Chapter 389: Arielle’s New Daily Life (1)
Arielle woke up to the soft sound of birds chirping outside her window, the morning light filtering through the heavy curtains of her room. She blinked, momentarily confused by her surroundings. It still felt strange to be in such a lavish room, the soft sheets of the large bed she slept in, the gentle floral scent that hung in the air, the meticulously arranged furniture—it was all a far cry from the dingy cell she had been confined to not too long ago. She took a deep breath, her gaze wandering to the fine tapestries on the walls and the plush rug that covered the stone floor.
She pushed herself up, stretching out her arms as she glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. It was still early, just after dawn, but Arielle had always been an early riser. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, her bare feet touching the soft rug. The sensation made her smile—she could certainly get used to this kind of comfort.
There was a soft knock on the door, and before she could respond, the door opened slightly. A young maid entered, her eyes bright and her smile polite.
"Good morning, Lady Arielle," the maid said, her voice soft as she approached the bed with a tray in hand. "I’ve brought your tea."
Arielle blinked, watching as the maid set the tray on the table beside her bed, the delicate china cup and saucer clinking softly as they were placed down. She couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward—she had never had anyone wait on her like this before.
"Uh, thank you," Arielle said, her voice a bit hesitant. The maid just smiled, bowing slightly before turning to leave.
Arielle sighed, shaking her head slightly as she picked up the cup, the warm aroma of the tea filling her senses. She took a sip, savoring the taste as she looked out the window at the castle grounds below. It was beautiful here—peaceful in a way that she wasn’t quite used to yet. The luxury of it all was almost overwhelming, but she couldn’t deny that she enjoyed it. Maybe just a little.
She set the cup down, standing up and making her way over to the desk that sat in the corner of the room. Papers were already spread out across its surface, the ink on some of them still drying from her late-night work. She sighed as she looked down at the documents, her fingers brushing over the edges of the parchment. There was still so much to do—trade permits to approve, finances to balance, reports to go over. She picked up a quill, dipping it in ink before she began to work, her mind slowly slipping into the familiar rhythm of her duties.
She had to admit—it was different now. She wasn’t just a secretary, working under the thumb of a corrupt noble. Now, she had authority—real authority. She had the power to make changes, to improve the lives of the people in the territories under Lyan’s rule. It was empowering, and a part of her relished the responsibility. It was what she had always wanted—a chance to prove herself, to make a difference. And Lyan had given her that chance.