Olivier Dampierre Proposed to the Maid!

“Ah! At last, the red curtain of the Grand Theatre was slowly raised…”

A large dining room converted from an old barn. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The occupants of the Biché mansion were staring at the face of Georges, the young valet, not realising that their breakfast was getting cold.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Charlotte Garrel, the lead actress of ‘Beautiful Things,’ a play that has just opened at the Ezon Grand Theatre, has appeared on stage…”

Charlotte Garelle! Several of the young maids stamped their feet, their mouths agape. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.There was a breathless silence, and Georges’s face was as serious as ever as he pored over the morning paper, the ink barely dry.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“While a hundred and fifty ladies and gentlemen held their breath in silence, Charlotte’s beautiful lips uttered the first line…”

Cooks and kitchen assistants, as well as chief valets and young servants and dapper footmen. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Add to this the cranky tutor, the gardener and his pupils, and the hordes of maidservants, including the eager apprentices…read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

There are well over forty of them who fill the great dining room each morning. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Even those who take shifts in the main house are a limited number, so that if all of the Count of Biché’s servants were present, there would be at least eighty.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

With so many people and only one newspaper allowed in the outbuildings, there were often fights for control of the newspaper whenever there was an interesting article. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.After a while, it became a tradition to take turns reading from the newspaper during breakfast.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Ah!” cried Charlotte, “what is love? What in the world is love that breaks my heart like this, ah…”

Georges, who was on duty today, was diligent in his reading, but not at all talented in his acting. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.As he flailed his arms and made a pitiful face, some of them ended up laughing.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“I hope it’s a hot revenge play. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I’d like to see some nobleman’s dick cut off.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The maid next to me clenched her fist and burst out laughing. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.In the midst of this back and forth, this and that, Georges steadfastly read the article.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Charlotte Garrel, the new muse of Ezon’s artistic scene! She is a new actress with eyes that sparkle like stars in the night sky…”

However, since it was a premiere, the article was short on the back story of the play, so there was no way to tell if it was a revenge play or a sweet love story.

“Ey damn it, I can’t wait to see it. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I’m such a bum who can’t watch the play.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“That’s right, you always know the first part, but not the last. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.You have to have been there to know the end.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

There were murmurs of dissatisfaction here and there. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.‘Me too, me too!’ we chorused, as the article moved on to an interview with up-and-coming actress Charlotte Garrel.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“After the play, the reporter had the good fortune to catch up with Charlotte Garrel in her dressing room for a private interview…She played the difficult role brilliantly, but what is her personal life like?”

The chatter fell silent again. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Feeling the stares directed at him again, Georges blushed and read through the rest of the article.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Charlotte, what is ‘beautiful’ in your opinion? The journalist’s question made Charlotte ponder. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Then, with two beautiful blushes, she slowly answered, I think it’s…”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Cluck. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The room fell silent enough to hear the sound of drool. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Georges stammered.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“First, the night of Ezon, where the fire never goes out. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Second, the golden… And, uh, gasp!”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

A stunned Georges paused, catching his breath. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Why? Why! Leaving his agitated audience alone, Georges took a moment to catch his breath, then blurted out the last word.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“…Little Duke Olivier Dampierre!”

Kyaa…!

The young maids stamped their feet and screamed, and the male servants whistled blatantly. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It was as if someone had started a fire. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The dilapidated dining room began to shake and boil with a heat that threatened to explode.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“This is another love scandal!”

“I got, I got it, since the part ‘beautiful thing’…”

“He’s a very expensive man, and he’s trying to get me to look at him.”

“Whatever it is, it’s amazing. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.My heart is jumping…!”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The article went on to describe the daring courtship of Charlotte Garrel, a new actress who had risen to prominence, and the anticipated reaction of Duke Dampierre, the patron of the theatre.

Naturally, the conversation turned to Olivier Dampierre. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.A man of wealth, fame, and good looks, Olivier Dampierre is always a great topic of conversation.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

From the glittering socialites who flitted in and out of the opera house in Ezon, to the maids at the Biché mansion on the outskirts of Ezon. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Everyone knew his name.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

So Olivier Dampierre, the young duke, twenty-three years old, is tall and broad-shouldered. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.With deep green eyes that set off his dark blond hair beautifully. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.A sculpted face and smooth skin that glistens with a hint of colour.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

He eats and wears eye-poppingly expensive food, and everything he touches is Ezon’s latest fashion statement… blah, blah, blah.

