Chapter 6

※Third Story of the Day

"Before cleaning the windows, this should come first, right?"

In the morning, while opening the window of an empty room on the first floor for ventilation, a white cloth emerged from the supposedly empty closet. Six wrinkled, unfolded sheets were carelessly stuffed inside. Perhaps the previous maid candidate had left them there.

Fortunately, the weather is good today, and a comfortable breeze is blowing. I brought out a large wooden tub from the shed and went outside through the back door. Using a hand pump, I filled the tub with plenty of water, completing the preparations.

I threw the sheets into the tub, pulled up my skirt to my knees, and started stomping with my bare feet. The cold water soon became familiar, and instead, I began to sweat from the effort of moving my feet.

Then, a familiar rustling sound came from the back door, and I turned around. There, Prince Clovis stood, having dropped a book on the floor, looking at me as if he had seen something unbelievable.

You can make expressions other than glaring—such thoughts drifted through my mind as I decided to properly greet him today and quickly got out of the tub.

"Clovis Prince, good morning—"

"Ah!"

However, before I could greet him, he hurriedly picked up the book, looking very flustered, and disappeared into the mansion without a word.

"Did he remember some urgent business he had forgotten about after seeing the sheets?"

I continued with the laundry. Since there were no clotheslines, I strung a rope between two trees and hung the sheets to dry.

I couldn't waste any time. I started cleaning the windows, but soon a disgruntled voice called out, "Hey," and I stopped.

"Good morning, Clovis Prince."

"You are truly an extraordinary young lady."

"Huh?"

"I'm talking about the laundry just now!"

I remembered that it is a common courtesy for noble young ladies to hide their bare feet.

If anyone else had seen my actions, it could have tarnished Prince Clovis's dignity. I should have washed them by hand, no matter how troublesome it was.

"I apologize for showing such an unseemly sight. From now on, I will—"

"No, that's not the point... Do you have no pride as a noble young lady?"

Prince Clovis sighed in exasperation.

"I have no reason to prioritize my pride over the orders given by Your Highness."

"Is that why you decided to do the laundry yourself? Even when given such a large cleaning task, you try to do everything alone. Didn't you think about asking the palace maids for help?"

Until now, I had never been able to ask anyone for help, and doing things myself was the norm. The idea of seeking help from others had never crossed my mind. Moreover, as someone who hasn't entered society, I have no acquaintances or connections.

I bowed my head even lower and explained.

"Frankly, I was so focused on carrying out my duties that I didn't think of it. Besides, Your Highness strictly limits who can enter the Green Mansion. I cannot call in people from outside without your permission and trouble Your Highness."

There must be many excellent maids and maidservants in the palace. The fact that they are not in the Green Mansion proves that Your Highness does not want them here.

"Hmm... You are indeed different."

After a while, the voice above my head sounded very gentle. I cautiously raised my head to see that his usual glare had softened, and his expression was calm.

"Give the laundry to Nibel Aslan, and the palace maids will wash it for you. This way, you can get the washing done without bringing outsiders into the mansion. Don't do things that will only increase your own burden. It's frustrating to watch."

"Yes, sir."

"Well, I appreciate your sincerity."

Prince Clovis, looking somewhat embarrassed, covered his scarred cheek with his index finger and turned to go upstairs.

He doesn't really seem like the kind of person who would be called a mad dog.

Maybe I'm just numb from being yelled at and hurt without ever receiving an apology?

I've forgotten what normal feelings are like, so I can't tell the difference between a good person and a scary one. But one thing is certain: my loyalty to Prince Clovis has grown.

I regained my composure and started cleaning the windows with a rag as planned. I wiped them with a wet rag and then polished them with a dry one. The windows weren't very dirty, but the marble floor was a different story.

I scrubbed with a mop, but the dirt was more stubborn than I thought and required more effort to remove. Moreover, the bucket of water quickly became dirty, and I had to change it multiple times.

The bucket, filled with plenty of water, was very heavy. Despite this, I wanted to see the clean marble floor, so I stumbled while carrying it. Suddenly, the bucket became light.

"Huh!?"

Surprised, I lost my balance and let go of the bucket. The bucket fell with a thud. Fortunately, it landed straight, and only a little water spilled around.

"What was that?"

While my heart was pounding, I stared at the suddenly light bucket as if it had been lifted from below.

It felt like a paranormal phenomenon, similar to a poltergeist.

If it was a poltergeist, there was nothing to fear. Just like Pearl, who only I can see, it's not strange for there to be something I can't see.

I remember hearing that if you catch Prince Clovis's eye, you might be involved in paranormal phenomena, hallucinations, or delusions. My stepmother and Giselle were talking about it, and it might not be entirely false.

If there is an invisible presence, it must be on the Prince's side.

"Is it a guardian spirit? I want to work hard for Clovis Prince. Please don't play tricks on me."

Of course, the bucket didn't answer, but instead, a disappointed voice reached my ears.

"What are you standing there for?"

"Clovis Prince, the bucket—"

I stopped explaining the earlier incident. I couldn't say that a paranormal phenomenon had occurred in the mansion. I didn't want to be seen as even stranger and risk being fired. I forced a wry smile.

"Next, after the ladder and the laundry, you were trying to carry such a heavy thing?"

Prince Clovis, to my surprise, picked up the bucket and started walking.

"No! I'll carry it."

"Don't get in my way. If you don't want to trouble my hands, follow me."

He led me to the shed, where he dragged out something from the back that I hadn't noticed.

"It's a wheelbarrow. Use it."

"Thank you."

"I just don't want the clean floor to get dirty with dirty water."

He said that and walked back down the corridor.

"Thank you!"

I thanked him again, this time to his back. I couldn't miss the fact that he had gone to such lengths. His words may be harsh, but all his actions and words show that he cares about me.

A warm feeling welled up in my chest, but I bit my lip to hold it back.

I continued polishing the floor mindlessly after that.