Chapter Seven

I was slowly growing dazed after hearing so many shocking words.

Even if you resented the current emperor for his tyranny, how could you say that he would do terrible things to the Queen?

There’s no way my gentle Hadel would do such a thing.

“I was originally going to ask Ariana because of her silver hair. And since His Majesty is kind to the de Ach family, he won’t kill Ariana right away if she goes in as the Queen, no matter how crazy he is. However, I think this maid is much better to use.”

After saying that, Nella turned to look at me.

As she slowly observed me with clear contempt in her expression, doubt slowly clouded her face.

“How does a lowly maid have such a rich color? No, wait a second. You somehow… look kind of similar…?”

Nella looked back and forth between Ariana and I with her purple eyes.

Flinching, I bowed my head, but Nella had already begun looking at my family and I with suspicious eyes.

“That’s obvious. This child is my distant relative. Her name…”

Luckily, my father covered it up well. However, we had run into a rut. It seemed he didn’t know what he should say for my name.

I took a step forward and opened my mouth.

“My name is Serienne.”

“Hm. I see. The Viscount’s distant relative. Then are you a noble? Aren’t you a maid?”

“…No, I am a maid. Please treat me comfortably, My Lady.”

Since Serienne’s identity is actually a commoner.

This was the identity that had been created after I had wandered around, with no memory nor identity, getting locked up in jail several times as a result.

Although I had planned on getting rid of it as there was no need for it now, it seemed that I needed it again.

“Well, I’ve said all that I wanted to say. I will take it as the Viscount has no objections?”

“No, wait one moment, My Lady. This child is still my…!”

“Viscount.”

Although my father tried to protest, Nella cut him off with a firm expression that showed she would not tolerate any objections. Her voice, which had dropped a pitch, made it clear that this was a threat.

“The Viscount does not have the right to protest. If I say it is, so it shall be.”

“…!”

“Then, shall we leave right away? I have an impatient personality. And there isn’t much time left until the queen’s appointment ceremony.”

Smiling widely, Nella stood up.

The chair she had been sitting on quickly disappeared among the maids.

Nella brushed herself off before gesturing with her hand, causing the office’s door to open.

“What are you doing? Follow me.”

At her behaviour and words which made it clear she believed following her was the obvious action to take, I unconsciously clenched my fists.

However, I had to hold it in for now.

“Please wait one moment, My Lady.”

“Are you saying that someone like you would dare make me wait?”

“I need to bid farewell to the Viscount.”

“…Fine, whatever. Since we need to leave right away, finish quickly and come out.”

As if she was being kind, Nella shrugged her shoulders before leaving the room.

Although I could hear some nonsense like ‘aren’t I so gracious?’ in the distance, that wasn’t important right now.

After the office’s door completely closed, and I confirmed that nobody was near, I quickly grabbed my father’s hand.

“Father. It’s okay.”

“…Asha.”

Father had always been soft-hearted, but it seemed he’d become even more soft-hearted now. To think that his hands would be trembling like this.

To lighten the somber mood, I forced the corners of my lips up into a smile.

“This is actually better. You said that the Valkirinos were completely blocking our movements. So meeting Hadel was looking difficult.”

“But…”

“They themselves are saying they’ll take me to Hadel, so what’s there to worry about?”

It was the truth. To think that things would work out this easily.

Just moments earlier, I had been thinking it might take a long time to meet Hadel again.

But the situation had rapidly taken a turn.

“Haha. To think that I, who am already married to Hadel, will marry him again. It’s quite funny.”

“…But Asha. His Majesty doesn’t know your face.”

With a worried expression, father caressed my face. Since his deep silver eyes looked exactly like mine, it felt odd.

“Father.”

“Yes, Asha. Go ahead.”

“I trust Hadel.”

We had spent 10 years together. Even if the time we spent away from each other was also 10 years, I had resolute faith in him.

Even if Hadel didn’t know my face.

“There’s no way he wouldn’t recognize me.”

“…Asha. You… you don’t know. How much His Majesty has changed.”

“No, Father. Hadel is Hadel.”

That kid is just hurt right now.

Because he’s hurt. Since it hurts so much, he never knew what else to do but cry.

That’s how soft-hearted of a child he was.

“Since he’s my husband. I know him best.”

I squeezed my father’s hand tightly before letting go and standing up. If I put this off any longer, that crazy girl might throw another tantrum.

Although I had only known her for a short time, Nella Valkirino was truly insane.

“Ah, I have a question. Father, the Duke’s daughter.”

“Are you talking about Young Lady Nella?”

“Yes. Even if she’s the Duke’s daughter, isn’t her attitude too much? Has she always been like this?”

Another silence fell in the office. That in itself was the same as an answer.

“…I see. There’s no need for you to explain. It seems that a certain disrespectful witch needs etiquette lessons.”

Though she may be the Duke’s daughter, the way she was treating a viscount was worse than simple rudeness.

It seemed that she was acting up because of her father, but she was still a mere Valkirino.

With a silent smile, my eyes gleamed.

With anxious eyes, Father asked me.

