The next day, I went to my mistress’s room.

I needed to make sure she had rested properly.

I entered quietly.

Despite what I had seen the night before, I had to perform my duties as usual.

When I began removing the clothes she had worn the previous evening — the ones she had slept in — her face suddenly turned bright red. She was clearly embarrassed.

Her gaze shifted toward the window.

The guardian angel… was she still there?

When Madame asked me, in an almost timid voice, to accompany her to the bathroom instead, I understood that the angel was indeed present.

Ordinarily, Madame was never bothered by the idea of changing in her room.

I did not quite understand what could trouble her. A deity had no use for a naked body, did she? An angel was pure, free from impure thoughts.

Still, I followed her without argument.

Once inside the bathroom, she changed quickly. There, she seemed calmer, and I resumed my usual tasks.

From that day on, I better understood my mistress’s strange behavior:
the distant gazes, the low whispers, the gentle or dreamy expressions that sometimes crossed her face.

“It’s because she’s here — her guardian angel,” I thought.

Part of me felt relieved.

Madame was no longer alone.

And little by little, I discovered how human she truly was. She was no longer the icy figure who used to terrify me.

Whenever I saw her alone, I imagined that angel watching over her.

“I long to see her again…”

Who would have thought that one day I, Miyu, would have the chance to lay eyes on a deity?

One day, as I was walking toward the library — where Madame spent most of her rare moments of rest — I heard whispers.

Instinctively, I slowed my pace, making myself discreet.

Approaching on tiptoe, I saw them.

They were sitting side by side.

They were reading.

They were talking.

They were sharing with such understanding.

The angel’s red hair cascaded in silky waves over her shoulders.

From behind, she looked almost human.

I would never have imagined seeing Madame so close to someone.

Little by little, the manor seemed less dark, less austere.

And I was happy to live and work there.

“Miyu, I have to go to the capital, but I can’t find anything to wear… Help me.”

An entire hour.

That was how long she spent rummaging through her closets.

Normally, she never asked for help.

She was content with her dark clothes, which accentuated her cold and unapproachable demeanor.

But today was different.

I could see that she wanted to make a good impression.

Every detail seemed important. Her gaze, her gestures, her posture — everything about her revealed a certain nervousness.

Perhaps the angel would accompany her…

The very thought gave me renewed energy.

I found a beautiful dress and searched through the accessories.

“With these… it will be perfect,” I thought, a smile playing on my lips.

My lady looked magnificent in that outfit.

Though the dress was slightly dark, paired with the blackness of her hair, it suited her perfectly.

She seemed almost transformed: her cold demeanor replaced by that of a perfectly ordinary young woman.

And she appeared delighted with the result.

When she returned, she looked radiant.

Tired, certainly — but genuinely happy.

She carried a few bags and showed me what she had bought that day.

“What a lovely outfit!” I exclaimed enthusiastically.

She answered with a shy smile.

My work finished, I went to the kitchens to ensure everything was in order.

There, I ran into Satoshi and the two cooks, who were deep in conversation about Madame.

“Oh, I was truly surprised!” Satoshi said.

“Look what Madame bought me — it’s delicious!”

He wore a look of sincere joy.

“She has really changed lately…” added one of the cooks.

“Her gaze is softer, and she sometimes thanks us for our dishes.”

“Oh! Miyu, there you are! Don’t you agree?”

“Indeed.”

“Haha, still as serious as ever, even in the way you speak,” Satoshi teased.

“I’m simply happy to see her like this,” said the other cook gently.

“It’s as if she’s slowly opening herself to the world.”

It was true.

Her life had never been easy. Finding light when all around her was darkness…

Inwardly, I thanked her guardian angel.

But…

I was also a little resentful.

Why had she not come sooner?

The days were quiet when Madame attended the magic academy.

“She should not be long now,” I thought.

Suddenly, someone rang the doorbell.

It was a servant from Madame’s parents’ household. His presence was no coincidence.

“A letter for Lady Akame,” he said, handing me the envelope.

I opened it and read it quickly.

Then he added, in a curt tone,

“Please ensure everything is in order.”

And he left immediately.

Madame’s parents were returning the next day.

They were rarely at the manor, but as always, they gave notice at the last minute.

The letter was brief, yet authoritative:

Madame was to wear impeccable attire.

As for me, I was to ensure that all the guest rooms were prepared — in perfect condition.

The very idea of informing Madame made my blood run cold.

I decided to wait until after the meal. I did not wish to spoil her appetite.

But when she heard the news, her gaze froze.

Her face darkened.

A pang tightened around my heart.

She thanked me in an indifferent, almost mechanical tone.

It was as though the ice had begun to close once more around her soul.

“Help her…” I thought silently.