Inside the rattling carriage, Frey’s face was brimming with excitement.
“A summer villa belonging to a young master. How wonderful could it be?”
“Indeed. You seem to be looking forward to it quite a bit, my lady.”
“Of course. Aren’t you?”
“Frey.”
Curtis, having overheard the conversation through the open window, quietly called his sister’s name.
“Oh. Right. Melanie.”
Frey corrected herself immediately, repeating the name as if to ensure she wouldn’t forget it. Melanie, Melanie, Melanie.
“I have to call you Melanie for the time being, but it doesn’t quite roll off the tongue.”
“Wouldn’t it be fine to just call me Roxana while we’re in the carriage?”
“If you’re eager to have your head chopped off for being exposed, by all means.”
Curtis retorted teasingly and slammed the carriage window shut. Frey, unaware of the deeper meaning, shook her head.
“I know it would be troublesome if people found out you’re a maid, but it’s not exactly a capital offense. I don’t know why my brother’s personality turned out like that.”
“He’s probably just worried about me in his own way.”
Roxana defended Curtis, though it felt like she had a thorn stuck in her throat.
“He always had a bit of a mean streak, but he wasn’t like this before. It does seem like he’s particularly harsh with you.”
Frey muttered this, then fell silent as if deep in thought. A long while later, she looked up with a determined expression.
“Roxana. Are you, by any chance……”
“…….”
At her serious tone, Roxana swallowed hard. *Could it be? No, it can’t be.*
Just as the tension reached its peak, Frey finished her sentence.
“Do you look like a pushover?”
“…….”
“I’m joking.”
While Roxana was busy catching her breath, the carriage suddenly came to a halt. Frey opened the window and looked for Curtis.
“Brother, what’s the matter?”
“It seems one of the maids is suffering from severe motion sickness.”
There was only one maid. The extra mouth that Robert had sent along without a word.
“Lizzie!”
Frey called her name irritably and grumbled.
“Can’t we just leave her behind? Give her some money and tell her to go back to the castle.”
“And what if something happens to her?”
“Nothing will happen. Besides, isn’t it her own fault? She should have told Robert she couldn’t come if she wasn’t up for it.”
“My lady.”
Roxana, having stopped Frey as her words grew harsher, opened the carriage door.
“I’ll go check on her condition for a moment.”
* * *
It wasn’t an act. Seeing Lizzie’s pale face, Roxana asked with concern.
“You look ghastly. Is your stomach very upset?”
“Yes. I feel like I’m going to die……”
Lizzie shook her head and replied with great difficulty.
“It’s worse because it’s my first time riding a donkey.”
“Then……”
There were no herbs for motion sickness among the things they had brought. Even if there were, it was doubtful whether Lizzie would accept them. Roxana knew that Lizzie disliked her. Though she had been obedient lately, there was always hostility in her eyes.
“If we keep going like this, I might really die. Can’t you do something?”
Lizzie, growing anxious at Roxana’s silence, pleaded. Seeing her desperate gaze, Roxana sighed inwardly. She couldn’t agonize over it for long with a sick person right in front of her.
“I think you’ll have to ride in the carriage. I’ll have to get permission, but……”
“Really? Thank you, Roxana!”
“Follow me.”
Roxana turned her back. At the same time, the wide smile on Lizzie’s face vanished. Everything so far had gone exactly as intended.
“You know, Lizzie? There’s a strange atmosphere between Roxana and the Lord. What are you going to do?”
“What do you mean, what am I going to do?”
“Think about it. The Lord hasn’t even had a mistress, let alone a wife, all this time. If he were to take Roxana as his mistress, what do you think will happen to you, after you’ve treated her so poorly?”
“That can’t be. The Lord wouldn’t take someone like her, whose background isn’t even clear.”
“Oh, my. You haven’t seen the way he looks at her. You’re in big trouble now, Lizzie.”
The woman in front of her, whose origins were unclear, had suddenly taken her place by Lady Frey’s side with her vulgar red hair. It was a position Lizzie had asked Butler Robert for time and again, only to be refused because she wasn’t up to the task. She had thought the girl would be kicked out soon out of spite, but somehow, she had worked some magic and was now acting like the lady’s own sister.
That wasn’t all. The people of the castle, having been helped by Roxana’s proficiency with herbs, were full of praise for her. The gazes that had once looked at her with disapproval had changed one by one, and as a result, Lizzie had become increasingly isolated. It was hard enough to endure as it was, but to become the Lord’s mistress?
