Before Valerie could respond, Demian leaned down. Without hesitation, he pressed a light kiss to her forehead, brief, soft, yet enough to send a strange warmth through her chest.
Valerie could only nod.
It felt… strange. Her heart was beating in a way she couldn't quite understand. To her, Demian had always seemed like a man who regarded her no differently than a courtesan who happened to be by his side. But this morning, his voice, the way he adjusted her covers, that gentle kiss, it was all far too tender.
Too sweet.
And Valerie suddenly realized something that was both painful and moving…
In her entire life, not a single man had ever treated her with such warmth.
Sera and Lira entered just after Demian left. They helped Valerie wash up; though their eyes caught the many red marks on her skin, neither of them said a word.
"Lady, I'll fetch water from the river," Lira said softly.
"The river… is it far?" Valerie asked, curious.
"Not really," Lira answered, surprised she was asking.
"In that case, I'll come with you. I want to bathe in the river," Valerie said immediately.
"No, Lady! If the Duke finds out, he'll be angry," Lira protested, suddenly pale.
"He won't be angry," Valerie insisted.
"He won't be angry at you, but he will be angry at us," Sera added.
"At you? Why?" Valerie frowned in confusion.
"Lady… do you truly not know?" Sera asked carefully.
"I don't. So tell me. And please, act like my friends. You two are always so stiff around me, as if I'm your enemy," Valerie sighed.
"We could never act impolitely toward you," Sera replied quickly.
"That's right… you are the Duke's woman," Lira added.
"Oh heavens, I'm the same as everyone else. Come on, be normal with me. I like both of you, so let's be friends," Valerie said, almost pleading.
Sera and Lira exchanged glances. It was the first time they had ever met a noble lady who acted like this toward servants far below her status.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Valerie asked, puzzled.
"You really don't act like a noble lady," Sera admitted honestly.
"Well, I am a noble's daughter, but my father was practically a poor man," Valerie chuckled.
"Still, you're a noble," Lira insisted.
"Fine, then. If no one else is around, just act naturally in front of me so I can feel comfortable, alright?" Valerie said gently.
"But… we're afraid of the Duke," Sera whispered.
"It's fine. He won't do anything to you. As long as you're on my side, everything will be fine. Understand?" Valerie smiled.
"This is the first time I've met a noble lady like you," Lira said honestly.
"Well, I'm not exactly a 'proper' lady. I'm basically the Duke's courtesan," Valerie joked lightly.
"Courtesan? Hardly. This is the first time the Duke has ever brought a woman to accompany him," Sera replied.
Valerie's lips parted slightly. She turned to Lira, who nodded to confirm it.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"If you were truly the Duke's courtesan, he wouldn't bring you here. And he certainly wouldn't keep you by his side," Sera explained.
Valerie fell silent.
"If you were merely a courtesan, he would've been with you once and never again. But from what we heard, and from what Lord Ash said, you are the Duke's woman," Lira continued.
Valerie still said nothing.
"Lady… a 'woman of the Duke' is very different from the Duke's courtesan. You might even become one of his consorts someday," Lira said gently.
"Consort?" Valerie echoed.
"Yes. Because the Duke is going to marry Lady Kosler," Sera replied.
Valerie nodded. She remembered that clearly.
"Do you two want to serve Lady Kosler, the Duke's future lawful wife?" Valerie asked with a faint, ironic smile.
"No. I'll stay with you, Lady," Lira said without hesitation.
"Me too," Sera added.
Valerie burst into laughter. Truly, the rumors about Ivanka Kosler must be terrifying, especially since the woman was infamous for her sharp tongue and fierce temper.
"Why not? You could earn a large salary," Valerie said lightly, flashing a small smile.
"No, Lady… Lady Kosler is terrifying. Truly terrifying. Even her own maids get whipped if she dislikes something," Sera replied quickly, her voice trembling as if merely mentioning Ivanka was enough to unsettle her.
"How do you know that?" Valerie frowned. She had heard rumors, but not this extreme.
"It's common talk among the servants everywhere," Sera said firmly.
Valerie nodded slowly. So the rumors about Ivanka weren't just exaggerated whispers, they had weight.
"If you want to go to the river, let's go now. The soldiers are still in morning training. We can return before they finish," Lira said while preparing a small basket with bathing cloths.
"All right, let's go!" Valerie looked genuinely happy, like a girl finally stepping out of a cage she had been trapped in for too long.
When they stepped out of the Duke's barracks, Valerie immediately spotted Noel standing guard.
"Aren't you joining morning training?" she asked curiously.
"The Duke ordered me to stay and keep watch since everyone else is away. Where are you going, my lady?" Noel asked politely.
"I'm going with them to the river," Valerie said without hesitation.
"The Duke did not give permission," Noel replied firmly.
Valerie sighed and then spoke, "I want to go. If you wish to follow me, then do so. I will bathe in the river."
Noel hesitated, but eventually nodded obediently. He followed a few steps behind Valerie, who walked with Sera and Lira along the narrow path between the trees.
The moment Valerie stepped into the cool, clear water, she felt her body instantly relax. She closed her eyes, letting the freshness wash over her like a blessing.
"It feels so refreshing…" Valerie murmured with a wide smile.
"Indeed. It's incredibly refreshing," Lira agreed, splashing the water lightly.
Sera looked up, noticing the subtle shift of the sky's color. "My lady, that's enough. We need to go back."
"Oh, not yet. I'm still enjoying this," Valerie complained, sounding almost wistful.
"Morning training will end soon. I don't want the Duke to return and find you gone," Sera warned, anxiety clear in her voice.