Laureen looked a bit surprised when he asked that. After a moment of thought, she said, "Well, how to put it? She's strict, but don't worry—she won't punish you with slaps or torture. If she doesn't like you, you'll just be reassigned to another lord or lady."
Cassian felt a bit relieved, thinking he might be dismissed entirely if Lady Katherine didn't like him. Seeing him relax, Laureen smiled and added, "But if she takes a liking to you, you'll be in luck. She genuinely cares about the people she likes. Not many meet her criteria, so she keeps them close, those does"
With a somewhat bittersweet smile, Laureen continued, "Sumina was one of those favored by her. If she had stayed a few more years, Lady Katherine would have made her the fourth personal maid. It would have lightened our workload to have another pair of hands." She sighed, reflecting on Sumina's decision to leave and live with her husband in the countryside—or wherever life took her.
After a while, Sumina emerged from the room with Lucy and Fuyuko. Lucy flashed a warm smile at Cassian and asked, "How have you been, cutie?"
"All good, Miss Lucy," Cassian replied with a grin, glancing at Sumina. She was holding a velvet pouch, significantly larger than the usual small pouch he received each week. Typically, the pouch contained a handful of silver coins—about 14 in total—as his wage, but this one was more substantial. The way Sumina clutched it tightly suggested it wasn't just silver coins.
Sumina's face showed a bittersweet smile as she addressed him. "I hope the lady liked you," she said. Turning to the other maids, she added, "Let's all get together tonight. I'll treat you to something delicious."
Her offer was met with nods of agreement from the other maids and Cassian.
After saying this, Sumina walked away, looking a bit lost in thought and sad. Lucy sighed, watching her leave. "People in love can be so unpredictable," she remarked.
Cassian didn't quite understand what she meant, but wasn't curious enough to ask. Lucy didn't elaborate, instead turning to him and saying, "The lady is expecting you. Go on and greet her. We'll be right here."
"Me alone?" Cassian asked, startled. "Are you sure I should go in there?"
"Yes, don't worry. The lady won't bite. Just greet her and answer any questions she might have," Lucy said with a chuckle, gently nudging him towards the door as she opened it.
Cassian took a deep breath as he stepped into Lady Katherine's room, his nerves making his steps hesitant. The room was meticulously arranged, every item in its place, and he noted the careful attention to detail. He tried to remember where everything was positioned, as he'd been instructed to keep it all just right.
His focus was soon drawn to the large, elegant desk where Lady Katherine's voice came from. "You're here? Come closer, I don't bite," she called out, her tone both inviting and commanding.
As he approached, he could only see her from behind, her fiery red hair expertly bound into a neat bun. Her creamy, flowery gown had an ethereal beauty that made her look nobly regal. Cassian felt a pang of awe as he observed the grace with which she moved, even while seated and engrossed in her writing.
Lady Katherine's presence was striking—her gown's delicate fabric and her poised demeanor gave her an air of undeniable elegance. Cassian tried to steady his breathing as he approached, captivated by the refined elegance that seemed to define her very being.
Lady Katherine was in her mid-thirties and married, though Cassian had never seen her husband or knew his name. Rumor had it that he was a prince from another kingdom. Cassian wondered how anyone could leave such a beautiful woman after marrying her.
As he approached, he bowed respectfully and greeted, "Lady Katherine."
She turned her face towards him. It was magnificent, with flawless rosy skin, cherry-pink lips, and striking yellow eyes with scarlet eyelashes that mirrored the color of her hair. Her mature features spoke of calm wisdom, and her smile, though subtle, was warm and inviting, making Cassian feel at ease.
"Be at ease," she said. "My maids have informed me that you're ready for work. I trust their judgment, so I won't bother you with trivial questions about how I like things. However, I do have a few matters I need to address first."
Cassian nodded, causing Lady Katherine to swivel her chair to face him. As she looked him over, he felt a surge of nervousness. She took a moment, studying him from head to toe, before speaking. "You have some of our bloodline," she said, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and surprise. "It's faint, but I can sense it, but it's surprisingly your red hair is darker than even that of purebloods."
Cassian wasn't entirely sure what she meant, but it seemed like she was both impressed and intrigued. She didn't ask him any questions, so he remained silent and attentive. "They'll be quite jealous once they learn about you," she said with a hint of mischief, leaning in slightly. A sly smile crept across her face, causing Cassian to shiver. "And you're quite cute."
Her eyes, sharp and intense, seemed to pierce into his very soul, making him recall the rumors about her and imagine unsettling scenarios. But then her smile softened, and her gaze returned to its normal, composed state. "That aside, your arrival here is a bit unusual. It's almost as if you were teleported from the slums of the capital city. Do you have any explanation for that?
And the condition you were found in—torn clothes drenched in blood that were apparently yours, yet with no visible wounds—what can you tell me about that?"
Her gaze was scrutinizing, and Cassian felt a growing sense of discomfort. He had no plausible explanation that she would likely believe, especially since no one would accept his story about an entity only he could hear. So, he decided to offer a story that mixed half-truths with plausible details.