Salvation of the Fallen - Chapter 9
The people in uniforms turned around in a hurry and yelled at Arsena. Holding her torn clothes tightly, Arsena hastened her steps even more. In an instant, reins were pulled abruptly, and the forelegs of two horses clattered against the ground as they passed by Arsena’s body. At the same time, Arsena went tumbling down.
“You crazy b***h! Are you crazy enough to want to die?!”
“What happened.”
“Someone just leaped out of nowhere. No. What’s wrong with this kid.”
As the coachman responded by busily stroking the horses, which were hardly able to calm their agitation, the gaze of the person who emerged from the carriage fell upon Arsena.
“Are you hurt… how did this happen to you?”
The person helping Arsena up whispered softly, his eyes filled with concern. Oh, excessive fortune seemed like misfortune. It was a face she had seen since childhood, the person who had served her father. He often appeared and handed money to her mother.
“I… my mother…”
Before Arsena could finish her sentence, there was a thump and a couple of knocks on the carriage. The butler grabbed her wrist, his eyes narrowing warningly. Arsena pressed her lips together, accepting the forced silence.
“I’m sorry. We’ll leave soon.”
The butler cleared his throat quickly, and a blond boy appeared through the window. A noble-looking boy, even at first glance. It wasn’t hard to tell who he was. His arrogant, low gaze caused the officers who had rushed in behind them to remove their hats and bow hastily.
“Good evening, young lord. Due to this child suddenly running away… We apologize.”
“Yes, thank you for your hard work.”
The boy nodded in response to the greeting, his gaze scanning the fallen Arsena. Arsena simply clutched her torn clothes in response to the blatant stares.
“Take her.”
“Me?”
The unexpected command surprised not only the butler but also Arsena. The boy’s gaze was captured in Arsena’s widened eyes. Their brief eye contact was indifferent.
“She can’t just leave. Take her home for her to see a doctor and get treatment.”
“Master, she’s just a common servant girl. I will take care of it.”
“Butler, she’s a person injured by my carriage.”
With a voice as cold and precise as ice, the man disappeared behind the curtains again as the butler bowed his head.
“Please, get in.”
“I’m fine…”
“A nobleman’s goodwill is not a favor.”
As Arsena desperately shook her head, the butler narrowed his eyes again. Arsena wasn’t allowed to refuse.
The carriage she boarded was spacious yet suffocatingly narrow. Sitting opposite her, legs crossed, was the son of her father. Wearing a neatly creased white uniform, the boy showed no sign of movement despite the swaying of the carriage. His gaze, like aiming at a target, was fixed on Arsena. It seemed as if that was his rightful position. His light smile couldn’t hide the icy blue eyes, filled with clear disdain and contempt. Eventually, Arsena had to lower her head to avoid his gaze.
“We’ll call for a doctor, so stay for a few days. It seems you have nowhere to go, but we can provide you with a job. We have many businesses run by the family, which can help you settle down.”
“Yes.”
A nobleman’s goodwill is not a favor. Arsena etched that phrase deeply in her mind as she bowed her head. Could she really go to her father’s house like this? What should she say when she sees her father? The carriage, carrying her unknown destiny, continued on.
* * *
“I’m back.”
“Welcome home. You must be tired.”
“I’m fine.”
Leaving the bustling streets behind, they soon arrived at her father’s house, which was warm and welcoming. The sunlight filtered deeply through the surroundings and the mother, who warmly welcomed her child, was especially comforting.
“It seems we have a guest.”
“Oh, Madam. That’s… “
After the brief exchange of greetings, the countess’s gaze fell upon Arsena. After a short explanation, the countess smiled gently at her.
“Welcome. You must have been very surprised. We’ll call for a doctor and have dinner together later. For now, please rest.”
“Thank you.”
Arsena’s meager shoulders hunched even more at the unfamiliar kindness. When she raised her head after bowing deeply, the countess had long disappeared.
“Follow me. Let’s give you a bath first.”
A maid-like figure took Arsena’s hand and led her. In the blink of an eye, Arsena found herself barefoot and immersed in warm water for the first time.
“Oh my, your hair is so long and tangled. It’ll take some time to untangle. Keep your eyes closed. It might sting a bit. Have you ever used soap before?”
“Um… yes…”
“No, it seems like you’ve lived in the countryside. Are you here to find work?”
“Yes.”
The maid continued, running her fingers through Arsena’s hair.
“Oh, you’re lucky then. You should mention it to the madam later. Ask her to let you work as a maid. Normally, you’d need a recommendation to work at a mansion of this caliber, but the madam is kind. Where else would nobles invite commoners to dine? Nowhere else, I assure you.”
“Ah…. Yes.”
“No, don’t act so timidly. It’s really good. Which noble treats commoners like this? It’s because she’s the countess. She’s different from other nobles. She doesn’t treat her servants harshly or whip them. Well, Lord Morpheus is a bit difficult, but he’s a decent person, and Miss Rosalyn is a really lovely person. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Don’t regret it, and make sure to mention it.”
The maid chattered on while caressing Arsena’s skin. After the red flesh had been rubbed and the unfamiliar scent had been added, the maid clasped her hands together in satisfaction.
“Alright, your clothes are in front of you. Rest for a while and come out. When else will someone like you get to soak in warm water? Oh! Don’t take too long. We’ve called for a doctor.”
* * *
“Hello. I’m Rosalyn.”
Entering a brightly lit dining room that could pass for daylight, a young child with luscious golden curls dashed out. Adorned in a lavish dress with rosy cheeks like roses and sparkling blue eyes, she greeted Arsena.
“Oh, hello.”
“I’ve been wanting to see you, but they wouldn’t let me leave my class. They’re all so mean.”
Rosalyn, with her chubby cheeks and pouting lips, was indeed as lovely as the maid had described. From head to toe, she was radiant, unlike Arsena.
“Don’t stand there, sit down.”
Can I really sit with nobility? Looking around with worried eyes, there was no one to answer Arsena’s question.
“It’s okay. My mom likes helping poor people. No one will say anything. Come sit next to me.”
Finally, Rosalyn got up and pulled Arsena to sit beside her.
“Black hair with blue eyes, I’ve never seen that before. It’s really unique. Wow, it’s so pitch black. I used to think black was vulgar, but it’s actually really pretty.”
Whether she realized it or not, Rosalyn couldn’t stop herself from touching Arsena’s hair. Arsena, with fingers as thin as dry twigs, could only fidget slightly. That was all she could do.
“Is Big Brother not here yet?”
Morpheus entered the dining room shortly afterward, dressed in casual clothes the color of the night sky, a deep indigo-blue, unlike his pure white attire of the day. His posture was as straight as a ruler. When his gaze brushed against Arsena, she quickly stood up and bowed her head. She had never learned how to act around nobility, but her body moved involuntarily. The fact that she was facing nobility, who had been born with a noble lineage, naturally weighed on Arsena. Just because they treated her like a person didn’t mean they were on the same level. This realization came late but was as heavy as a boulder.