That absolutely could not happen. While she was agonizing over it, she had overheard an interesting conversation.
“The butler told us to keep this absolutely quiet, but…… Roxana was wearing a nun’s habit when she first arrived here.”
“I wonder what her story is? Her speech and manners are quite refined, though.”
It felt as if her mind had cleared. There was definitely something about that woman. She might even be a criminal. If she found out her true identity and reported it, she could get a reward and get rid of that face she hated so much. So, she took the gamble of a lifetime: following this procession.
*I will definitely uncover your true identity.*
Lizzie gritted her teeth and made her vow.
* * *
The place they were invited to was a luxurious villa surrounded by a frozen lake. It was as beautiful as a fairy tale, but its inhabitants were of noble status. The carriage slowly came to a stop in the darkness after passing through the layers of guards.
“Welcome after your long journey. I hope you are not too weary.”
The one who greeted the guests was a noblewoman as elegant and beautiful as a white deer.
“We were weary, but the fatigue vanishes upon arriving here. Thank you for the invitation, Your Highness.”
The noblewoman was none other than Princess Margaret, the mother of Young Master Theo and sister to Duke Ferenc. Margaret, who watched Curtis kiss the back of her hand with interest, made a joke.
“I heard the Margrave had two pairs of eyes and carried a terrifying sword, but it seems the rumors were wrong.”
“It sounds like you were secretly hoping for that. I apologize for disappointing you. I should have hunted a bear on the way and worn its hide.”
“Oh, my. What a thing to say.”
Curtis, having let go of the Princess’s hand, replied in a playful tone. She burst into laughter and waved her hand.
“Did you come to Baroness Philomena’s banquet to correct the rumors? The young ladies were so desperate to speak with Sir Russell at the banquet.”
“To be honest, I regret going for no reason. Rumors are better when they’re frightening. That’s the only way bandits won’t dare to attack. Of course.”
Curtis, eyes narrowed, asked the man standing behind her.
“As Viscount Otis would know well.”
“……Hmph.”
Derek, brow furrowed, coughed uncomfortably.
“Oh, it seems you are acquainted.”
“Our territories are adjacent. Since you are a relative of the Princess, I assumed you would be invited.”
At the smooth reply, Margaret’s eyes sparkled. He was a man surrounded by ominous rumors, having been a mercenary before becoming a noble. She had heard he never left his territory, so it seemed the rumors were exaggerated. He had a sharp impression, but he was more sociable and witty than she had thought. That was his charm.
“I see. As it happens, my brother, who extended the invitation, was unable to come due to an urgent matter. It is quite embarrassing to have invited guests and not be here. The Viscount came in his stead, thankfully.”
In an instant, the expressions of the two men shifted. Roxana breathed a sigh of relief. On the other hand, Viscount Otis, looking as if he had bitten into a bitter persimmon, managed a strained smile.
“Let us consider the previous unpleasantness as if it never happened. I trust the Margrave feels the same.”
“Indeed, I do.”
Curtis, smiling with ease, introduced his sister according to protocol.
“Frey. This is the Princess.”
“It is, it is an honor to meet you, Your Highness. I have heard that the Principality of Anatol is a very beautiful place.”
It was her first time meeting someone of such high status, bordering on royalty. Frey greeted her with a trembling voice, following the proper etiquette. Margaret smiled warmly and replied.
“Oh. Thank you for saying so. I must invite you properly, Lady Russell.”
After finishing her greeting with Frey, Margaret’s gaze turned to the young lady standing quietly behind her.
“And you must be Lady Dalton, who took care of my son at the banquet.”
“Took care of him? That is too much praise. It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”
Roxana, just as nervous as Frey, bowed politely. Margaret’s sharp gaze swept over Roxana from head to toe.
“Melanie cured my nephew’s insomnia!”
“To be precise, it wasn’t a complete cure, just an alleviation.”
“That’s still something! And she’s also very good at paper folding!”
Melanie Dalton.
She was a woman who had won the favor of two very difficult people. Even as a foreigner, she knew the names of all the high-ranking nobles. Since it was a name she had never heard before, she assumed she wasn’t of high status. Yet, when she faced her, the aura she exuded and her elegant posture felt strangely familiar.
“I heard the story from Enoch and Theo. I was truly curious about who you were. I am glad to see you here.”
Roxana, feeling uncomfortable under the probing gaze, simply offered a smile. Margaret, who had stared at Roxana almost rudely, tilted her head.
“But…… haven’t we met somewhere before?”
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