Chapter 15: The Familiar Stranger and The Plotting Butler
I ventured through the thick crowd and searched for a stall that could pull my attention. The Marquis suggested I'd go through the market today, said that maybe I'd find a lucky find. It's so far so good, the market is bustling with all the nobles and commoners alike frequenting the place.
I brought some interesting knick-knacks and small jewellery, nothing was too expensive. When I spotted another interesting stall, I quickly head over to it, the butler who's my attendant for today and Siegfried hot on my trail.
I bent down to take a closer look at what the jewellery stall had to offer, I picked up this beautiful ocean blue gem earring and placed it at Siegfried's left ear. I grinned because of his ability to look good with everything and he held back a blush as the butler gave us a disapproving look.
"Milady..."
"Siegfried, do you know it's a trend these days for noblemen and women to wear one single earring on either ears? A couple would wear matching earrings together, and they'd usually go for the dangling ones like this pair to symbolise that they're together." I told him with a fond smile on my face and picked up the matching one, considering to buy them.
I hear both Siegfried and the butler clear their throats, but paid no attention to it. I hummed along a tune of a song I was fond of in my past life as I explored the stall, making a mental note to visit it again because of their variety in terms of design.
I suddenly noticed a man covered with a white robe approaching me behind the counter, the hood over his head obstructing a clear view of his face. Still, because he had long hair, I could still make it that he had black hair.
"Young lady, I heard you're interested in matching sets." His smooth voice enticed me, almost forcefully grabbing my attention.
"Oh, are you the stall owner?" I asked hesitantly, getting some creepy vibes from him.
"That, I am. Now, would you be interested in these matching bracelets?" He took out something from under the counter and held his hand.
In his hand were the two things I'd never thought I'd had the luxury of seeing again in my life. There was a bracelet–gold and decorated with emeralds and pearls–dangling on his long fingers. The bracelet above, lying on his palm, it had the same exact design–except the emeralds were replaced with rubies.
'The one with the emeralds is for you, aunty, because the green matches the colour of your first car. The one with the rubies is for me, because it reminds me of the red shoes you brought for me when I was nine and obsessed with The Wizard of Oz.'
I can hear her voice in my head, she was excited to give me my birthday present present that year, when I was turning 31 years old. She brought matching bracelets for me and her. She was 15 that time, my stupid sister had already made amends with her and was trying to convince her to move in with her and her husband.
The bracelet with the rubies belonged to Goo Boyoung–my niece. The matching one with the emeralds was mine.
And I had both of them locked away in a drawer after her funeral. I thought I would never see it again.
I quickly held on his hand and the bracelets. My glare was hardening.
"How did you get this?" I spoke to him in fluent Korean. I've never forgotten my mother tongue.
"Meet me at Brewton's Café tomorrow, then I'll explain everything you need to know. But for now– I'll tell you this; I mean no harm to you or your friends in this new life... I only want to ask for your help." His smile dropped as he also spoke in Korean, and I caught a glimpse of his eyes when he raised his head to look into my eyes–it was a more lighter shade of brown and they were brimming with desperation and sincerity.
But now that I do have a glimpse of his whole face, he really looked like a Korean. How come someone like him exists in this world?
A million thoughts went into my brain as I tried to reason everything out, whether I should accept it or not. At last I accepted his offer and let go of his hand and let myself be at ease.
"How much for the bracelets?" I asked–switched back to the original language the characters use–and my butler was rummaging his fingers in the small sack.
"It's for free." He told me as he held out the bracelets for me to take.
When my hand met his, he lingered.
"It was yours to begin with." He whispered in Korean and I squinted my eyes at his smile.
He's suspicious, but I feel no bad intentions from him. Still, if anything goes wrong then I won't hesitate to use Siegfried's sword to eliminate him.
"Thank you."
I left him with a meaningful look before turning my head away.
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"Milady, may I ask what language were you speaking with that man?" Siegfried suddenly asked during out way back to the carriage.
I continued my walk and I could sense that the butler was also interested in the conversation. The right corner of my lips quirked and I turned my head to look at them both.
"It was the language of a distant eastern kingdom, the stall owner's face looked like he originated there. The people from that kingdom usually have dark hair, squinted brown eyes and pale skin." I explained with a smile.
"How come you can speak their language?" The butler asked, his eyes glinting in a curious light.
Well, the answer to your question is that I am a Korean–but, I don't think you'd be able to comprehend that. I have to make some bullshit excuse then.
"I've always been interested in their culture, from their fashion to etiquettes. I thought I should try to take up a challenge and learn their language. I did it all discreetly because it's nothing to show off about."
The butler's face didn't show anything but I could feel that he was suspicious. I'm starting to think the butler is sent by my brothers to check on me. Well, knowing a foreign language should be nothing to worry about unless they're that paranoid of me. If they are then I'm not that interested to fix however they see me as. A whore, a conniving bitch or whatever–it doesn't matter.
Still, I can't say I'm not pissed that they sent someone to spy on their own sister.
"Milady, you'll be turning 17 in a few months–you should have a personal butler by your side by then." The butler suddenly changed the topic as we crossed the bridge.
I stopped in the middle of the road and turned to meet his face.
"I'm sorry but I didn't quite catch your name." I smiled elegantly, hiding my irritation.
"It's Henrik Rey, Lady Emilia." He bowed before me smoothly.
"I already have Amanda, Henrik, why should I pick another personal servant?" I asked, staring right into his eyes.
"Amanda is only the head maid, and the reason why she sticks to you in the house is because she used to be your nanny when you were young. Because she is the head maid, she isn't allowed to leave the estate so often. She can't fulfill the position of being your personal servant. You need someone who is able to be by your side and fulfill your wishes 24/7. Also, it's unbecoming if a lady of an esteemed house doesn't have a personal servant by 17." He explained swiftly, impressing me with his communication skills because of how direct he was trying to get his points across.
My smile grew wider and I turned to look at Siegfried who was at Henrik's side.
"I already have Siegfried with me." I mused, winking at the said person. I held back a chuckle when he held back his exasperated sigh.
"Sir Siegfried is your personal guard. His task is to protect you from danger. A personal servant is to assist you in daily tasks such as shopping or managing finances." Henrik didn't even blink as he rebuked my remark.
Well, I guess a personal servant is basically a secretary for nobles. Well, he seems efficient and competent enough. Henrik should be my personal servant but I have to be wary since he's spying on me for my brothers. Why don't I try to convert him to my side after his promotion?
"Well then, if that's the case, I choose you. Congratulations, Mr. Henrik Rey, from this day onwards you're my personal servant. We can discuss your raise and a contract when we arrive at the estate." I casually turned around and continued to walk ahead.
But I didn't miss the dumbfounded look on Henrik's face and the unamused look on Siegfried's. He probably thought I was going to pick another servant or something and he has to go through all the trouble to hire the other servant as my brothers' spy. I should save him the work and let him directly report to my brothers on me.
This surely has gotten a lot more interesting.
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