Chapter 69: Queen of spades
Chapter 69
01. Queen of spades
Its not even going to be seen anyway.
Even parts that couldnt be seen should be prettied up, Milady.
But even on my toes is a bit,
She hadnt eaten since dawn. And whats this now.
Carynnes foot itched, so she kept wriggling her toes. The manicurist wrapped her feet in a warm towel. She should be more attentive during Duke Daltons recital. It wasnt because this was important for Carynne , but because its important for an Evans . The manicurist that Verdic sent to Carynne looked at her toes as if it was an impossible job.
Shall I coat your toenails with some gold dust? Or would just a transparent coating be alright?
Coating her toenails with gold was of course nice. Its very luxurious. Even if she treaded through filth all day long, her feet would eventually be covered in gold at night.
She went through such magical transformations every day, and it was making her head hurt. Next to her, Donna fanned Carynne as she stared at her with envy.
Carynne used to be the one standing in the maids place. Then, would Donna become the main character later?
She laughed as she imagined it.
Lady Evans?
Use the gold coating.
What decorations shall I place on the gold layer?
Whats available?
Small diamonds can be placed on it. If not, we have rubies, too.
Wouldnt her feet just hurt? Carynne was somewhat apprehensive. Her foot still hadnt healed. Its difficult enough just putting on shoes.
The top of her foot was dented with a fracture, but how strange was it that gems would be placed on her toes.
Wouldnt it go under my shoes anyway, so whats the use?
Once again, Milady, things that couldnt be seen should be taken care of. This way, you can become a true Lady.
So you know better than I do?
You wont even answer anymore.
Did Isella do this all the time? When Carynne was her lady-in-waiting, she saw Isella being dressed and dolled up, but it seemed like she was so used to it, as if ordering people around was both a hobby and an everyday routine.
Carynne also enjoyed all sorts of luxury whenever she was Raymond or some other noblemans lover, but she was never as tired as she was now as a member of the Evans household. During some other time, she could do whatever she wanted. Living as a freeloader was hard.
Am I being looked down on because Im adopted?
What do you mean, Milady?
Seems like Ive become tired. Its probably because of my age, but I cant soften my words, they just come out barbed. I should have slept a lot in advance.
Carynne sighed. She rubbed her eyes, which were drooping with exhaustion.
While embellishing your toes, it might be good to place a face mask on you.
Wouldnt it be better if you all just take care of it since you know so much?
So that she could at least sleep a little more during that time. However, the custodians employed by House Evans were unmoved.
We dont know better. Only the master decides upon everything.
Is that so?
Carynne found the custodians words to be interesting as she lectured her about their masters attitude. These were the women who Carynne had managed to get along well with when she herself had been a lady-in-waiting.
All the women here were people who comforted each other and drank together because they were so worn out by having to deal with Isellas irritability and bad temper. But now it was so different, just because her position had changed.
I see.
Still, that didnt mean that she intended to do anything about this.
Carynne felt weak and deflated. She just wanted to sleep more right now. But that simple wish was soon shattered when another person, a skincare specialist, had placed a mask of herbs on her face.
Its cold.
Its a bit dark under your eyes. I believe we need to do a bit more work here.
Kay.
Carynne remembered who this skincare specialist was. Her names Jane, maybe? She liked drinking liquor, and she had this theory that alcohol was good for the skin. Shes been in the industry for a while now and shes made a name for herself, so she also received a shop from Verdic that she would manage.
Your skin is rough and your hair is red Would you consider wearing a wig?
People were so amusing. Looking at the woman who was so obviously trying to put Carynne in check, she weakly laughed at the woman.
Should I feed her poison later? Oh, but in this house, Verdic and Raymond would surely find out right away. How should I play now? There are so many people here.
Can you be more careful with that mouth of yours?
Donna pursed her lips and snapped at Jane.
Youre very eager, too, arent you.
Among the maids in Verdics villa, its clear that the maids under Carynnesuch as Donna and Serawere being trampled over. The maids originally dont even have to come from the Evans household either.
Carynne felt a bit responsible for this, and a little guilty. The male attendants went to Dullan as chaplains, but most of the maids were fired while only a few that were close to Carynne were re-hired by the Evans family. However, since they were a surplus of staff that werent needed in the first place, they needed to work hard while walking on eggshells in order to prove their worth.
Is this a maid youve brought from your previous home?
The custodian asked without even looking at Donnas face. Theres no way she didnt know, but she pretended anyway. Its been a while since Carynne came to this house, but this woman was being childish.
Yeah.
Among all the ladies-in-waiting that Ive seen thus far, shes the most inane of all. A child like that originally wouldnt have been a lady-in-waiting at all.
Donnas face flushed bright red.
W-What did you say? Now look here!
Stop, stop.
Carynne sighed and waved one hand.
Im so terribly tired. If I can just seriously focus on one thing at a time, one story at a time, then please. Raymond alone is enough of a headache, so dont involve me in some maids quarrel. And theres nothing that she can do for me either.
Milady!
Donnas face flushed even redder.
Im seriously so sleepy to the point of death. Nobody wake me up until Sir Raymond comes. I really should not be tired today.
But the custodian made a face.
But Lady Evans, after this dont you have to take care of Lady Evans I mean, the real Lady Evans?
Donna cried out in a fit.
Let Lady Carynne rest a little. Im going to tell the housekeeper about this!
What an exemplary maid. But Carynne knew that her outburst was of little use. Carynne wanted to give Donna a little more money, but she didnt have any money in the first place. Its all Verdics money. After everythings set and done, should she slip the maid some money? Now that she thought about it though, how had Donna been faring until now?
Lady Evans. That woman doesnt seem to have enough knowledge about nursing someone back to health. And the master said that you, Lady Carynne Evans, must definitely do it yourself.
Sighing, Carynne took off her gown. And, she soon wore clothes made from coarse fabric, which was what maids usually wore. Shed be wearing a fancy dress again at night, but not right now.
Sure.
Youre all going to die.
* * *
Im curious, what on earth are you going to show me?
Before that, you have to compliment my dress.
I admire your good taste every single day.
Actually, they had all been picked by experts and professionals. Carynne wasnt even in the right mind to choose anything for herself.
Just the dress?
Raymond waggled his eyebrows. Looking at his face like that made it difficult for her to hold back either mirth or ire. They had to act like a couple.
Beside them, Donna looked at them with a face that seemed to say goosebumps were rising over her skin. It seemed like theyre being told to play it up for the audience.
Raymond raised one hand of Carynnes and kissed it.
Beautiful. As always is what Id like to say, but you seem to be very tired.
Really? Donna.
Donna, who had a similarly exhausted countenance beside her, swiftly handed over an item. While what he said was romantic, its worth making a fuss now because, since she was being worked to the bone, she was worried about how tired she looked.
Was that truly how she looked? Carynne knew that she had to be beautiful. Its alright for a maid to be a little ugly, but wasnt her face her most effective weapon?
But look, he said its not a little but very. Was he saying that her dark eyebags could still be seen from all this makeup?
Here you go, Milady.
Carynne hurriedly took the hand mirror and looked at her reflection. But her makeup was perfect. The countrys best experts made sure that it was, every single day. So theres no big problem here.
She knew how to objectively evaluate her own appearance. She was as beautiful as she ever was.
What are you talking about then?
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