Rebecca POV
"Lady Rebecca."
A familiar, slightly annoying yet somehow endearing voice pulled me out of my balance.
"Oh my God."
Before I could steady myself, I fell to the floor, landing awkwardly after standing on one leg.
"Ouch! It hurts," I moaned, clutching my ankle.
From nearby, I heard the soft giggle of Miss Nam—the same playful, teasing laugh she always used whenever I embarrassed myself.
"เลดี้รีเบคก้า. ให้ฉันเห็นเท้าของคุณ"("Lady Rebecca, let me see your foot.")
I froze. The person who had been quietly tormenting my existence was now right in front of me—kneeling and holding my foot.
I gently pushed her hand away.
Her eyes narrowed, clearly furious, and I already knew why.
But then, almost imperceptibly, the anger in her gaze softened and shifted into something deeper—a flicker of something unspoken, something tender—as if she was looking right through me, into something beyond the surface.
"No. No. No—don't touch that!" I snapped, grabbing the box with the withered flower from her hands like my life depended on it.
I stumbled back, clutching the box to my chest as I scrambled to my feet, trying to create space between us.
"What is she doing here?" I asked Miss Nam, breathless, disoriented—half from the fall, half from her sudden appearance.
But when I looked back at her—at Freen—her raging expression had shifted. Her brows were still drawn, but her lips trembled, and her eyes—
Were those tears?
Trying to break free.
Then her voice came, sharp and shaking:
"เขาเลือกฉันเป็นคนรับใช้ของเขา จากนั้นเขาจะโยนฉันออกไปเหมือนผ้าขี้ริ้วโดยไม่ทราบสาเหตุว่าฉันล้มเหลว ฉันไม่ยอมให้คุณไปบอกผู้หญิงผิวขาวคนนี้ คุณน้ำ ว่าฉันไม่เหมือนใครที่เธอจะเล่นด้วยได้"
"She chose me to be her servant, and then she threw me away like a rag, without telling me what I did wrong. I won't let you tell this white-skinned lady, Miss Nam, that I'm someone she can just toy with."
Her voice cracked at the end, and I could hear the wound buried in her words.
And just like that, the box I had clutched so tightly suddenly felt unbearably heavy.
Miss Nam hesitated for a moment, as if weighing the emotions behind the words before speaking. She looked between the two of us—between my confused defiance and Freen's unshaken resolve—then finally turned to me and said gently,
"She said... to at least give her a chance. To prove herself. That she deserves the position."
I felt the words land with more weight than I was ready for. My grip on the box tightened, the withered flower trembling slightly inside.
Freen's eyes never left mine—not for a second. Not even after everything. Not after being dismissed. Not even after I tried to erase her from my day. There was no pride in her eyes anymore. Only a quiet storm... and something else—something terrifyingly honest.
I swallowed the lump building in my throat.
"Tell her..." I said, my voice quieter than I expected, eyes refusing to blink. "This isn't about proving anything. She already proved more than enough. This is about me... choosing what's safe."
I didn't know if Miss Nam would translate that or not. Maybe she didn't need to.
Freen's jaw tightened. She looked like she wanted to shout. Or cry. Or maybe both. But instead, she stepped forward—
And reached out to gently touch the box in my hands, not to take it—just to hold a part of it with me.
"And what will I get in return if I do give her a chance?" I asked, trying to negotiate some sort of benefit for myself.
Miss Nam hesitated for a moment before relaying my question to Freen, who responded with a confident smile.
"เลดี้รีเบคก้าถามว่าเธอจะได้อะไรตอบแทนหากเธอให้โอกาสคุณ"
"Lady Rebecca asked what she would get in return if she gave you the chance," Miss Nam asked my servant.
"ฉันสัญญาว่าจะให้บริการคุณด้วยความจริงใจ ให้คุณปลอดภัย เอาความสุขไว้ก่อน และจะเคียงข้างคุณตลอดไปจนลมหายใจสุดท้าย"
"I pledge to serve you with integrity. Keep you safe, prioritize your happiness, and I will be by your side until the end of time."
I noticed how Miss Nam smiled at her, then looked in my direction and smiled widely—not like the smile she gave my servant just now.
"Ehem."
"She promised to serve you with all her life if you let her show her dedication and loyalty to you until her last breath," Miss Nam translated, her voice filled with warmth and admiration.
I was out of words. That's the sweetest thing I have ever heard someone say. I couldn't help but feel touched by Freen's heartfelt declaration. Her words resonated with a deep sense of devotion and loyalty that was truly rare to find. It was clear that her commitment to serving me went beyond mere duty; it was a genuine expression of love and dedication.
Reeally , Rebecca?Love Devotion?
I mean love towards there highness that is.
Okay
Urgh, why am I having a talk to my consciousness?
"So?" Miss Nam asked, her eyes filled with anticipation.
I looked at the face of my servant.
God, this is the reason I want to get rid of her—she has the power to control me with just one look.
"I guess I'm stuck with her then," was the only thing that came out of my mouth, defeated.
As I met her gaze, I couldn't help but feel a sense of surrender. It was as if her eyes held a magnetic pull that made it impossible for me to resist her. In that moment, I realized my desire to rid myself of her was futile; she had already won me long before she did a single thing to earn it.
Miss Nam smiled widely and told my servant the news.
And I swear to God, I'd kill just to see that smile on her face right now.
Freen's POV
While speaking with Lady Rebecca, Miss Nam's smile did not fade. I'm sure she won't stop teasing me later.
