Duke Koschei, the true owner of this land, and Yelena's employer.
But Yelena had never truly met Koschei, and presumably, he hadn't either.
"It is my honor, my Lord," Yelena bowed, feeling a chilling gaze scrutinize her.
"Lift your head," a voice came from in front.
Yelena could only look up, meeting Koschei's eyes.
A cold, damp air filled the room.
She shivered violently.
"May I ask if Your Grace has something to discuss?" Yelena initiated the conversation.
"Something, you say?" Koschei glanced backward.
Yelena followed his gaze and saw a child standing in Koschei's shadow.
A child?
It was a person, at least Yelena could be sure of that.
"Come, Talulah, come here," Koschei turned and pushed the small figure into the light in front of him. Yelena squinted, making out her features.
It was indeed a child, a girl.
Dressed in nice clothes, with a pair of 'horns' on her head.
A Vaivan?
Yelena guessed, but it was too dark; she couldn't see clearly.
Koschei noticed Yelena's situation and pushed the girl forward a little more.
Yelena saw her face: an exquisite, beautiful face that would make anyone feel better just by looking at it.
But...
Her face was covered in dust, and she lacked the vitality a child her age should have, her eyes appearing lifeless.
And...
Why were there shackles on her hands?
"Your Grace, this child is...?" Yelena couldn't help but ask.
Koschei was waiting for that question.
"She..." the cold man affectionately stroked Talulah's head and said in his equally cold voice, "She is my adopted daughter, recently taken in. She encountered some difficulties in the past, her biological parents both died, so I brought her here. I now need your help."
"What kind of help does Your Grace need?"
"I hope you will become her maid."
Yelena was a little confused.
"Not my maid, but Talulah's maid. You no longer need to obey me; from now on, you will always follow her," Koschei said indifferently, still stroking Talulah's head, "What do you think of this girl?" Koschei asked again.
"...Very pitiful," Yelena said truthfully.
"Then can you be responsible for her daily life and follow her?"
"I'd be glad to," Yelena agreed without much hesitation.
Koschei's tone never left any room for negotiation.
"Her room has been cleaned. Take her there. I will announce this at tonight's banquet."
"Yes, my Lord, I will attend with her," Yelena pulled Talulah to her side.
Koschei corrected, "You no longer need to use honorifics. I am no longer your employer."
"Understood, Duke Koschei," After saying this, Yelena still bowed and led little Talulah out.
The room was silent for a while, then someone walked in.
"Sir, this is Yelena's life history. It took some time to pick it out from the archives."
It was his butler, holding a government document.
"Hmm, just tell me," Koschei sat in his chair, casually rummaging through a desk drawer.
"Yes, Sir. As you suspected, Yelena was adopted. Valery was fifty-one when he registered her.
As for where..."
The butler flipped through the document in his hand, hesitating.
"It doesn't say, does it?" Koschei said.
"No, Sir. According to the records at the time, Valery adamantly refused to disclose the orphanage where he adopted Yelena, but this was not a mandatory requirement."
"Indeed not," Koschei looked up and asked the old man who had followed him for many years, "What do you think of Yelena?"
"Yelena... a kind, filial child. Honestly, I envy Valery for having such a daughter."
The old butler sighed.
"A friend?"
"Yes, Sir, he and I have known each other since childhood."
"Alright, he's old enough to retire. Let it be."
"Alas, he still did it for Yelena," The butler sighed and walked out of the study.
The room fell silent again.
Yelena, Yelena.
If I hadn't accidentally seen the magic fluctuations in the crowd, I might never have guessed.
Koschei pulled a file from the drawer. A symbol was clearly printed on the brown kraft paper.
A solid black triangle.
Did those Assistants send you?
No.
But that glove is undeniable evidence.
Rejuvenation?
What a wondrous spell.
What kind of surprise will you bring to my plan?
...
Yelena did not know Koschei's suspicions, but she would not admit them anyway, as she was a native Ursus.
"Your name is Talulah, right?"
Yelena held Talulah's hand, leading her to the prepared room.
But Talulah just followed her, not saying a word.
The shackles had been removed, but the little girl still showed no vitality.
Yelena led her into the room and stood before her.
Seriously and solemnly, she performed a standard maid's bow.
"Please allow me to introduce myself, Yelena, a maid. From now on, I am yours."
The Elafia maid in front of Talulah smiled brightly, her beautiful blue eyes full of tenderness.
"Mm," she replied softly.
That was the beginning of a new life.