On top of the glamour, Ezon’s media feeds on gossip. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Rumours upon rumours, and as a result, Olivier Dampierre’s value increased day by day.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Even the youngest maid in the house, who had never seen his face, worshipped the Little Duke Olivier Dampierre as if he were an archangel.

“Georges, is there a picture of the Duke in the paper?”

Most of the servants continued eating, a few rose from their seats, and a group of maids circled Georges at one end of the dining room.

“There’s a crossword puzzle on the back. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Not this time!”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Georges quickly hid the newspaper behind him, but the maids, who were determined to get their hands on even a holy painting of the little duke, swarmed him and fiercely attacked him.

“Even if you look at the picture, you can barely see the face, nose, or mouth. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Are you trying to take it away from me?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“I can see it, no matter how small!”

In the midst of the pandemonium, the only maid who stood her ground was Amélie Gagnier.

The way she wore her brown hair in a neat braid. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Her upright posture and calm concentration on her meal made her look like a well-educated aristocratic young lady.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Even now, she was silently scooping up her stew without so much as a glance towards the carnage.

“Amélie.”

Denise, a colleague who had been pushed out of the battle for Olivier Dampierre, sat down beside Amélie.

“I’ve been pushed again. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.What are they eating that makes them so strong?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Denise, who had stopped pushing her own plate, whined as it spilled onto the table. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Amélie, who had calmly finished her meal, pointed to Denise’s skinny arms.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“You’re weak because you haven’t eaten, Denise.”

“But it’s really tasteless.”

Undaunted by Denise’s protests, Amélie dipped her bread in the stew and shoved it into Denise’s mouth.

“You have to eat it even if it’s tasteless. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It’ll keep you going, and next time you’ll have to make sure you get Olivier Dampierre.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Tsk, I bet you think it’s pathetic.”

Frowning in arrogance, Denise chewed her bread grimly. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Amélie chuckled as she watched Denise chew her bread with some determination.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“That’s not true, I’m just not interested.”

Do you really need to get a picture of the aristocratic man who’s always been gossiped nonstop about his love affairs, and do you really need to have his face on your bedside table to make yourself feel better?

It was true that there were some points that were somewhat difficult to understand. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Still, if her friend was happy, that was enough.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

After eating, Amélie wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin and began clearing away the dishes. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.She had to hurry if she wanted to make it to Lady Katarina in time.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“But, Amélie.”

She was about to stand up, but Denise, who had swallowed her bread in one bite interrupted, as if suddenly remembering.

“Come to think of it, have you ever been to the Grand Theatre? Why, when we were young, didn’t the mistress used to take you to the theater by yourself? How was it?”

“Huh?”

Amélie’s hand, which had been busily tidying up, suddenly stopped. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Her cheeks twitched as she paused at the sudden question.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“…I don’t know either. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I waited outside until it was over.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Really? Shee took you there every time, and then left you behind?”

Denise’s eyes widened.

“Yeah.”

“It’s really something. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Both Lady Katarina and the mistress as well.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Well, I’m not her friend.”

With a vague laugh, Amélie ended the conversation. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It was a memory she didn’t want to dwell on.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Amélie was just about to get up from her seat. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Denise’s words touched Amélie’s heart.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“I thought Amélie Gagnier was different.”

‘I thought she was different’…

Amélie reflected on the words and laughed bitterly.

“What do you mean, what did I say?”

How could I be different from the other maids.

What am I.

* * *

It was the second day since she entered the Biché mansion, that is, when she was 12 years old.

Amélie was carrying a load of laundry across the garden when she bumped into a girl about her age.

“Hey, I’ve never seen you before. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Who are you?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“M, me?”

Amélie hesitated and looked at the girl in front of her.

“Yes, you. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Are you the new maid?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Yes.”

This ragged-looking girl could only be Katarina Biché, the forbidding only child of Count and Countess Biché. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Frightened, Amélie blinked slowly and glanced at her mistress.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Hmph.”

Folding her arms, Katarina slowly peered at Amélie. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It was a fierce gaze that made her whole body stiffen, even though she had done nothing wrong.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The sparkling heels, the lace-covered silk dress, the glittering silver bracelets and jewellery…

Amélie, who was staring blankly at her with her head bowed down, dropped the laundry in surprise when Katarina Biché strode towards her.

“Maid, I want you to be my friend.”

‘Maid’…? Amélie suddenly realised that she hadn’t told the lady her name, but it didn’t seem to matter to Katarina. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Her eyes were glittering black.