MTMT 22

Chapter 22

 One Step

It wasn’t easy for Diana to become a maid.

“I will not do anything that Her Majesty the Queen dislikes.”

This was the first thing Diana said to the queen when requesting the position. When the queen looked at her as if asking what she meant, Diana smiled faintly.

“Princess Ionia requested that I serve as her maid.”

“…I see. That’s why I called you here.”

The queen observed Diana. To her eyes, Diana appeared to be a girl who had eagerly accepted the maid position offered out of the princess’s one-sided fondness.

“What actions do you think I dislike?”

The queen asked, her voice tinged with amusement. Yet her eyes were cold, and Diana felt a chill run through her.

“If I take the position of a maid, I would probably see His Highness the Prince more often, correct?”

“That’s likely.”

“I have thought carefully, and I believe that it would be unfair for all young ladies to easily approach the position they desire simply because they are maids. It would make the sincerity of serving the princess questionable. Therefore, I will ensure that I do not meet His Highness the Prince.”

Unable to say, “You don’t like me, do you?”, Diana chose her words carefully. The queen gave her a look that seemed to challenge her further. Her always-furrowed brow had no wrinkles now, and the corners of her lips were raised.

“I want to become Princess’s maid.”

“Why so determined? You have many opportunities without needing to become her maid.”

“My mother always said that one must seize even small things for oneself.”

“……”

“I also want to reassure my father. He believes I am too young to manage the estate.”

“Ah. Lady Brienne also had a maid managing the estate, didn’t she? Or more precisely, a maid for the Duchess?”

The queen knows the situation at the Brienne household.

The queen grimaced, displeased even at the thought. As she opened her eyes and pondered deeply, she wondered: would having this maid—abused by her father’s mistress—near the princess be beneficial or harmful? Despite the princess’s strong request, she was inwardly reluctant.

Diana noticed this hesitation. Should she appeal emotionally, or present the rational benefits? She closed her eyes briefly and then reopened them.

“Please give me a chance.”

“A chance?”

“I cannot become as great as Her Majesty. I lack the confidence. I just… want something simple.”

“……”

“I want to escape that house. I cannot allow that woman to dare covet my mother’s place.”

Diana deliberately showed her slender wrist. Mirva’s starvation had left her thin. Her sleeves had no lining, and her gaunt wrist was visible without effort.

Unlike the princess’s birthday party accompanied by the duke, Diana’s appearance now did not show any sign of being cared for. She looked up at the queen with a desperate expression.

In truth, it was unwise for a twelve-year-old to be so calculating. She believed that being honest and straightforward was the way to reach this woman. When the queen remained silent, Diana pleaded further:

“I have a younger sibling to protect. Serving Princess, I will not become careless. Please, give me this chance.”

The queen disliked Duke Brienne. Yet she retained some sympathy and maternal instinct.

Lady Brienne requested desperately but did not lose her dignity. She said she would not meet her beloved son, and unlike the weasel-like duke, her gaze was sincere. The queen’s scales began to tip.

Serving Ionia was easier than serving Alexa. The queen’s elderly maids handled much of the work and did not mistreat Diana, the newcomer.

Poor orphan from the Brienne household.

In fact, they exaggeratedly pitied Diana and tried to help her. A young fallen noblewoman aspiring to the position of a legitimate wife was something the noblewomen most distrusted, provoking their anger through empathy.

Compared to the princess’s birthday party, Diana’s thin appearance elicited their sympathy. Some even suggested calling the girl over to humiliate her. Diana knew this kindness was not purely benevolent; later, when she debuted in society, it would cling to her like a stigma. If Diana grew into someone worthy, they would demand compensation from her.

So what?

Previously, she would not have created “debts,” but now Diana intended to fully exploit them. Accepted by the maids, serving Ionia became manageable. Ionia even treated Diana as a friend. Caring for Ionia was familiar, unlike caring for Alexa.

It felt strange.

