Chapter 15. The First Time

The place where curiosity about the new Ophilenz young master burned hottest was, without a doubt, the maids’ quarters at Violet Castle.

Even now, the maids were abuzz with talk about “Young Master Charles,” who had supposedly come from a foreign land.

The young maid who had just returned from delivering dessert to him was pressing her flushed cheeks with her palms, blinking dreamily.

“…Oh my. I can’t believe it. There’s another angel in Bonchons. It feels unreal.”

“Is he really that handsome?”

“More than handsome. I think everyone will fall for him at first sight.”

The young maid’s glowing review was met with skeptical looks from a few others.

“Come on now… Are you saying he’s even more handsome than the Duke himself? Be honest, Becky. Who’s better looking?”

The group’s attention zeroed in on the young maid, Becky, whose face was still red as she stammered a reply.

“Hmmm. That’s such a hard question to answer.”

Clasping her hands together as if lost in a blissful daydream, Becky’s eyes sparkled as she explained.

“Well, the Duke is like a majestic, pure unicorn, while the young master feels like a gentle, mysterious dove of the gods.”
“Huh.”

Becky’s poetic but unhelpful description left the others frowning in mild frustration—until a sharp voice cut through the air.

“Attention, everyone.”

The head housekeeper’s frostbitten tone instantly froze the room’s lively chatter.

“This is Melanie Enel, who starts today. She’ll be working as Young Master Charles Ophilenz’s personal maid. Becky Green?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Starting today, you’ll show Melanie the ropes for a month. Help her get familiar with the rules of Violet Castle and guide her around.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Melanie?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Learn well from Becky. She’s young, but she was born and raised here, and her quick hands and sharp manners caught Lady Gabriella’s attention right away. There’s much you can learn from her.”

“I understand, ma’am.”

The housekeeper gave Melanie a thorough once-over, noting and correcting a few details about her attire and hair before leaving.

As Melanie let out a small sigh of relief, Becky approached her cheerfully.

“I’m seventeen. How about you?”

“Oh, I’m…”

Becky studied Melanie curiously, her eyes flitting over her as if searching for clues.

“By the way, are you really Young Master Charles’ maid? Does that mean you’re from Honor Pearl? I heard the young master came from there.”

Melanie’s thoughts spun as her eyes darted nervously.

“Charles de Ophilenz. Originally from the Kingdom of Verrena, but moved to Honor Pearl as a child. Holds dual citizenship due to his parents’ divorce. Raised by his father’s nursemaid, who is from Virga…”

“Do we really have to memorize even the nursemaid’s origin?”

“Of course. Nobles notice everything. Even a nursemaid’s background might explain Charles’ preferences or habits.”

Recalling her conversation with Emma from the night before, Melanie forced a smile and answered hesitantly.

“No, I’m from Virga.”

“Virga? That small island near Honor Pearl?”

“Yes.”

Becky tilted her head, fascinated.

“So, how did someone from an island end up serving such an important young master?”

Melanie wiped at the cold sweat starting to form on her brow, trying to appear composed.

“The young master’s nursemaid is from Virga. Somehow, I caught her eye. I guess I got lucky.”
“Wow. So that can happen. How fascinating.”

Melanie laughed awkwardly and thought to herself:

‘You’ve gone mad, Melanie. Lying is coming way too easily now.’

It was shaping up to be a very long day.

* * *

That morning, Mikhail led Emma to Violet Castle’s renowned art gallery, often called the “Heart of Ophilenz.”

Walking across the vivid crimson carpet leading to the gallery, Mikhail broke the silence.

“Gabriella will be handling your etiquette lessons. She’s quite particular about those.”

“Lady Gabriella, personally?”

“That’s how it worked out.”

When Alain suggested assigning an etiquette tutor to Charles, it was Gabriella who firmly objected.

“I’m sorry, Alain, but I want Charles to become a ‘perfect’ Ophilenz. This is a critical matter involving the honor and reputation of our family. It’s too important to leave to an ordinary etiquette tutor.”

After last night’s dinner, Gabriella seemed to have warmed up to Charles enough to step in herself. This relieved Mikhail, as he had plenty of other things to teach Charles to transform him into an impeccable Ophilenz.

“It means your new sister sees potential in you, Charles. You should be pleased.”

“Yes. I’ll do my best.”

Emma’s calm and collected response drew a chuckle from Mikhail. Stopping at the end of the corridor in front of an enormous set of doors, he turned to her.

“There are usually servants guarding this space, but I had them leave for today.”

With both hands, he pushed open the heavy bronze-engraved doors, revealing the grandeur beyond.

“What I’ll be teaching you… lies here.”

Emma froze, her breath catching at the overwhelming sight before her. Paintings by legendary artists, exquisite sculptures, and intricately crafted furniture filled the massive gallery.

“…!”

She never imagined she’d get to see such masterpieces this closely. Her heart raced with the urge to study each piece in detail, but she quickly reined herself in.

A true Ophilenz would be accustomed to such splendor.

Adopting an air of calm interest, she cast a glance at Mikhail, only to flinch at his gaze.

His golden eyes were fixed on her, unapologetically intense.

Emma quickly turned away, but Mikhail chuckled softly.

“I like that expression of yours, Charles.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Oh, it is. It was a very noble expression.”

Emma cleared her throat, responding as steadily as she could.

“Thank you.”

“But remember, a noble doesn’t concern themselves with others’ reactions. Especially an Ophilenz. Keep that in mind.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Call me brother.”

Mikhail’s golden eyes curved with amusement, gleaming like jewels.

Emma knew better than to let herself be deceived by their beauty. Behind that charm lay a cutting sharpness, one she was all too aware of.

She recalled Madame Charlotte’s frequent advice.

“If the Duke of Ophilenz takes interest in a piece, it’s guaranteed to make a fortune. That’s why I always scramble for auction tickets when I hear he’s attending.”

Charlotte often emphasized that at auctions, it wasn’t the works or items to watch—it was the Duke’s gaze.

His discerning eye was unmatched, but falling out of his favor could render even the finest work worthless.

Emma felt the weight of his scrutiny keenly. Being regarded as worthless wasn’t an option, and she steeled herself to prove otherwise.

“I didn’t realize the castle housed such an extensive collection of art,” she ventured.

Mikhail’s gaze swept over her again, lingering long enough to make her neck prickle with heat.

“And?”

“Pardon?”

“Does that mean you’re impressed?” he asked, his golden eyes glittering.

“Of course.”

“Then tell me—what impressed you the most? About the works or anything here.”

Emma took a moment, surveying the gallery with care before responding.

“What impressed me the most…”

Her blue eyes settled on a marble sculpture, its surface glowing softly under the light.

“…isn’t just the pieces themselves, but the fact that the marble sculptures are preserved in such pristine condition. It means the humidity and temperature are perfectly maintained.”

Mikhail’s expression shifted slightly.

Suddenly, Emma felt his long fingers weave gently through her hair, wrapping the strands around them.

“…!”

Mikhail’s satisfied smile grew as he tousled the top of her head affectionately.

“That’s an answer I truly like.”

“…Ah.”

Emma’s face flushed at the unexpected praise, and Mikhail’s chest swelled with pride at her endearing reaction.

Humidity and temperature.

Of all the nobles and artists who had passed through this gallery, not one had pointed out that detail.

Charles was the first.