The room was a complete mess, buried under layers of dust and tangled cobwebs. Astrid couldn't suppress her involuntary cringe at the unsightly scene before her.
Compared to the luxurious guest room she had stayed in earlier, this was like a different world. Disappointment washed over her, and she couldn't help but wonder if her life of privilege had ill-prepared her for this.
In her world, Astrid had never known the sting of basic needs. Born into wealth, she spent her life lavishly, surrounded by opulence that separated her from those beneath her. Even though she had faced struggles in her family's business affairs, she still enjoyed every privilege.
Now, however, she confronted the harsh reality of starting anew and fending for herself in this unfamiliar realm. Perhaps this was karma, a way for the universe to teach her some humility, to make her appreciate a more modest life, as she always took all the previous luxury for granted.
Astrid knew her new role as a servant came with a change in circumstances, but the conditions here were far worse than she had anticipated. She didn't expect to be treated exactly as she was in her family, but this seemed born out of petty jealousy.
As she scanned the meager contents of the room once more – a small fireplace, a dimly lit lamp, a plain table, and a basic bed – she felt the weight of her dire situation.
Unaccustomed to such hardships, she was determined to survive, even though her current predicament made it seem like a daunting task.
She sighed deeply, contemplating her situation. She had never been one to abuse her position or bully others, but now, she found herself at the receiving end. This would be a steep learning curve, and she needed to find her footing quickly.
Ignoring the cobweb-covered room for a moment, Astrid settled on the bed. As soon as she sat down, the mattress sank, releasing a storm of dust into the air. She coughed as the particles filled her lungs.
Astrid knew she couldn't stay here, but neither could she simply walk away. With determination, she decided to undertake a thorough cleaning of the room.
She was resolute in making her surroundings more habitable. Astrid found a broom in the corner and began the arduous process of cleaning. Dust swirled through the air as she worked diligently to rid the room of cobwebs and grime.
After hours of cleaning, Astrid was a mess herself, with her clothes now covered in dust. She tried to brush herself off, but the fine particles seemed insistent, clinging to her like a relentless nightmare.
With the room finally clean, Astrid turned her attention to the bed. Clearing most of everything she felt accomplished.
She looked around, wondering where she could find water and cleaning supplies to mop the floor, but none were in sight.
Turning her attention to the table, which was bare except for a lamp, she decided to clean it as well.
While cleaning the table, she discovered a book tucked away in one of its drawers. It appeared to be a diary of sorts, secured but covered in dust, much like everything else in the room.
Astrid hesitated for a moment, wondering whether it was appropriate to read someone's personal diary. However, considering the state of the room, it seemed unlikely that anyone would return for it.
"If it's that important, I don't think the person would leave it here," she reasoned with herself and finally gave in to curiosity, opening the diary.
Inside, it contained information about the duties and divisions of maids.
Eager to understand her new role and the social etiquette of this era, Astrid started reading. She didn't want to overwhelm herself with too much information at once, so she only read a few pages before setting it aside. Fatigue was creeping in; it had been a long and eventful day and she needed a breather.
Having no luggage, Astrid had hung up her wet clothes she has been carrying all along.
Then, she stretched out on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and uncertainties. She still was unable to find anything useful to plan ahead. She didn't know the year or the exact phase of the story, making it challenging to plan her next move.
One clue she had gleaned was from Victor's warning about causing trouble for Lucifer. He had corrected her when she called Lucifer by his first name. Normally, such rumors from a bachelor would be insignificant, but Lucifer and the princess were set to get married. If rumors spread, it could have dire consequences. It indicated that the princess was still alive.
At least something is certain now, but how could she change the course of the story as an insignificant maid?
Astrid knew she needed to get closer to Lucifer to meet the princess, but she had no idea how to do that.
She couldn't simply ask Lucifer and Victor directly, as they were still wary of her presence. Making friends with Masha seemed impossible. To navigate this world and find answers, she would need new friends.
For a social butterfly like her, making friends had always been effortless. However, she hadn't considered how quickly rumors might spread within this mansion, nor how challenging it would be to approach anyone after becoming Lucifer's personal maid.
"Well," she thought aloud, "I can initiate interactions with others slowly tomorrow. Jumping in too fast might raise suspicions." Thinking like that, she thought books could help her.
However, her room didn't have access to books, except for one mainly about maid duties, which she would be briefed on tomorrow. Astrid understood the importance of the book but realized it wouldn't be of immediate help. So she kept it aside for now.
As this and that thought came, suddenly, her stomach rumbled loudly, a stark reminder of her immediate needs. Astrid hadn't eaten since her arrival in this world, and her hunger was becoming unbearable.
Frustration welled up inside her, and she muttered under her breath, "Providing shelter isn't enough; people need to eat and drink too." She couldn't help but curse Lucifer and his staff for not considering her basic needs.
She was shocked that no one had provided her with food. It wasn't just her; she hadn't seen Lucifer eat either since last night. She couldn't comprehend how he was surviving, while she felt like she might pass out from hunger at any moment.
Ufff~~
Astrid let out a sigh of exasperation. Her stomach was practically roaring now, and she couldn't afford to wait any longer. She needed a quick solution.
Initially, she had planned to go to sleep, but the hunger pang was hard to ignore. So, Astrid decided to take matters into her own hands.
Remembering Masha's mention of dinner preparations, Astrid knew there might be leftovers in the kitchen of the main mansion she had come from earlier.
"It was time to hunt down some sustenance," she voiced out, nodding her head as it seemed the only option now.
With the lamp from the table in hand, she ventured into the hallways, calling out for anyone who might be nearby. However, the empty corridors offered no response, and she began to feel the weight of solitude pressing in on her.
After what felt like an eternity of wandering, Astrid finally reached
the kitchen. It was well-lit, but no one was present. She looked around and found that most of the food had been cleared away, leaving only a few ingredients.
Astrid wasn't a culinary expert, but she knew enough to whip up something to fill her empty stomach. She discovered milk and dark chocolate, deciding on a comforting drink that would satiate her hunger and fill her up instantly, as her body screamed for some sugar.
She had always been a sweet tooth, and right now, nothing could replace the hunger except for something sweet. She took a bite of the chocolate, but it turned out to be pure dark chocolate, far more bitter than what she was used to. Her organic and fresh diet had never introduced her to this unique richness.
Despite the bitterness, she continued, taking another bite, and began to make herself some hot chocolate. It wasn't difficult, and she relished the warmth that spread through her as she sipped the steaming concoction.
She sat on the counter table, her surroundings bathed in the soft light of the lamp. It felt surprisingly peaceful. No one was there to disturb her, and her stomach slowly began to fill with the warm liquid, chasing away the pangs of hunger, her whole body dancing in rejuvenation.
As she savored the moment, the cool night breeze wafted through the open windows, and the silence of the mansion enveloped her.
Just as she was lost in the moment, Lucifer's voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts. Startled, she jumped in surprise, and the cup slipped from her hand, crashing to the floor and spilling its contents.
Lucifer, leaning against the doorframe, quirked an eyebrow. "I wondered what mouse was wandering around," he remarked with a sly smile. " Now tell me, should I call you little Red or little mouse? "
Astrid's heart raced, startled by his sudden appearance.