Diana did not dislike Alexa, yet taking care of her had been difficult. Caring for Ionia, however, was a “job,” and it came with rewards. Even doing the same work, Diana felt a sense of freedom and accomplishment. Moreover, she knew her father would be pleased as this brought them a step closer to the engagement he desired.

Alexa…

She worried most about Alexa. Unlike Diana, Alexa was her father’s favorite daughter. Diana hoped Mirva would leave Alexa alone.

Putting aside her worries, Diana devoted herself to caring for Ionia. Ionia soon followed Diana obediently, mimicking everything she did. Though somewhat timid, Ionia’s mischievousness began to temper under Diana’s influence.

Being with someone her own age lowered Ionia’s tension. Unlike her previous life, Ionia’s urinary issues began to improve.

Additionally, though afraid of men, she began accepting ‘young boys’ gradually. Seeing the only princess improve delighted the king. He praised Diana’s efforts and granted her permanent access to the palace—a privilege normally reserved for royals or high-ranking officials. A twelve-year-old girl now had this honor.

The queen also gifted her a personal carriage and horse.

Diana Brienne. People began seeing her differently: the princess’s personal maid, close to the prince’s fiancée, yet displaying a fresh and selfless demeanor, attentively caring for the princess.

Much earlier than in her previous life, Diana had caught the eyes of the nobles.

Mirva gaped at the invitation Diana handed her. She was reigning as queen of the household in Diana’s absence, yet her hands shook at the sight of the card. The party was hosted by the Count of Senne, and Diana had been invited. The Count of Senne was famous as a close associate of the queen.

“Why this?”

“I asked if you could come too, and they said it’s fine.”

“What?!”

She shouted, and Diana smiled.

“Mirva, help me out.”

“……”

“This gathering is for the noblewomen the queen cherishes. I can’t go alone.”

“……”

“If a maid comes along, they’ll understand. You know… I’m still too young. I haven’t debuted yet, and it’s like the social world here. You debuted, so you have to help.”

Social world.

At those words, Mirva’s eyes sparkled. Though she had had opportunities to enter the palace before, she had missed them. As a child, she barely debuted but never attended social events. Nobody would invite the daughter of a fallen family.

Even now, it was the same. Who would invite the mistress of a duke managing the estate of a fallen family?

Receiving an invitation. Tea party. Invitation. Mirva’s heart raced. If this tea party went well and she befriended the noblewomen, what could happen?

Diana smiled innocently. Mirva felt almost like giving her a kiss. She even felt sorry for having starved her for several days in anger.

“You… can help?”

When Diana asked, Mirva nodded, pretending to think carefully, then said,

“All right. I can help with that.”

Oh, what should I wear?! Mirva’s heart trembled. She considered reporting this to the duke but decided against it.

The duke was skeptical of her social activities. What if he forbade it?

For a minor noble like her, the tea party was a stepping stone into society. She, a fallen noble and effectively a commoner, had longed for the world of high nobility.

Clutching her trembling heart, she began preparations for the tea party that very day—buying several outfits!

When Mirva descended from the carriage, she walked with the poise of a duchess. To Diana, it looked like a doll moving awkwardly, but she didn’t mind.

Mirva considered the worst-case scenario: they could collectively embarrass her. As the mistress of a duke appearing in such a gathering, some would surely look down on her. That’s society.

Then she held Diana’s hand. Annoyingly, Diana did not appear nervous even once. Still, Mirva was grateful for the gesture.

As they entered the tea room, all eyes turned. The moment Mirva tensed, they smiled broadly.

“Welcome, young lady! Welcome, Lady Linus.”

Mirva choked up. Lady Linus. The name of her lost family resurfaced here. She swallowed back tears and took her seat.

It seemed there was no intrigue in the social world. Mirva tried to join the conversation. Most people spoke to Diana, but occasionally addressed Mirva.

She wasn’t completely excluded and grew acquainted with some.

“See you next time, Lady Linus.”

The social world she had longed for was as sweet as cotton candy and as dazzling as diamonds.

She was accepted, not rejected. Mirva thought repeatedly about this miraculous party.

Ah, I want to be like them.

Her desire ignited.