99th Actress Chapter 5

Chapter 5. Er*ctile Dysfunction

“But I never intended to do anything to you. Of course, I know my place—it was presumptuous of me. My friend, well… actually, another maid, Miss Belisha—she’s the one assigned to the bathhouse. But her mother has been unwell, so I temporarily took over her duties.”

She paused for a moment, choosing her next words carefully.

“Yesterday was my last day, and… I suppose I just let my emotions get the better of me. For once, I wanted to feel closer to you… just for a moment. It was foolish, I know, but I lost myself. I guess I really went crazy for a second.”

To make her story more convincing, she allowed tears to well up in her eyes, hoping that playing the part of a foolish, love-struck maid was better than being accused of espionage.

But as she looked up, she was met with an expression on Duke Lepierre’s face that she couldn’t quite place. Uneasy. Displeased.

And somehow, that unsettled her even more.

“Really? Does that mean you liked me?”

“I… like you… but… I respect you! You deserve respect because you’re the one who has defeated so many enemies and demons. You protect us.”

“Oh… That’s why you hid in the bathroom?”

“I didn’t hide in, I was in charge of it for a while, but somehow…”

“Then go on, be in charge of the bathroom.”

“Yes……. What?”

Lian, with her startled rabbit eyes, looked at Lepierre in shock.

“Oh… no, I can’t take my colleague’s job. I’ve been satisfied enough, so I have to go back to where I desperately need to be…….”

“If that’s the case, I’ve already taken action. Didn’t you say that you dedicated yourself to working for me? That attitude won’t change in the future, right?”

“What? That’s true, but…”

Everything was unfolding in a way it shouldn’t. There was no chance to challenge Lepierre’s firm resolve, nor any opportunity to argue against it. After all, Lian never had the right to refuse him to begin with.

“Then, go out knowing that. The head maid, Leah, will inform you. I’m tired, so I’ll be taking a break.”

It was a clear command. Lian’s steps felt heavy as she made her way back to her quarters. She was lost, unsure of how to navigate the difficulties she now faced. Her shoulders slumped as she entered the room, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her.

It was yet another of the Duke’s schemes. Lepierre, of course, had conducted a thorough background investigation after Lian had fainted.

[The daughter of a poor family from a southern slum. At 20, she fled being sold to an old man and found work at the Duchy of Arden. An ordinary girl, without notable connections or influence. Noteworthy detail – seems to have an affinity for money.]

That was all there was to it. She hadn’t intentionally taken charge of the bathroom—she had merely filled in for the maid, Belisha, who had been absent. 

As for why she entered the bathtub… the question still lingered, unresolved. But Lepierre figured it was best to let it go. The chances of him entering the bathroom, after being away for more than a month, were slim. There likely had been no ulterior motive.

When he glanced at her sleeping face, she frowned slightly, as if trapped in a bad dream, before drifting back into a peaceful sleep. She looked almost childlike in her vulnerability.

‘What were you trying to do by sneaking into my room? Are you a spy for the enemy? Or… an assassin sent to harm me?’

Lepierre already had a general idea, having completed his investigation, but he needed an excuse to instill fear in her.

As expected, she panicked and began saying the most unexpected things, like how much she admired him. It was rather amusing to watch her eyes dart around in a nervous frenzy while her face remained flushed, as if the fever hadn’t quite worn off yet.

In any case, it was true that this strange woman caused his p*nis, which had been motionless for so long, to react. It was to that extent, Lepierre needed her, even if it was just a rotten rope.

Lepierre, who was lost in thought, couldn’t sleep for a long time after that.

***

Lian woke early in the morning and was summoned by the head maid, Leah. When she accepted the paper Leah handed her, she was taken aback. She had thought her duties were limited to cleaning the Duke of Lepierre’s bathroom each morning and evening, but it seemed there was another important task at hand.

This new responsibility was called the “5-minute standby group.”

Something clinked as Leah pulled an item from her pocket and placed it in Lian’s hand. It was a circular bracelet, made of silver, with glass beads at the center and crystal on both sides—something quite unique and clearly valuable.