“…Asha, what are you planning?”

“Nothing much. Don’t worry, Father.”

“But your eyes.”

“What’s wrong with my eyes?”

“I remember you always caused an accident whenever you had that look in your eyes.”

“Hmph, Father worries too much. It’s really nothing important.”

Just the simple thought that I should use my connections with my husband and do as I please?

So Hadel. You just try and not recognize me.

If you do, I won’t leave you alone.

* * *

“Ex-Excuse me…!”

“Hm?”

As I left the residence and was approaching Nella’s carriage, someone came up awkwardly to my side and spoke up.

When I turned, the guard who had treated me like a crazy bitch stood beside me with a pale face.

“Hmph. What, are you going to call me a crazy bitch again?”

“What! A crazy bitch? Are you saying that this guard called you that?”

Next to me, my father got angry after hearing my words.

I had spoken lightly while smiling, but to the guard, it must have sounded like he was about to lose his job.

“Gosh! My Lady! I didn’t recognize you and committed such a transgression!”

With a loud cry, he suddenly fell to the ground and started rubbing his hands together.

“I-I failed to recognize you! How dare I!”

Slap-!

The guard stopped begging and started slapping himself.

“How dare I! Speak such nonsense! To the Young Lady! Ack!”

Slap! Slap!

Wait, excuse me… y-you should stop now.

As soon as I opened my mouth to stop him, the guard must have thought I was going to expose his dark past and started slapping himself harder.

Slaaap!

“Eeeek! I apologize, I am sorry! I will never! Open my mouth so recklessly again!”

“Excuse me, sir, um…”

“Aaaah! My eyes were just for decoration! How could I! Not recognize the Young Lady! When you’re so noble and beautiful!”

Slaaaaaaap!

Wow, that must really hurt…

Though I wanted to fire him right then and there after thinking back at his words and actions towards me, seeing him repent to this extent made me pity him.

I knew, since I had worked as a maid. How scary it was to lose your master’s favor with a single mistake.

“Ack! Master! Please overlook this just once! If you do, I’ll serve you with this one body forever…!”

While listening to his high-pitched declaration, I took a glance towards the direction of Duke Valkirino’s daughter.

It would be better to shut this guard’s mouth.

“I’ll forgive you.”

At my calm words, the guard temporarily shut his wide-open mouth before bowing his head.

“Gosh, My Lady! Thank you so much! I’ve really committed a grave sin!”

“Instead.”

Bending down towards the guard, I quietly spoke.

“You must remain silent about what happened and what you saw today. If you don’t…”

“…Eek! O-Of course!”

He was a quick-witted guard. Before I even finished speaking, he blocked his mouth with his hands and nodded quickly.

Although it was unlikely that we could hide this forever, this was something I could keep silent about until I met Hadel.

“Travel safely!”

Leaving the guard whose attitude had done a complete switch from when I had arrived here behind, I walked towards the carriage.

From behind, I could hear my young family’s teary goodbyes.

“Sister. You have to contact us!”

“Heuk, Sister! I’ll wait. I’ll wait!”

“Safely… go well! You have to contact us. Got it?”

Although my heart twinged at having to leave so soon after being reunited with my family, there was no other option.

Given the situation, meeting Hadel as quickly as possible using any available method would be the starting point of solving all of our problems.

“Okay. I’m leaving.”

Before I entered the carriage, I used all my strength to wave.

“Why are you making such a big fuss? It’s so distracting. Hurry and get on! I told you we don’t have much time,” Nella shouted sharply from within the carriage.

Awkwardly finishing my goodbyes with my family, I entered the carriage.

“After hearing that I was the Viscount’s distant relative, the guard wanted to apologize. Earlier, he insulted me.”

“Hm. How funny. The two of you are of the same commoner filth anyway.”

Ah, yes, yes. I’m sure it’s like that, my virtuous noble lady.

“Ugh, I really hate this. I thought I’d be going with Ariana, so I only prepared one carriage. If I knew I’d be taking a commoner, I would have prepared two carriages.”

Nella complained, scowling at me like I was dirty.

At that, I was surprised at where she had learned these kinds of thoughts.

Following Nella’s hand gestures, I sat quietly in the corner.

I swear… living with this commoner identity is too sad to bear.

Fortunately, the carriage drove quickly, and stopped just as soon as we had left.

“We’ve arrived, My Lady.”

I, who had dozed off briefly, opened my eyes while half-awake.

As soon as I climbed down from the carriage, I saw a dazzling residence.

“Wow… Did they pour gold over it?”

I was surprised at the grand scale, as well as the gold covering all of the bricks.

Above all that, my eyes widened as I saw the vast number of servants.

“How dimwitted. This one will lead you to the room that you’ll use temporarily. For now, wash yourself thoroughly and sleep. Let’s talk more tomorrow.”

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A beautiful maid approached me.

“It’s this way.”

She led me not to the residence I had seen but the servants’ quarters nearby.

And like that, in the middle of enemy territory, I took another step closer towards the house of those who contributed most in splitting Hadel and I apart.