While Seraphine was in the servant quarters, Damian finished his dinner and made his way to his workroom, a secluded chamber where he would spend long nights immersed in the arduous tasks that awaited him.
Damian found himself immersed in a sea of paperwork back in his workroom. The flickering light of an oil lamp cast a warm glow on the desk, illuminating the countless documents that demanded his attention.
Marcus, the ever-loyal butler, stood faithfully by his side, assisting with the tedious tasks at hand. Damian's father, in a display of cruel irony, had burdened him with the majority of the estate's affairs, leaving him to shoulder the weight of responsibility. It was a deliberate ploy to torment Damian, a way for his father to shirk his duties as a parent and lord.
"Damn it, this is so troublesome," Cursing under his breath, Damian scratched his quill across the parchment, laboriously working through petitions and tax reports.His voice carried a mixture of exhaustion and exasperation, a reflection of the long nights he had endured.
"Take care not to overwork yourself, young master. Exhaustion may befall you if you push too hard," Marcus advised, genuine concern etched in his voice. He had witnessed Damian's relentless efforts over the past few days and worried about the toll it was taking on him.
"What other choice do I have, Marcus? There are no funds to hire advisors or additional staff to assist with these mundane tasks," Damian lamented, his displeasure evident. Despite his frustration, he maintained his composure, refusing to let his sour mood affect Marcus, who had done his utmost to support him.
"It is unfortunate that we find ourselves in this financial crisis. Shall we consider seeking further support from the Marquis?" Marcus suggested, hoping to alleviate the burden on Damian's shoulders.
"No need," Damian replied, a touch of bitterness tainting his voice. "He will simply ignore our pleas once again. I already expect nothing from him."
The estate faced numerous challenges during these troubled times. Famine and plague had struck the land, leaving the people in suffering. Damian, burdened with the weight of responsibility, felt powerless to alleviate their plight. Other nobles, perceiving the Ornstein family as crumbling and tarnished, distanced themselves, unwilling to offer support.
"Sir Damian, may I propose a rather unconventional solution, although it may appear somewhat absurd?" Marcus ventured cautiously, sensing Damian's frustration.
"What is it that you'd like to suggest to me?" Damian turned his head, his gaze shifting from the mountain of paperwork to Marcus, who was working diligently at another table beside him.
Marcus hesitated for a moment, knowing that his suggestion might be met with skepticism. "Well, should we consider letting Seraphine try her hand at the document work?" he finally proposed. He understood the audacity of his suggestion, as it was unconventional and could be seen as disrespectful to allow a slave to handle the tasks that were typically reserved for the lord.
"Seraphine? Do you mean that new slave?" Damian's curiosity piqued as he turned his full attention to Marcus.
"Yes, Young Master. During our conversation after I brought her to the estate, it became evident that she possesses education and intellect that might enable her to handle these tasks proficiently," Marcus explained, his tone laced with surprise and admiration.
"This is quite surprising. I thought you despised commoners or those of lowly status," Damian commented, his brow furrowing in contemplation.
"Well, ordinarily, I would hold such biases based on social standing. However, I also consider the worth and qualities of an individual. In the case of Seraphine, she has proven to be an extraordinary girl who has surpassed my expectations," Marcus responded, his voice filled with genuine appreciation.
Damian found himself agreeing with Marcus's assessment, acknowledging that Seraphine possessed a unique essence that set her apart. His curiosity deepened as he inquired about her background.
"Do you have any knowledge of her background? I'm curious to learn more about her," Damian asked, his intrigue evident.
"The information provided by the slave trader was scarce. Apparently, she was a lost girl, her village ravaged and burned down by a bandit group. She was captured and sold as a slave. Beyond that, there is little else known about her," Marcus informed Damian, revealing the limited details available about Seraphine's past.
The scarcity of information only fueled Damian's curiosity further, as her existence is completely unknown to him.
"Well, I think it's worth putting her to the test for a few days. Clinging to useless notions of dignity by preventing a slave from engaging in paperwork will serve no purpose," Damian concluded, his voice tinged with a newfound sense of openness to exploring Seraphine's potential.
"Aside from that, I heard that you starved her for a whole week. Is there a reason behind that?" Marcus inquired, his concern evident as he questioned Damian about his intentions. He felt a pang of guilt knowing that Seraphine had endured hunger for an entire week.
"I didn't actually intend to starve her. It was simply a test, a way to gauge her response," Damian responded, a slight smile playing at the corners of his lips.
"A test?" Marcus's curiosity deepened as he sought to understand Damian's motives.
"Yes, I wanted to observe her choice between maintaining her dignity and seeking comfort. It seems she has quite a strong sense of pride," Damian explained, his focus shifting between writing the document and engaging in conversation.
"Furthermore, I didn't truly starve her. I merely prohibited her from entering the kitchen. If the other maids were willing, they could still bring her some food. This would create a pitiful situation for her and elicit sympathy from the other servants, potentially fostering new bonds of friendship," Damian elaborated, revealing the underlying intention behind his seemingly harsh actions.
Though Damian's approach lacked sympathy on the surface, he had meticulously planned and orchestrated the situation to unfold in this manner.
"What if there were no maids help her?" Marcus pressed further, wanting to understand the extent of Damian's provisions.
"No need to worry. I have already instructed Lily to be prepared for such a scenario. She won't go hungry, I assure you," Damian reassured Marcus, alleviating any concerns regarding Seraphine's well-being.
With the paperwork completed, Damian stretched his fatigued muscles and made his way to the window, gazing out at the night sky adorned with a crescent moon.
"I hope you will continue to bring forth even more intriguing moments, Seraphine," Damian murmured, his voice carrying a mix of anticipation and curiosity.