Episode 4 : Louis's plan

The maids were busy inside the room, preparing themselves carefully. They were selecting dresses and jewelry, wanting to present their best appearance in hopes of being chosen by Queen Serah later that day.

Meanwhile, Beatrice, the head maid, stood silently, observing every movement of the young girls with a sharp and attentive gaze.

“Arwen, please keep an eye on them. I will go to report to Princess Serah,” she said to her assistant, who had been her right-hand woman for the past five years.

“Yes, Lady Beatrice,” Arwen replied promptly.

The woman swiftly stepped forward, taking Beatrice’s place to supervise the young maids. She immediately began giving instructions, making sure none of them spent too much time choosing dresses or jewelry for the upcoming presentation.

“I want all of you to maintain proper conduct when you meet Queen Serah later,” Arwen said firmly amid the busy scene of girls examining the many ornaments arranged neatly on a large, round wooden table made of fragrant wood. “Do you understand?”

“We understand, Lady Arwen,” they answered in unison, bowing quickly—everyone except Helena.

Helena remained busy selecting jewelry, even casually putting on a bracelet while Arwen was speaking seriously.

The other maids immediately fell silent upon noticing Helena’s behavior. They exchanged uneasy glances. Arwen was already staring at her sharply.

“Helena, did you not hear Lady Arwen speaking?” said one young maid, slightly older than Helena, as she pulled Helena’s hand aside.

Helena grew irritated, her moment of enjoyment disrupted. She shot an unfriendly glare at the girl.

“Yes, I heard her. So what?” she replied rudely, showing no manners at all.

Arwen merely shook her head slowly. She could not understand why a girl like that had been chosen as a special offering. Would she not only cause trouble for the others? Worse still, Beatrice’s competence would surely be questioned because of her.

“Miss Helena, please mind your attitude,” Arwen said, urging the girl to behave more properly.

Instead of listening, Helena grew even more dismissive.

“I was personally chosen by King Louis. I am special—unlike all of you,” she said arrogantly.

Without another word, Helena walked out of the room, taking several pieces of jewelry and a dress she intended to wear later. She ignored Arwen completely, offering neither respect nor courtesy. Before leaving, she cast a sharp glance behind her and disappeared from the room.

Arwen turned to look at the now-empty doorway, then faced the remaining maids.

“I need all of you to keep an eye on her once you become attendants to the Queen. Do not let her do anything foolish that could harm others—or herself. Do you understand?” Like Beatrice, she gave a firm and authoritative command.

“We understand, Lady Arwen,” they replied in unison.

“Now continue your preparations. We will gather in front of the chamber later this afternoon.”

The maids resumed their activities, while Arwen continued to supervise them until each of them had finished choosing everything they would wear.

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Meanwhile, Beatrice was standing before Serah, bowing halfway in respect. It was clear that the two of them had just finished discussing something, as Serah wore a faint smile before firmly closing the philosophy book in her hands, titled “Taeis heauton.”

“Thank you for your honesty, Lady Beatrice. I truly appreciate it,” Serah said, her tone calm yet sincere. “You may leave now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty…,” Beatrice replied, then excused herself after delivering her report.

Once Beatrice had left the room and closed the door behind her, Serah rose from her seat. The smile on her lips became more pronounced.

“Ah, Louis…, it seems you are truly restless, and already eager to launch your first move through that little girl of yours,” she murmured, folding her arms across her chest.

Serah grew increasingly impatient to see what kind of plan Louis and Helena were preparing against her. Now, she felt as though she were standing upon a chessboard, and Helena would be the very first piece to advance on Louis’s side.

The maid servants were escorted into the chamber by Beatrice and Arwen, who entered first, while Serah was already waiting inside.

“Your Majesty, as promised, the girls are waiting outside,” Beatrice said, bowing slightly as she delivered her report regarding the maid servants to be presented.

“Have them come in,” Serah replied, seated with composed elegance as she awaited them.

Beatrice inclined her head briefly, then cast a discreet glance toward Arwen, who understood at once. The woman, thirty-five years of age, moved swiftly toward the door.

“Her Majesty wishes to see you,” she announced to the girls waiting outside, gesturing for them to enter.

One by one, the maidservants stepped into the room in orderly fashion—backs straight, posture disciplined, eyes lowered in deference. Yet when Helena was about to enter, Arwen released a quiet breath.

“Helena, lower your gaze,” she said softly, correcting the girl’s posture, which she found improper—too proud, too defiant, her chin lifted too high.

Helena shot her a sharp, displeased look, but ultimately complied.

The girls then formed neat lines on both sides of the chamber. Serah rose to her feet.

The maidservants bowed deeply. Helena’s bow, however, was imperfect—she even dared to lift her face, her eyes meeting Serah’s in a bold, unyielding stare. Beatrice and Arwen noticed immediately. Serah, however, did not react at all, as though Helena’s audacity was of no consequence.

“Rise,” Serah said calmly, then walked between the two rows, her gaze sweeping across each girl with measured scrutiny.

Just as she was assessing her choices, Louis suddenly entered, accompanied by two attendants. Without hesitation, he strode straight into Serah’s chamber, the door still open.

Everyone bowed once more in respect—including Helena, who this time bowed properly.

Louis approached Serah at once, slipping an arm around her slender waist, wrapped in an emerald-green Victorian gown, and pressed a brief kiss against her.

Serah stiffened—not because of the kiss itself, but because it felt different now.

Since uncovering Louis’s betrayal and the design he had set in motion, everything about him felt cold, hollow. Every gesture of affection was merely a façade—carefully maintained to quietly claim her territory.

Nearby, Helena watched the scene with burning jealousy. She bit down on her lip, fingers tightening around the fabric of her skirt. In her heart, she vowed that she would one day humiliate Serah.

“So,” Louis said smoothly, “have you chosen your attendants yet? They are the finest maids trained personally under Lady Beatrice.”

“I am in the process of choosing,” Serah replied, forcing a polite smile while still enclosed within Louis’s embrace.

“Ah, then allow me to present the best among them.” Louis finally released her and stepped toward the girls. He reached for Helena’s hand, and she immediately bowed to him.

“Her name is Helena Esmerus,” he said. “She is my special gift to you, Serah.”

Helena felt a flicker of unease as she was led directly before Serah, who stood poised and regal. Still, she followed Louis’s lead—this was part of the plan.

“My respects to you, Your Majesty,” Helena said, bowing with hesitation, her eyes betraying her as they repeatedly flicked upward toward Serah.

Louis let out a low, restrained growl. He feared Helena’s lack of discipline might provoke Serah into refusing her—and ruin everything.

Yet Serah merely smiled, as if she had noticed nothing at all.

“Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty Louis,” she said, her expression bright—almost delighted, as though she had received a most precious gift.

“I am glad you are pleased, Princess Serah,” Louis replied, a faint, knowing smile curving his lips. “I trust Helena will become someone you rely upon—and serve you well while you remain in this palace.”

“Of course, Louis,” Serah thought silently. I am curious to see what this girl intends to do to me…

Her gaze met Louis’s, and she returned his thin smile with one just as deliberate—and just as dangerous.

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