“When the Duke calls, this bracelet will light up. Once you see it, respond immediately. Since you’ve been chosen as the Duke’s personal maid, you must assist him without disturbing him,” Leah instructed in her usual dull tone.

Lian quickly understood: it was a magical item, designed to help her move swiftly when summoned. The small glass beads reminded her of the miniature versions used to heat water in the bathhouse.

It was an unusual greeting for someone new to the position of the Duke’s personal maid—a role that changed every day. Though it was a rare event, few considered it special. In fact, many viewed it with pity, knowing the Duke’s unpredictable and eccentric nature. They expected a newcomer like Lian to cause some sort of trouble or accident, eventually forcing her to pay the price.

Determined to remain resolute, Lian set out to fulfill her duties.

Her first task of the morning was to fill the bathroom with water and then deliver the Duke’s breakfast to his room. After checking that the faucet was working and the water was heating properly, she loaded the cart with breakfast and made her way to the Duke’s room. She knocked softly on the door.

Knock, knock.

After a moment, the door suddenly slammed open. Lian thought someone had opened it, but she quickly realized it was an automated system—whether magic or not, she couldn’t tell.

As she stepped inside, her gaze was immediately drawn to Lepierre, who was sitting on the sofa with his eyes closed. His smug expression seemed to command attention, and before she knew it, she was staring at him—something she rationalized as a natural human instinct.

“I brought you a meal,” she said, forcing herself to look away from his face.

She wheeled in the cart, removed the cover, and began setting the dishes on the table one by one. From juicy meat to fresh seafood, the table was stacked with a mountain of delicious delicacies. The visual and aromatic appeal made Lian’s mouth water.

A maid’s meals were usually simple—bland bread, dry meat, and a bowl of soup. There might be a salad, but it often felt like a punishment meal. This lavish spread, however, was a sight Lian hadn’t seen in ages. It reminded her of the grand feasts she had seen in Korea, only far more opulent.

Once the food had been set and the noise of the cart subsided, Lepierre opened his mouth, his eyes still closed.

“Sit down.”

“What?”

Lian blinked in surprise. Was he asking her to sit and eat with him?

“Sit down and taste it first. What if it’s poisoned?”

Embarrassed, Lian complied and sat down opposite him. She set the tableware carefully, her mind still racing.

The first dish she tried was a whole-grilled duckling. She cut a piece and put it in her mouth. The taste was heavenly. The tender meat, from a young bird not fully grown, was perfectly cooked, and each bite practically melted in her mouth.

“I think you can eat this.” Lepierre’s voice broke through her thoughts.

“Try this, too.”

He gestured toward a thick steak. Lian took a bite, and the combination was divine, especially with the fragrant wine sauce poured over it. The steak, cooked to a perfect medium-rare, was juicy and full of flavor. The wine sauce balanced the richness of the meat, making it a flawless harmony of taste.

Next, she sampled the stir-fried seafood, which included giant abalone. The freshness was astounding, and the texture of the flesh, once sliced, was as large as the palm of her hand.

It was clear that a first-class chef had crafted this meal with exceptional skill.

Lian marveled at the incredible flavors, savoring each dish as she ate. I feel like I’m eating too much to just be a food tester, she thought. As she finished the last bite, her stomach began to feel pleasantly full.

It seemed like Lepierre was suggesting she eat everything again, but given his eccentric nature, she didn’t find it too strange.

Lepierre had been watching her with mild amusement as she ate. He picked up a sandwich and took a bite, his movements so graceful that Lian couldn’t help but think, You look like a picture when you eat…

Even the simple act of him eating a sandwich felt like she was observing a work of art. As their eyes met, Lian was startled and quickly looked away, feeling her cheeks heat up.

“You don’t usually eat a lot?” Lepierre asked, his tone laced with curiosity.

Lian, realizing she had probably given off the impression of being a glutton, quickly replied, “Oh… no, I eat well, but I just got so into it… I think the chef is quite skilled. I’m sorry, Duke. Try this too.

“Yes.”

Okay, that sounded natural, Lian reassured herself.