Flashback
Miss Nam stormed into my room, saying I'd been fired from my job as Lady Rebecca's servant. I was overjoyed at first—today was supposed to be the day I finally found out where we were going, and it was right there, in the old mansion.
And then suddenly that witch girl just decided not to include me anymore. What pissed me off the most was that we were just fine last night. Why didn't she tell me? Why was she planning this behind my back? What is wrong with her?
Before Miss Nam could finish what she was saying, I made up my mind. I had to confront Rebecca. I needed to tell her how hurt and betrayed I felt. As I stormed down the hall toward her, my mind was racing with questions. After everything we've been through, why would she do this? I wasn't going to let her off the hook without a proper explanation.
But when I got to her room, the only one I saw was Irin, busy packing things.
"Hey, Freen, what is it?"
I didn't answer her.
That's when it hit me—I was too late.
So it was Irin. She was the one Rebecca replaced me with.
I didn't say a word. I just turned around, shoulders slumped, and walked back to my room. There was no point anymore. I'd already been dismissed from my job serving that witch.
And suddenly, I didn't feel like doing anything at all.
I don't know why I am so depressed about it.
I should be happy instead; I'm free from her insults and away from problems with her ex-husband-to-be, so I've saved myself from serving a royal with an abusive marriage. However, the truth is that it still hurts to be replaced so easily. I had dedicated so much time and effort to that job, only to be discarded without a second thought. It's hard not to feel a sense of failure and rejection, even if it's for just three days.
I decided to get out of the mansion. I found a log in the forest nearby and sat there, putting all my rage into pulling at the grass.
"Ahh, my ribs still hurt from being beaten and saving that ungrateful witch from that demon. And this is all I get?" I thought to myself, feeling a mix of frustration and resentment. It was disheartening to realize that my sacrifices and bravery had gone unnoticed, leaving me with nothing but physical pain and emotional turmoil.
Maybe I should just go back to our village and help my grandmother sell fish. As I contemplated my options, a sense of defeat washed over me. The thought of returning to the simplicity of village life seemed tempting, where the only worries were catching fish and making a modest living. Perhaps it was time to leave behind the unappreciative mansion and find solace in the familiar embrace of my grandmother's humble abode.
"What are you sulking for in this area? Don't you have a job to do?" I lifted my head and saw Miss Nam smiling down at me.
Why is she always smiling at me?
"What will I do there? My mother will only scold me for failing my job as the young lady's servant.""Maybe I should just go back to our village," I said, defeated.
"And do what, exactly?" she asked, sitting beside me.
"Help my grandmother do things?" I answered.
"Are you asking me?" Miss Nam asked, raising an eyebrow. "You're capable of so much more than that. Don't sell yourself short."
"In fact, I have a job for you, but you never let me finish what I was about to say," Miss Nam continued.
My eyes widened in surprise."A job for me?" I asked, my voice filled with hope.
Miss Nam nodded, a smile playing on her lips."Yes, a job that will utilize your talents and give you the opportunity to grow," she replied.
"And I know you'll get along with him."
I looked at her with curiosity, wondering who she was referring to."Who will I be working with?" I asked, eager to learn more about the job opportunity.
Miss Nam chuckled softly."You'll see."
Miss Nam stood up and was about to walk away when she looked back at me.
"Are you just going to stay there when there's a lot to do? Time is running."
With that, I quickly got up and followed her inside the mansion.
As we entered the house, I saw the carriage being loaded with baggage, and there I saw Irin walking out of the mansion carrying a bag.
And Lady Rebecca running back into the mansion.
Miss Nam and I were still a few meters away from the entrance, but I decided to walk faster to get into Lady Rebecca's room. I was still going to confront her—
About what she did to me.
And there I saw the young lady, happily dancing on top of a chair.
What a cutie.
I mean, this witch is having a good time.Is this how happy she is about what she did to me?
"Lady Rebecca."
My heart fell with her as she stumbled to the ground in shock.
I didn't mean to startle her.
But everything suddenly became a blur when I saw a familiar flower.
Carefully placed on a piece of paper that had unfolded from the impact of her fall.I was sure—that was the last flower I gave her before they left the mansion.
I found hope that she might remember me… just as much as I remember her.
And in that moment, all the anger, all the doubts I had earlier—disappeared.I decided I would continue to serve her.To be with her, no matter what.
End of flashback.
"I really thought you were planning to attack Lady Rebecca back there," Miss Nam sighed in relief.
I was holding my breath until we reached the left wing of the mansion—then finally, a smile crept across my face.
But I still couldn't get over the joy of seeing that Lady Rebecca had kept my crown flower all these years.
Nothing could compare to this happiness.
It was such a relief to know that she'd been taking care of something so precious to me. It truly warmed my heart to see her quiet dedication… the bond we share, symbolized by that small, delicate flower.
I couldn't believe it.
"Hey, Freen, have you gone mad? What are you doing there, smiling like a madwoman?" Miss Nam asked, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
"I can't believe she kept—"
"I can't believe she kept it!"
"I can't believe she kept it!"
"She kept it!"
I was practically shouting now in, my heart bursting with joy.
"What do you mean? I'm confused! Will you stop shouting? And don't jump in the hallway—you're not a kid anymore!"
I didn't care about her scolding. I leapt forward and wrapped my arms around her, squealing with excitement.
"Miss Nam, she remembers me!"
"She remembers me!" I cried out, jumping while hugging her, even though she looked completely lost in the moment.
Let them think I've gone mad.
I don't care anymore.
I'm happy. I am so happy right now.