Chapter 49
Amy doubted her own ears. Her face, bent toward the floor with her waist lowered, was twisted harshly.
“It means misfortune is heavily clinging to you, so don’t act rashly. Do you understand my words?”
“…Yes.”
“Then keep that in mind and withdraw.”
“Understood, Lord Logue.”
But when she lifted her head, Amy wore the obedient face of a loyal servant.
“Oh, by the way. I’ve prepared fresh medicine and left it on your desk. Have you checked it yet?”
At her gentle inquiry, Aldrich merely waved his hand dismissively, as though annoyed. Amy smiled sweetly.
“Lord Rupert has strongly urged you not to skip your medicine. Then, I’ll take my leave.”
Click. When the door closed, the corridor outside was so empty that not even an ant stirred. The western annex, where Aldrich resided, always had this air of desolation—utterly unlike the lively parts of the estate bustling with retainers during the council period.
A pathetic sight, bereft of Saiden’s shining glory. It suited Aldrich perfectly, but Amy’s insides twisted at it. Back when the former Duke and Duchess were alive, even the western annex had been vibrant with life.
“What? Leave that woman alone? What’s there to be afraid of that he trembles so much?”
Grit—her teeth ground savagely, echoing down the quiet hall.
Aldrich Logue, pale-faced and telling her to leave Selachia Saiden be, looked like a man possessed by a ghost.
Using misfortune as an excuse to cover his own petty, cowardly nature only made him look even more contemptible.
“As if I’d ever listen to his orders. He’s not even truly a Saiden.”
Lodging here temporarily, yet acting as if he had real authority—what a delusion.
Every plan and action Amy carried out was always her own, and always for Saiden.
Even without Aldrich’s command, Amy would have cast Selachia out of this mansion.
That woman did not belong in House Saiden. How could someone so dull and even lazy become mistress of glorious Saiden?
If the former Duchess were alive in the land of the dead, she would surely lament and return in outrage. Amy, who had dedicated her whole life to Saiden, could not possibly allow it either.
“Amy. As always, I entrust Saiden to you.”
Had not the late Duchess herself left Amy with this special charge before she died? Amy never forgot her mission, etched deep in her heart.
“Tch. Why couldn’t she have just died quietly, instead of coming back.”
Things were taking a strange turn.
Because wages had been raised, the servants had grown slightly fond of Selachia. Even the young Duke was showing troubling signs of caring for her.
Assigning her two dedicated attendants, handing over the household ledgers—under his watchful eye, it had become impossible to slip anything into her food anymore.
How regrettable it was that Sophie had died before fulfilling her purpose.
“Fools, deceived by appearances.”
Was she truly the only one who could see the sordid reality hiding behind that glittering shell?
“Perhaps I should expose her true self. That would make everyone wake up.”
Conveniently, it was the council season. If she humiliated Selachia before the gathered vassals, it would be entertaining. Whether she was beaten or fled the mansion in shame didn’t matter.
Either outcome was acceptable.
“The ship will return soon. When it does, I’ll crush her pride completely. Three months left… no, two, wasn’t it?”
Muttering to herself, Amy had by then reached the mansion’s main building.
Climbing the stairs toward the Duke’s office, she spotted Nancy in the corridor, waving her arms about in front of the office door.
Amy’s eyes flashed as she rushed up to her.
“What on earth do you think you’re doing here, acting so improperly!”
Startled, Nancy lowered her hands, which had been slicing through the air as though holding an invisible sword.
“L-Lady Amy.”
“Don’t you realize countless people are coming and going in the mansion right now? Servants are the face of the household. Saiden’s dignity could be mocked because of you! Do you think being appointed the lady’s personal maid makes you someone important?”
“That’s not what I meant… I’m sorry.”
“I’ll be watching you, Nancy. Mind your conduct carefully.”
Amy glared at Nancy as if to stab her with her eyes, then turned that same sharp gaze toward Roberta, who stood nearby, before striding away.
Left behind, Roberta looked baffled.
