the lights. I then swept up the dust and debris that had fallen on the floor, and the second floor was done. The lack of furniture and paintings made the job go quickly.

“I really want to air it out, but I’ll discuss that later.”

As I was about to carry the stepladder down the stairs, a gust of wind blew past my feet.

“Huh?”

I turned around, but no doors were open. As I was wondering, I sensed someone at the entrance.

“Lord Aslan!”

“You’re working hard. Let me carry the stepladder. Miss Maskar, please have lunch.”

Fortunately, lunch was provided by the palace.

“Thank you for your consideration. However, please deliver lunch to Prince Clovis first.”

“Very well, I will do that.”

I bowed on the stairs and passed Lord Aslan.

The wind I felt earlier might have been caused by Lord Aslan opening the entrance door.

After finishing the luxurious sandwiches and side dishes, I decided to start dusting the first floor.

I left the empty rooms for later and started with the entrance, which had a high ceiling and windows, similar to the second floor.

Naturally, I couldn’t finish it all in one day, so the next day, I started with the dusting on the first floor again.

For the second and third days, I repeatedly climbed and descended the stepladder, cleaning even the empty rooms. During this time, only a few knights, including Lord Aslan, visited the house. I hadn’t seen Prince Clovis since the first day.

“The cleaning is going well.”

Without anyone watching or interrupting me, the work was very pleasant. The cleaner the house became, the better I felt. It was strange how I didn’t find cleaning the large chandelier in the atrium tedious.

“Cleaning can be so enjoyable, hehehe.”

I asked Lord Aslan to lower the chandelier to a height I could reach on the stepladder, and I carefully polished each crystal. The satisfaction grew as I finished, and from the top of the stepladder, I could see a sparkling world above.

As I was savoring the moment, a book fell with a thud.

I turned around to see Prince Clovis standing on the stairs, having dropped his book and staring at me.

Even while cleaning, it was rude to look down at the master. As I hurried to get down—

“Don’t move!”

He shouted strongly, and I froze. Had I done something impolite? I gripped the stepladder tightly as my fingers grew cold and turned to face Prince Clovis.

He ran down the stairs, his light blonde hair fluttering, and spread his arms under the stepladder.

“Huh?”

“What?”

Our eyes met, and our voices of confusion overlapped. An awkward silence followed.

“Hey... why are you on the stepladder?”

“Well, to clean the high places.”

“You’re a lady, right?”

“Yes, but... did I worry you?”

At this, Prince Clovis scowled and looked away. His forehead was furrowed, and he looked as if he had bitten into a bitter pill.

Perhaps he had mistaken my movement to get down for a fall.

“I apologize.”

“Indeed. It’s not proper for a lady to use a stepladder while wearing a skirt.”

He spat out the words but didn’t lower his hands. Instead, he raised them higher, saying, “Come on.”

Confused, I finally obeyed when he shouted, “Hurry up!” and placed my hands in his.

As soon as my feet touched the ground, he released me.

“Thank you.”

“Are you done cleaning?”

“No, I plan to use wet rags and a mop to clean the windows and floors starting tomorrow.”

The entrance was made of marble, so it would quickly regain its beauty with polishing. Just imagining it made me excited.

“But the second-floor windows in the atrium are out of reach with this stepladder. I would need a longer ladder to reach them.”

“Are you going to climb up again!?”

“Yes, I must. I’ll prepare trousers for the next time. I’m used to—”

“No. Have the knights clean those windows. Are you defying my orders?”

“No, I have no intention of doing so! I apologize.”

I bowed hurriedly. I couldn’t afford to be fired.

“Please don’t dismiss me.”

“Tch... look up.”

I looked up to meet his sharp gaze.

I returned his gaze, silently pleading, “Please don’t fire me!”

After a few seconds, Prince Clovis covered his scar with his hand and sighed deeply.

“As long as you don’t complain.”

He said this lazily, picked up his book, and quickly left for the second floor.

Though I had upset him, I was relieved not to be fired.

“Is Prince Clovis really a scary person?”

Even though I had been tense, I didn’t feel afraid when he glared at me. His gaze was sharper than that of my stepmother or half-sister Giselle, who were more terrifying.

Why— I compared their gazes and suddenly realized:

Prince Clovis’s gaze, though sharp, lacked malice. He had even rushed to help me out of concern.

This made me feel happy, and I naturally felt motivated to work hard for him again the next day.