Chapter 119
“Uh, well… that is…”
“If your intention was to test us, it seems you have succeeded, but please, would you kindly reveal your true identity?”
“…What?”
Erica was thoroughly flustered.
She hadn’t intended to deceive anyone, and she certainly hadn’t expected this misunderstanding.
“A test? No, that’s not it! Why would I test you all?”
“Then could you tell us your identity?”
Erica’s expression turned unjust.
She babbled to clear up the misunderstanding immediately.
“There’s really nothing special about it… I’m Tene’Arha.”
“You dare! And to claim the name Tene’Arha!”
Count Brook spat as he shouted.
Tene’Arha.
The Emperor’s sword, the highest rank in the Imperial Court that even the central nobility could not dare approach recklessly.
“How dare you impersonate Tene’Arha without fear…!”
Vroom—
Instead of answering, Erica lightly let her aura flare and then vanish.
She didn’t even consider it worth a reply—just showing her aura was enough—but Count Brook’s eyes nearly popped out.
The blue aura also widened the eyes of the maids. Even if they tried to stay calm, it was useless.
And then came an even more shocking statement.
“I’ve been a longtime friend of His Grace, the Duke.”
“…?”
“I’ve come to meet His Grace, the Duke.”
It kept getting worse. Everyone’s eyes nearly popped out.
A longtime friend of Duke Aragon?
To hear such words spoken by someone on Imperial soil… it was inconceivable.
“W-what….”
Count Brook’s jaw almost dropped.
“I didn’t think you would believe me if I told you… so I’ve been waiting for the Duke’s return.”
Erica glanced subtly at Owen. She felt embarrassed for causing such a commotion.
“I should have at least gone to the butler first and explained things ahead of time.”
“You possess the sword of the former Duke, do you not? If you had shown them that heirloom of the Duke family, they would have treated you with utmost respect.”
“Did this sword mean that much? I didn’t realize.”
“…”
“I just received it from Chaud…”
“…”
Owen paused, considering where to start retracing and questioning.
The circumstances of receiving the former Duke’s sword “just like that”?
Or the fact that she casually mentioned the name “Chaud”?
‘Her Highness allowed her to speak that name…?’
It was a name that ruled over the northern lands of the Empire.
A name that no one else could utter, yet she spoke it casually as if familiar.
“But, um, Butler, could I explain everything later?”
Erica tapped the sword lightly against another.
Count Brook trembled, holding a decorative sword.
Clang—the sword fell to the ground.
“I want to take care of this person first.”
In truth, Erica had just made good friends while staying at the Duke’s Castle.
She wasn’t sure how to explain everything, but explanations could always be made later.
“Count Brook.”
Erica spoke his name softly.
“For the crime of pointing a sword at a high-ranking northern noble, I will personally report to His Grace and receive punishment.”
“…”
“So, Count, would you kindly leave now?”
Count Brook had already gone pale. He couldn’t answer, his eyes darting around in panic.
“Everything about today’s visit… I will report to His Grace without leaving anything out.”
“T-to His Grace…!”
“Is there a problem?”
“Th-that, that is….”
The reason Count Brook had continued his tyranny for so long was simple:
The Duke had been unaware of these incidents.
Count Brook turned his trembling head toward the butler.
“The butler will report to His Grace, so there’s no need for me to say anything further…”
“…”
The butler stood silently, meeting his gaze.
He had never reported it to the Duke before.
Count Brook knew this.
Until now, the staff had silently endured whatever he did, quietly swallowing their grievances.
They could not trouble His Grace, already burdened with serious matters, over such things.
Count Brook exploited this, committing atrocities without hesitation.
“…Yes, that’s correct, Count Brook.”
Owen gritted his teeth slightly and looked at him.
“This time, I will properly report everything to His Grace.”
“…?!”
At the butler’s words, Count Brook’s mouth dropped open.
“You, a precious guest of His Grace, have been caught up in this incident—there is no way this can be hidden.”
Owen said this while slightly bowing to Erica.
Erica responded with a small smile and then spoke toward Count Brook.
“That’s right.”
“I-I just…!”
“It seems improper for you to remain in a house without a master for too long. I think His Grace would be upset if he knew.”
“…”
“Now, please leave.”
Thud—Count Brook dropped to his knees, collapsing to the floor.
“…”
Erica stared down at the utterly spoiled noble before her.
She sheathed her Mithril sword.
She was certain that Count Brook would never step foot in the Duke’s Castle again.
Erica’s accommodations had changed.
‘This is way too spacious.’
She was assigned a magnificent guest room.
She ran her hand over a velvet sofa. Soft, luxurious, and of the finest material.
She gazed at the cherrywood-colored, antique-style decorations.
“Head Maid.”
“You may call me Jocelyn.”
Head Maid Jocelyn spoke with unmatched courtesy and respect.
Erica being Tene’Arha, the highest rank in the Imperial Court, was hardly a problem.
But Butler Owen and Head Maid Jocelyn had just held an emergency meeting.
They had failed to recognize such a precious guest and let her stay in the maid’s quarters.
They had assigned her all sorts of menial chores in the Duke’s Castle.
Honestly, it was a disaster. Their pride as managers of the Duke’s Castle had taken a hit.
They worried that His Grace might scold them if he found out. Thinking about it made them break out in a cold sweat.
From now on, they had to treat her with the utmost care and make amends before the Duke returned.
“Have you had any maids you particularly liked?”
“…?”
Erica tilted her head, wondering why she was being asked that.
She tapped her lips with her finger, thinking.
“Maids I liked? There are too many…”
“Multiple are fine. If you tell me their names, they will attend to you immediately.”
“…?”
“We want to ensure your stay is comfortable by assigning attendants.”
“…??”
Erica gaped and waved her hands in alarm.
The guest room was already unnecessarily large; having attendants was excessive.
“No, that’s fine.”
Ignoring Erica’s frantic gestures, Jocelyn gracefully raised her arm.
“The wardrobe is over here. Comfortable everyday dresses are prepared. If you wish, we can tailor specific designs…”
“Dresses? No! I don’t wear flouncy, cumbersome outfits.”
“In that case, we’ll prepare sleek, well-fitted clothing.”
“…?”
“To get exact measurements, I’ll summon the salon’s madam.”
“Eh?”
Erica’s eyes went wide.
Something was clearly going very wrong.
The real problem was—well, the very place she was standing.
She shouldn’t be admiring this lavish guest room.
She hadn’t properly comforted the children bullied by the plump noble, nor had she gone to give Sally her birthday gift.
She was busy!
“Um, Head Maid.”
“You may call me Jocelyn.”
“Yes, Jocelyn!”
Erica said the name as requested.
“About my accommodations… could I stay again with the cleaning-room girls, like before?”
“That would break protocol. Letting a guest of His Grace stay there would tarnish the Duke family’s honor.”
“Ah…”
She couldn’t create such trouble.
“Alright, I’ll stay here then.”
Erica flopped onto the plush sofa.
She turned her head here and there, admiring the interior decorations when—
“Miss Erica.”
Jocelyn approached the sofa and knelt politely.
She looked up at Erica’s clear eyes.
“Thank you for saving the maids from Count Brook.”