“What’s with her, Nancy? Does she fancy herself some noble’s daughter who just likes wearing maid uniforms? She talks like she’s heir to Count Belfona’s house.”
“That’s not it. Lady Amy is a maid like us.”
“She looks only a little older than me, so she can’t be head maid. If she’s just another maid, why do you sound so cowed answering her?”
“She’s in a position similar to the head maid. Lady Amy has been here nearly as long, and the two of them are close like mother and daughter.”
Chattering her reply, Nancy’s shoulders drooped under the sting of Amy’s rebuke. Unlike her usual spirited self, who rolled about the floors and air during training, she looked deflated.
Roberta, unable to stand seeing her downcast, thumped her on the shoulder. The blow was so strong that Nancy’s small body wobbled.
“Devote yourself more to the sword, Nancy. Once you reach a certain level, words from brats like that won’t even reach your ears. If they annoy you, you can just—”
Roberta drew her thumb across her throat with a grin. Nancy flinched in horror.
“Even if you’re a noble knight, you can’t just kill someone because they upset you!”
“It’s just a saying, just a saying. But if your swordsmanship stands out, I’ll even reserve a spot for you in the gladiator arena I’ll open in the capital someday. You could quit being a maid.”
“Gladiator arena?” The sudden declaration made Nancy tilt her head, though she refused firmly.
“I’m not quitting being a maid. I’ll stay with my lady until the day I die.”
“What? Hey, that’s not fair! Why do you think I’ve been teaching you? This is an investment in my future!”
“I’m learning swordsmanship so I can beat up anyone who bullies my lady. I don’t care about gladiator matches.”
“Nancy!”
Roberta stomped her foot, but Nancy ignored her, clasping her fists together in front of her and raising them.
“Sir Knight, let’s just start our next training session. Is this stance correct? Should I hold my hands higher?”
It was sometime after this that Dominic came seeking Tenus.
The long-awaited day of the banquet finally arrived. Though it would only begin at dusk, Selachia had been peering anxiously out the window since morning.
The brilliant sun rose over the endless sea beyond the balcony. The day was dazzlingly clear.
From the opposite window, she could see the vast gardens and, far in the distance, the mansion gates. Her eyes refused to leave that spot.
She had asked Chester not to come, and she had no expectation of anyone from Rensh showing up. But there was one guest she longed for so desperately she could hardly sit still—her former tutor.
The woman had left her post hastily before Selachia’s coming-of-age ceremony, so if they met today, it would be their first reunion in nearly five years.
“Nancy. Has there been any word from the gatekeeper yet?”
“Oh, my lady, this is the seventh time you’ve asked me already. I promised him—he’ll send word the moment your guest arrives.”
“You didn’t forget to remind him, did you?”
“As if! This is your request we’re talking about.”
That’s precisely what worried her. Perhaps she should have used Tenus’s name for emphasis.
The thought arose unbidden, and her brow furrowed sharply at the name, reflexively summoned. Nancy, misinterpreting the expression, flinched nervously.
“I-I’ll go remind him again, just in case.”
“Mhm. Thank you, Nancy.”
Yet even after lunch, there was no news.
Perhaps they weren’t coming after all. The invitation had been sent so last-minute, after all. But Selachia couldn’t help feeling crushed.
“Madam, I found the section about sea fairies in the book! But it says they don’t take human form?”
At least she had Raschly’s visit for comfort. He had come, as always, to join her for tea.
Nancy brought bread and lingonberry jam from the kitchen, saying it was prepared for them. But remembering yesterday’s incident, Selachia only nibbled at it reluctantly. She couldn’t resist touching it altogether, but she tried to restrain herself.
“Maybe, like the sea serpent, the fairy also manifested by borrowing a mermaid’s power? But then why don’t they appear in Saiden’s seas? I’d like to see one myself.”
“Perhaps she appeared just to grant my wish. You could always try casting a message bottle into the sea yourself, young master…”
Selachia was just soothing Raschly’s disappointment when Nancy hurried back in with news.
“My lady! Someone bearing your invitation has just passed through the mansion gate!”
“Truly? How many people were in the carriage?”
“They said two.”
