"My lady, are you really starting training today?"
Aima set aside the corset that Bree wouldn't be wearing today. Bree was slowly forgetting about the corset. With sword and horseback training almost every day, Bree never thought to wear such items. Bree had already asked a tailor to create loose pants to wear under the coat. Bree planned to wear just the pants for training in the future. Dresses were too cumbersome.
"Did you inform Rad about this? He's the one who asked, isn't he?" Bree, tying her hair, turned to look at Aima for a moment.
"Yes, Duchess. He inquired about your condition yesterday and asked when you would resume training. I then reported to you, and you said you would start training today. After that, I reported to the Duke, and he simply nodded." Aima sighed.
Aima was very patient, and she had to be. Both of them treated her like a carrier pigeon for messages. Going back and forth, delivering messages.
After the morning when Bree had a fever, Bree hadn't communicated in any form with Rad, and that was four days ago. Bree also didn't expect them to communicate because she had freely threatened to kill Rad yesterday. It would be a bit awkward if they met again.
Bree was worried that Rad would stop sword training after that. But apparently not. Yesterday, Bree almost cheered when Aima brought the news that Rad asked about her training. This was a breath of fresh air because Bree didn't have to ask Rad directly.
Bree still wanted to kill Rad, but she needed him right now. Without him, Bree would forever be at a beginner's level. Even though she didn't want to see Rad's face again, Bree had to restrain herself for the smooth execution of the plan to save her father.
Bree took a deep breath, strengthening her resolve to stay focused today. Not easily swayed by Rad's attitude.
"I'll help you." Aima offered to help, as Bree's hair tie was not up to par.
Aima took the ivory comb Bree handed her and began to undo Bree's hair. Bree had only made her hair more tangled, so Aima had to redo the hair tie instead of fixing it.
"How about I just cut it?" Bree picked up the end of her hair, examining it seriously.
"NO!" Aima suddenly exclaimed while gripping the end of Bree's hair, making Bree jump.
"What's wrong? Why?" Bree turned around, looking at Aima in confusion.
"You can't have short hair. Short hair is... Hmm. Usually associated with... women. I mean...a harlot or..."
"I understand. Too bad." Bree cut off Aima's explanation with a nod. Aima struggled to choose the right words to say. She hesitated to use the term 'harlot' because she had seen Bree get angry when she heard it.
Bree looked at her auburn-colored hair. Slightly reddish-brown, dark but not black. She didn't know about the customs of hair. Bree's sole focus remained on the world of painting. She didn't care about anything else. Apparently, there were many unique things out there.
Bree had never had a problem with her hair. But now she wanted practicality. Bree wanted to move more freely, but her short hair seemed a bit excessive. Bree didn't know how people would comment if she wore long pants and short hair later. The gossip circulating would certainly be more vicious than it is now.
"If women with short hair are usually associated with that, why don't the women who've ever slept with Rad ever have short hair?" Bree asked openly.
Aima stopped her hand movements, and her face panicked. It was a very sensitive question, and Aima felt that if she answered wrongly, Bree would be angry with her.
"I... I don't know." Aima continued combing Bree's hair while looking down, while Bree tapped her fingers on the table.
If Bree remembered all the women with Rad that she had seen, both in the current timeline and the past, they all had long hair. If the rule about short hair was true, they should all have short hair. If necessary, be bald without any hair. Bree imagined Rad would lose interest if that were the case.
"Angry wives used to forcibly cut the hair of women like that when they found out their husbands were involved with women like that. Then it became a habit." Aima explained hesitantly, carefully choosing her words.
"Do I need to do that too?" Bree was suddenly tempted and glanced at the sword leaning against the wall near the door.
There was no need for sword training if she wanted to do that. She just needs courage and intention. Bree didn't have both back then; now Bree has them.
"For that... it's up to you." Aima played it safe, neither forbidding nor approving.
"Very tempting, Aima. I imagine it would be very satisfying."
Bree smiled slowly, imagining it. Dragging one of Rad's women when they were together and then forcibly cutting their hair seemed like a good plan. But it made her seem caring. Although she shouldn't care about Rad.
"I won't do it. It's not elegant, and it lowers my dignity." Bree decided while shrugging.
"He can sleep with any woman he wants until he dies." A curse accompanied Bree's permission.
Aima didn't dare to say anything else. This was already a dangerous matter; she could see Bree holding back her anger.
"Hmm... about Rad's women, haven't you heard any rumors or gossip in town? I mean, who are they, or what are his criteria for choosing women?"
Bree suddenly became curious. She wanted to know what kind of woman Rad was interested in. It was a question that made Aima pale.
"In town, there's only gossip that Duke Valois is a womanizer. As for who his women are, I don't know too much, but some servants say he doesn't just accept any woman. Campy chooses them."
Bree laughed cynically. Not surprising, they just labeled Rad a womanizer. While women had to suffer having their hair cut, it was unfair because, in Bree's eyes, Rad and those women were all the same. Equally vile and cheap.
"Are they always different?" Bree was still curious.
"Not always. There are about eight different women. They take turns serving—I mean, being brought here. That's what other servants say; I don't know exactly."
Aima added the disclaimer about not knowing because she could see Bree's face getting scarier. Aima wanted to avoid taking the blame. Aima had worked here almost at the same time as Bree's arrival. Her information about Rad's behavior was also limited.
But it was new information for Bree. She never dared to ask anyone about it before. It was too painful and too frightening.
Bree shook her head, regretting bringing up this conversation. Now her mood worsened, even though it was a bright day.
Earlier, Bree's enthusiasm was as radiant as the sun today, but it was abruptly shattered by Rad. But then Bree was grateful. With this resentment, maybe she could become immune to Rad's charm. This was the right time to remember that the man was despicable.
"Let's go!" Bree walked quickly to the castle's side yard. According to Aima, Rad had said they would train in the same place as yesterday.
Bree felt she had to hurry because she didn't want to hear Rad's taunts about being undisciplined. Bree's footsteps quickened, but she slowed down when her eyes caught someone standing under the same barren tree as yesterday.
The man was despicable but very punctual. However, Bree's steps slowed even more when she saw long, curly hair. The man waiting for her wasn't Rad, but Edmond.
"Good morning, Duchess." Edmond greeted her politely, bowing.