Martha spoke softly as she picked up a clean, long white dress. It was the same dress she had worn on her wedding day.
Lena washed the dirty black ashes off her face, revealing her beautiful features. She was a 16-year-old girl with bright, sparkling eyes.
"Do you think Master East will allow me to be his maid? I'm worried he won't want someone like me…" Lena said as she took off her dirty clothes and slipped into the long white dress her sister handed her.
"You are so beautiful, dear sister!" Martha smiled at her. She admired Lena's fair skin, soft black hair, big eyes, small lips, and delicate nose. "You are so lovely, Lord East will surely agree! If he doesn't, you can say that you are fulfilling a promise to serve him and his family, and he won't be able to refuse you."
"Is that really okay?" Lena asked shyly, a blush creeping onto her fair face.
But she couldn't help but think of Lord East's tall, handsome appearance. What struck her the most was not just his looks but also the noble air he carried, his gentle voice, and the warm smile he always wore.
The thought of him made Lena's pale face flush even redder.
Martha hugged her sister and gently kissed her forehead. "Go on, dear! Be brave! That lord is truly a good person. Even if you make a small mistake, I doubt he would hold it against you."
Lena smiled at her sister, kissed her little nephew, who was snuggling against her mother, and quietly stepped out of the house.
Outside, the crowd had long since gone, and the sky was darkening.
Lena carefully avoided the puddles on the road and made her way to Jason Liu's house, which was just a few steps away. She knocked softly on the door.
Jason Liu had spent the entire afternoon helping the neighbor's baby girl. He was so focused on her treatment that he had almost forgotten about his business.
When he heard the knock, he thought something might be wrong with the baby and hurried downstairs to open the door.
"Uh—"
He was taken aback to see a pretty girl with western features standing at the door.
With a puzzled look in his eyes, he asked, "Hello, how can I help you?"
Lena was also surprised. Seeing the confused expression on the young man's face made her realize something. Her face turned slightly red, and she whispered, "Lord East, I'm Martha's sister, Lena. We just met a moment ago…"
Martha's sister? Had he seen her before?
Jason Liu thought back to his visit to Martha's house and realized he hadn't noticed such a beautiful girl there.
He recalled the girl he had seen earlier, whose face was covered in dirt and ashes. Now, with her face washed clean and dressed in a nice outfit, she looked entirely different.
"Oh, I remember you! You were the girl next to Martha earlier, but you—you look so beautiful!" Jason blurted out without thinking.
Lena's cheeks turned bright red, resembling a ripe apple. She lowered her head, unable to meet Jason Liu's gaze.
Seeing her shy demeanor made Jason feel awkward. He almost forgot that this wasn't a modern world. In the conservative North, commenting so openly about someone's beauty could be seen as inappropriate.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Jason looked away, realizing he was still blocking the door and preventing the girl from entering.
As Lena followed him inside, she heard him call her "Miss" and immediately shook her head in alarm. "Sir, I'm not a lady! I'm just a farm girl…"
She was startled because she thought he might be upset. In modern times, the word "miss" could sometimes carry a negative connotation.
However, she quickly realized that he wasn't scolding her at all. He was genuinely surprised that she didn't consider herself a lady. In Westeros, where social classes were strictly defined, only unmarried noblewomen could be called "young ladies."
This title was reserved for noble girls, like Miss Sansa from House Stark or Miss Arya. Commoners didn't dare to use such titles.
Understanding this, Jason felt a bit sheepish. He touched his nose in embarrassment and decided to change the subject. "Uh, Lina, what brings you here? Did something happen to little Lilian?"
"No, my lord," she quickly replied, shaking her head. "After you treated her, Lilian is doing much better. She is still sleeping."
Lena lowered her head shyly again, continuing, "My sister mentioned that you live here alone and don't have anyone to take care of you. She asked me to see if I could help you…"
At that moment, Jason remembered that the girl had said she would serve him and his family for life. He had thought she was joking, but now it seemed she was serious!
Jason couldn't help but smile a bit, torn between amusement and disbelief. "Lina, I helped little Lilian because I couldn't bear to see a small child suffer. I don't want anything in return."
"In our land, both nobles and commoners value the health of children highly. When someone needs help, others step in."
"You don't need to thank me too much, and you don't have to think about how to repay me," he explained gently. "Do you understand what I mean? You really don't have to do this…"
"Sir, please let me serve you as a maid. Don't turn me away," Lena pleaded, her eyes filling with tears as she looked at him. Forgetting her sister's instructions, she spoke from her heart. "My sister said you are a good person, and if I can follow you, it would be my luck."
"Ever since my brother-in-law Vic died, my sister and I have been struggling to care for the children…"
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