Does she not even have the right to cry alone in peace?
The so-called respect that Fulo promised to Moliyaer was utterly impossible to expect.
Just like how Pinxixi talks about free transfers but actually wants to invite a bunch of new users, the arrogant noble Moliyaer’s respect comes on the premise of her submission.
She would never accept that!
“Please don’t wear such a bitter expression, and don’t choose silence either. A girl who closes her mouth won’t let anyone understand her feelings. A noble lady who keeps quiet only makes things difficult for us.”
The head maid, looking troubled, held out a light pink evening dress that was clearly tailored for her.
Who knew how many similar dresses they had prepared while she was still unconscious and in this current state?
If everything was meant to make her voluntarily accept her current identity and completely fall from grace, then she should reject any female attire they offered.
“No!”
If silence makes you uncomfortable, then she chooses refusal instead.
What will you do about it?
The black-haired head maid smiled slightly, clearly pleased with this answer.
“Yes, that’s exactly it. A qualified noble needs to learn to say no to what they dislike and clearly give orders to us servants. Miss Fulo Emerald, please allow me to introduce myself.”
She adjusted her already neat black and white maid uniform and bowed elegantly to Fulo.
When Fulo looked up, the smile on her face vanished.
She was twenty-three or twenty-four years old, the granddaughter of the Delan Duke family’s head maid—Linco Yalis.
Fulo had seen her before; when she visited Moliyaer’s house, that woman introduced herself.
To be honest, the expressionless version now matched Fulo’s impression of this strict maid much better.
After a brief introduction, Linco ordered the other four maids who came with her to show the dresses they had brought.
Pale yellow, deep blue, and many other dresses dazzled the eye.
“With your temperament, you could pull off any of these styles without issue. Please choose whichever you like so we can help you dress and prepare.”
“I don’t want any. Can you all just leave? I have no intention of going out, nor the mood to wear dresses.”
Fulo absolutely refused to give in.
Letting Moliyaer and the others succeed would be her greatest failure.
Even if she couldn’t leave this villa, at least she could disgust them.
She had already attempted suicide before; any physical punishment was bearable.
She just didn’t believe her noncompliance wouldn’t wear down their patience.
“Clothing is part of etiquette. To become a proper lady, appearance is very important. If you don’t like these styles, I can find a tailor to make something for you. Nowadays, ladies aren’t limited to dresses…”
“Then find me clothes that a man would wear.”
Since they wanted her to wear formalwear, her request wasn’t unreasonable.
She would do whatever helped maintain her own awareness, and resist anything that didn’t.
“Then you might as well go naked.”
“?”
Fulo stared at Linco in confusion, not quite understanding what she had just heard.
The head maid’s expression didn’t change.
“Miss’s orders are absolute. We will fulfill your requests only insofar as you obey and complete the noble etiquette you are meant to master. Clothes meant for men? That request alone shows your attitude. If you don’t want to wear a dress, then don’t wear one. That way, you won’t dirty the clothing during training.”
When the maids stripped off her pajamas earlier, they had done so without hesitation.
Fulo had every reason to believe that if she said no once more, Linco would indeed strip her down completely.
Dignity, freedom, and self-respect were things Fulo still believed she could pursue.
Her sense of shame would never let her stand naked before five strange women and under Moliyaer’s watch.
Even though her gender was the same now…
What exactly was this?
If Moliyaer and the others wanted a completely obedient tool, why not just brainwash her?
Did they really want her to gradually submit, developing something like Stockholm Syndrome before they were satisfied?
Was this how feudal nobles enjoyed training their pets…
Fulo said nothing more and sank into silence.
Linco naturally took this as a sign of compromise.
The maids all moved in unison, slipping the long dresses over her, tying the ribbons.
Her blue hair was tied into twin ponytails draping over her shoulders, and subtle makeup was applied perfectly.
An exquisite necklace was fastened, and thin white stockings magically slipped on.
Dressed up, she was brought before a full-length mirror.
When she snapped out of her melancholy, the reflection before her looked like a bouquet of flowers refined by a gardener—exquisitely elegant and beautiful.
Her gaze became somewhat dazed.
If she had been this beautiful girl in the mirror from the start, instead of the haggard mess, maybe her life would have been very different.
“Look, how perfect it suits you.”
The maids’ applause rang out around her.
They were pleased with the smooth success of their work.
Of course, but to Fulo, their applause felt like slaps across her face, mocking her resistance and fragility.
So what if she didn’t want it?
Even if forced into this, she would eventually accept it on her own.
Moliyaer had seized on this trait of hers, which probably explained the reckless oppression she had suffered before.
“Since you’re changed, Miss Fulo, you may now eat.”
Linco’s voice finally brought Fulo out of her daze.
She nodded blankly.
Seeing her docile, Linco lifted the skirt of her Gothic maid outfit slightly and took two steps back.
A round table appeared in the room, and the maids brought in dishes while Linco began her introduction.
“Per Miss Yi’s orders, we have prepared the flavors you like.
Today’s breakfast features blue cheese from the Bailer Autonomous Territory, Blue Tear Berries from Frostwhisper Forest, roasted fire lizard tails from the Scorching Rock Mountains, and fresh bread just out of the oven from the old bakery in the city.
This will be your last meal you may enjoy without etiquette education beginning.”
Fulo’s mind had just risen with the thought of cooperating for now, looking for a way to escape later.
She looked at the food on the table and then at the head maid, quickly shaking off her dullness.
“Are you sure this is food I like?”
Add a “not” at the front. Besides the bread, was there anything edible here?!
The cheese smelled sour and rancid, the wild berries were cold and tart, and the roasted lizard tail was greasy.
She was sure she hadn’t shown any fondness for such strong flavors when living with those people…
No, Moliyaer did this on purpose.
This woman had deliberately picked foods she couldn’t swallow!
Was that really necessary?
She could just not feed her at all—it made no sense.
Did they want her to beg in exchange for normal food?
Or did they just enjoy tormenting her?
Trying to understand them only made her feel abnormal herself.
Anyway, she could endure suffering.
She just gritted her teeth and swallowed what she disliked.
Keeping her strength and sanity was far more important than stubborn resistance.
Fulo understood this and picked up the knife and fork, slicing off a piece of the lizard tail, stacking it with cheese on bread, and stuffing it in.
“Tea? Isn’t there a drink for breakfast?”
She hadn’t forgotten Linco’s words.
Since she was allowed to use the maids’ service, she wouldn’t waste it.
But Linco only smiled, clearly not intending to fulfill her request.
“Tea etiquette will be your first lesson. Don’t worry; you can drink as much as you want then.”
“Can’t I have a cup now?”
Fulo muttered but knew this was Moliyaer’s cruel joke.
She gritted her teeth and bit into the hopeless sandwich.
The slippery, mixed flavors flooded her mouth, and Fulo felt like she was seeing a revolving lantern.
She couldn’t help but recall playing with Moliyaer as a child.
Back then, the noble lady often found strange foods to make her taste as part of their games.
Fulo didn’t think Moliyaer wanted to rekindle their old friendship.
She understood her true intention.
The foods she once would never have chosen to eat were strangely delicious to her now.
Her taste preferences had already been changed.