Chapter 26

Merdi was in the midst of preparing for the evening’s outing. The newly hired maids skillfully braided her hair and pinned it up. When they placed a floral pin in the arrangement, it looked as if a flower had bloomed in her voluminous, reddish-gold hair. Her attire and accessories were as splendid as her coiffure. Their skilled makeup application had mostly concealed the wound on her cheek. Unless one looked carefully, no one would notice. The new maids did their best to adorn her, a stark contrast to the previous servants, but Merdi’s expression remained grim.