The next day, all the maids in the mansion were told to gather in the main hall. Olivia, who was only eleven years old, came as well after Head Maid Irene informed them that there would be a change in the maids' duties.
Olivia woke up early as soon as she heard the news. She wanted to be the first to arrive before the others. However, when she reached the main hall, it seemed that someone had already arrived.
It was a maid she had never seen before in the mansion.
Curious, Olivia leaned closer to the maid beside her, who had arrived earlier.
"Do you know her?" she whispered, subtly glancing toward the unfamiliar maid.
The maid turned her head and nodded slowly. Lowering her voice, she leaned closer to Olivia's ear.
"She came to this mansion five days ago," she said calmly, her gaze fixed on Olivia.
Olivia raised an eyebrow and continued, "Then which part does she work in?"
She waited seriously for an answer.
The maid chuckled softly, smiling as she looked at Olivia's face, clearly resisting the urge to pinch her cheek.
So cute…
"From what I heard, she's the head maid's cousin. She works on the east side," the maid muttered with a small smile.
Olivia fell silent, her expression stiffening slightly.
Her gaze shifted back to the unfamiliar maid, who stood calmly at a distance. At first glance, she
looked like an ordinary maid. But somehow… Olivia felt that she might play an important role in this world. After all, black hair was extremely rare in this country.
Unlike Olivia, who had come from another world.
The more she thought about it, the more she overthought everything. It only left her feeling exhausted.
For now, Olivia decided not to dwell on it. She was too busy talking and catching up with the new maid and the seniors who had just arrived. As always, her bright personality easily won people over, and even the older maids seemed fond of her.
While they were chatting, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed gracefully through the hall.
Instantly, the once lively atmosphere fell silent.
All the maids straightened their posture and quickly formed neat, orderly lines. Madam Irene looked at them one by one, counting every maid in the room. Once she was done, she opened her mouth to speak.
"Alright, I will now assign your duties."
Her fingers calmly flipped through the pages of a ledger, each page filled with the names of every maid in the mansion.
"I will start with the seniors first."
Then she called their names one by one along with their new duties.
All of them listened carefully while waiting for their names to be called. When Olivia's name was finally called, a faint smile appeared on her face upon learning that her duties remained largely unchanged, with only a few minor additions.
Yess!! I love you, Madam Irene!
Inside, she was already jumping up and down with excitement, even though she kept a calm face.
But when the unfamiliar maid's name was called, Olivia's expression shifted slightly, though she managed to suppress it just in time.
"Delia, your duty is to become Princess Ophilia's nanny," Madam Irene said loudly as she continued flipping through her ledger.
The maid named Delia nodded calmly, as if she had already known what her duty would be.
What?
Olivia's eyebrows lifted in confusion.
Doesn't Ophilia already have a nanny?
She muttered quietly to herself.
Soon, the gathering ended. Olivia immediately rushed to Ophilia's room.
Tok, tok, tok.
"May I come in?" Olivia called from outside as she knocked on the door.
From inside, Ophilia allowed her to enter. Without hesitation, Olivia hurried in and sat beside her, still breathing heavily. Both Celine and Ophilia stared at her as if she had been chased by something.
"Your… nanny…"
Her breathing was uneven and ragged, each breath coming in short gasps that made it difficult for her to speak properly.
"Slow down, okay," Ophilia said gently, patting her back.
Olivia took a few deep breaths. Once she calmed down, she tried speaking again.
"Where's your nanny, Your Grace?" she asked, staring straight into Ophilia's eyes.
With a calm expression, Ophilia replied, "Oh, she fell severely ill and is now bedridden at home, unable to continue her duties as a nanny."
There was a trace of disappointment in her eyes as she spoke. Then she took a sip of her tea.
Olivia, who had not known about it, nodded slowly, finally understanding the situation.
"Ah… no wonder."
She nodded again, unconsciously mimicking Ophilia's gesture. But for some reason… a strange unease lingered in her chest.
That same day, Delia began her duties as Princess Ophilia's new nanny. Olivia was told that Delia would only stay with Ophilia during bedtime.
Days passed, and the new routine slowly became familiar to everyone.
Olivia continued her work as usual… but her eyes often lingered on Delia. Even though Delia did nothing suspicious, Olivia's heart kept telling her to stay alert, as if something bad might happen.
Yet the more suspicious she became, the less anything seemed to happen.
Little by little, she began to lower her guard.
While chatting with Ophilia as usual, Olivia could feel Delia's gaze on her from beside the princess.
Ophilia had become friendlier ever since both Olivia and Celine had entered her life. Olivia and Celine were happy to see their friend becoming less lonely than before. In the end, the three of them gradually accepted Delia as part of their circle, especially since her age was not that far from theirs.
"How old are you, Delia?" Olivia asked with a bright smile.
"Sixteen," Delia replied softly.
Her lips curved into a gentle smile. Olivia blinked. Something felt… off.
That smile…didn't reach her eyes.
And for a brief moment. Delia wasn't looking at her. She was staring at something behind her.
Olivia slowly turned around.
Nothing was there.
How about you two?" she asked softly, turning her head toward Celine, who had been listening quietly.
"Oh, we're the same age," Celine said, pointing her fingers at herself and Olivia.
She felt embarrassed for thinking such awful things about Delia.
Soon, night came. Olivia and Celine left for their respective rooms, leaving Ophilia and Delia together in the room. Before closing the door, Olivia glanced once at the two of them.
They were chatting peacefully and looked perfectly fine. She let out a relieved breath.
Once she entered her room, she tried to remember something.
Something about the events in the novel.
Suddenly, she gasped.
"Where is Javien?" she muttered slowly.
She stared up at the ceiling, her heart urging her to go to the basement. Two days ago, she had gone there, but the boy had remained silent as usual.
"But why does he… no, I'm sure I've seen that hair before…"
At once, she got up, grabbed her lantern and shawl, and slowly opened her door.
But that night, all the knights seemed to have switched their shifts.
"That's odd," she murmured as she quietly closed the door behind her and started walking.
Deli, who had just finished her duties,her eyes caught a small figure moving hurriedly down the corridor.
It was Olivia.
Her steps were too fast.
Too careful.
Delia's gaze lingered.
Where is that little maid going?
Without a sound, she began to follow.
Her footsteps were light …almost nonexistent against the cold floor.
Ahead, Olivia suddenly slowed down.
A strange feeling crept up her spine.
Someone…
was watching her.
She tightened her grip on the lantern and forced herself to stay calm
The corridor felt longer than usual.
Then..she turned.
Empty.
Olivia frowned.
Weird…
But she didn't stop walking.A few steps behind
Delia stood still.Hidden perfectly in the shadows. Her eyes followed Olivia's every movement.
Unblinking.
Slowly…
a faint smile formed on her lips. Olivia's steps slowed. The feeling didn't go away.
Someone was still watching her.
Her grip on the lantern tightened.
Think… think…
Then
she turned.Not toward the basement.But the opposite direction.A few steps behind, hidden in the shadows
Delia's eyes narrowed slightly.
She noticed…?