Episode 16
Just like Noel had said, a few days later, an invitation arrived for Lilith. It was an invitation to a memorial ceremony honoring the first Duke of Harriet.
“A memorial ceremony…?”
I slowly read through the invitation again.
“Memorial ceremony?”
Verdi, who was organizing clothes nearby, tilted her head.
“It’s an invitation to a memorial ceremony held by the Harriet family to honor the first Duke.”
“Hmm, I guess that makes sense, since it’s the Harriet family.”
“Why?”
“Well, if you think about the first Duke’s achievements…”
Verdi had continued speaking as if it was obvious but then looked at my puzzled face and made an ‘oh no’ expression. She had just realized I hadn’t received a proper education.
“The first Duke of Harriet was someone essential to the founding of the Empire. At that time, there were two factions—Harriet’s and the first Emperor’s—fighting over who would become the Emperor.”
“I see.”
I nodded seriously, as if I were listening to a history lesson.
“When the tension between the two factions was at its peak, Harriet swore eternal loyalty to the Emperor. In return, the Emperor granted him the title of Duke.”
Verdi added that the Duke’s contribution to founding the Empire was so great that he’s still called a hero today.
“That’s why the day he swore loyalty and received his title became a national commemoration day. Even the royal family takes part in the ceremony. You’ve really never heard of it?”
“Nope.”
I nodded with an awkward smile.
‘I didn’t know there was such a tradition.’
I knew the Empire had commemorative days, but I usually didn’t even know what they were for.
‘I think I read about it in the novel too.’
But the description was so long I must have skimmed it and forgotten.
“But is it really okay for us to go to such a ceremony?”
The invitation was for Lilith and two maids. Thankfully, Verdi and I would probably be the ones going.
‘Will the other three maids accept it quietly?’
It was a rare chance to meet many nobles and maybe get noticed for a new job. Since the other maids still wanted to leave Lilith’s side, they might be tempted.
‘Though they’d probably hesitate if it means staying with Lilith.’
Verdi leaned in to read the invitation slowly.
“Lilith seems happy, and the Duke’s family sent a proper invitation, so I think it’ll be fine.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“And we’ll probably meet other nobles at the ceremony too.”
“That’s true.”
It was a good chance to look for guardian candidates and let them know about Lilith. I nodded in agreement with Verdi’s words when—
Crash!
There was a loud noise, like something had fallen. Verdi and I looked at each other.
“…Where’s the young lady?”
“I left after making sure she was asleep.”
Verdi looked confused as she answered. But if it wasn’t Lilith, none of the other maids would make such a loud noise.
“Did she maybe wake up?”
Hearing Verdi’s worried voice, I got up.
“Maybe.”
Lilith would sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and walk out of her room alone. It was something unthinkable before, but now she had become more lively after spending time with us.
“She didn’t trip in her sleep, did she?”
I was thinking the same thing as Verdie.
“I’ll go check, Verdie.”
Without hesitating, I walked toward the sound. The hallway a little away from Lilith’s bedroom was noisy.
“You filthy—what do you think you’re doing?!”
When I arrived, I heard a boy’s voice I had heard once before.
“This voice…”
I ran toward it and immediately saw Lilith on the floor. Next to her, three maids stood frozen, not knowing what to do. All their eyes were fixed on—
“L-Lord Crowd, I’m so sorry!”
Meria, not even paying attention to Lilith, was only worried about the boy.
‘Crowd Shainon.’
I frowned as I looked at the young master of the Shainon family, whom I had met a few days ago.
He stood in front of Lilith, brushing off his pants with his hands.
I quickly ran to Lilith and knelt beside her to check her condition.
“Young Lady! Are you okay?”
Crowd seemed to have come alone; I didn’t see his attendant.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Uung, I’m okay.”
Thankfully, Lilith didn’t seem to be injured. But her big eyes were blinking slowly in shock.
“I’m glad you’re not hurt.”
“Chloe.”
Lilith reached out and wrapped her arms around my neck. I gently hugged her trembling body.
“You were really scared, weren’t you?”
Lilith nodded slightly while in my arms.
“Ahem! Ahem!”
As I patted her back to calm her down, Crowd cleared his throat loudly in front of me.
As if saying, “I’m here too, so pay attention to me.”
“…What brings you here, Lord Crowd?”
Still holding Lilith, I asked the boy.
Crowd looked down at me with a frown. Something was bothering him.
“You!”
Crowd pointed at me with his finger.
“I personally came all the way here to forgive the rudeness you showed me last time! Aren’t you happy to see me?!”
He crossed his arms and said nonsense.
‘…What the hell is he talking about?’
I stared at him in disbelief. Unbothered, he continued to complain in an annoyed voice.
“Because of you, I bumped into this filthy trash! How dare she grab my clothes while falling!”
“…I’m sorry, young master.”
I apologized, but I kept comforting Lilith without stopping.
“And now I’ve even touched her dirty face. Ugh!”
Crowd pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his hand, as if he had touched something filthy, even though nothing was on it. Then he threw the handkerchief on the floor.
“…Touched her face?”
I asked, catching onto something he said. He must be talking about Lilith. Did he say he touched her face? When I asked, the boy looked proud.
“Yes, that trash tried to touch my clothes, so I slapped her face. What kind of servant lets their master behave like that?!”
“…What did you just say?”
I blinked slowly and gently loosened Lilith’s arms around me.
“C-Chloe?”
Lilith looked at me with confusion. That’s when I noticed something I had missed. One side of her face was bright red, with a clear handprint. Lilith was probably more scared from being hit than from falling.
I stood up.
“…I apologize for my past rudeness, Lord Crowd. Please forgive me.”
“Hmph! Well, if you bow your head like that, maybe I can.”
“But please don’t take your anger out on the young lady for my mistake.”
“…What?”
“She’s still a child…”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m part of the Shainon family. Isn’t it my right to discipline her?”
His words cut me off. I bit my lip for a moment. I took a deep breath and forced a smile.
“Then from now on, punish me instead. I’ll take responsibility for anything she does wrong.”
Crowd frowned.
I slowly let the smile fade and hardened my expression.
“So please don’t ever lay a hand on my master again, young master.”
“What, what? Do you even know who I am?!”
“You’re the young master of the Shainon family.”
“That’s right! I’ll be the next head of the Shainons. Are you saying I can’t do as I please with what’s mine?!”
I shrugged and muttered.
“…We’ll see if you really become the head.”
It wasn’t that quiet—I was sure he heard me.
“…W-What did you just say?”
The boy was too stunned to reply properly. I tilted my head with an innocent look.
“What’s wrong? Did I say something?”
“W-What, you—!”
I tilted my head again and kept a pure expression. Anyone watching would think Crowd was getting upset over nothing. Even the boy seemed unsure if he had just imagined it.
“You, you dare?! Do you even know who I am?!”
“I thought we already covered that… The son of Lord Shainon, right?”
I answered as if it was obvious.
Crowd had nothing to show off except being the Shainon heir.
“This annex doesn’t suit someone like you. Why don’t you go back to the main house?”
“H-Hah!”
“Well then, young lady, shall we go back?”
I gently whispered to Lilith, took her small hand, and turned around.
Just as we took our first step, Crowd’s voice came from behind—
