Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 377: Whispers in the Servants' Quarters

Seren had been praised for her looks since she was young.

Hearing Alyssa say such things now, she could not help lifting a hand to touch her own face.

Alyssa watched the small gesture carefully and caught every shift in her expression. After a moment, she sighed.

"Still," she said thoughtfully, "I doubt the Duchess will keep you close by her side."

Seren blinked. "Why not?"

"Because you're too pretty," Alyssa replied, tilting her head. "If you were the Duchess, would you keep a young, beautiful maid right beside you every day?"

Seren immediately understood what she meant. Her expression darkened.

Lowering her voice, Alyssa continued, "The Duke of Duskmoor is still in his prime. The Duchess is with child now, so she cannot always attend to him. If His Grace needs... comfort, the most convenient choice would naturally be someone serving nearby. And if the girl happens to be beautiful, well, it wouldn't be impossible for His Grace to take a liking to her."

Her voice softened, almost dreamy.

"A favored companion within a ducal household can live far more comfortably than many respectable wives outside."

She sighed again, long and wistful.

"Unfortunately, I'm not much to look at. His Grace would never notice me. But you're different. You stand out in any crowd."

She squeezed Seren's hand lightly.

"If you ever rise to become one of the Duke's favored ladies, don't forget about me. I don't ask for much. Just let me serve you closely, and I'll be satisfied."

Seren tried to sound modest. "That's not something that happens so easily."

But the corner of her mouth lifted before she could stop it.

Alyssa's smile widened. She patted Seren's hand.

"Fortune favors those who know how to seize their chance. Look at what happened today with Beatrice. Only the Duchess came to handle it. The Duke never even appeared. That tells you something about how much attention he gives her."

Seren fell silent, clearly considering the thought.

"And besides," Alyssa added with a knowing grin, "the Duchess may be beautiful, but she doesn't have your spark. Who knows? Maybe His Grace prefers someone lively like you."

Seren's cheeks flushed red. "You're talking nonsense..."

"How is that nonsense?"

Alyssa leaned close and whispered into her ear.

"Still, dear sister, His Grace uses a wheelchair. When the moment comes, you'll have to rely on your own charm."

Seren's face turned completely scarlet.

The two women chatted and laughed as they walked back toward the servants' quarters.

Alyssa did not stay in that room. After saying goodbye at the doorway, she returned to her own chamber.

Seren stepped inside and went straight to the vanity table. She sat down and studied her reflection in the mirror.

The longer she looked, the more convinced she became that she truly was beautiful.

But... does the Duke even like me?

"Why were you walking back with Alyssa?"

Her older sister Rosaline was tidying the room and noticed something unusual right away.

Seren and Rosaline were sisters by blood. Years ago they had both been sent into palace service and had worked in Elira's household.

Still staring into the mirror, Seren answered vaguely, "Nothing important. Just chatting."

Rosaline frowned slightly.

"That girl Alyssa is not what she seems," she said. "She flatters people to their faces, praising them as if they were perfect. Then she turns around and mocks them behind their backs. Whatever she told you, treat it like a joke and nothing more. Otherwise you'll end up being used."

Seren frowned in annoyance. "You think everyone is scheming."

Rosaline sighed.

"I'm your sister. I'm not trying to harm you. We were sent here from the palace, which puts us in a very delicate position. If anything goes wrong, the Duke's household won't keep us, and the palace certainly won't take us back. We might not even keep our lives."

She paused, lowering her voice.

"And think about the connections involved. Her Majesty and Lady Elira have their own relationship. Beatrice is one of Her Majesty's trusted attendants, and Alyssa happens to be Beatrice's niece. Do you really think someone like that is simple?"

Seren's patience snapped. "She didn't say anything like that. She only said I'm pretty."

Rosaline immediately sensed something.

"She praised your looks? Don't tell me she was encouraging you to compete with the Duchess for His Grace's favor."

Seren froze. That hesitation was answer enough.

Rosaline felt a surge of frustration.

"You foolish girl. There are countless beautiful women in the world, and the Duchess herself is extraordinary. Even if you are pretty, do you truly believe you could surpass her?"

She continued sharply, "And beauty is the least valuable quality a woman can have. Compare your background to hers. She is the daughter of a great general. Compare your abilities. Didn't you see how capable she was earlier today? She may be young, but she knows exactly how to handle people. How could you possibly outmaneuver someone like that?"

Rosaline shook her head.

"When she asked your name earlier, it wasn't because she liked you. She was warning you for breaking etiquette. And you didn't even understand that."

Seren tried to defend herself. "I never said I wanted to compete with her. I just think being one of the Duke's companions wouldn't be so bad. At least I'd never have to worry about food or clothes again, and someone would even serve me."

"You actually want that?" Rosaline laughed in disbelief.

"Didn't you hear what the Duchess said on Christmas Eve? She refuses to share her household with other women. Lady Elira has been trying to build a friendly relationship with her. If you offend the Duchess now, where does that leave Lady Elira? Do you have any idea how foolish you sound?"

Seren could not take another word.

She jumped to her feet so abruptly that the chair legs scraped harshly against the floor.

"Fine! You're the clever one! You're the beautiful one too! Happy now?"

Her voice rose into a near shout.

Her eyes reddened with anger and humiliation. Without even removing her shoes, she threw herself onto the bed and buried under the blankets.