Chapter 3 – “Please Leave Everything to Me!”
After finally arriving in the remote frontier land of Tori, I held down the excitement in my chest and headed straight for the First Knight Order’s dormitory.
The dormitory was even larger and more impressive than I had imagined.
High stone walls surrounded the building—proof that this was indeed a dangerous region—but aside from that, it looked almost like a castle.
*
“Starting today, I’ll be working here. My name is Sibel Vias.”
The first person to greet me was a beautiful woman, slightly older than me, with neatly tied brown hair.
“I’m Elga. I’ve heard about you. Please, come inside.”
“Yes!”
Guided by Elga, I followed her through the hallways of the dormitory.
*
“This will be your room,” she said.
“Oh my! Such a fine room for me? Are you sure?”
“…Is it really that fine? You’re the daughter of a count, aren’t you?” Elga gave me a curious look.
“Well, technically, yes.”
“Technically? Then surely your room at home was much bigger?”
“Well, yes… back when Father was still alive.”
After he passed away, my stepmother took my room for herself—despite already having her own.
Since then, I’d been living in one of the servants’ quarters.
It was smaller, but much easier to clean, so I didn’t really mind.
*
“I see. Well then,” Elga continued, “I hate to ask so soon after you’ve just arrived, but after you drop off your things, I’d like you to come with me.”
“Understood!”
“…You’re very energetic, aren’t you?”
When I replied with enthusiasm, Elga frowned slightly, as though puzzled, and glanced at me again.
*
“I’ve been looking forward to this so much!” I said brightly.
“Looking forward to it? To what, exactly?”
“Why, to—”
Ah, if I said “working in the knights’ dormitory!”, would she ask why again?
Most noble ladies would hate working in a place like this. I knew that.
If I honestly said, “Because I love knights!”, she’d probably think I was strange.
So I hesitated.
“…Well…” I trailed off.
Elga’s expression softened just a little.
“It’s good that you’re eager. But as you probably know, this is a dangerous place. We don’t have many workers, and the jobs are tough. For someone like you—a high-ranking noble lady—it may be difficult to handle—”
“Cleaning, laundry, cooking—please leave anything to me! I can do all of that!”
“…What?”
I spoke with full confidence.
After all, this was the knights’ dormitory, my dream workplace!
I came prepared to do whatever was needed, and anything I couldn’t do—I’d learn.
“I see…” Elga murmured softly. “You must have had a hard time yourself. Alright. But you’ve had a long journey, so once we finish the introductions and a short tour, you can rest. Still… you certainly don’t have much luggage.”
She nodded meaningfully, glancing down at the small trunk I was holding—it barely reached my knees.
“Oh! I’ll just go put it away right now!”
It was a little embarrassing, but that small trunk contained everything I owned.
The dresses and jewelry Father had given me had all been taken by my stepmother.
But it was fine—because now I was going to make new memories here at the knights’ dormitory!
I was sure that everyone who came to such a dangerous frontier must have their own circumstances too.
So Elga didn’t pry any further.
Even if it was a bit shameful for a count’s daughter to arrive with so little, I quickly set my trunk in the corner of the room and hurried after Elga down the corridor, ready to begin my new life.
